Rovos Rail
South Africa
Rovos Rail
Rovos Rail Station Head Offfice : 1 Transnet Avenue, Pretoria, South Africa, 0084 /
Rovos Rail Cape Town : 1 Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa, 8002
rovos.com
TRAIN INFORMATION
Group
Rovos Rail Tours (Pty) Ltd
Shareholders
Privately owned and family-run.
Date of Creation
1989
Captain
Regárdo Lewis
Train Positioning
In a series of 11 bespoke train journeys. Step aboard the luxurious vintage wood-panelled coaches and sit back as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows. With discreet and friendly service, top cuisine and a selection of South Africa’s finest wines, Rovos Rail harks back to a simpler, more elegant era encompassing the timeless grace and high romance of African exploration.
Development Strategy
For Rovos Rail passengers, a highlight of their journey is a visit to the private station at Capital Park, Pretoria. The once-bustling hub of steam locomotions is now the headquarters for Rovos Rail. The gracious railway station serves as the departure or arrival point for most of the train journeys where the Rovos team work assiduously to ensure the locomotives and trains are maintained to the highest standard. This is the busy hub of a provisioning operation that is world-class in terms of efficiency and attention to detail on board one of the most ‘Great Southern Africa Train Adventures’.
Rovos Rail
History and Story
Since its establishment in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class travel experiences. The beautifully rebuilt trains, which may be hauled by diesel or electric locomotives, carry a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites. Since its first overnight journey with a seven-coach train to what was then the Eastern Transvaal, Rovos Rail has expanded exponentially and now offer 11 journeys around Southern Africa. A Wilbur Smith heroin with her own private railway coach, a man called Phil Acutt with a passion for trains and the presence of the WItbank Steam Railway in the coal-mining town where Rohan Vos ran his successful auto spares business, all played a part.
Main Strengths, Special Touch
Rovos Rail now employs 440 staff. The derelict 60 acre property was rehabilitated and renovated to become our private station and home of everything from the on-site laundry and kitchen to the locomotive and coach maintenance workshops, reservations and the finance department. Offering a tour before departures which will show the nuts and bolts of the company, with its very own museum on the property showing a historical collection of train paraphernalia.
Location
Schedules, rates and availability all depend on the journey travelled.
Cape Town to Pretoria (Vice Versa), Durban Safari, Victoria Falls- Pretoria (Vice Versa), Golf Safari, Namibia Safari, African Collage, Southern Cross, African Trilogy, Dar Es Salaam, Trail of Two Oceans, Copper Trail, Combination Journeys.
Key sites/activities in the area
Addo Elephant Park, Antelope Park, Ardmore Ceramic Gallery, Benguela Railway, Bourke Lucks Potholes, Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Cheetah Conservation, Chishimba Falls, Choma Museum, Clarens, Collage Golf courses, Drakensburg Mountains, Durban Tour, Garden Route, Golden Gate Park, Kalahari Desert, Kimberley, Lost City, Lusaka Elephant Sanctuary, Madikwe Reserve, Matjiesfontein, Nambiti Reserve, Spionkop Battlefield, Star Dune 45, Swazi Candles, Victoria Falls, Walvis Bay, Windhoek, Golf Courses : Champagne Sports, Durban Country Club, Erne Else Oubaai, Fancourt, Leopard Creek, Pezula, Royal Swazi.
Fun Facts
In maintaining the spirit of a bygone era, there are no radios or televisions sets on board as well as no WiFi. All food and beverage included. Room service. Limited laundry. Entrance fees and guided excursions. Historian guide on Dar, Lobito & Trilogy journeys with an onboard doctor. Game drives.
Children’s Corner
Rovos Rail can accommodate children but kindly ask parents to be sensitive to the adult nature and atmosphere of the train by keeping them respectful and quiet. Long journeys are not recommended for under 13s. Children between 0-2 years old are not permitted to travel. There are no child-minding facilities or activities available for children on board. Children under 5 are not permitted in the dining car and lounge cars. Room service is available.
TRAIN FEATURES
Cabins and Living Space
• Vintage carriages combine with modern luxuries in 3 suite types available in double or twin : Royal Suite, Deluxe Suite, and Pullman Suites.
• The Royal Suites each take up half a carriage with their own private lounge area and en-suite bathroom with Victorian bath, separate shower, toilet and basin. They accommodate one or two passengers in double or twin beds.
• The Deluxe Suites accommodate one or two passengers in a double or twin beds and have their own lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin.
• The Traditional Pullman Suites, used on our short journeys, accommodate one or two passengers and have an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. During the day, the suites have a comfortable sofa-seat with a conversion to double or twin beds (side-by-side or upper and lower bunks) for evening.
• The Pullman Golds, used on our long journeys, accommodate one or two passengers and have an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin.
A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily.
Chef, Meals, Meals Facilities, Bars
Rovos caters for all food allergies provided a detailed request has been made at reservation stage. Regrettably meals requiring strict religious observance are not catered for. Meals on board are served in one sitting in the dining cars and are complemented by a selection of fine South African wines. Breakfast: 07:00 – 10:00*Lunch: 13:00*Tea :16:30*Formal Dinner:19:30
Corporate and Celebration Events
The Events Train, suitable for day trips only, caters for up to 250 guests and is the perfect venue for weddings, incentives, conferences, and product launches. Private charters available with many itinerary options combining our 42 or 72 bed train with other entertaining products. Rovos Rail is happy to advise clients of these options to help construct exciting and practical itineraries to suit the available time and budget.
Extra notable features
Observation car and stylish cigar lounge.