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South Africa
Cape town - Durban - Vic Falls - George - Golf - Collage - Dar - Namibia - Air Safari
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THE TRAIN - Step aboard the Pride of Africa Since its establishment in 1989, 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 bygone era, when privileged travellers experienced the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant fashion. |
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The trains - which may be hauled by steam, diesel or electric locomotives at various stages of the journey - carry a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites. Pride of place in the Rovos stable goes to the historic and newly rebuilt Capital Park Station and locomotive yard, which is the heart and new headquarters of this private railway company. |
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THE SUITES - World Class Comfort and Style 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. All are equipped with a writing surface and, for valuables, a personal safe. There is also a bar fridge filled with beverages of the passengers’ choice and room service is available 24 hours a day. In the en suite bathrooms original fittings combine with the modern technology of hot showers, hair dryers and shaver plugs. |
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The Royal Suites, each of which take up half a carriage, are spacious and elegant, measuring 16 sq metres in size (172 sq ft). Each has its own private lounge area and full bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower. The Deluxe suites (11 sq metres/118 sq feet) also accommodate two passengers in either twin or double beds and have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower. A third level of accommodation, the Pullman suite is 7 square metres (76 sq ft) in size and while it includes the identical bathroom to that of the deluxe suites, 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. |
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CUISINE & SERVICE - Simple Elegant & Entertaining 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. |
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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. |
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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. These coaches have been collected from the far corners of the country and are now cherished members of the Rovos fleet of 75 carriages. The coaches have been painstakingly rebuilt and the use fine wood panelling, traditional furnishings and period décor has ensured an atmosphere of elegance and grandeur. 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. For example Dining Car No 195 ‘ Shangani ‘, which was built in 1924, was found parked in a siding in Alberton near Johannesburg before its acquisition by Rohan Vos in 1986. Three of the magnificent teak pillars had been removed and these were faithfully crafted, restoring the Victorian atmosphere. Each of the trains has two 42-seater dining cars to accommodate the maximum complement of 72 passengers in total comfort at one time. Each train has a non-smoking Observation Car at the rear of the train, while the coach next to it contains a small smoking lounge. A unique feature of the Observation Cars is the enlarged windows and open-air balconies. At the centre of the train we have, when numbers dictate, a non-smoking Lounge Car, which houses the Gift Shop. JOURNEYS & ITINERARIES
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(Click to got back up the page) The Old Karoo Pioneering Trail For many visitors to South Africa, there is no finer way to see the country than on the popular 48-hour weekly journeys between Pretoria and Cape Town. This 1600-kilometre journey is a perfect illustration of South Africa as a world in one country. Travel the grasslands of the gold rich Highveld to the haunting barrenness of the Great Karoo. Trundle through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic wine lands of the Cape. Journey’s end is Cape Town, the Mother City of South Africa, cradled by the imposing bulk of Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak and Lions Head. Highlights of the north and southbound routes include a visit to the historic village of Matjiesfontein. This authentic perfectly preserved Victorian Village, which was founded by Mr Logan as a refreshment stop in 1890, also boasts an impressive museum on the platform. A stop is also made in Kimberley providing an opportunity to enjoy a city tour and a visit to the Mine Museum and the world’s largest man-made excavation, the Big Hole.
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CAPE TOWN TO PRETORIA ITINERARY
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(Click
to got back up the page) This special three-day safari between Pretoria and Durban departs during the summer months and includes game drives in two varied and unique game reserves. The train departs in the morning from Rovos Rail’s Station in Pretoria and slowly meanders eastwards through the grasslands of the Highveld. It then descends the escarpment between Belfast and Waterval Onder, taking the train through what is surely the most spectacular sundowner scenery in South Africa. Awake in Malelane for breakfast as the train travels along the boundary of the world-famous Kruger Park. The safari continues south towards Swaziland for an afternoon game drive in the Mkhaya Game Reserve. Travel overnight to the Hluhluwe Game Reserve in Zululand, sanctuary of the endangered Black and White Rhino. Enjoy an early morning game drive during which a large variety of game can be seen. The train 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. PRETORIA
TO DURBAN ITINERARY
(Click
to got back up the page) This two-night adventure begins as the train departs Rovos Rail’s gracious station at Capital Park in Pretoria. This special journey departs in the morning and slowly meanders north towards Bela Bela, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn just after the station of Soekmekaar. Once over the Soutpansberg mountains, north of Makhado we enter Baobab country. Few sights are more evocative of primeval Africa than the eerie silhouette of a Baobab tree starkly outlines against a ruddy African sunset. South African border formalities will take place at Musina and then, very slowly over Beit Bridge, the train will ease itself into Zimbabwe. Continue in a north-westerly direction passing through Thompson’s Junction and Hwange Game Reserve where we enjoy an early morning game drive. Journeys end is the incomparable Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River. PRETORIA • WARMBATHS • MESSINA • BULAWAYO • VICTORIA FALLS VICTORIA
FALLS ZIMBABWE
(Click to got back up the page) The Scenic Beauty of The Garden Route This picturesque 550-kilometre 24-hour trip runs between Cape Town and George during the summer months and is rated one of the most beautiful in the world. From the Mother City the train travels through the Du Toits Kloof tunnel towards Worcester. Grapes are grown in vast quantities in this area, and apart from several co-operative wine cellars, there are a number of brandy distilleries. The KWV Brandy Distillery is visited on the George to Cape Town leg. The train continues along the Breê River Valley towards Robertson and then onto Ashton. On the Cape Town to George leg a stop is made here to sample the wines of a local wine estate. Then it is on towards the coast passing through stations such as Swellendam, South Africa’s third oldest town. Leaving the coast behind the train passes near Mossel Bay, a commercial seaport that enjoyed a boom in the 1990’s due to the discovery of offshore oil. George is a quiet inland town, founded in 1811 and named after King George 111. CAPE
TOWN TO GEORGE ITINERARY
(Click to got back up the page) A Golf Tour in Gracious Luxury Rovos Rail has designed a delightful nine-day Golf Safari to entertain the most discerning player with optional excursions for non-playing guests at all venues. This journey begins in Pretoria and travels east towards Nelspruit. Play at the Hans Merensky Golf Estate or visit the world famous Kruger Park. Tee off at the Royal Swazi Golf Club in Swaziland, while non-golfers visit Ngwenya Glass with an afternoon game drive in Mkhaya Game Reserve. Then it is on to Zululand for game viewing in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve and the St. Lucia Estuary. Play one of South Africa’s finest courses, the Durban Beachwood Club, while non-playing guests enjoy a city tour of Durban followed by lunch at the Golf Club. In the foothills of the imposing Drakensberg Mountains 18-holes await at the Champagne Sports Resort, with a guided tour of the Battlefields a further highlight for our non-golfers. Relax as the train travels north to Sun City. A full day will be spent at this world-famous facility before departing for Pretoria where this memorable journey ends. GOLF
SAFARI ITINERARY
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AFRICAN
COLLAGE ITINERARY
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In
July every year, this epic 14-day journey travels through South
Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania and is one of the most famous
train journeys in the world. This magnificent sojourn will take
you through South Africa with short tours of the diamond town of
Kimberley and the capital city of Pretoria. Then a two-night stay
in a private game lodge in the famous Kruger Park Game area, before
crossing into Zimbabwe, with another overnight stop at the Victoria
Falls Hotel. After crossing the mighty Zambezi River travel north
eastwards through Zambia, joining the Tazara Railway line at Kapiri
Mposhe. Enjoy a bush walk and picnic at Kundalilia Falls, and continue
the climb towards the Zambian/Tanzanian border, almost the midpoint
between Africa’s two Great Rift Valley lakes. Descend into
the Rift Valley itself and enjoy spectacular scenery as the train
negotiates the tunnels, switchbacks and viaducts of the escarpment.
Early on the last day the train passes through the Selous Game Reserve,
the largest on the Continent - a vision of timeless Africa shortly
before the bustle of arrival in Dar Es Salaam Station. NORTHBOUND CAPE
TOWN TO DAR ES SALAAM ITINERARY
(Click
to got back up the page) In
May each year this 3400 kilometre 7-day journey takes the train
from Pretoria to Kimberley, centre of one of the world’s most
famous diamond rushes, where there’s an opportunity to visit
the Big Hole, the world’s largest man-made excavation, and
to savour the 1870’s atmosphere of the mine museum village.
The railway line covers the stark vistas of the arid Northern Cape
as the train travels through Upington to the border into Namibia.
There is time for an excursion to the Fish River Canyon –
second only in size to the Grand Canyon and a truly spectacular
sight. The journey continues across the untamed beauty of the Kalahari
Desert and onto Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. After a short
city tour and an afternoon game drive the train continues onto Tsumeb
for an overnight stay at Mokuti Game Lodge in the Etosha National
Park. On the last morning the train passes along the German built
railway through the Namib desert and into Swakopmund, a perfectly
preserved nineteenth century German Hansa town set on the coast
of the Atlantic Ocean. NAMIBIA
ITINERARY
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Southern Africa in a magnificent classic Aircraft
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