Rovos Rail: A Luxury Train Safari in Africa

The at-your-service service starts even before you board the iconic train, with crustless cucumber sandwiches and flutes of sparkling wine. By the time you’ve had your fill, and met some fellow travellers (strangers who will become friends) in the departure lounge, your luggage will be waiting in your wood-panelled suite, complete with a personalised luggage tag that signals your membership of the lucky club of insiders who have experienced this singular South African gem.

Savour the journey

Established in 1989 by Rohan Vos, Rovos Rail is still a family-owned operation, offering vintage luxury with a distinctly personal touch. Each tag is printed with your name, suite, and details of the bespoke adventure you are about to embark upon: Cape Town to Pretoria, Pretoria to Victoria Falls, Cape Town to Dar es Salaam – the itineraries are trips that travel dreams are made of, lasting from 48 hours to 15 days. Savour every second. Slow travel is the point.

The African landscape that drifts past your window is both awe-inspiring and heartbreaking: think orange sunsets melting into  the Karoo where dinosaurs once roamed, or faded-rose towns where the diamond rush is a memory in the dust. If you’re heading far north, an elephant might wave her trunk at you. You can wave back, G&T in hand, from your alfresco seat in the observation car or a plush armchair in the lounge. The train stops along the way, and excursions such as visiting the Big Hole in Kimberley are part of the trip.

Taste South Africa

Abandon your diet at the station. Breakfasts are à la carte, tea is served every afternoon, and lunches and dinners are beautifully plated four-course affairs with wine and liqueur pairings. (When was the last time you had a Van der Hum?) A different cheese is presented with each meal, and the puddings are deliciously old-fashioned indulgences such as orange charlotte and chocolate marquise.

A source of pride on the Pride of Africa is the excellent winelist – chosen from vineyards and distilleries  that will take your palate on an unexpected (and all-inclusive) extra journey through South Africa. Even the vodka is a local speciality.

SA residents’ special

Rovos Rail is offering residents of South Africa and neighbouring countries (eSwatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique) a 50% reduced rate aboard a Cape Town, Victoria Falls or Durban Safari.

Upcoming trips include:
Cape Town – Pretoria: 22 – 25 April; 5 – 8 June 2023 (3 nights)
Pretoria – Cape Town: 2 – 5 June 2023 (3 nights)
Cost R15 850 per person sharing (Pullman Suite)
R22 900 per person sharing (Deluxe Suite)

Pretoria – Durban: 24 – 26 March; 14 – 16 April 2023 (2 nights)
Durban – Pretoria: 27 – 29 March 2023 (2 nights)
Cost R14 350 per person sharing (Pullman Suite)
R21 400 per person sharing (Deluxe Suite)

Victoria Falls – Pretoria: 5 – 8 March, 14 – 17 March; 26 – 29 March; 25 – 28 April 2023 (3 nights)
Cost R19 800 per person sharing (Pullman Suite)
R29 800 per person sharing (Deluxe Suite)

Good to know The cost includes accommodation, all meals and beverages (excluding international sparkling wine) on board, off-train excursions, room service and limited laundry.

Each Rovos Rail experience is designed for travellers who believe the journey is as important as the destination. While the thoughts evoked on your trip will be as big as the African skies beneath which you traverse, the touches you will remember forever will be the small things – like the corsage that is pinned to your lapel or gown on your final evening. And yes, guests do dress for dinner. Go on, pack your tiara.
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