The Pride of Africa from Rovos Rail

Fay says, “Rovos Rail has a style all its own; created by Rohan Vos in 1989, his very special train tours have matured into an harmonious blend of earthy African safari and traditional luxury – except that a divine soak in a full-sized bath in a train was always rare, even on Royal trains!”

These sumptuous trains provide a wonderful vehicle within which one can experience the vast continent of Africa, from South Africa to as far north as Egypt, with north and southbound routes between Pretoria and Cape Town as well as a range of spectacular journeys.  The trains combine the golden age of rail travel with modern conveniences, creating an unforgettable extravagant elegance of a bygone era.

From the start of your journey in the fabulous Edwardian styled departure room, to the memorable time spent on the opulent Pride of Africa, this is an experience not to be missed.

Special Offers

Gift of 2 Rovos wine flutes and a bottle of Amarula, for each booking, until 31 May.

Accommodation

Suites 

All these luxurious suites are air-conditioned with en-suite facilities, decorated in beautiful wood panelling and period Edwardian features.  There are three styles that guests can choose from (Royal, Deluxe, Pullman), with varying levels of luxury, and all offer every modern convenience and comfort, with fittings and facilities of the highest standard and are equipped with a writing area  and a personal safe for valuables.  There is also a mini bar filled with beverages of the passengers’ choice and 24 hour  room service.

The four Royal Suites (16sqm) each have their own private lounge area and feature a full en-suite bathroom with shower and Victorian bath.

The Deluxe Suites (11sqm) each have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower.

The Pullman Suites (7sqm) are equipped with a comfortable sofa-seat during the day, converting to double or twin beds for the evening, and also have an en-suite bathroom with shower.

Dining Cars

The beautiful dining cars provide a wonderful range of food that includes local delicacies such as game with an emphasis placed on fresh and seasonal ingredients, complemented of course by excellent South Africa wines.  The ambiance created by a Victorian setting, with crisp linen, sparkling glass and silver, and seamless service, charms the diners.

Lounge and Observation Cars

Sitting in the opulence of the lounge cars  allows the opportunity to relax and watch the spectacular scenery, whilst the rear of the Observation car affords one the amazing experience of being outside whilst the train is moving.

 Itineraries

Cape Town Journey

Cape Town Journey on Rovos Rail

Pretoria to Cape Town or in reverse

Enjoy one of these popular 48-hour weekly journeys between Pretoria and Cape Town.    Travel the grasslands of the gold-rich Highveld to the haunting barrenness of the Great Karoo; trundle through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic wine lands of the Cape;  arrive in  Cape Town,cradled by the imposing bulk of Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head.  Highlights of the north- and southbound routes include a visit to the historic village of Matjiesfontein; this authentic perfectly preserved Victorian Village, which was founded as a refreshment stop in 1890, also boasts an impressive museum on the platform.  Another stop is made in Kimberley providing an opportunity to enjoy a city tour and a visit to the Diamond Mine Museum and the world’s largest man-made excavation, the Big Hole.

Dates and Prices  2013

Pretoria to Cape Town:  January 4,11,18,23,25.    February 1,8,15,20,27.     March 1,8,15,22,27.    April 5,12,19,26.    May 3,10,17,24,31.   June 7,14,21,26,28.   July 5,12,19.    August 2,7,9,16,23,30.   September 4,13,20,25,27.   October 4,11,18,23.   November 1,8,15,22,29.   December 6,13,20,25,27.

Cape Town to Pretoria:  January 7,14,21,28.    February 4,11,18,23,25.    March 4,11,18,25,30.    April 1,8,15,22,29.    May 6,13,20,25,27.    June 3,10,17,24.    July 1,8,15,22,29.    August 5,12,19,26.    September 2,7,9,16,23,30.   October 5,7,14,21,26,28.   November 4,11,18,25.   December 2,9,16,23,28,30.

Royal Suites –     R27,200pp

Deluxe Suites –   R20,500pp

Pullman Suites – R13,600pp

Single supplement is 50% of all suites.

Please Note: October, November and December are at 2014 prices. See below.

Dates and Prices  2014

Pretoria to Cape Town:  January 3,10,15,17,24,31.   February 7,12,21,26,28.   March 7,14,21,26.   April 4,11,18,25.   May 2,9,16,23,30.   June 6,13,20,25,27.   July 4,11,18.   August 1,8,13,15,22,27.   September 5,10,19,24,26.

Cape Town to Pretoria:  January 6,13,20,27.   February 3,10,15,17,24.   March 3,10,17,24,29,31.   April 7,14,21,28.   May 5,12,19,26,31.   June 2,9,16,23,30.   July 7,14,21,28.   August 4,11,18,25.   September 1,8,13,15,22,29.

Royal Suites –     R28,600pp

Deluxe Suites –   R21,600pp

Pullman Suites – R14,300pp

Single supplement is 50% of all suites.

Victoria Falls  Journey

Victoria Falls Journey on Rovos Rail

Pretoria to Victoria Falls or in reverse

Experience a  three-day journey through diverse and truly African scenery as Rovos Rail meanders westwards through Mafikeng into Botswana and then north towards Mahalapye, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn just after Gaborone. Once the train has passed through the dry reaches of Botswana it arrives at Plumtree in the late afternoon for border formalities with Zimbabwe.  Continuing in a northwesterly direction, the train passes Bulawayo heading towards Thompson’s Junction and Hwange Game Reserve where animals can be spotted from the train.  The Falls and the elegant colonial-style Victoria Falls Hotel form an ideal destination.  The surrounding areas offer travellers many recreational opportunities including cruises, whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River as well as superb game viewing and photo safaris.

Dates and Prices  2013

Pretoria to Victoria Falls:   January 10,24.   February 7,21.    March 7,21.    April 4,18.   May 2,16,30.   June n/a.    July 25.   August 8,22.  September 5,19.   October 3,17,31.   November 14,28.   December 26.

Victoria Falls to Pretoria:   January 13,27.     February 10,24.   March 10,24.   April 7,21.   May 5,19.   June 2.    July 28.      August 11,25.   September 8,22.   October 6,20.   November 3,17.   December 1,29.

Royal Suites –     R31,200pp

Deluxe Suites –   R23,400pp

Pullman Suites – R15,600pp

Single supplement is 50% of all suites.

Please Note: October, November and December are at 2014 prices. See below.

Dates and Prices  2014

Pretoria to Victoria Falls:   January 9,23.   February 6,20.   March 6,20.   April 3,17.   May 1,15,29.   June n/a.   July 24.   August 7,21.   September 4,18.

Victoria Falls to Pretoria:   January 12,26.   February 9,23.   March 9,23.   April 6,20.   May 4,18.   June 1.   July 27.   August 10,24.   September 7,21.

Royal Suites –     R32,800pp

Deluxe Suites –   R24,600pp

Pullman Suites – R16,400pp

Single supplement is 50% of all suites.

Durban Safari

Durban Safari on Rovos Rail

Pretoria to Durban or in reverse

This  three-day safari allows you to experience the splendour of KwaZulu-Natal.  Take in the Big Five, a battlefields tour with a world-class historian and unusual African ceramics.  Experience the Nambiti Conservancy – a Big Five private bush retreat  of malaria-free bushveld in KwaZulu-Natal.   The Sundays River flows through the reserve and has two 40-metre waterfalls with magnificent ravine bush, home to several rare bird species.  Situated on an expansive game farm, Spionkop Lodge  is the perfect base for exploring the mountains, bush, birds and battlefields of the region.  Ardmore Ceramics is a story about the Zulu people whose sense of rhythm, colour, dance and song, as well as the spirit of the African imagination, is exerting its influence on the other continents of the world.  Pay a morning visit to this charming centre in the rolling hills of the Midlands before the train makes its way to Durban.

Dates and Prices  2013

Pretoria to Durban:  January 18.   February 1, 15.    March 1,15,29.    April 12.   May,June,July – n/a.   August 30.   September 13,27.  October 11,25.   November 8,22.   December n/a.

Durban to Pretoria:  January 21.   February 4,18.    March 4,18.    April 1,15    May,June,July,August n/a.     September 2,16,30.   October 14,28.   November 11,25.   December n/a.

Royal Suites –     R27,200pp

Deluxe Suites –   R20,500pp

Pullman Suites – R13,600pp

Single supplement is 50% of all suites.

Please Note: October, November and December are at 2014 prices. See below.

Dates and Prices  2014

Pretoria to Durban:  January 17,31.   February 14,28.   March 14,28.   April 11,25.   May,June,July – n/a.   August 29.   September 12,26.

Durban to Pretoria:  January 20.   February 3,17.   March 3,17,31.   April 14,28.   May,June,July,August n/a.   September 1,15,29.

Royal Suites –     R28,600pp

Deluxe Suites –   R21,600pp

Pullman Suites – R14,300pp

Single supplement is 50% of all suites.

Dar es Salaam Journey

Dar es Salaam Journey

Cape Town to Dar es Salaam or in reverse

This epic 14-day journey travels across the vast continent, starting from  South Africa on the Atlantic Ocean,  traversing Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and arriving in Tanzania on the Indian Ocean.

In luxurious comfort, one departs  Cape Town, travelling through the historic village of Matjiesfontein, the diamond town of Kimberley and the capital city of Pretoria where one has a tour of both areas, before passing lakes with flocks of flamingos as one arrives for a two-night stay at the Madikwe Game Reserve.  Passing through Botswana into Zimbabwe,  guests overnight at the Victoria Falls Hotel.   After crossing the mighty Zambezi River following a sunset river cruise, the train travels northeast through Zambia where guests can enjoy a bush walk at Chisimba Falls.

The train continues the climb towards the Zambian/Tanzanian border, almost the midpoint between Africa’s two Great Rift Valley lakes.  Descending into the Rift Valley itself and witnessing  spectacular scenery, the train negotiates  tunnels, switchbacks and viaducts of the escarpment.   Early on the last day, the train passes through the Selous Game Reserve – the largest on the continent and a vision of timeless Africa – shortly before arrival in Dar es Salaam.

This journey has a wonderful mixture of tours, some overnight stays in various destinations, time on board to gaze at the passing scenery , excursions to see wildlife, on-board historians giving interesting talks.

Dates and Prices  2013

Cape Town to Dar es Salaam:  January 26.   June 29.   September 28.

Dar es Salaam to Cape Town:  February 11.    July 15.   October 14.

Royal Suites –       US$18,900 pp    (single supplement upon request)

Deluxe Suites –     US$13,900 pp   (single supplement US$5,900)

Pullman Suites – US$10,600 pp  (single supplement US$4,300)

Dates and Prices  2014

Cape Town to Dar es Salaam:  January 18.   June 28.   September 27.

Dar es Salaam to Cape Town:  February 3.   March 17.   July 14.   October 13.

Royal Suites –      US$18,900 pp   (single supplement upon request)

Deluxe Suites –    US$13,900 pp   (single supplement US$5,900)

Pullman Suites – US$10,600 pp  (single supplement US$4,300)

Cape to Cairo Journey

 

Cape to Cairo 2014

This is the  ultimate African experience.  An exclusive five-star journey, which includes the incomparable luxury of the Pride of Africa,  a comfortable aircraft, cruises, land cruises and luxury hotels.  This 28-day expedition will carry an elite band of intrepid adventurers through the heartlands of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, the Sudan and Egypt.

The northbound route begins with a three-night stay in an hotel in Cape Town, whilst visiting the Cape Penisula, Table Mountain and wine tasting at Groot Constantia, before the transfer to the Rovos private lounge at Cape Town station.  Board this wonderful train, the Pride of Africa,  to start  the four-night train journey from Cape Town to the Victoria Falls, with visits to the historic village of Matjiesfontein, Kimberley and Pretoria before arriving at  the Victoria Falls.  Thereafter, guests join the air safari and continue north to the exotic island of Zanzibar for a two night tour, after which they fly into the heartland of Tanzania with a four-day visit to the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.

Continuing on to Entebbe, Uganda,  guests enjoy an optional visit to the chimpanzees and the source of the Nile.  The journey then follows the Nile northwards to Khartoum in the Sudan and on to Abu Simbel in Egypt, to visit the Abu Simbel temples.

A luxurious lake cruiser takes guests in a leisurely fashion over three nights to see the historical sights on the shores of Lake Nasser, such as the temples of Amada and Derr, as well as the Tomb of Penout,  then Wadi El Seboua and the temples of Dakka and Maharakka, followed by cruising to Aswan.

Then on to Luxor for two nights to experience ancient Egypt in all its splendour with visits to temples (Karnak), quarries and the Valley of Kings and Queens.  Guests rejoin the aircraft bound  for Cairo for tours of the  West Bank of Luxor and  the Valley of Kings, Valley of Queens, the Temple of Hatshepsut and a photo stop at Colossi of Memnon.   After a  night in the  Four Seasons First Residence Hotel, the tour has ended.

The southbound route is similar to the northbound route,  beginning  in Cairo with a night at the  Four Seasons First Residence Hotel, allowing for the  tour of the Pyramids, Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities.  Then it is on to Luxor for two nights with the three night lake cruiser around Lake Nasser.   The journey then follows the Nile from Abu Simbel southwards to Khartoum in the Sudan.   Two days are spent exploring this ancient city before  guests continue on to Entebbe in Uganda for an optional visit to the chimpanzees and the source of the Nile.  Fly into the heartland of Tanzania for a four-day visit to the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.  Guests visit the island of Zanzibar for two days before flying onto Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, to join the Pride of Africa for the four-night train journey to Cape Town, the journey’s end.

This journey has a wonderful mixture of fabulous tours, overnight stays in various destinations, time on board to gaze at the passing scenery, flights that allow one to see the vast expanse of the landscape, cruises that give another aspect of the scenery, excursions to see wildlife, and so much more.  For a detailed itinerary, please contact us.

Dates and Prices  2014

Cape Town to Cairo:    January 17

Cairo to Cape Town:    February 4

Royal Suites –      US$56,000 pp  (single supplement US$10,800)

Deluxe Suites –    US$52,000 pp (single supplement US$9,500)

Pullman Suites – US$48,500 pp  (single supplement US$8,200)

General Information

Included:  Train tour price per person sharing includes accommodation, meals and excursions, as well as alcoholic beverages whilst on the train.  There are complimentary mini bars in each cabin, that are filled with the requested drinks of the  individual. Hotels and transfers are included on various tours where mentioned.

Single supplement:  This is an additional  50% of price, unless otherwise stated.

Luggage:  There is ample storage space in each cabin, thus allowing luggage to stay with each passenger.   Therefore there is no need for luggage to be stored elsewhere. On the Cairo journey, luggage will be limited to the requirements of each aircraft

Beds:  These are unusually long for a train, to accommodate tall passengers in comfort; the owner of Rovos Rail, Rohan Vos, is 6ft 2ins / 1.88m in height.  Mattresses are Sealy Posturepedic.

Smoking:  This is allowed in your suites and the Club Lounge

Dress Code: For the day on the train it is smart casual.  Evening attire is more formal – for the gentlemen a jacket and tie is a minimum requirement while for ladies we suggest cocktail/evening dresses or suits.  Please include warm clothing for cold mornings and evenings.  With regard to off-train excursions, comfortable walking shoes, sun lotion and hats as well as warm clothing for the game drives, which are on open vehicles and can get very cold.

Gratuities:  For the staff are at your discretion. If you wish to show your appreciation in this manner, there is a suitably marked envelope in your suite that you can hand directly to the Train Manager who will distribute any amounts on a pro-rata basis amongst the staff on board.  An amount between US$10 and US$20 per person per night is suggested.

Booking & Reservations

All prices are at publicly-quoted rates.

We will be happy to answer any questions and make the booking for you  -  contact us in the UK : +44 (0)1249 890205 or info@luxurytrainclub.com      Please sign up to our newsletter to be kept informed of interesting trains and special offers.