Rovos Rail
The Pride of Africa
Rovos Rail - Luxury Train Journeys
in Southern Africa
Travel to South Africa and take a
trip on the most luxurious train in the world, Rovos Rail. Your romantic vacation through
the heart of Southern Africa will begin or end at the headquarters of this
private railway company, Capital Park Station and Locomotive Yard situated
outside Pretoria. Rovos Rail offers two beautifully rebuilt Classic trains, each
carrying a maximum of 72 passengers who are accommodated in the most spacious
and luxurious train suites in the world. The use of traditional furnishings and
period décor ensure an atmosphere of elegance and grandeur in the Dining, Lounge
and Observation cars.
Rovos Rail
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. 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 Rail stable goes to the historic and
newly rebuilt Capital Park Station and locomotive yard, which is the heart and
new headquarters of Rovos Rail.
The Coaches
Rovos Rail operates two classic
20-coach, 72 berth trains as well as a third 13-coach, 42-berth Edwardian train
which is available year round for charter. 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 the last century. Some carriages have carried royalty, while others have
ended up serving as restaurants or lying derelict and forgotten on sidings for
decades. These coaches have been collected from the far corners of the country
and are now cherished members of the Rovos Rail 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 sitting. Rovos Rail 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.
Cuisine and Service
An enthusiastic team of chefs on Rovos Rail 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. On Rovos Rail all meals are served in one
sitting only in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the Dining Cars. Many of
the passengers aboard Rovos Rail 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
Rovos Rail, when numbers dictate, is 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 Rovos Rail.
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