Renowned as the epitome of luxury rail travel, this majestic locomotive invites passengers to step back in time and experience the golden age of railroads. The Rovos Rail offer an unparalleled blend of opulence, adventure, and panoramic vistas as it winds its way through diverse terrains, from lush savannas to awe-inspiring mountain ranges. Maintaining the spirit of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets on board.Â
Read on for more information about the exquisite onboard experience and facilities, or skip straight down to our recommended Rovos tours.
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Dining Cars
The dining cars are made up of two-seaters and four-seaters where guests eat together or individually. The lounge and observation cars – with their big picture windows, sofas and booths – make for great mingling areas or quiet corners to while away the days. Many of the passengers enjoy the formality of fine china and glassware, crisp linen and silver, and dress accordingly. Days on board are smart casual while evening attire is more formal. On long journeys it is encouraged to enjoy themed evenings where guests can dress up accordingly or opt for smart casual. An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for overseeing the very important task of ensuring guests’ every need is catered for. There’s an accent on fresh local ingredients and traditional dishes are a specialty. Meals are served in one sitting only in the dining cars and are complemented by a selection of fine South African wines. The bar menu is comprehensive although special items such as French Champagne would need to be requested in advance.
Breakfast: 07:00-10:00 • Lunch: 13:00 • Tea: 16:30 • Formal Dinner: 19:30. Bar service is from 07:00-±01:00. All meals are served at these times unless otherwise stated in the itineraries.
Lounge Cars
The lounge car seats ±26 passengers. With its big picture windows, sofas and wingbacks, it has great mingling areas or quiet corners to while away the days. On most days, afternoon tea is served at 16:30 in the lounge and observation cars while bar service is from ±07:00-01:00. On some of our long journeys, we have an onboard historian who hosts lectures in the lounge car. At one end of the carriage there is a small gift shop, which is a smart, subtly-lit glass affair selling bespoke memorabilia.
Observation Cars
The observation car seats ±32 passengers. With its open-air balcony, big picture windows, bar, sofas and booths, it has great mingling areas or quiet corners to while away the days. On most days, afternoon tea is served at 16:30 in the lounge and observation cars while bar service is from ±07:00-01:00.
The Suites
Vintage carriages combine with modern luxuries in 3 suite types available in double or twin: Royal ±16m2, Deluxe ±10m2 and Pullman ±7m2.
Royal
The Royal Suites each take up half a carriage with their own private lounge area and en-suite bathroom with Victorian bath, separate shower, toilet and basin. They accommodate one or two passengers in double or twin beds. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily. A bar fridge is filled with the on-board beverages of the passengers’ choice.
• Double or twin beds • En-suite with bath, shower, toilet and basin • Small lounge area • Writing desk • Luggage shelf • Cupboards • Safe • Air conditioning • Fridge • Tea facilities • Bespoke amenities • Robes and slippers • Hairdryer (fixed or plug-in) • Shaver plugs (2-pin) • USB ports • Safety glasses • Emergency torch • Fire extinguisher • Laundry bag • Shoe bag • Internal telephone system • Room service
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Deluxe
The Deluxe Suites accommodate one or two passengers in double or twin beds and have their own lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily. A bar fridge is filled with the on-board beverages of the passengers’ choice.
• Double or twin beds • En-suite with shower, toilet and basin • Small lounge area • Writing desk • Luggage shelf • Cupboards • Safe • Air conditioning • Fridge • Tea facilities • Bespoke amenities • Robes and slippers • Hairdryer (fixed or plug-in) • Shaver plugs (2-pin) • USB ports • Safety glasses • Emergency torch • Fire extinguisher • Laundry bag • Shoe bag • Internal telephone system • Room service
Pullman
The Pullmans, used on our short journeys, accommodate one or two passengers and have an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. During the day, the suites have a comfortable sofa-seat with a conversion to double or twin beds (side-by-side or upper and lower bunks) for the evening. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily.Â
• Double or twin beds • Upper and/or lower bunk • Daytime sofa setting • En-suite with shower, toilet and basin • Fold-up writing desk • Luggage shelf • Cupboards • Safe • Air conditioning • Tea facilities • Bespoke amenities • Robes and slippers • Hairdryer (fixed or plug-in) • Shaver plugs (2-pin) • USB ports • Safety glasses • Emergency torch • Fire extinguisher • Laundry bag • Shoe bag • Internal telephone system • Room service
Pullman Gold
The Pullman Golds, used on our long journeys, accommodate one or two passengers and have an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. During the day, the suites are setup with split twin beds configured as sofa-seats (optional) with a conversion to split twin or double beds for the evening. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily.
• Double or twin beds • Daytime sofa setting • En-suite with shower, toilet and basin • Fold-up writing desk • Luggage shelf • Cupboards • Safe • Air conditioning • Tea facilities • Bespoke amenities • Robes and slippers • Hairdryer (fixed or plug-in) • Shaver plugs (2-pin) • USB ports • Safety glasses • Emergency torch • Fire extinguisher • Laundry bag • Shoe bag • Internal telephone system • Room service
Route Map
