Luxury train trip through South Africa and Namibia

Step aboard the Rovos Rail and experience luxury travel in 5 star style. While you enjoy culinary delights, the red dunes of Namibia emerge. Romantic rail travel also means getting out and experiencing the enchanting environment of Etosha National Park, for example. Wildlife and nature spectacle will leave an unforgettable impression on this train safari. Including an overnight stay in Etosha and Sossusvlei.

South Africa and Namibia pass elegantly by … but you stop for numerous ‘highlights’ and wonderful excursions.

The train
Rovos Rail has two classic 20-compartment trains, called the ‘Prides of Africa’, each of which seats 72 passengers. There is also a third Edwardian train, which can accommodate 42 passengers and can be used throughout the year as a special charter.

All the coupes of the different trains, from kitchen coupé to suite coupé, have their own story. A number of coupes were built in Europe in 1911 and shipped to South Africa. Some coupes have transported royal ones, others have been converted into roadside restaurants or have been found neglected on the side of a switch track. The coupes have been collected throughout the country and are now part of the 75 beloved coupes from Rovos Rail. The compartments have been restored to perfection, with the wooden panels, the traditional furniture and the decor from the past having restored the atmosphere of splendor and elegance.

The excellent Dining Coupés are the showpiece of Rovos Rail. Every Dining coupé has its own proud history and has been renovated in detail. Dining Coupé No 195 Shangani, for example, was found in 1986 on the side of an alternating track in Alberton near Johannesburg.

Each train has two 42-person Dining Coupes, where a total of 72 people can comfortably sit. At the end of the trains there is a smoke-free Observation Coupé, with a small smoking lounge attached to it. Special details in the Observation Coupé are the enlarged windows and the open-air balconies. Here you can enjoy the fantastic view of the landscape through which you travel.

The coupes
The renovated coupes are spacious and offer all necessary conveniences and comfort. The luxury two-person suites have beautiful wooden panels and details dating from the Edwardian period of 1900 and are air-conditioned.

The Royal Suite (+/- 16 square meters) is half a coupe in size and is spacious and elegant. The Royal Suites have their own private living room, bathroom with a Victorian bath and a separate shower.

The Pullman Suite (+/- 7 square meters) has a bathroom that is identical to that of the Deluxe Suite, but the size of the bedroom is smaller. There is a choice of bunk beds for the separate sleeping arrangement or a double bed. During the day, the bed can be folded into a comfortable seating furniture.

Cuisine and Service
An authentic team of chefs is responsible for the important task of creating and planning the menus that will meet all your expectations. The emphasis is on fresh local ingredients, and traditional dishes such as game are the specialty.

For lunch and dinner, a starter and a main course are served, with a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian, followed by a tempting dessert.

The dishes are complimented by an excellent selection of South African wines. All meals are served during one joint session in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the Dining Cars.

Many passengers on board the Pride of Africa enjoy the formality of the refined porcelain, the starched linen and silver and like to dress appropriately. During the day the dress code is casual, in the evening it is more formal, at least for men a jacket and tie at dinner.