Rovos Rail

Imagine watching the drama of the ever-changing South African landscape unfold through a train window when you become part of a Voyage2Africa bespoke train journey with Rovos Rail, the most luxurious train in the world. Traverse the country from Pretoria to Cape Town in a luxury coach brimming with authentic Victorian history, world-class service and opulence at your fingertips!

The dream child of Rohan Vos, a man of vision, and an entrepreneur, Rovos Rail was launched in 1989 with one locomotive and 7 carriages, carrying only 4 paying customers. Little did he know what a huge success it would be and today Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly top-end travel experiences. 

Exceptional train safaris combine some of Africa’s most magnificent scenery with travel aboard an authentically refurbished Edwardian-style train, accommodating up to 72 guests in the most spacious train suites in the world, each with their own en-suite bathroom and subtle modern conveniences. Three unique suite types include Royal (the largest), Deluxe and Pullman (7 square m). Remodelled and redecorated to perfection, they are wood-panelled and ornate, antique extras adding style to cute bedrooms that move! Quality linens, beds, tea facilities and air conditioning. 

The eight scheduled journeys begin or end at Rovos Rail Station, the headquarters and private station of this independent railway company, located in Pretoria, not far from Johannesburg.

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Overview

Welcome to bespoke train journeys in a reconditioned and refurbished train that journeys throughout Southern Africa in sheer luxury that harks back to the Victorian era. Rovos Rail is the epitome of quality train safari holidays from a bygone era where travellers are treated to luxury coaches, fine wining and dining, an events coach and a coach where they can sit and observe the scenery flowing past the windows. 

The opulent colonial accommodation comes in a choice of three different suites designed with flawless and beautiful wood panelling, period Edwardian furnishings and artefacts as well as the necessary mod cons including air conditioning, baths and showers, comfy beds and a tea drawer. 

• The Royal Suites – large, the size of a half a carriage, with a bedroom, lounge, a Victorian bath and shower, bar fridge, and room service. This is train journey opulence at its very best.  
• The Deluxe Suites – medium-sized, with showers, double beds, lounges and bar fridges. 
• The Pullman Suites – smallest rooms that offer comfy sleeper couches that convert into double beds for the night, showers and bar fridges. Comfort is key. 

The trains can take 72 privileged guests who dress up every evening for dinner, just like people did in the Victorian era. Several different themed cars take a certain number of passengers who can move around throughout their journeys across South Africa:

• The leading locomotive that turns coal into energy, and the generator car
• The staff car and then the guest sleepers
• A non-smoking lounge car and a smoking lounge car
• 2 non-smoking dining cars for 42 guests each
• The end observation car with plenty of space for 32 guests to sit and gaze at the passing landscapes, nightcaps in hand, or early morning coffees when the sun arises. 

Expert chefs prepare specialty meals based on South African traditions and wines to accompany each course and the use of technology is only allowed in private suites as this is an old-world journey when TVs, radios and other devices were unheard of on trains. 

The Events Train can be used for a birthday party on a 3-hour round trip or a one-way journey that takes 8 hours from Pretoria during the day only. This carriage contains a bar and can host 120 people for a sit-down meal with four courses, or 250 guests for a cocktail party! Chat to Voyage2Africa to book your Rovos Rail journey with additional tours into the Pilanesberg or to Sun City from Pretoria.