Rovos Rail Train – Pride of Africa

Rovos Pride of Africa

The Rovos Rail Pride of Africa train invites you on an elegant journey of discovery. It travels through some historic and scenic areas of Southern Africa, and now parts of East Africa. Rovos Rail rightly claims its place as one of the best luxury train trips in the world. There’s no grander way to experience the delights of steam than on the Rovos Rail at the start of their epic journeys. Wherever possible, original steam locomotives draw the charmingly restored sleeper coaches, sumptuous dining car and period observation car in and around Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria before you set off.

Rovos Rail Pride of Africa: Accommodation

Your accommodation on Rovos Rail is in air-conditioned suites with exquisite wood panelling and period Edwardian features. There’s a range of suites to choose from, each sleeping a maximum of two people. Pullman Suites have a sofa during the day which converts to a bed in the evening. Deluxe suites are much larger with a permanent bed, small lounge area and en suite shower room. Royal Suites are even larger and have full en suite bathrooms with a Victorian bath as well as a shower.

All suites on Rovos Rail Pride of Africa are equipped with a writing desk, personal safe and a minibar filled with the drinks of your choice. The bathrooms combine original fittings with the modern technology of hot showers, hair dryers and shaver plugs. 24-Hour room service is available throughout the Rovos Rail train.

Rovos Rail has incorporated the Shongololo Express so as to expand its fleet of trains for the longer Rovos Rail journeys. These include the undoubtedly an impressive panoramic 12-day Rovos Rail Southern Cross Tour between from Pretoria to Victoria Falls, stopping at carefully selected locations en route. As with other Rovos trail tours, the train journey offers a variety of off-train excursions that are undertaken in air-conditioned vehicles.

Rovos Rail Tours

Choose between the ever-popular three-day Rovos Rail journey from Pretoria to Cape Town or vice versa (covering 1600km) with off-train excursions in both Kimberley and Matjiesfontein or the 56 hour ‘safari train’ between Pretoria and Durban. The 3 night journey from Pretoria to Victoria Falls is also highly recommended. These are leisurely, civilized journeys in which you enjoy fine cuisine and wines.

However, Rovos Rail Pride of Africa now also offers a range of longer routes, ranging from 9 nights up to 15 nights. These routes may only depart a few times per year. But if you love train travel, then what better than to plan your safari around one of these dates? The Golf Collage option showcases some of the most scenic parts of the country with off-train excursions for golfer and non-golfer alike. Similarly the African Collage also offers options for keen golfers.

All these Rovos Rail tours and routes are extremely popular. So book early!

Summary of longer Rovos Rail Trips:

Please look at each Rovos Rail tour below for the Rovos train prices of each luxury train journey, which vary by size of compartment.

Rovos Rail Cape Town to Dar es Salaam – Rovos signature 15 night excursion  & vice versa

Rovos Rail Namibia safari – 11 nights from Pretoria to Swakopmund & vice versa

Rovos Rail African Golf Collage – 12 nights route throughout South Africa  to the Cape, KZN & Kruger

Rovos Rail Golf Safari – 9 nights to Sun City, KwaZulu Natal & Kruger

Rovos Rail Southern Cross Tour – 11 nights from Pretoria to Victoria Falls

Rovos Rail Tail of Two Oceans – 15 nights from Dar es Salaam to Lobito

Rovos Rail African Trilogy – 14 nights combining South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland) and Namibia

Note: The use of steam has become increasingly difficult over the years as water and coaling facilities have been scrapped . Hence, Rovos Rail mainly makes use of diesel engines these days.)

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