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Rovos Rail
STEP ABOARD THE PRIDE OF AFRICA -THE WORLD'S MOST LUXURIOUS TRAIN -
BEGIN A JOURNEY TO SOUTHERN AFRICA'S MOST SPECTACULAR DESTINATIONS
Since its establishment more than 10 years ago, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class travel experiences. Step aboard the wood-panelled coaches - classics remodelled and refurbished 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 by-gone era, when privileged travellers experienced the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant fashion.
In a series of journeys lasting from 24 hours to a fortnight, the Pride of Africa links some of Africa's greatest destinations from Cape Town at the tip of Africa to Dar-Es-Salaam in Tanzania, from scenic splendours as diverse as the game reserves of Mpumalanga to the Victoria Falls, from the desert landscapes of Namibia and the stark beauty of the Karoo to the lush canefields of KwaZulu-Natal and the magnificent Garden Route along the Cape South Coast.
The new headquarters and the heart of this superb private railway company is the historic and newly built Capital park Station and Locomotive yard which is situated on the outskirts of Pretoria.
ACCOMMODATION:
Like all Rovos Rail carriages, the rebuilt sleeper coaches contain the most spacious train suites in the world and are the epitome of luxury. With exquisite wood panelling and period Edwardian features as well as every modern convenience and comfort, the air-conditioned suites accommodate two people and offer the option of twin or spacious double beds. The Royal Suites, each of which takes up half a carriage, are named after colourful characters of the Victorian era in South Africa, including Cecil John Rhodes, Barney Barnato and Alfred Beit. Spacious and elegant, the Royal Suites measure 16 sq metres in size (172 sq ft). Each one has its own private lounge area and features a full en-suite bathroom with shower and Victorian bath.
The Deluxe Suites measure 11 sq metres (118sq ft) and each have a lounge area and private bath with shower. The rovos rail suites offer guests the space to relax in privacy and the opportunity to travel in comfort and luxury, with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. All are equipped with a writing desk and, for valuables, a personal safe. There's also a bar fridge filled with the drinks of the passengers' choice and room service is available 24 hours a day. In the en-suite bathrooms, original fittings are combined with the modern technology of hot showers, hair dryers, heaters and shaver plugs. The train has an onboard water and sewerage system, so showers and toilets may be used at any time.
CUISINE & SERVICES:
When you are catering for a full complement of 72 guests within the limited space of a Rovos Rail kitchen car, achieving a standard that rivals that of a top-class restaurant is a serious challenge. An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for overseeing the very important task of ensuring that guests indulge and that all their favourite drinks are on board. Considerable thought and meticulous planning goes into making up the menus. Unlike many of the great trains of the world, travellers are on board the trains for several days at a time, requiring a much wider selection of meals. There is an accent on fresh local ingredients, and traditional dishes such as game are a specialty. A full breakfast is served in the morning, with a selection of cold meats, croissants and preserves as well as dishes cooked to order.
For lunch and dinner, there is a starter and a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian dish followed by a tempting dessert. A selection of fine wines from some of South Africa's most renowned cellars and estates complement the menus. Meals can be adapted to suit special requirements by prior arrangement. Many of the passengers aboard the Pride of Africa enjoy the formality of fine china, crisp linen and silver service and dress accordingly. During the day, we like our guests to feel at home and dress is casual. Cool, comfortable clothes and hats are recommended for excursions, especially in the game reserves where it can be very hot.
ROUTES:
Pretoria - Cape Town & vice versa
Discover the scenic splendours en route between Cape Town and Pretoria
For many visitors to South Africa, there's no finer way to see the country than on the popular rovos rail weekly journeys between Pretoria and Cape Town. One of the world's top destinations, Cape Town offers a blend of cosmopolitan city life, mountain splendour and scenic winelands. The twin cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg in Gauteng form South Africa's economic heartland and the ideal departure point for the Lowveld's world-famous game reserves. From the coast, the 1600 kilometre route follows an old pioneering trail carved out of the African bushveld, passing through the winelands and climbing up to the interior through the Hex River Valley. Highlights of the north and southbound routes include visits to the historic village of Matjiesfontein, a 100-year-old refreshment stop in the arid Karoo, and Kimberley (city of De Beers), the diamond boom-town that's home to the Big Hole, the world's largest man-made excavation.
Rates: Oct 2003 - Sep 2004
Royal Suite R12 995 per person
Deluxe Suite R9 800 per person
Rates: Oct 2004 - Sep 2005
Royal Suite R14 600 per person
Deluxe Suite R10 980 per person
ITINERARY:
PRETORIA TO CAPE TOWNTUESDAY OR FRIDAY15:30 Depart Pretoria aboard the Pride of Africa.WEDNESDAY OR SATURDAY09:40 Arrive in Kimberley. Passengers visit the Big Hole, the diamond museum and take a tram ride.13:00 Depart Modder River Station near Kimberley and proceed overnight via De Aar and Beaufort West for Matjiesfontein.THURSDAY OR SUNDAY08:15 Visit the historic village of Matjiesfontein.10:30 Depart Matjiesfontein and proceed via Touws River, De Doorns and Worcester to Cape Town.18:00 Arrive at Cape Town station, platform 24. CAPE TOWN TO PRETORIAMONDAY11:00 Depart from platform 23 at Cape Town station and proceed inland via Worcester.18:00 Upon arrival at Matjiesfontein guests tour this quaint village.19:00 Depart Matjiesfontein.TUESDAY12:00 Upon arrival at Modder River Station near Kimberley we transfer to the historic Kimberley Club for lunch and then take the electric tram from the City centre for a tour of the Big Hole and museum. 16:00 Depart Kimberley.WEDNESDAY 12:00 Arrive Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Guests can then continue through to the Victoria Falls
Pretoria - Victoria Falls & vice versa
Combine the luxury of rovos rail train travel with the excitement of a flight in a vintage airliner. Travel along a beautiful route of special interest, one rich in history, romance and adventure. Spend three days aboard the Pride of Africa as it descends the breathtaking Drakensberg escarpment to the sub-tropical wildlife paradise of Mpumalanga. Travel alongside the famous Kruger Park to Hoedspruit, where an interesting excursion to Kapama's Cheetah Project is planned. Thereafter during the afternoon the train slowly ascends the mountain range to the west, passing through Tzaneen and Duiwelskloof up ancient gorges and cliffs to Baobab country. At Pietersburg, board an historic aircraft for the two-hour flight to the Victoria Falls (Livingstone / Zambia), one of the natural wonders of the world.
Rates: Oct 2003 - Sep 2004
Royal Suite R14 650 per person
Deluxe Suite R10 950 per person
Rates: Oct 2004 - Sep 2005
Royal Suite R16 400 per person
Deluxe Suite R12 250 per person
ITINERARY:
PRETORIA - VICTORIA FALLS (LIVINGSTONE/ZAMBIA)THURSDAY 10:00 The Pride of Africa departs Rovos Rail's station in Capital Park13:00 Lunch is served in the Dining Car en route to Witbank. 20:00 After descending the Drakensberg escarpment en route to Nelspruit, dinner is served. FRIDAY 05:00 Wake up call for an early game drive in the Kapama Game Reserve. 09:30 Brunch at the Rhino Inn followed by a visit to the Cheetah and Wild Dog Project.13:30 Depart Klaserie and enjoy the relaxed meander of the train en route to Tzaneen and Duiwelskloof. SATURDAY 08:30 Arrive in Pietersburg. 09:00 Passengers transfer to the airport for a two-hour flight to Livingstone. 12:45 Arrive at the Livingstone Hotel, and 13:15 arrival at Victoria Falls Hotel. VICTORIA FALLS (LIVINGSTONE/ZAMBIA) - PRETORIASATURDAY 12:00 Guests collected from Victoria Falls Hotel.12:30 Guests collected from the Royal Livingstone Hotel. 13:30 Take off from Livingstone Airport.SUNDAY05:00 Wake up call for an early game drive in the Kapama Game Reserve.09:30 Brunch at the Rhino Inn followed by a visit to the Cheetah and Wild Dog Project.13:30 Depart Klaserie and enjoy the relaxed meander of the train en route to Nelspruit. MONDAY 07:00 The train begins the climb between Waterval Onder and Waterval Boven, via a series of tunnels and switchbacks. Breakfast is served in the Dining Car until 10:00. During the morning the train passes through Witbank, where young Winston Churchill, an escaped prisoner of war, jumped a freight train to Mozambique. 14:15 At Rayton, the Pride of Africa is connected to the Rovos Rail Steam Locomotive for the last leg of the journey to Pretoria. 16:00Arrive at journey's end, the gracious Capital Park Station in Pretoria.
Cape Town - George & vice versa
The picturesque garden route
The 620-kilometre rail journey between Cape Town and George, and then on to Knysna, a coastal jewel in the heart of the famous Garden Route, is rated one of the most beautiful in the world. From the Mother City, the Pride of Africa travels through the mountains before passing alongside vineyards, rolling wheatfields and racehorse stud farms in the Robertson Valley. There's a stop to sample the famous wines of the district. Then it's on to the coast and the picturesque town of George, where Rovos Rail guests have the option of boarding the museum's Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe for a spectacular 67-kilometre journey along the coast through South Africa's own lake district to Knysna. This nature-lovers' paradise is a mecca for visitors drawn to the town for its natural beauty, abundant bird life and numerous sporting and recreational activities.
Rates: Oct 2003 - Sep 2004
Royal Suite R8 900 per person
Deluxe Suite R6 585 per person
Rates: Oct 2004 - Sep 2005
Royal Suite R9 900 per person
Deluxe Suite R7 380 per person
ITINERARY:
CAPE TOWN TO GEORGEFRIDAY 09:20 Depart Cape Town Station.15:30 Arrive Ashton. Wine tasting excursion. SATURDAY09:00 Arrive George. 09:30 Optional departure from George on Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe. 12:00 Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe arrives Knysna. GEORGE TO CAPE TOWNSATURDAY 09:45 Optional departure from Knysna on Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe. 12:30 Arrive George on Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe. 13:30 Depart George. Rovos Rail. SUNDAY11:00 Arrive Worcester. Guests enjoy a guided tour of KWV Brandy Distillers. 17:00 Arrive Cape Town.
Pretoria - Durban & vice versa
An unforgettable train journey into the heart of the african bushfeld
From Capital Park, Pretoria, the Pride of Africa travels towards Witbank, then down the spectacular escarpment to an African bushveld paradise. The following morning you may enjoy a leisurely breakfast as the train meanders along the border of the world-famous Kruger Park. Lunch is served in the Dining car as the safari continues south towards Swaziland for an afternoon game drive through the Mkhaya Game Reserve followed by a memorable candelit bush dinner in the pristine river setting of Stone Camp. Travel overnight to Hluhluwe in Zululand, sanctuary of the endangered White Rhino. After a game drive at dawn, the rolling hills and lush canefields of KwaZulu-Natal unfold as the train wends its way to Durban and journeys end.
Rates: Oct 2003 - Sep 2004
Royal Suite R14 650 per person
Deluxe Suite R10 950 per person
Rates: Oct 2004 - Sep 2005
Royal Suite R16 400 per person
Deluxe Suite R12 250 per person
ITINERARY:
PRETORIA - DURBANFRIDAY 10:00 The Pride of Africa departs Rovos Rail's Station in Capital Park. 18:30 After descending the Drakensberg Escarpment the train arrives in Waterval Onder. SATURDAY07:00 Breakfast is served as the train departs Malelane travelling along the border of the Kruger Park. 12:30 Lunch is served as we pass through the Swaziland border en route to Mpaka station. 15:00 We arrive at Mkhaya reserve for our afternoon game drive and bush dinner. 20:00 The train departs for the overnight journey to Hluhluwe in Zululand. SUNDAY05:00 Wake up call for a game drive in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. 09:30 The Pride of Africa departs Hluhluwe for Durban. 17:00 Arrive Durban. DURBAN - PRETORIA MONDAY10:00 The Pride of Africa Departs Durban. 13:00 Lunch is served as the train passes through the rolling hills and cane-fields of Kwazulu Natal. 20:00 Dinner is served in the Dining Car as we pass through the Swaziland border. TUESDAY05:00 Wake up call for a game drive in the Mkhaya Game Reserve. 09:30 The train departs en route to Komatipoort. 11:00 Brunch served in the dining car. 15:15 We arrive in Malelane for the game drive in the Kruger Park followed by a boma dinner. After dinner the train travels to our overnight stop at Waterval Onder. WEDNESDAY07:00 Breakfast is served as we depart Waterval Onder (3950') and climb this most attractive escarpment route up to Belfast at 6463 ft. 12:30 Lunch will be served as we depart Witbank and head for Rayton where we pick up the steam engine. 15:00 We arrive in Pretoria at Rovos Rail's private station.
· Prices in South African Rand
· Prices Per Person Sharing
· Single Supplement 50%
· Children Rate On Request
· Off train excursions cannot be guaranteed and will be undertaken only if time permits
· Departure and arrival times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed
ROVOS RAIL SCHEDULES:
ON BOARD INFORMATION:
Passports and visas:
The onus is upon the client to ensure that passports and visas, as may be required, are valid.
Health:
Anti-malaria precautions should be commenced prior to departures for the game reserves, Victoria Falls and Dar-Es-Salaam.
Cell Phones:
Cell phone use is permitted only in your suite. We further request that guests show due consideration to their neighbours when speaking on the cell phone.
Security:
There is a guest safe in every suite.
Dress:
Our wish is that our guests to feel at home on the train. Comfortable clothes are essential for game reserves and the African bush (it can be very hot or very cold!) In keeping with the dignified atmosphere of the train, many guests prefer to dress for dinner and evening attire might therefore be included in a guest's luggage.
Smoking:
Smoking is permitted in most areas of the train with the exception of the passages, dining cars and centre lounge (when included in the train). We request that extreme caution be exercised when smoking in the compartments. We further request that guests show consideration for non-smokers in public areas.
General:
It is not advisable to lean out of the windows whilst the train is in motion. Please bear in mind that steam locomotives emit a considerable amount of soot which is harmful to the eyes. Should guests lean out of the windows, please use the goggles provided for your safety.
Children:
Rovos Rail does accommodate children but we ask parents to be considerate of the sophisticated adult atmosphere we endeavour to maintain.
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