The Pride of Africa
ROVOS RAIL
Rovos Rail, the most luxurious train in the world travels along tracks in Southern Africa. Combined with diverse and exciting off-train activities, a Rovos safari is a wonderful way to see the countryside. Rovos Journey’s includes the popular Cape Town to Pretoria and Pretoria to Victoria Falls trips. New routes include the Copper Trail, through Zambia and to the coast in Angola.
The Pride of Africa Train Trip takes the discerning traveller onboard vintage wood-panelled coaches where you sit back and enjoy the scenery as your pass by. Rovos Rail offers a luxury train experience, with an impressive wine list, exceptional hospitality and fine dining. Enjoy the timelessness of train travel on board The Pride of Africa.
Each train set has been beautifully restored and hauled by diesel or electric locomotives, carrying a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites. There are 3 suite choices, with the majority being the Deluxe Suites.
The Royal Suites (16sqm) each take up half a carriage with their own private lounge area and en-suite bathroom with a Victorian bath, separate shower, toilet and basin.
The Deluxe Suites (10sqm) 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.
The Pullmans (7sqm), used on short journeys, accommodate one or two passengers and have an en-suite bathroom with a shower, toilet and basin. The Pullman Golds, used on long 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.
Each train set includes the accommodation carriages, dining cars, a small gift shop, a smoking lounge, a lounge car and an observation car with an open-air balcony and large big picture windows. Maintaining the spirit of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets on board.
There is a sense of glamour in the dining car with the formality of fine china and glassware, crisp linen and silver, and train travellers dress accordingly. Days on board are smart casual while evening attire is more formal. On long journeys, guests enjoy themed evenings where you can dress up accordingly or opt for smart casual.
Rovos Rail Rates 2024 & 2025
Each of the Pride of Africa train trip rates is listed below. Each of the trips with Rovos runs in both directions. The shorter trips are more regular throughout the year and can be combined to create a longer holiday.
The rates include: Accommodation; all meals; all beverages on board; room service; limited laundry; guided excursions (where applicable); entrance fees as per itinerary; government tax; on-board historian and doctor (Dar +Lobito journeys only); Golf Safari + African Collage green fees, carts and halfway house meals, water and tea/coffee. The rates exclude Off-train beverages; international sparkling wine; gratuities; personal expenses; pre-and post-tour accommodation, flights and transfers; visas; travel insurance.
The Single Supplement is 50%.
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Cape Town to Pretoria
This journey travels through the Cape Winelands and stops at the historic Matjiesfontein, an authentically preserved Victorian Village founded as a refreshment stop in 1890, which also boasts an impressive museum on the platform. Visit the Diamond Mine Museum and the world’s largest man-made excavation, the Big Hole, in Kimberley. Pass beautiful mountain ranges, the Great Karoo and more. This trip takes place 2 to 4 times a month throughout most of the year.
Rates for October 2023 to September 2024:
Royal Suite – ZAR86,600, Deluxe Suite – ZAR66,000, Pullman Gold Suite – ZAR44,300
Rates for October 2024 to September 2025:
Royal Suite – ZAR72,000, Deluxe Suite – ZAR54,000, Pullman Suite – ZAR37,500
Daily timings:
Pretoria-Cape Town:
DAY 1-Pretoria at 11.00 | DAY 2-Kimberley tour at 14.00 | DAY 3-Matjiesfontein visit at 15.00 | DAY 4-Cape Town at 10.00
Cape Town-Pretoria:
DAY 1-Cape Town at 16.00 | DAY 2-Matjiesfontein visit at 08.00 | DAY 3-Kimberley tour at 08.30 | DAY 4-Pretoria at 10.00
Pretoria to Victoria Falls
Embark on an unhurried exploration onboard Rovos Rail Victoria Falls Journey. The 3 or 4 night Rovos Victoria Falls Train Journey departs from Pretoria in South Africa and ends in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
The train sets off from the Pretoria Station and heads north through Bela-Bela, crossing the Capricorn and Limpopo River towards Bulawayo in Zimbabwe. Enjoy a game drive excursion on the 4-night journey only in Matobo National Park, a World Heritage Site with bushmen caves, rock art and dramatic granite hills, and visit the site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave atop the summit of Malindidzimu.
Travel along one of the world’s longest stretches of the straight railway line, 114km, before arriving at Hwange National Park where a game drive excursion is enjoyed. The train continues on to Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River where this sojourn ends. The platform is located next to the iconic Victoria Falls Hotel. Once in Victoria Falls we suggest you spend a few nights exploring the area, take a walking Tour of the Falls, helicopter flip, sunset cruise, game drives and more. Depending upon railway capacity, this journey could be routed through Botswana.
This Victoria Falls Journey is the ideal way to start or end a safari to Botswana, Zimbabwe or Zambia.
Rates for October 2023 to September 2024:
Royal Suite – ZAR86,600, Deluxe Suite – ZAR66,000, Pullman Gold Suite – ZAR44,300
Rates for October 2024 to September 2025:
Royal Suite – ZAR94,000, DeluxeSuite – ZAR72,000, Pullman Suite – ZAR48,000
Pretoria-Victoria Falls 3 nights:
DAY 1-Pretoria at 10.00 | DAY 2-On board | DAY 3-Hwange game drive at 15.00 | DAY 4-Victoria Falls at 10.00
Pretoria-Victoria Falls 4 nights:
DAY 1-Pretoria at 18.00 | DAY 2-On board | DAY 3-MatoboPark visit at 13.30 | DAY 4-Hwange game drive at 15.00 | DAY 5-Victoria Falls at 10.00
Victoria Falls-Pretoria 3 nights:
DAY 1-Victoria Falls at 17.00 | DAY 2-Hwange game drive at 06.00 | DAY 3-On board | DAY 4-Pretoria at 10.00
Victoria Falls-Pretoria 4 nights:
DAY 1-Victoria Falls at 17.00 | DAY 2-Hwange game drive at 06.00 – DAY 3-MatoboParkvisit at 08.00 | DAY 4-On board | DAY 5-Pretoria at 10.00
African Collage
The African Collage Rail trip is a 10 night journey that departs from Pretoria and visits the Kruger National Park for a game drive. Then heads into the KZN province and local Hlulhlwe Game Reserve for some game watching. Visit the KZN Battlefields before heading to the Eastern Cape coast at Port Elizabeth (now called Gqeberha) and go on a game drive in the Addo Elephant National Park. Wind your way through the beautiful Garden Route to Cape Town. There is a chance to play the odd round of golf on this trip
Rates for October 2023 to September 2024:
Royal Suite – ZAR248,000, Deluxe Suite – ZAR192,000, Pullman Gold Suite – ZAR138,000
Rates for October 2024 to September 2025:
Royal Suite – ZAR269,000, Deluxe Suite – ZAR208,000, Pullman Gold Suite – ZAR150,000
Rovos Rail Golf Safari
Rovos Rail Golf Safari is not just for golf fanatics, partners will love it too. This 9 night circular trip leaves from Pretoria and heads to Pilanesberg for a round of golf Sun City’s Gary Player/ Lost City Golf Course and a game drive. Then head to the battlefields of KZN followed by a stop at Champagne Sports Resort for tee off and lunch. and to Durban Country Club for a round.
Head north for a game drive in Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Cross the border into the small country of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and play a round at the Royal Swazi Sun course. From there you will go to the Kruger National Park for a game drive and if available, a round at Leopard Creek Golf Course (own account). The final stretch of this trip goes through Dullstroom for some fly fishing before arriving back at Pretoria Station.
Rates for October 2023 to September 2024:
Royal Suite – ZAR181,800, Deluxe Suite – ZAR138,500, Pullman Gold Suite – ZAR91,200
Rates for October 2024 to September 2025:
Royal Suite – ZAR1198,000, Deluxe Suite – ZAR150,000, Pullman Gold Suite – ZAR99,000
Namibia Journey
Rovos Rail Namibia Journey is a 9 night triip that spans over 3400km’s. Travel from Pretoria to Kimberley for a tour around the 1870’s mining village. The train traverses the stark vistas of the Northern Cape to the Fish River Canyon, second in size to the Grand Canyon and passes a quiver-tree forest. Continue across the stark untamed beauty of the Kalahari Desert, stopping in a small town called Mariental. Disembark from the train for a flight to Sossusvlei, overnighting in a lodge.
From there, fly to Windhoek to meet the train. Visit a cheetah conservation project and tour Windhoek, a lively, cosmopolitan city with a strong German flavour. Travel north on the train, but continue by road to Etosha National Park. Overnight in a safari lodge and enjoy a game drive. Return to the train and head to the Atlantic Ocean. On the last morning, the train travels the Namib to the perfectly preserved 19th-century German Hansa town of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, an unforgettable end to a remarkable journey
Rates for October 2023 to September 2024:
Royal Suite – ZAR258,000, Deluxe Suite – ZAR210,000, Pullman Gold Suite – ZAR165,000
Rates for October 2024 to September 2025:
Royal Suite – ZAR280,000, Deluxe Suite – ZAR228,000, Pullman Gold Suite – ZAR179,000
Cape Town to Dar es Salaam
The Cape Town to Dar es Salaam Train trip is an epic 15 day, 5800km train journey that travels through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania and is one of the most famous in the world. The trip begins in Cape Town, stopping at the historic village of Matjiesfontein, the diamond town of Kimberley and the capital city of Pretoria for short tours followed by two nights in the Madikwe Game Reserve for some Big 5 Game Viewing.
The train continues through Botswana into Zimbabwe where you overnight at the Victoria Falls Hotel and see the Victoria Falls. After crossing the mighty Zambezi River, the train joins the Tazara line in Zambia and continues to Chisimba Falls where you will enjoy a bush walk. The train climbs to the Tanzanian border and then descends into the Great Rift Valley negotiating the tunnels, switchbacks and viaducts of the spectacular escarpment. Climbing again, it traverses the Selous Game Reserve, the largest on the continent and a vision of timeless Africa, before the bustling arrival in Dar es Salaam the following day.
Rates for October 2023 to September 2024:
Royal Suite – US$23,600, Deluxe Suite – US$17,995, Pullman Gold Suite – US$13,600
Rates for October 2024 to September 2025:
Royal Suite – US$25,950, Deluxe Suite – US$19,800, Pullman Gold Suite – US$14,950
Rovos Copper Trail
The inaugural Copper Trail Journey departed in July 2022. This new expedition traverses Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola in 15 days, covering 3100km. This train departs from Victoria Falls and ends at Lobito, on the Atlantic Ocean, south of Luanda in Angola. Travel across the mighty Zambezi from the incomparable Victoria Falls towards Kafue River for a sunset cruise.
After a visit to Lusaka’s elephant sanctuary where teams rescue and rehabilitate orphaned elephants, fly into South Luangwa National Park (Zambia) for a three-night safari. The South Luangwa National Park offers incredible game viewing and its western and northwestern edge are bound by the Muchinga Escarpment and the southern border is lined with the meandering Luangwa River, there is no shortage of dramatic and fascinating topography in this beautiful game-rich park.
Rejoin the train in Ndola and head north, crossing through the Copper Belt and into the DRC. Enjoy a tour of Lubumbashi (DRC) then join the historical copper trail for short walking tours detailing Angola’s recent history with the journey’s end in Lobito.
Rates for October 2023 to September 2024:
Royal Suite – US$23,600, Deluxe Suite – US$17,995, Pullman Gold Suite – US$13,600
Rates for October 2024 to September 2025:
Royal Suite – US$25,950, Deluxe Suite – US$ 19,800, Pullman Gold Suite – US$14,950
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