Rovos Rail

Rovos Rail Great southern Africa train adventures In a series of journeys lasting from 48 hours to 15 days, Rovos Rail links some of the continent’s greatest destinations.
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Since its establishment in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class travel experiences. Bespoke train safaris through the heart of Africa combine magnificent scenery with the glamour and excitement of the golden age of leisure travel. The beautifully rebuilt trains carry a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites and are also available for c

harter, while the Events Train caters for up to 250 guests and is suitable for daytime journeys. An exciting addition to the company was the acquisition of the Shongololo Express train in January of 2016. The journeys of between 12 to 15 days traverse South Africa, eSwatini, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. All journeys are available in reverse. Each journey has its own off-train excursions ranging from safari, cultural and historical outings. ROVOS RAIL JOURNEYS

CAPE TOWN
3 days 1600km: Pretoria-Cape Town
Rediscover the old pioneering trail of the Karoo. DURBAN SAFARI
3 days 800km: Pretoria-Durban
Venture into the heart of the South African bushveld. VICTORIA FALLS
4/5 days 1400km: Pretoria-Victoria Falls
See one of the natural wonders of the world. GOLF SAFARI
9 days 2100km: Pretoria-Pretoria
A kaleidoscope of golf, game and scenic beauty. NAMIBIA SAFARI
9/10 days 3450km: Pretoria-Walvis Bay
Explore untamed deserts and the wild Atlantic. AFRICAN COLLAGE
10/11 days 3700km: Pretoria-Cape Town
A rich tapestry of landscape, game, history and culture

DAR ES SALAAM
15 days 5800km: Cape Town-Dar es Salaam
Embark on this epic voyage across Southern Africa. TRAIL OF TWO OCEANS
15 days 4300km: Dar es Salaam-Lobito
A pioneering east-west African adventure. COPPER TRAIL
15 days 3100km: Dar es Salaam-Lobito
Unite a natural wonder of the world with the copper trail. SHONGOLOLO EXPRESS JOURNEYS

AFRICAN TRILOGY
15 days 5000km: Pretoria-Walvis Bay
This new flagship tour is a rich tapestry of landscape from the mountainous east to the wild deserts of the west. GOOD HOPE
15 days 3900km: Pretoria-Cape Town
A grand odyssey offering amazing insight into well-known destinations across South Africa. SOUTHERN CROSS
12 days 2500km: Pretoria-Victoria Falls
An impressive panoramic journey through South Africa, eSwatini, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. DUNE EXPRESS
12 days 3800km: Pretoria-Walvis Bay
An epic journey of discovery to the Atlantic. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Discover our collections, specials and journey combinations. LIFE ON BOARD
Each train has accommodation carriages, dining cars, a lounge car, smoking lounge and observation car with open-air balcony. In maintaining the spirit of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets on board and the use of technology that has the ability to disturb other guests is confined to the privacy of suites. Meals are served in one sitting only. For days on board Rovos Rail, dress is smart casual while evening attire is strictly formal. On Shongololo Express, days on board are casual while evening attire is strictly smart casual. We welcome all travellers – singles, couples and groups. The dining cars are made up of two-seaters and four-seaters where guests eat together or individually. Our 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. For our child policy, please visit our website. ROVOS RAIL has three suite types available in double or twin: Pullman/Pullman Gold ±7sqm, Deluxe ±10sqm and Royal ±16sqm. All have en-suites with shower, toilet, basin and bath (Royal only), tea facilities, safes, air conditioning, linen and amenities and are serviced daily. There is adequate storage and small cupboards with hangers and shelves. SHONGOLOLO EXPRESS has two cabin types available in double or twin: Gold ±7sqm and Emerald ±10sqm. Both have en-suites with shower, toilet and basin, tea facilities, safes, air conditioning, linen and amenities and are serviced daily. There is adequate storage and the small cupboards with hangers and shelves. PRIVATE HIRE
We have two private hire possibilities to choose from: CHARTER TRAIN or EVENTS TRAIN. Charter Train: Combine our 42- or 72-bed Rovos Rail or Shongololo Express train with other entertaining products for bespoke charters including incentive groups, historical expeditions, cycling tours and private gatherings. You could choose a charter-train package or exclusively book one of our scheduled departures (which can be adjusted within reason). Travel wherever there is a railway line in Southern Africa (within reason and subject to availability). Events Train: Limited only by time and distance, there are many alternative uses for the Events Train, which include a three-hour circular trip around Pretoria or a one-way journey to any destination within eight hours’ rail travel time from Pretoria. The Events Train is the perfect venue for weddings, private gatherings, incentives, conferences and product launches. Only suitable for day trips and depending on the number of guests, it can host – with full bar facilities – a four-course sit-down lunch or dinner for up to 120 guests OR for up to 250 guests, canapés served for the duration of the journey. ST JAMES GUESTHOUSES
Discover our stately and elegant seaside retreats overlooking the vibrant fishing village of Kalk Bay and St James with majestic views across Cape Town’s False Bay – a perfect addition to our rail journeys. For more details about life on board, the journeys, private hire, rates and schedules, please visit our websites:
www.rovos.com
www.shongololo.com
www.stjamesguesthouses.com

Good friends and a great journey, is there a better combination? We loved having the Safari Gals on board with us. From ...
31/08/2026

Good friends and a great journey, is there a better combination? We loved having the Safari Gals on board with us. From sundowners on the observation deck to late night conversations in the dining car, this is exactly what Rovos Rail was made for. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

📩 [email protected]
☎️ +27 (0)12 315 8242

28/08/2026

Every tunnel on a Rovos Rail journey comes with a promise. Something extraordinary waiting on the other side. We think this one delivered.

📩 [email protected]
☎️ +27 (0)12 315 8242
📷 Laura Sealy

Half a carriage. All to yourself. Our Royal Suite offers a private lounge, a Victorian bath, double or split twin beds a...
26/08/2026

Half a carriage. All to yourself. Our Royal Suite offers a private lounge, a Victorian bath, double or split twin beds and the kind of quiet luxury that is very hard to find anywhere else.

🚂 https://rovos.com/the-train/suites/
📩 [email protected]
☎️ +27 (0)12 315 8242

Our excursion to Matjiesfontein offers a rare chance to step back in time, explore its historic streets, and experience ...
21/08/2026

Our excursion to Matjiesfontein offers a rare chance to step back in time, explore its historic streets, and experience a unique chapter of South Africa's past in an atmosphere that has changed remarkably little over the last century.

Read more on our blog: https://www.rovos.com/blog/karoo-escape-matjiesfontein/

📩 [email protected]
☎️ +27 (0)12 315 8242

Discover Matjiesfontein, a preserved Victorian village in the Karoo, and a charming stop on the Rovos Rail journey between Pretoria and Cape Town.

19/08/2026

“Hwange National Park hadn’t been our first safari, and it wouldn’t be our last, but this experience of magic in the bush is one of our most memorable in all of Africa.”

Thank you for your kind words, Megan.

📩 [email protected]
☎️ +27 (0)12 315 8242

17/08/2026

Not all Mondays are created equal. Some start in traffic. Others start like this. We know which one we prefer.

📩 [email protected]
☎️ +27 (0)12 315 8242

14/08/2026

Fourteen nights. 3 100 kilometres. Zimbabwe, Zambia, the DRC and Angola. The Copper Trail is not your average journey, it is an expedition. Visit the Victoria Falls, meet orphaned elephants at a Lusaka sanctuary, go on safari in South Luangwa National Park and follow the historic copper trail all the way to the Angolan coast.

Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Catherine.

📩 [email protected]
☎️ +27 (0)12 315 8242
📷 Catherine Marshall

Good morning! Breakfast is served.From 07:00 to 10:00, enjoy a range of hot items made to order accompanied by steaming ...
12/08/2026

Good morning! Breakfast is served.

From 07:00 to 10:00, enjoy a range of hot items made to order accompanied by steaming pots of coffee or tea, housemade pastries straight from the oven and freshly-squeezed fruit juices.

Who else loves starting their day with a feast and a view?

📩 [email protected]
☎️ +27 (0)12 315 8242

10/08/2026

Two coffees, one map, and a whole lot of Africa to explore. Not a bad morning at all.

📩 [email protected]
☎️ +27 (0)12 315 8242

Address

Rovos Rail Station, 1 Transnet Avenue, Capital Park
Pretoria
0084

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