Rovos - Members of the Club (free to join) benefit from:

- Discount off the published prices of any journey;

- 2 Rovos wine flutes and a bottle of Amarula for every booking on this train.

2018/2019 - Dates and Prices are listed. This is a popular train so it is important to book early.

Pre/Post tours and accommodation available. Please ask.

See more offers here

Fay says, "Rovos Rail has a style all its own with train tours that have a 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!"

Rovos - About the Train

The Pride of Africa trains from Rovos Rail provide very much more than mere rail transportation - from these transports of delight one can experience the richness of southern Africa, with north and southbound routes between Pretoria and Cape Town as well as a range of spectacular journeys to the east and to the west.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 Pretoria - from the fabulous Edwardian-styled station) to the memorable time spent on the opulent Pride of Africa, this is an experience not to be missed.

Accommodation

Rovos 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.

Every Suite offers all modern conveniences and comfort, with fittings and facilities of the highest standard. They each have a writing area and a personal safe. There is also a mini bar filled with beverages of the passengers' choice and 24 hour room service. Amenity bags are provided and replenished upon request.

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. View the animated display of the lengthwise double suite here.

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.

Plans of each Rovos suite type and variation are here.

Dining Cars

The beautiful Rovos 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 Rovos Observation Car affords one the amazing experience of being outside whilst the train is moving.

Pre/Post Accommodation and Tours

Please ask if you would like to be informed of the above services.

The Luxury Safari Club simplifies your search for the ultimate safari experience. We have applied the same concierge approach to developing your wildlife experience.

Itineraries

Cape Town Journey - Pretoria to Cape Town or Cape Town to Pretoria

Enjoy one of these popular 3 day / 2 night 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 2017/2018/2019

Pretoria to Cape Town:

2017: September 27,29. October 6,13,18,20,25,27. November 3,8,10,17,22,24. December 1,8,15,22,27,29

2018: January 5,10,12,19,26. February 2,7,9,14,16,21,23. March 2,7,9,16,21,23,30. April 6,13,20,27. May 4,11,18,25. June 1,8,15,22,27,29. July 6,13,20,27. August 3,10,15,17,24,29,31. September 7,12,14,21,26,28. October 5,12,17,19,26. November 2,9,16,21,23,30. December 7,14,21,26,28

2019: January 2,4,11,18,23,25. February 1,8,13,15,20,22. March 1,6,8,13,15,20,22,29. April 5,12,19,26,. May 3,10,17,24,31. June 7,14,21,26,28. July 5,12,19,26. August 2,9,14,16,23,28,30. September 6,11,13,20,25,27

Cape Town to Pretoria:

2017: September 25. October 2,9,16,21,23,28,30. November 1,6,11,13,20,25,27. December 4,11,18,25,30

2018: January 1,8,15,22,29. February 5,10,12,14,17,19,26. March 5,10,12,19,24,26,28. April 2,9,16,23,30. May 7,14,21,26,28. June 4,11,18,25. July 2,9,16,23,30. August 1,6,13,20,27. September 1,3,10,15,17,19,24. October 1,8,15,20,22,27,29,31. November 5,12,19,24,26. December 3,10,17,24,29,31

2019: January 7,14,21,26,28. February 4,9,11,16,18,25. March 4,9,11,16,18,23,25,27. April 1,8,15,22,29. May 6,13,20,25,27. June 3,10,17,24. July 1,8,15,22,29,31. August 5,12,19,26,31. September 2,9,14,16,23,30

Single Supplement is 50%. Price per person in South African Rand (ZAR)

Victoria Falls Journey - Pretoria to Victoria Falls or Victoria Falls to Pretoria

Experience a three-day journey through diverse and truly African scenery as Rovos Rail meanders in a northerly direction towards the border at Beitbridge, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn en route to the border 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, white-water rafting on the Zambezi River as well as superb game viewing and photo safaris.

NOTE: The Rovos Rail Victoria Falls Journey will no longer be travelling via Botswana. It will now go on the BBR line (Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway (PVT) Limited). There has been no change to the included off-train excursions; The visit to Hwange National Park is as scheduled.

Dates and Prices 2017/2018/2019

Pretoria to Victoria Falls:

2017: September 24. October 5,12,19. November 2,9,16,30. December 21

2018: January 4,18,25. February 1,15,22. March 1,15,22,29. April 12,19,26. May 10,24. June 7. July 12,26. August 9,23. September 6,13,20. October 4,11,4,11,18,25. November 1,8,15,22,29. December 20,27

2019: January 3,10,17,24,31. February 7,14,21,28. March 7,14,21,28. April 4,11,18,25. May 2,9,16,23. June 6,20. July 4,11,18,25. August 1,8,15,22,29. September 5,12,19,26.

Victoria Falls to Pretoria:

2017: September 24. October 8,15,22. November 5,12,19. December 3,24

2018: January 7,21,28. February 4,18,25. March 4,18,25. April 1,15,22,29. May 13,27. June 10. July 15,20. August 12,26. September 9,16,23. October 7,14,21,28. November 4,11,18,25. December 2,23,30.

2019: January 6,13,20,27. February 3,10,17,24. March 3,10,17,24,31. April 7,14,21,28. May 5,12,19,26. June 9,23. July 7,14,21,28. August 4,11,18,25. September 1,8,15,22,29.

Single Supplement is 50%. Price per person in South African Rand (ZAR)

Durban Safari - Pretoria to Durban or Durban to Pretoria

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 2017/2018/2019

Pretoria to Durban:

2017: September 29. October 27. November 24

2018: January 12. February 9. March 9. April 6. August 31. September 28. October 26. November 23

2019: January 11. February 8. March 8. April 5. August 16. September 27

Durban to Pretoria:

2017: October 2,30. November 27

2018: January 15. February 12. March 12. April 9. September 3. October 1,29. November 26

2019: January 14. February 11. March 11. April 8. August 19. September 30

Single Supplement is 50%. Price per person in South African Rand (ZAR)

Golf Safari - Pretoria to Pretoria

Nine Days. Rovos Rail has designed two* excellent nine-day safaris to entertain the most discerning player with optional excursions for non-playing guests. The Golf Safari begins in Pretoria and travels west to Sun City in the hills of the Pilanesberg for a day at this renowned facility, including a game drive for non-golfers. In the foothills of the imposing Drakensberg Mountains, 18 holes await at the Champagne Sports Resort, with a guided tour of the battlefields a further highlight for non-golfers. Enjoy a game at Durban Country Club or tour the city. Then on to Zululand for game viewing at Hluhluwe before heading to Swaziland. Tee off at Royal Swazi or enjoy a game drive at Mkhaya and a visit to Ngwenya Glass and Guava Gallery. Golfers then play the challenging Leopard Creek course while non-golfers enjoy a game drive in the world-famous Kruger Park, after which this memorable journey ends in Pretoria.

GOLF COURSES: Leopard Creek, Royal Swazi, Durban Country Club, Champagne Sports Resort and Sun City Lost City. For more details on the courses, please contact us.

TOURS for NON-GOLFERS: Battlefields tour, Drakensberg Mountain Range, Hluhluwe Game Reserve, Mkhaya Game Reserve, Guava Gallery, Ngwenya Glass Factory, Kruger Park game drive

Dates and Prices 2017/2018/2019

2017: October 5. November 16

2018: February 22. March 29. October 4. November 15

2019: January 30. February 21. March 28. October 3. November 14

Single Supplement 40%. Price per person in South African Rand (ZAR)

African Golf Collage - Pretoria to Cape Town, or Cape Town to Pretoria

10 Day panoramic sojourn that winds its way from Pretoria to Cape Town and includes a golfing and non-golfing itinerary.

After a game drive in the famous Kruger Park, guests head to Zululand for game viewing at Hluhluwe – the oldest reserve in Africa. The train then travels the coast along St Lucia Wetland Park to Durban for a city tour and through the Valley of a Thousand Hills to Ardmore Ceramics. Enjoy a tour of Bloemfontein then continue overnight along the imposing Drakensberg Mountains to Port Elizabeth for Addo Elephant Park. Then it’s on to Oudtshoorn for an ostrich-farm visit followed by an impressive rail descent through the Outeniqua Mountains to George.

After visiting the natural paradise of Knysna, the train traverses the spectacular Garden Route to the winelands for a brandy distillery visit and across the Cape Fold Mountains before this magnificent expedition ends in Cape Town.

Golfers play Ernie Els Oubaai and Fancourt George, Humewood, Port Elizabeth, Durban Country Club/Beachwood and Leopard Creek Kruger. Includes green fees, carts, halfway house and beverages.

The Itinerary, Cape Town to Pretoria, is here. Ask for the Pretoria to Cape Town itinerary.

Dates and Prices 2017/2018/2019

2017: Cape Town to Pretoria: November 13

2017: Pretoria to Cape Town: November 1

2018:Cape Town to Pretoria: November 12

2018: Pretoria to Cape Town: May 16. October 31

2019: Cape Town to Pretoria: November 11

2019: Pretoria to Cape Town: May 15. October 30

Single supplement 50%. Price per person in South African Rand (ZAR)

Dar es Salaam Journey - Cape Town to Dar es Salaam or Dar es Salaam to Cape Town

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.

Itinerary, Cape Town Dar Es Salaam is here.

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.

Note: We strongly recommend overnighting in Dar es Salaam and that all outbound flights are booked for the day after scheduled arrival.

Dates and Prices 2017/2018/2019

2017: Cape Town to Dar es Salaam: September 30

2017: Dar es Salaam to Cape Town: October 17

2018: Cape Town to Dar es Salaam: January 13. February 24. June 30. September 29

2018: Dar es Salaam to Cape Town: January 30. March 13. July 17. September 4. October 16

Royal Suite - US$ 21,550 pp (single supplement upon request)

Deluxe Suite - US$ 16,500 pp (single supplement US$7,130)

Pullman Suite – US$ 12,450 pp (single supplement US$5,530)

2019: Cape Town to Dar es Salaam: February 23. June 29. August 17. September 28

2019: Dar es Salaam to Cape Town: January 24. March 12. July 16. September 3. October 15

Royal Suite - US$ 22,190 pp (single supplement upon request)

Deluxe Suite - US$ 16,995 pp (single supplement US$7,385)

Pullman Suite – US$ 12,820 pp (single supplement US$5,695)

Namibian Safari - Pretoria to Swakopmund or reverse

This nine-day 3,400-kilometre annual journey takes the train from the savannahs of the Highveld to the Atlantic in the west. Departing from Pretoria, the first stop is Kimberley, centre of one of the world’s famous diamond rushes where there is an opportunity to savour the 1870s atmosphere of the mine museum village. The train traverses the stark vistas of the Northern Cape to the Fish River Canyon – second in size to the Grand Canyon and truly a spectacular sight. Guests continue across the untamed beauty of the Kalahari Desert to Namibia’s capital for a tour; Windhoek is a lively, cosmopolitan city with a strong German flavour. Then a short flight to the renowned Sossusvlei, a stunning pan in the Namib Desert, for an overnight stay followed by a night in the game-rich Etosha National Park. On the last morning, the train travels the Namib to the perfectly preserved 19th-century German Hansa town of Swakopmund – an unforgettable end to a remarkable journey. Available in reverse.

Dates and Prices 2018/2019

2018: Pretoria to Swakopmund. April 5. May 26

2018: Swakopmund to Pretoria. April 15. May 6

2019: Pretoria to Swakopmund. April 4,25. May 9

2019: Swakopmund to Pretoria. April 14. May 5, 20

Single supplement 50%. Price per person in South African Rand (ZAR)

Rovos Rail Station

Passengers on Rovos Rail benefit from arriving or departing the private station at Capital Park, Pretoria.

The once bustling hub of steam locomotion in the old Transvaal, the gracious colonial-style railway station serves as the new departure or arrival point for all train journeys.

The station has an ever-expanding railway museum in addition to other facilities. With the addition of semaphore signals and a footbridge, it recreates the atmosphere of a fully-fledged railway system. It is intended that, with time, this facility should become the foremost working train museum in the world.

Rail enthusiasts will note the huge carriage and locomotive sheds where dedicated teams maintain rolling stock. The 10,000 sq m workshop stretches over 15 rail lines. It has concrete inspection pits. Buildings beside the 300-metre platform are laundries, kitchens and storerooms. This is the hub of a train provisioning operation, rivalling that of a world-class hotel in efficiency and attention to detail.

Virtual Tours of the Station

Pride of Africa, Rovos - General Information

What is included in the Rovos fare? 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.

Botswana. From June 2017, a USD30 levy per person it to be charged for travel through Botswana. The objective of the Levy is to raise funds for conservation and national tourism development in order to support the growth of the industry and broaden the tourism base, thus improving the lives of the people of Botswana.

What is the Luggage advice for Rovos journeys? There is ample storage space in each cabin, thus allowing luggage to stay with each passenger. Rovos Rail does not have a luggage restriction.

What size are Beds on Rovos trains? 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.

What is the Electrical power on Rovos trains? International adaptors on board. No mobile phones, laptops, i-pads etc in public areas. Wi-Fi in the Pretoria and Cape Town lounges (free of charge). No Wi-Fi on board the train.

Can you smoke on Rovos trains? There is a smoking lounge just before the observation car for smokers or guests can smoke in their suite; please advise before travel so you can be allocated the correct suite (at the back of the train).

What is the Dress Code on Rovos trains? 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.

Dietary: Diets are accommodated, with vegetarian options available. The chefs will also discuss preferences and options with guests at the beginning of the journey.

What are the suggested Gratuities / Tips on Rovos journeys? At your discretion. 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.

How to book Pre- or Post-Rovos safaris? The Luxury Safari Club simplifies your search for the ultimate safari experience. We have applied the same concierge approach to developing your wildlife experience.

Payments on the Train. All major credit cards are accepted.

Health. Advisable to take anti-malarial precautions and vaccinations as might be prescribed. A Yellow Fever or Medical Exemption Certificate is essential if travelling to/from Zambia and Tanzania.

Passport and Visa requirements for Rovos journeys. Visitors to South Africa are required to have at least three blank VISA pages (not endorsement pages) in their passports in order to receive an entry visa. Passports must also be valid for at least six months from the guests' return home date. We recommend a validity of nine months to prevent any problems. Check with embassies for visa requirements. More information here.

Rovos Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Pride of Africa, Rovos - Booking & Reservations

All prices are at publicly-quoted rates.

Contact us to answer any questions and make the booking for you. Please sign up to our newsletter to be kept informed of interesting trains and special offers.

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