Pretoria to Cape Town by Rovos Rail: 4-Day Accessible Journey

4 days · By rail · Pretoria, Kimberley, Matjiesfontein, Cape Town

Three nights on the Pride of Africa, one of the world’s most luxurious trains, as the highveld gives way to the Karoo and the Cape winelands. For slow travellers and couples who want the journey itself to be the holiday.

Who it works for

• Physical (wheelchair users and slow walkers): With support (slow walkers manage with a companion’s help; not suitable for wheelchair users, as corridors and doors are narrow)
• Visual (blind and low vision): With support (staff guide you through the carriages, and guides describe the passing landscape)
• Hearing (Deaf and hard of hearing): Yes (dining and excursions are easy to follow, with written briefs on request)
• Hidden (autism, fatigue, chronic illness): Yes (a private suite to retreat to and a predictable daily rhythm)

Your days

Day 1: Pretoria

Board at Rovos Rail’s own station in Capital Park and leave mid-morning; lunch on board as the highveld rolls past.

Day 2: Kimberley

A tour of the diamond town and its Big Hole, or stay aboard and rest.

Day 3: The Karoo

A stop at the Victorian village of Matjiesfontein; sunset from the observation car.

Day 4: Cape Town

Through the winelands to arrive mid-afternoon.

Where you stay

• Pretoria · on board, Pullman, Deluxe or Royal suite · all meals and drinks
• Kimberley · on board
• The Karoo · on board

As listed or similar, subject to availability and to a measured accessible room.

Best time to go

Weather: May–August is dry inland, though the Cape is wet; spring and autumn are milder at both ends. Value: Rovos runs fixed departures; Accessible Travel Kenya confirms 2027 dates and fares, and pairing it with a Kenya safari from January to June uses the company’s lower vehicle rates.

Good to know

• Vehicles: transfers to and from the stations booked with Accessible Travel Kenya’s partner; adapted vehicle and meet-and-assist at JKIA if you start or end in Kenya.
• Rooms: Pullman, Deluxe or Royal suites on board · access profile to complete. Royal and Deluxe suites give more room to move. Carer and companion rates; adjoining suites on request.
• Equipment and support: a folding walking aid fits better than a wheelchair on board; 24-hour WhatsApp support.
• Communication and senses: Accessible Travel Kenya briefs the train team on your needs; written briefs; try-before-you-fly pack with photos of the suite and corridors.
• Pace: no driving and every excursion is optional. It meets Accessible Travel Kenya’s easy-pace standard.
• Limits and alternatives: not for wheelchair users. For a wheelchair-friendly southern break, choose S1 or S2. Also runs Cape Town to Pretoria.
• New for 2027: suite photos and a corridor walk-through video before booking, and Kenya safari add-ons before or after.

On every Accessible Travel Kenya journey

• Meet-and-assist at JKIA, Wilson and Moi airports, with an adapted vehicle at the kerb
• Adapted 4×4 Land Cruisers with ramp, tie-downs and pop-up roof; accessible vans in Nairobi and Mombasa
• Wheelchairs, shower chairs, commodes and more, delivered to your first hotel
• An easy pace: at most 4 hours’ driving a day, two nights per stop, a rest afternoon every three days
• A try-before-you-fly pack: photos of every step of your journey, room videos and a call with your guide
• Carer and companion rates, and health support: partner hospitals, oxygen or dialysis on request
• Sign language interpreters on request, 24-hour WhatsApp support and written briefs on every journey

Ready to plan? Every journey can be shortened, extended or combined. Contact Accessible Travel Kenya to customise this journey or message Accessible Travel Kenya on WhatsApp.

Senior-friendly and wheelchair accessible: Accessible Travel Kenya caters to everyone. As specialists in inclusive tourism, the company checks every vehicle, room and activity against your needs before the company confirms.