Your Route
Durban → Valley of a Thousand Hills → KZN Midlands → Ladysmith → Spionkop → Nambiti → Heidelberg → Pretoria
Northbound the safari begins at sea level in Durban and finishes on the Highveld, and it takes its excursions in the opposite order: Ardmore on the first afternoon, Spionkop and Nambiti on the second, and a long easy run across the goldfields to Pretoria on the third.
The Durban Safari runs during the southern summer in both directions. Northbound it leaves Durban Station on Jelf Taylor Crescent at ten in the morning and arrives at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria at four in the afternoon two days later, about 800 kilometres.
The first afternoon climbs out of the city through the Valley of a Thousand Hills, a landscape of folded green ridges above the Umgeni River, and into the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Ardmore Ceramics, founded there in 1985, is the excursion: a studio whose artists work from Zulu folklore and the natural world and whose pieces are now in museum collections around the world.
The second day takes Spionkop in the morning and Nambiti in the afternoon. Spionkop is where a January 1900 battle went very badly for the British army, watched by a young Winston Churchill and attended by Mohandas Gandhi as a stretcher bearer, with Louis Botha commanding on the Boer side. Guests choose between the historian's account on the ground and a nature drive in the 11,000 acre reserve.
Nambiti follows after lunch: a private Big Five conservancy of 20,000 acres, malaria free, holding savannah, grassland, thornveld and tall acacia and a species list to match. The last morning crosses the Highveld and the goldfields of the Witwatersrand into Pretoria.
Nambiti Big Five conservancy in the KwaZulu-Natal province
Journey Highlights
Ardmore Ceramics
Founded in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands in 1985, Ardmore is now collected by museums around the world. Its artists work from Zulu folklore and the natural world, and the results are unlike anything else in African ceramics. The gallery visit is included.
Spionkop
The battle fought on this hill in January 1900 was one of the worst British defeats of the Boer War, and three men who would shape the next century were present: Churchill, Gandhi and Botha. Guests choose between a talk given on the ground by a specialist historian or a nature drive in the 11,000 acre reserve.
The Nambiti Conservancy
A private Big Five reserve of 20,000 acres in KwaZulu-Natal, malaria free, and unusually varied for its size: savannah, grassland, thornveld and stands of tall acacia. The game drive is included and led by a qualified ranger.
The Valley of a Thousand Hills
The climb out of Durban runs through folded green ridges above the Umgeni River, one of the best-known landscapes in KwaZulu-Natal and a far better sight from a train than from the N3.
The Churchill Memorial
Near Chieveley a memorial marks the spot where the young Winston Churchill was captured in November 1899, trying to free an armoured train ambushed by Boer forces. The line runs straight past it.
A Short Journey, Fully Inclusive
Two nights, three excursions and every meal, drink and gratuity on board included. It is the easiest introduction to Rovos Rail, and it combines neatly with the Cape Town and Victoria Falls routes.
Day by Day
Departure from Durban and Ardmore Ceramics
Check in at least an hour before departure at the Durban Station Lounge on Jelf Taylor Crescent, Stamford Hill. The train leaves at ten in the morning.
Durban itself is worth a day or two before you board: museums, the botanical gardens and the shark-netted beaches of the Golden Mile. The train climbs out of the city through the Valley of a Thousand Hills and into the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, a region of rolling green hills, lush pasture and an unusually strong artistic tradition.
Lunch is served on board, and the afternoon excursion visits the Ardmore Ceramics Gallery, founded here in 1985. Its artists work from Zulu folklore and tradition and from the natural world, and the pieces are collected internationally.
Dinner is served as the train travels to Ladysmith. Shortly after Frere, on the left of the track, a memorial marks where Winston Churchill was captured in November 1899 trying to free an armoured train caught in a Boer ambush.
Guided visit to the Ardmore Ceramics Gallery with entrance fees, all meals and beverages on board. One night on board.
The open balcony at the back of the observation car
Spionkop and Nambiti
Breakfast is served from six, and the morning excursion is a transfer of about half an hour to Spionkop Lodge, set on a game farm adjoining an 11,000 acre nature reserve. Guests choose between the story of the Battle of Spionkop told on the ground overlooking the reserve, or a nature drive.
The battle of January 1900 was one of the worst British defeats of the Boer War. Winston Churchill was present as a correspondent, Mohandas Gandhi served as a stretcher bearer, and Louis Botha commanded the Boer forces. All three went on to lead their countries.
Lunch is served back on board, and the afternoon brings a game drive in the Nambiti Conservancy, a private Big Five reserve set on 20,000 acres of malaria-free bushveld with savannah, grassland, thornveld and tall acacia inside a single boundary.
Dinner is served in the dining cars and the second night is spent on board.
The Spionkop excursion and a game drive in the Nambiti Conservancy, both with transfers, guides and entrance fees, all meals and beverages. One night on board.
The afternoon game drive at Nambiti, a 20,000 acre malaria-free Big Five reserve
The Highveld and Pretoria
Breakfast is served until ten as the train crosses the goldfields of the Witwatersrand and the broad grassland plains of the Highveld from Heidelberg, site of the first Rand gold strike. Lunch is served on board. Have your luggage ready fifteen minutes before arrival.
The train arrives at Rovos Rail Station on Transnet Avenue in Pretoria at four in the afternoon. If you would like to join the station tour and visit the museum, delay your pick-up by about ninety minutes. The workshops here rebuild the vintage coaches from bare frames.
Breakfast and lunch on board. Onward transfers and Pretoria or Johannesburg hotels can be arranged by us.
What Is Included
All Accommodation
Two nights on board in your chosen suite, each with an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, a safe and a dedicated host or hostess.
All Meals
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner throughout, served in the wood-panelled dining cars. Dinner is a formal affair and the kitchen works from fresh South African produce.
All Beverages On Board
A curated selection of local and international wine, beer, cider, spirits, liqueurs, mixers, soft drinks and a cocktail menu. International sparkling wine may be pre-ordered at extra cost.
Guided Excursions
A game drive in the Big Five Nambiti Conservancy, an afternoon at Spionkop Lodge with a choice of the Spionkop battlefield talk or a nature drive in the reserve, and a guided visit to the Ardmore Ceramics Gallery, all with transfers and entrance fees.
Room Service and Laundry
Twenty-four hour room service and a limited laundry service, both included in the fare. Each suite has a dedicated host or hostess who services it daily.
Entrance Fees and Taxes
Entrance fees as set out in the itinerary, preselected local wines, beers and soft drinks on excursions, and government tax.
Not included: all other beverages, international sparkling wine, gratuities, personal expenses, visas, travel insurance, and pre and post tour transfers, accommodation and flights.
Fares and Departures
We price every journey in sterling once your dates and suite are confirmed. The table below shows the suite category guide prices, but these are subject to fluid pricing and currency fluctuations. Call or email us for a confirmed sterling price.
| Suite | Per person sharing |
|---|---|
| Royal Suite | from £5,010 |
| Deluxe Suite | from £3,770 |
| Pullman Suite | from £2,650 |
Fares are per person, one way, and include everything listed above. Single occupancy carries a supplement. Please call for a confirmed sterling price for your chosen departure.
2026 Departures
| Month | Departure dates |
|---|---|
| October | 5 |
| November | 16 |
2027 Departures
| Month | Departure dates |
|---|---|
| January | 25 |
| February | 22 |
| March | 15 |
| September | 6 |
| October | 4 |
| November | 1 |
2028 Departures
| Month | Departure dates |
|---|---|
| January | 17 |
| February | 7 |
| March | 27 |
| April | 19 |
| September | 4 |
The Durban Safari runs during the southern summer only. Departure dates are taken from Rovos Rail's published 2026 to 2028 schedules and are subject to change. Please confirm your chosen date with us before booking flights.