There is nothing more decadent than travelling through South Africa’s countryside on safari, or to an exotic destination like Victoria Falls by luxury rail. The Rovos Rail train is one of the most luxurious trains in South Africa, where every need is taken care of, and you can sit back and enjoy the scenery in a way that’s just not possible if you travel by car and air. Incorporating a great train trip into your travel itinerary adds a unique and exotic perspective to your African holiday when and you are visiting from abroad. This article gives you sense of what is in store for you.
Rovos Rail – the height of old-world glamour and style
The Rovos Rail is often referred to as the most luxurious train in the world and its carriages are the epitome of grandeur and sophistication. The vintage coaches have been restored with a wonderful eye for detail and capture the romance of days gone by.
Since its inaugural trip in 1989 Rovos Rail has been delighting travellers with long-distance journeys throughout Southern and East Africa. Known as ‘The Pride of Africa’, Rovos Rail lavishes its guest with comfort, luxury and personal service in a fleet of vintage coaches, each of which has been carefully restored to its old-world glamour, and makes up one of the biggest private collections in the world.
Guests can choose from a variety of suites, where every comfort is catered for. During the day, sweeping wing-backed chairs and deep sofas in the observation and lounge cars are perfect for observing the wildlife and the countryside. In the evenings you’ll need to return to your suite to dress for dinner in your most glamorous evening clothes (suit and tie for men) before heading to a pre-1940’s dining car for first-class cuisine served by attentive waiters.
Important to note: In maintaining the spirit of travel of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets on board and the use of mobile phones, laptops and anything that will disturb the other passengers, should take place in the privacy of your suite.
Rovos Rail Routes
The Rovos Rail has specific journeys they travel and you cannot jump on or off the train or only travel a portion of the route. The Rovos Rail ethos has always been about experiencing the journey rather than rushing to the destination and each trip envelopes guests in an enchanting Edwardian-style adventure.
Rovos Rail journeys vary from two to 14 nights and are offered in both directions:
- The Cape Town Journey: This is a popular two-night trip between Pretoria and Cape Town. On arrival at Rovos’ private colonial-style station in Capital Park Pretoria, guests sip cocktails and enjoy canapés before climbing abroad to depart through Highveld grasslands, the semi-desert Karoo, dramatic mountain ranges and the vineyards of the Cape Winelands.
- The Victoria Falls Journey: This is a three-night adventure that travels through Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand goldfields, enters Botswana at Mafikeng and continues to the Zimbabwe border at Plumtree. The train travels through the Hwange National Park, offering plenty of game-viewing opportunities before finishing at the Victoria Falls.
- The Durban Journey: This is a two-night safari between Pretoria and Durban that only operates during summer and includes a game drive and a battlefields tour.
- The Golf Journey: This is an eight-night Golf safari that starts and ends in Pretoria and takes discerning players to some of the most famous golf courses in the country.
- The Namibia Journey: This only takes place once a year in April/May and is a not-to-be-missed 8 night-safari starting in Pretoria, travelling to Kimberley, through the Northern Cape and the Karoo to the Fish River Canyon. On arrival in Windhoek, guests take a short flight to the Sossusvlei pan in the Namib Desert and spend an incredible night in the Etosha National Park and the journey ends in the beach resort of Swakopmund
- The African Collage Journey: This combines both golfing and game drives at three different reserves and the train leisurely meanders between Pretoria and Cape Town
- The Dar es Salaam Journey: This epic 14-night expedition departing from Cape Town, sweeping through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania, is considered to be one of the most thrilling train journeys in the world and combines a two-night safari in Madikwe Game Reserve, with visits to the Victoria Falls, the Chishimba Falls, the Great Rift Valley and the Selous Game Reserve.
If you are a South African visiting from abroad to enjoy the luxury of the Rovos Rail and would like to know more about how you can maximise your finances through the process of financial emigration from South Africa, accessing your South African retirement annuity and our tailor-made tax solutions for South Africans around the world, contact FinGlobal today.