Rovos Rail

Packages range from 48 hours to 28 days. See Rates and Schedules section for more details.

Rovos Rail offers various journeys across the sub-continent of Africa.

Cape Town & Pretoria: 2 nights
Pretoria & Durban: 2 nights
Pretoria & Victoria Falls: 3 nights
Pretoria & Namibia: 9 days
African Golf Collage (Pretoria, Kruger Park, Durban, Cape Town): 9/10 days
Cape Town & Dar es Salaam: 15 days

The train is also available for private charter and hunting safaris. Contact us for more details.

Yes. It is preferred that clients enjoy the full experience.

Yes, the following journeys can be combined:
Cape Town and Victoria Falls;
Cape Town and Durban;
the northbound Durban and Victoria Falls;
and the Namibia and Collage journey.

Please contact us for more details.

Yes, select journeys run all year while some of the short journeys do not run in the winter.

Steam is used in and around the Rovos Rail Station but due to the increasing difficulty over the years of using steam, diesel of electric locomotives are used.

Yes.

Royal Suite:

• Double: 189cm long x 189cm wide
• Twin: 189cm long x 94cm wide

Deluxe Suite:

• Double lengthways: 189cm long x 189cm wide
• Double crosswise: 189cm x 160cm wide
• Twin: 189cm long x 94cm wide
• L-Twin: 189cm long x 90cm wide

Pullman Suites:

• Double crosswise: 189cm long x 150cm wide
• Twin – lower bunk: 189cm long x 90cm wide
• Twin – upper bunk: 189cm long x 60cm wide

Meals are served in one sitting only at the following times, unless otherwise stated in the timetable:

Breakfast: Between 07:00 and 10:00
Lunch: 13:00
Tea: 16:30
Formal Dinner: 19:30

Please make a detailed request on the Reservation Form. Our best effort is made to cater for meals such as vegetarian, vegan, diabetic etc. Should you not request a special meal but require one, the chef will endeavour to prepare a suitable meal with the ingredients on board. Regrettably, we are not able to prepare meals that require strict religious observance in the preparation.

In most cases yes, and when scheduled. On selected journeys, only off-train beverages are excluded.

During the day dress code is smart casual. Evening wear is more formal. Minimum requirement for men are a jacket and tie, and for ladies a cocktail/evening dress or suit. Please pack warm clothing for cold mornings and evenings. For off-train excursions, comfortable walking shoes are recommended as well as sunblock, hats and warm clothing for game drives, which are on open vehicles.

Rovos Rail offers 24-hour room service by a dedicated host/ess. The internal telephone in your suite can be used to contact him/her.  The Train Manager and Deputy Train Manager are available during your journey to answer any questions you may have.

Mainly English, also Afrikaans, local ethnic languages, and some German, Spanish and French.

In South Africa: Only Rands are accepted. All major credit cards can be used on board.

Outside South Africa: US Dollars for off-train expenses and excursions booked while on the train. Hotels and major dealers accept credit cards, except in the Sudan.

US Dollars printed before 2001 will not be accepted. We recommend low denominations for shopping or gratuities. Larger notes can be used to exchange money to local currency, especially in Tanzania, as you receive a better.  The gift shop on board does not cater for exchanging money, but might do so if currency is available.

Rovos Rail accommodates children, but we remind parents to respect the sophisticated and adult atmosphere maintained on board. There are no child-minding facilities or activities on board.

Regrettably, the passage dimensions and train layout can not accommodate wheel-chairs. Rovos Rail is able to accommodate guests with slight walking difficulties, but recommend that an able-bodied passenger accompany them.  Should you have any special requirements please inform us at the time of booking.

Smoking is permitted in the Club Lounge situated towards the rear of the train. It is strictly prohibited elsewhere on the train.  Although smoking is also allowed in your suite, please be mindful of the fact that the train is made up of wood. We ask that you refrain from throwing flammable items such as cigarette or cigar buts off the train as bush fires are a constant danger in Africa.  Please inform us when making your reservation if you are smoking or non-smoking, to ensure the appropriate rooms are requested for any hotel stays.

Memorabilia can be bought at the on board Gift Shop situated in the Lounge Car/Royal Suite coach. Due to the fluctuating exchange rate, Rands or credit cards are preferred for any purchases. Rovos Rail accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club.

Yes, there are board games, playing cards and a card table on most journeys.

Memorabilia can be bought at the on board Gift Shop situated in the Lounge Car/Royal Suite coach. Due to the fluctuating exchange rate, Rands or credit cards are preferred for any purchases. Rovos Rail accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club.

Each room has enough space for six large suitcases, which can be stored on the overhead luggage rack or under the bed.

Yes, all suites have an en-suite bathroom with shower. The Royal suite has a shower and separate Victorian bath.

Each suite has an electronic safe in the cupboard.

The on board laundry service is limited and consist of household washers, dryers and steam irons. Turnaround time is 48 hours. Please note that while this is a complimentary service, Rovos Rail cannot be held responsible for items getting damaged or lost. There are no dry-cleaning facilities en-route or on board.

Each guest is provided with a comfortable waffle weave gown (one size fits all) and slippers.

Temperature is controlled by gas-filled air-conditioning systems fitted in all public cars. Each suite has an individually controlled air-conditioning system. Fresh-air intake is achieved by opening a window. Please keep windows closed while operating the air-conditioning unit. All beds are fitted with electric under-blankets.

On board plugs are 220V AC 50 Hz, 3-point round pronged wall plugs.  International adaptors are available on board.

There are 110V/220V 2-pin plugs for shavers.

There are no televisions, radios or Internet access.

Reception is poor while the train is moving. Please contact your service provider to activate the correct network services.

Internet is available at Rovos Rail’s Cape Town Lounge, Rovos Rail Station, Tau Game Lodge and Victoria Falls Hotel, and most of the accommodation used on the Cairo journey.

Please note that the use of electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops and any other potentially bothersome devices are confined to your suite out of consideration for your fellow passengers.

We encourage guests to close shutters and preferably also windows in the suites while on board. This removes some of the temptation for anyone standing on the platform. Each suite has a safe for valuables. Doors in the passages are locked from the inside, and suite doors can also be locked from the inside.

No pets are allowed.

Secure parking is offered but Rovos Rail cannot be held liable for any damage or theft to/from your vehicle.

It is the guest’s responsibility to ensure that all passports and visas required are valid. Please check with the relevant consulates ahead of time regarding visa requirements and applications, or enquire with us. Rovos Rail travels through South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, the Sudan and Egypt on various itineraries.

Rovos Rail requires cancellation insurance.  Terms and Conditions are strictly adhered to and applicable cancellation fees will not be waived.

Luggage is restricted to 15kg per person. A soft bag is preferable.

It is recommended to take precautions against malaria. Malaria areas include: Swaziland, Kruger Park, Northern Botswana, Zimbabwe, Etosha, Zambia and Tanzania.  Please consult your medical practitioner.

If travelling to/from Tanzania, a Yellow Fever Certificate or Medical Exemption Certificate is essential. Although some countries traveled through do not require the vaccination, countries guests return to after their trip often require them.

Recommended but not required immunisation: Hepatitis A, Polio, Tetanus and Cholera (low risk).

Please consult your clinic or doctor.