The use of traditional furnishings and period décor, with top-class craftsmanship evident in fine wood panelling, has ensured that the atmosphere of elegance and grandeur far exceeds the original. 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 this century. Some have carried royalty, others have ended up serving as restaurants or lying derelict and forgotten in sidings for decades. All are now cherished members of the Rovos Rail fleet of 60 carriages.

At Capital Park, the new headquarters of Rovos Rail, teams of craftsmen and engineers ensure that every inch of the coaches is up to standard and that their gleaming green paintwork is immaculate.

Power and glory

Five superbly reconditioned steam locomotives are the heart and soul of Rovos Rail and a sight to gladden the heart of any rail enthusiast.

There's a story behind each one of the Rovos Rail locomotives and their acquisition and restoration. Each one has a distinctive character and charm and are all named after members of owner Rohan Vos' family. The first engine acquired was no 2702 "Bianca", a Class 19D locomotive built by Borsig in 1938 and purchased in 1986. No 2701"Brenda", a Class 19D locomotive unexpectedly just one digit away from "Bianca", was purchased in 1989 from a scrap-metal yard in Volksrust and rebuilt in Witbank.

Rohan Vos had his eye on No 3360 "Shaun" since he first saw it standing on the scrap line at Witbank, way back in 1986. It was purchased a decade later and restored by Rovos personnel. The oldest engine in the stable is also the smallest. "Tiffany" No 439, a Class 6 locomotive, was one of the 40 constructed by Dubbs & Co. in Glasgow, the first of which was delivered in 1893. The Vos family first saw the little engine as it stood on a platform plinth at Winburg Station in the Eastern Free State and it was love at first sight. The engine was purchased in 1987 and returned to the rails. The latest addition to Rovos Rail is "Marjorie", a glorious 25 NC locomotive that has been converted from a coal burner to an oil-fired engine. It has just completed an 18-month overhaul, which has brought a gleam to every bit of brass and a glow to the team who have painstakingly restored her to her prime. A highlight of the official opening of the new Capital Park station on the 17th of May 1999 was the christening performed by Rohan's mother, Mrs. Marjorie Vos.

At various times diesel or electric engines from the local railways are hired to head the Pride of Africa. In and out of Pretoria however, the magnificent Rovos Rail steam locomotives haul the trains, adding excitement and an authentic atmosphere to the journeys.

Simple, Elegant & African

The superb cuisine served aboard the Pride of Africa is simple and elegant and mealtimes in the dining rooms are a highlight of the journey.

When you are catering a full complement of 72 guests within the limited space of a Rovos Rail kitchen car, achieving a standard that rivals that of a first-class restaurant is a serious challenge.

An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for overseeing the very important task of ensuring that guests indulge and that all their favourite drinks are on board. 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 Pride of Africa 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 speciality. Every morning, there's a full breakfast, with a selection of cold meats, croissants and preserves as well as dishes cooked to order. For lunch and dinner, there's a starter and a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian dish followed by a tempting dessert.

Of course there's a selection of fine wines aboard to complement the food - all from South Africa's most renowned cellars and estates.

Meals can be adapted to suit special requirements by prior arrangement.

The Accommodation

Relax in the privacy of spacious suites, each with a perfect blend of period ambience and modern features.

Like all Rovos Rail carriages, the rebuilt sleeper coaches contain the most spacious train suites in the world and are an epitome of luxury. With exquisite wood panelling and period Edwardian features as well as every modern convenience and comfort, the air-conditioned suites accommodate two people and offer the option of twin or spacious double beds.

The Royal Suites, each of which takes up half a carriage, are named after colourful characters of the Victorian era in South Africa, including Cecil John Rhodes, Barney Barnato and Alfred Beit. Spacious and elegant, the Royal Suites measure 16sq metres in size (173sq ft). Each one has its own private lounge area and full en-suite bathroom with bath and shower. The Deluxe Suites, restored with the same care as the Royal Suites, also accommodate two passengers in either double or twin beds, with en-suite bathrooms and lounge areas. Each suite is 11 sq metres (118 sq ft).

The suites offer guests the space to relax in privacy and the opportunity to travel in comfort and luxury, with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. All are equipped with a writing desk and, for valuables, a personal safe. There's also a bar fridge filled with the drinks of the passenger's choice and room service is available 24 hours a day. In the en-suite bathrooms, original fittings are combined with the modern technology of hot showers, hair-driers and shaver plugs.

FACTSHEET

The two classic Pride of Africa trains, with a maximum capacity of 72 passengers each and the Edwardian trains with 42 passengers are plying the scheduled routes below.

Journeys

• A 48 hour 1600km journey between Pretoria and Cape Town, with off-train excursions in Kimberley and Matjiesfontein.
• A 24 hour 620km journey along the Garden Route between Cape Town and George, with a wine land excursion. Between George and Knysna passengers may independently board the Railway Museum Outeniqua Choo Tjoe steam hauled mixed train, which plies that leg. (A two-and-a-half-hour trip).
• A 48-hour, 1600km journey between Pretoria and Victoria Falls, via Pietersburg, with a game reserve excursion, including a two-hour historic aircraft flight between Pietersburg and Victoria Falls.
• A 24-hour, 460km journey between Pretoria and Malelane. Included is a 2-hour transfer from Kromatipoort or Malelane through Kruger Park to Skukuza Airport.
• A 55-hour safari between Pretoria and Durban, including game drives in the Kruger National Park, Mkhaya Reserve in Swaziland and Hluhluwe in Zululand.
• An epic journey into the heart of Africa takes place in July every year when Rovos Rail takes up to 68 passengers on a 13 day (6100km) EDWARDIAN SAFARI from Cape Town to Dar-Es-Salaam, via Kimberley, Pretoria, the Kruger National Park, Beit Bridge, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Lusaka and through Tanzania to Dar-Es-Salaam. The journey is characterised by various off-train excursions and is destined to become the most famous train journey in the world.
• An annual 3400km journey to Swakopmund in Namibia in May. The train takes 6 nights/7 days to reach Swakopmund with an off-train excursion in Kimberley, a visit to the Fish River Canyon, a city tour and game drive near Windhoek, and an overnight stay at a game lodge in Etosha National Park with two game drives.
• An annual 8- day "African Collage" journey between Pretoria and Cape Town in May/June. This trip takes the train via Maputo, Hluhluwe, Durban, Graaff-Reinet, Oudtshoorn and George with various off-train excursions to Cape Town.

Luxury Accommodation

Rovos Rail offers accommodation of an unmatched standard combining the opulence of pre-war travel with subtle modern innovations. Each of the tastefully designed Deluxe (11sq m) or Royal (16sq m) suites has a twin or double bed, a lounge area and a private en-suite bathroom with hot water shower, individual air-conditioning unit, hairdrier, shaver point, toilet and basin.

Superb Cuisine & Elegant Ambience

Breakfast, lunch and a formal dinner are served (one sitting only) in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the dining car - meals carefully prepared are complemented by a selection of excellent South African wines. The observation car seating 32 passengers takes up the rear end of the train. At the centre of the train we have, when numbers dictate, a lounge car (non-smoking) seating 26 passengers, where one can sip cocktails before lunch or dinner, or enjoy the company of fellow passengers as the African landscape passes by. In maintaining the spirit of travel in days gone by, there are no radios or television sets on board and a cellular phone is available for emergencies only.

Locomotion

Use of steam has become increasingly difficult over the past few years as more and more water and coaling facilities have been scrapped. Wherever practical our trains may be drawn by any one of our four vintage steam locomotives. Where facilities no longer exist, diesel or electric locomotives will be used. Rovos Rail will, however, endeavour to ensure that arrivals and departures in Pretoria are steam hauled.

Station Premises

The headquarters of Rovos Rail has now been established at our own station in Capital Park. Situated on Paul Kruger Street, 3km north of the city centre, this new facility has provided our company and trains with a magnificent home, and without a doubt the most outstanding private station in the world today.

City Tours & Entertainment

Rovos Rail has appointed a tour guide to take train or hotel guests on stimulating and interesting tours of Pretoria and/or Johannesburg and their surrounds. Passengers are advised that temperatures can rise to between 30 and 40 degrees celsius in the summer months in southern Africa and if visiting certain areas anti-malarial precautions should be taken as may be prescribed.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The price includes:

• Accommodation aboard the train
• All meals on board
• Sightseeing excursions accompanied by a qualified tour guide
• All alcoholic and other beverages
• Entrance fees to places of interest
• 24-hour room service and bar facilities
• Government tax

Please note that staff gratuities are not included and are at the guests' discretion.

Tour Payment: A deposit of 25% of the tour price per person at the time of booking is required to secure confirmation. The remainder of the price is payable eight weeks before departure. (Please note that group bookings of 10 or more are subject to different conditions.)

Passports and Visas: The onus is upon the client to ensure that all passports and visas, as may be required, are valid.

Health: Anti-malaria precautions should be commenced prior to departures for the game reserves, Victoria Falls and Dar-Es-Salaam.

Cancellation: Cancellation fees received more than eight weeks prior to departure are subject to a cancellation fee of 5% of the pre-person tour price. Cancellations received between eight and four weeks to departure are subject to forfeiture or the 25% deposit. Cancellations within four weeks of departure are subject to forfeiture of the entire tour price.

Tour cancellation insurance is recommended.

Conditions: Rovos rail reserves the right to amend the tour price at any time prior to the written confirmation of the reservation. Rovos Rail further reserves the right to cancel or amend any of the sightseeing excursions or tour departure dates, provided they can offer passengers alternative sightseeing excursions or departure dates where feasible.

Rovos Rail is not responsible for any delays or changes in tour arrangements that might be caused by natural or other factors beyond the control of Rovos Rail. There will be no refunds for any parts of the tour that may be missed due to personal reasons.

Security: There is a guest safe in every suite.

Dress: Rovos Rail wants guests to feel at home, and comfortable clothes are essential for game reserves and the African bush (it can be very hot!). In keeping with the dignified atmosphere of the train, many guests prefer to dress for dinner and evening attire might therefore be included in a guest's luggage.

Smoking: Smoking is permitted in most areas of the train with the exception of the dining cars and centre lounge (when included in the train). We request that extreme caution be exercised when smoking in the compartments. We further request that guests show consideration for non-smokers in public areas.

General: It is not advisable to lean out of the windows whilst the train is in motion. Please bear in mind that steam locomotives emit a considerable amount of soot which is harmful to the eyes. Should guests lean out of the windows, please use the goggles provided for your safety.

Children: Rovos Rail does accommodate children but we ask parents to be considerate of the sophisticated adult atmosphere we endeavour to maintain.

MAP

The Pride of Africa

Experience the extravagant elegance of rail travel on the most luxurious trains in the world. Rovos Rail's unique train safaris through the heart of Africa combine some of the most magnificent scenery with the glamour and excitement of the golden age of rail travel. These beautifully restored trains offer accommodation of the highest standard, combining the opulence of pre-war travel with modern innovations.