Factsheet - Luxury Train Tours
The two classic Pride of Africa trains, with a maximum capacity of 72 passengers each and the Edwardian trains with 42 passengers are plying the scheduled routes below.
Journeys
- A 48 hour 1600km journey between Pretoria and Cape Town, with off-train excursions in Kimberley and Matjiesfontein.
- A 24 hour 620km journey along the Garden Route between Cape Town and George, with a wine land excursion. Between George and Knysna passengers may independently board the Railway Museum Outeniqua Choo Tjoe steam hauled mixed train, which plies that leg. (A two-and-a-half-hour trip).
- A 48-hour, 1600km journey between Pretoria and Victoria Falls, via Pietersburg, with a game reserve excursion, including a two-hour historic aircraft flight between Pietersburg and Victoria Falls.
- A 24-hour, 460km journey between Pretoria and Malelane. Included is a 2-hour transfer from Kromatipoort or Malelane through Kruger Park to Skukuza Airport.
- A 55-hour safari between Pretoria and Durban, including game drives in the Kruger National Park, Mkhaya Reserve in Swaziland and Hluhluwe in Zululand.
- An epic journey into the heart of Africa takes place in July every year when Rovos Rail takes up to 68 passengers on a 13 day (6100km) EDWARDIAN SAFARI from Cape Town to Dar-Es-Salaam, via Kimberley, Pretoria, the Kruger National Park, Beit Bridge, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Lusaka and through Tanzania to Dar-Es-Salaam. The journey is characterised by various off-train excursions and is destined to become the most famous train journey in the world.
- An annual 3400km journey to Swakopmund in Namibia in May. The train takes 6 nights/7 days to reach Swakopmund with an off-train excursion in Kimberley, a visit to the Fish River Canyon, a city tour and game drive near Windhoek, and an overnight stay at a game lodge in Etosha National Park with two game drives.
- An annual 8- day "African Collage" journey between Pretoria and Cape Town in May/June. This trip takes the train via Maputo, Hluhluwe, Durban, Graaff-Reinet, Oudtshoorn and George with various off-train excursions to Cape Town.
Luxury Accommodation
Rovos Rail offers accommodation of an unmatched standard combining the opulence of pre-war travel with subtle modern innovations. Each of the tastefully designed Deluxe (11sq m) or Royal (16sq m) suites has a twin or double bed, a lounge area and a private en-suite bathroom with hot water shower, individual air-conditioning unit, hairdrier, shaver point, toilet and basin.
Superb Cuisine & Elegant Ambience
Breakfast, lunch and a formal dinner are served (one sitting only) in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the dining car - meals carefully prepared are complemented by a selection of excellent South African wines. The observation car seating 32 passengers takes up the rear end of the train. At the centre of the train we have, when numbers dictate, a lounge car (non-smoking) seating 26 passengers, where one can sip cocktails before lunch or dinner, or enjoy the company of fellow passengers as the African landscape passes by. In maintaining the spirit of travel in days gone by, there are no radios or television sets on board and a cellular phone is available for emergencies only.
Locomotion
Use of steam has become increasingly difficult over the past few years as more and more water and coaling facilities have been scrapped. Wherever practical our trains may be drawn by any one of our four vintage steam locomotives. Where facilities no longer exist, diesel or electric locomotives will be used. Rovos Rail will, however, endeavour to ensure that arrivals and departures in Pretoria are steam hauled.
Station Premises
The headquarters of Rovos Rail has now been established at our own station in Capital Park. Situated on Paul Kruger Street, 3km north of the city centre, this new facility has provided our company and trains with a magnificent home, and without a doubt the most outstanding private station in the world today.
City Tours & Entertainment
Rovos Rail has appointed a tour guide to take train or hotel guests on stimulating and interesting tours of Pretoria and/or Johannesburg and their surrounds. Passengers are advised that temperatures can rise to between 30 and 40 degrees celsius in the summer months in southern Africa and if visiting certain areas anti-malarial precautions should be taken as may be prescribed.
