Luxury train travel in South Africa

Rovos Rail offers two beautifully rebuilt Classic trains, each carrying a maximum of 72 passengers who are accommodated in the most spacious and luxurious train suites in the world.

The use of traditional furnishings and period decor ensure an atmosphere of elegance and grandeur in the Dining, Lounge and Observation cars.

The train

Step aboard the Pride of Africa Since its establishment in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world class travel experiences.

Step aboard the wood panelled coaches - classics remodelled and efurbished to mint condition - and enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows.

Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a bygone era, when privileged travellers experienced the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant fashion. Routes vary from overnight trips along the Garden Route to 2 night trips between Pretoria and Cape Town, Durban and the majestic Victoria Falls. Golf Safaris and longer journeys are also available.

The suites

World Class Comfort and Style The rebuilt sleeper coaches contain the most spacious train suites in the world, offering every modern convenience and comfort.

The epitome of luxury, with handsome wood panelling and period Edwardian features, the air-conditioned suites accommodate two people offering the option of twin or spacious double beds.

All are equipped with a writing surface and, for valuables, a personal safe. There is also a bar fridge filled with beverages of the passengers' choice and room service is available 24 hours a day.

Ensuite bathrooms

In the en suite bathrooms original fittings combine with the modern technology of hot showers, hair dryers and shaver plugs. The Royal Suites, each of which take up half a carriage, are spacious and elegant, measuring 16 sq metres in size.

Each has its own private lounge area and full bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower. The Deluxe suites (11 sq metres) also accommodate two passengers in either twin or double beds and have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower.

A third level of accommodation, the Pullman suite is seven square metres in size and while it includes the identical bathroom to that of the deluxe suites, the bedroom is smaller with a one up one down bunk for twin requirements or a double bed for couples. During the day this can be converted into a comfortable couch.

The coaches

Rovos Rail operates two classic 20-coach, 72 berth trains as well as a third 13-coach, 42-berth Edwardian train which is available year round for charter.

Each one of these carriages, from kitchen cars to sleeper coaches and guards vans, has its own story. A few dating back to 1911 were constructed in Europe and shipped to South Africa in the first half of the last century.

Some carriages have carried royalty, while others have ended up serving as restaurants or lying derelict and forgotten on sidings for decades. These coaches have been collected from the far corners of the country and are now cherished members of the Rovos fleet of 75 carriages.

The coaches have been painstakingly rebuilt and the use fine wood panelling and traditional furnishings has ensured an atmosphere of elegance and grandeur. Exquisite pillared dining cars are a signature of the Rovos Rail trains. Each one has a proud history and has been meticulously restored from a derelict state.

Dining cars

For example Dining Car No 195 'Shangani', which was built in 1924, was found parked in a siding in Alberton near Johannesburg before its acquisition by Rohan Vos in 1986. Three of the magnificent teak pillars had been removed and these were faithfully crafted, restoring the Victorian atmosphere.

Each of the trains has two 42-seater dining cars to accommodate the maximum complement of 72 passengers in total comfort at one sitting. Each train has a non-smoking Observation Car at the rear of the train, while the coach next to it contains a small smoking lounge.

A unique feature of the Observation Cars is the enlarged windows and open-air balconies. At the centre of the train we have, when numbers dictate, a non-smoking Lounge Car, which houses the Gift Shop.