Rovos Rail : Luxury Train Travel : South Africa

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Rovos Rail

After a ten-year search the world's most luxurious train has found a permanent base in the once derelict locomotive yard of Capital Park, just north of Pretoria. Capital Park was chosen in 1939 as the site for a new locomotive shed and marshalling yard. Completed in 1943, the yard in its heyday was extremely busy housing some 140 steam locomotives. Technology and time moved on, and over the years newer forms of railway locomotion replaced the faithful old steam engines, which had served so well since the industrial revolution.

With the arrival of electric and diesel engines, the steam locomotive sheds at Capital Park experienced a steady decline. In January 1998, Rovos Rail was successful in obtaining a long-term lease over Capital Park. The site covers 25 acres, has 15 lines totalling a distance of 7km, of which a hundred metre section is under roof, and has a coal stage with 40 loading chutes.

All the rolling stock, consisting of 60 carriages and 5 locomotives, the administrative offices, stores and workshops are now based at Capital Park. The aim was not only to rebuild the site to a world beating standard, but also to transform it into a working railway museum. The eyes of rail enthusiasts will be drawn to the loco sheds, where a team of dedicated personnel keeps the rolling stock in good order. The gracious colonial-style railway station serves as an elegant departure and arrival stage for the journeys.

Rovos Rail operates two classic trains of 20 superbly restored coaches, half of which date back to the 1920s. Each train can accommodate up to 72 passengers in unrivalled spaciousness. A third 13-coach, 42-berth Edwardian train is available year round for charter. The coaches - which have been collected from the far corners of the country - have been painstakingly rebuilt and refurbished to offer discerning travellers the last word in comfort and style.

The use of traditional furnishings and period decor, with top-class craftsmanship evident in fine wood panelling, has ensured an atmosphere of elegance and grandeur. Each one of these carriages, from kitchen cars to sleeper coaches and guards vans, has its own story. Each one has a proud history and has been meticulously restored from a derelict state.

Each of the trains has two 42-seater dining cars to accommodate the maximum complement of 72 passengers in total comfort at one sitting. One of the dining cars is a refurbished Edwardian pillared dining car dating from the 1920s, while the other is a classic luxury dining car of 1936 vintage. The latter is a favourite venue for lunch and offers a superb view from the larger picture windows. Service is friendly and discreet. Each train has one or two lounge cars. Permission was sought and granted by South African Railways to run the Observation Cars at the back of the Trains, enabling enlargement of the windows and the construction of unique open-air balconies. These classic coaches are the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely drink or a cup of tea, get to know the friendly hostesses and fellow travellers and read up more about the route and the many fascinating attractions. The lounge car and onboard gift shop is in the centre of the train.

Routes

Cape Town to Pretoria

For many visitors to South Africa, there's no finer way to see the country than on the popular 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.

Cape Town to Dar-es-Salaam

The most luxurious train in the world, Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa, will depart from Cape Town on this epic safari through Africa travelling a distance of 6 100 kilometres. Guests will board the beautifully rebuilt Edwardian Train and travel in the footsteps of such illustrious adventurers as Livingstone, Speke, Stanley, Burton, Selous, Lord Delamere, Blixen and Finch-Hatten. Rovos Rail has designed this safari for travellers who wish to re-live true adventure in complete luxury, comfort and security. This unique experience will not only enthral train enthusiasts but also provide guests with an incomparable way of travelling through the beauty of Africa.

This magnificent safari will take you through South Africa with short tours of the diamond town of Kimberley and the capital city of Pretoria. Then we visit the famous Kruger Park Game Reserve, before crossing into Zimbabwe, with another overnight stop at the Victoria Falls Hotel. The next day we cross the Victoria Falls into Zambia, Lusaka, the Luangwa valley and on to the incredible Tazara Railway line before arriving at Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania.

The one way 6 100km journey will take 13 days. Once there, guests have the option of visiting exotic Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro Crater and the wildlife paradise of the Serengeti. The Edwardian Safari will then depart Dar-es-Salaam again travelling with its southbound guests back to Cape Town. An authentic African adventure.

Pride of Africa - Pretoria to Durban

Experience the diversity of the Kruger Park, Mkhaya in Swaziland and Hluhluwe Nature Reserve in Zululand and wind your way from Pretoria to Durban through some of the most spectacular scenery South Africa has to offer. Your special journey begins as soon as you board The Pride Of Africa at the gracious Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. This charming train departs in the morning and slowly meanders through the majesty of Mpumulanga with a short stop in Witbank. It then descends the escarpment between Belfast and Waterval Onder, taking you through the Drakensberg and what is surely the most spectacular sundowner scenery in South Africa.

The following morning 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 in the Mkhaya Game Reserve followed by a memorable candlelit dinner in the pristine riverine setting of Stone Camp.

After dinner the train will travel south to the village of Hluhluwe in Zululand. Starting early once again, you are assured of seeing a wide variety of game on a morning game drive through the scenic Hluhluwe Nature Reserve. The Pride of Africa then departs mid morning and winds its way through the lush cane fields and rolling hills of KwaZulu Natal, to arrive in Durban by late afternoon where this scenic safari ends.

Suites

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.

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 this century. Some carriages have carried royalty, while others have ended up serving as restaurants or lying derelict and forgotten on sidings for decades. All are now cherished members of the Rovos Rail fleet of 60 carriages.

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 full bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower.

The Deluxe Suites (11 sq metres/118sq feet), restored with the same care as the Royal Suites also accommodate two passengers in either twin or double beds and have a lounge area and an en-suite bathroom and shower.

The Pullman Suites offer a third level of accommodation and are +/-7 square metres (+/-76 sq ft) in size. It includes the identical bathroom to that of the deluxe suites, however 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 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.

Dining

When you are catering for a full complement of 72 guests within the limited space of a train 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 guests every need is catered for, while 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's an accent on fresh local ingredients, and traditional dishes such as game are a specialty. Every morning there's a full breakfast with dishes cooked to order. A selection of cold meats, croissants, pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurts, cereals and preserves make up a tempting breakfast buffet. For lunch and dinner there is a starter and a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian dishes, followed by a tempting dessert and are complemented by a selection of excellent South African wines. All meals are served in one sitting only in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the Dining Cars.

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.

Many of the passengers aboard the Pride of Africa enjoy the formality of fine china, crisp linen and silver, and dress accordingly. During the day dress is more casual, with cool, comfortable clothes and hats recommended for the excursions, especially in the game reserves where it can be very hot.

The Observation Car seats 32 passengers and is positioned at the rear of the train. At the centre of the train, when numbers dictate, a non-smoking Lounge Car, which seats 26 passengers in comfort. In maintaining the spirit of travel of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets onboard.