Recently I had the previledge to travel on the Rovos Rail from Pretoria to Vic Falls. The total journey took us 4 nights / 5 days. If ever there was a bucket list item you must do, it is a trip on the Rovos Rail. Weather a short 3 day trip from Cape Town to Pretoria (or v.v) or one of their longer journeys like this one from Cape Town to Dar-es-Salaam, it will be worth every cent.
Step aboard the magnificent Rovos Rail where you can travel through the heart of Africa in unparalleled luxury. Experience the scenery of some of the continent’s most incredible destinations aboard a bespoke train safari, recapturing the glamour and excitement of the golden age of rail travel. From journeys as short as 48 hours to those lasting up to 15 days, discover unforgettable sites such as Victoria Falls, Kruger National Park, Swakopmund and Maputo while traveling in comfort on board this unique luxury experience. Unforgettable excursions include game drives, hot air ballooning, elephant rides, visits to cultural villages and more! Set off on an adventure with Rovos Rail and embark on a voyage that will create lifelong memories!
ABOUT
3/4 NIGHTS • 1400km
This adventure begins with the train’s departure from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. Travel north through Warmbaths (Bela-Bela), so named for its mineral waters, and Nylstroom (Modimolle), christened by the Voortrekkers as the source of the Nile River as the town’s river happened to be north-flowing. Cross the Tropic of Capricorn and Limpopo River towards Bulawayo, second city of Zimbabwe, capital of Matabeleland and industrial capital of the country. Enjoy a game drive (4-night journey only) in Matobo National Park, a World Heritage Site with bushmen caves, rock art and dramatic granite hills. It is also the site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave atop the summit of Malindidzimu – ‘hill of benevolent spirits’ with a ‘view of the world’. Travel along one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114km – before traversing Hwange National Park, a rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary where a game drive excursion is enjoyed. Arrive at the incomparable Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River where this sojourn ends. The surrounding areas offer travellers many recreational opportunities including cruises, whitewater rafting as well as superb game viewing and photo safaris. Available in reverse. Depending upon railway capacity, this journey could be routed through Botswana.
For a full day-by-day itinerary and available date, click here: ITINERARY
LIFE ON BOARD THE TRAIN
Each train has accommodation carriages, dining cars (±42 seats), a lounge car (±26 seats), small gift shop, smoking lounge (±11 seats) and observation car (±32 seats) with open-air balcony. Maintaining the spirit of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets on board. The three types of suites available – Pullman (7sqm), Deluxe (10sqm) and Royal (16sqm) – offer passengers
Rovos Rail – Station
privacy and comfort with double or twin beds and fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. All have en-suites with shower, toilet, basin and bath (Royal only), tea facilities, safes, air conditioning, linen and amenities and are serviced daily. There is adequate storage and small cupboards with hangers and shelves.
We welcome all travellers – singles, couples and groups. The dining cars are made up of two-seaters and four-seaters where guests eat together or individually. Our lounge and observation cars – with their big picture windows, sofas and booths – make for great mingling areas or quiet corners to while away the days. Many of our passengers enjoy the formality of fine china and glassware, crisp linen and silver, and dress accordingly. Days on board are smart casual while evening attire is more formal. On long journeys we enjoy themed evenings where guests can dress up accordingly or opt for smart casual.
An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for overseeing the very important task of ensuring guests’ every need is catered for. There’s an accent on fresh local ingredients and traditional dishes are a specialty. Meals are served in one sitting only in the dining cars and are complemented by a selection of fine South African wines. Our bar menu is comprehensive although special items such as French Champagne would need to be requested in advance. Breakfast: 07:00-10:00 • Lunch: 13:00 • Tea: 16:30 • Formal Dinner: 19:30. Bar service is from 07:00-±01:00. All meals are served at these times unless otherwise stated in the itineraries.
ACCOMMODATION
Vintage carriages combine with modern luxuries in 3 suite types available in double or twin: Royal ±16m2, Deluxe ±10m2 and Pullman ±7m2. The wood-panelled sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. The suites accommodate one or two passengers with the option of double or twin beds. All have en-suites with shower, toilet, basin and bath (Royal only), tea facilities, safes, air conditioning, linen and amenities and are serviced daily. There is adequate storage and small cupboards with hangers and shelves.
ROYAL SUITES – ±16m2
The wood-panelled sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. The Royals each take up half a carriage with their own private lounge area and en-suite bathroom with Victorian bath, separate shower, toilet and basin. They accommodate one or two passengers in double or twin beds. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily. Suite configurations are subject to availability.
Rovos Rail – Deluxe Suite
DELUXE – ±10m2
The Deluxe Suites accommodate one or two passengers in double or twin beds and have their own lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily. A bar fridge is filled with the on-board beverages of the passengers’ choice.
PULLMAN – ±7m2
The Pullmans, used on our short journeys, accommodate one or two passengers and have an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. During the day, the suites have a comfortable sofa-seat with a conversion to double or twin beds (side-by-side or upper and lower bunks) for the evening. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily. Please note in the animation that we indicate a bar fridge, however, these have been removed from the Pullmans.
PULLMAN GOLD – ±7m2
The Pullman Golds, used on our long journeys, accommodate one or two passengers and have an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. During the day, the suites are setup with split twin beds configured as sofa-seats (optional) with a conversion to split twin or double beds for the evening. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily.
DINING
DINING CARS
Rovos Rail – Pillared dining car
The dining cars seat ±42 passengers each. Dependent on the number of passengers on a journey, the train is setup with one or two dining cars. They are made up of two-seaters and four-seaters where guests eat together or individually. Meals are served in one sitting only. Breakfast: 07:00-10:00 • Lunch: 13:00 • Formal Dinner: 19:30. All meals are served at these times unless otherwise stated in the itinerary. Hot breakfast items are made to order while lunch and dinner are four-course meals complemented by fine South African wines. Our bar menu is comprehensive although special items such as French Champagne would need to be requested in advance.
ENTERTAINMENT & ACTIVITIES
OBSERVATION CARS
The observation car seats ±32 passengers. With its open-air balcony, big picture windows, bar, sofas and booths, it has great mingling areas or quiet corners to while away the days. On most days, afternoon tea is served at 16:30 in the lounge and observation cars while bar service is from ±07:00-01:00.
LOUNGE CARS
The lounge car seats ±26 passengers. With its big picture windows, sofas and wingbacks, it has great mingling areas or quiet corners to while away the days. On most days, afternoon tea is served at 16:30 in the lounge and observation cars while bar service is from ±07:00-01:00. On some of our long journeys, we have an onboard historian who hosts lectures in the lounge car. At one end of the carriage there is a small gift shop, which is a smart, subtly-lit glass affair selling bespoke memorabilia.
CLUB CARS
The Club Car area was created by demolishing the end suite in a Deluxe carriage. This was done specifically to host the smokers on the train in a public area and also as an overflow facility adjoining the Observation Car. With a glass passage wall, guests can comfortably watch the scenery on both sides of the train.
GIFT SHOP
There is a small gift shop on the train in the lounge car and at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. The collection of bespoke merchandise and timeless mementos have been specially procured and produced for Rovos Rail. Anthea Vos: “We have always striven to have a home-away-from-home atmosphere on the train and to this end have eschewed any form of commercialism. As a result, it was many years before we succumbed to guests’ repeated requests for Rovos memorabilia. I have endeavoured to keep the gift shop as an all South African affair, thereby supporting local designers and artisans.”