Highlights of Rovos Rail

^{Written by Olivia Powling, Digital Communications & PR Manager at ROL Cruise} 

Back in September 2023, I was fortunate enough to travel to South Africa and Zimbabwe with Wendy Wu Tours and Rovos Rail. The Rovos Rail portion of the trip transported us from Pretoria to Victoria Falls on the four-night Victoria Falls route. 

I saw and did things I’d only ever dreamed of, from spotting elephants in the wild to watching the spray of Victoria Falls appear on the horizon. When I think back on my time with Rovos Rail, what stands out most is just how unique the experience was. In this blog post, I share five personal highlights that made my journey aboard Rovos Rail truly unforgettable. 

Read first: An African adventure with Wendy Wu Tours and Rovos Rail

The Rovos Rail Station in Capital Park, Pretoria, is the departure or arrival point for most of Rovos Rail’s train journeys. The station, which dates back to 1948, has been home to Rovos Rail since 1999, ten years after the company was established. The headquarters have been designed to recreate the atmosphere of a fully-fledged railway system, which is no more apparent than during the station tour. Hosted by Rohan Vos, Rovos Rail Owner, the behind-the-scenes station tour leads guests around the beautifully restored premises and allows them to explore the platform, locomotive, carriage sheds and bustling workshops. It even allows them to say hello to the resident donkey, Romeo.

After the tour, the countdown to embarkation is on. As the Pride of Africa chugs its way to the platform, the atmosphere in the air shifts as guests prepare to step on for their four-day adventure. Glasses filled with champagne clink as newfound friends celebrate together. Then, before I knew it, there was the all-encompassing thundering sound of the train’s whistle as it slowly departed. A grand entrance for a grand adventure. 

Life onboard Rovos Rail transported me to a more graceful bygone era of travel, one in which I was encouraged to slow down and reconnect with the world around me. Each train, which slowly ploughs its way across Africa, has several accommodation carriages, two dining cars, a lounge and an observation carriage with an open-air balcony. Warm, elegant wood-panelling and period furnishings feature throughout, adding to the traditional atmosphere. The observation carriage was a firm favourite among guests - the large picture windows, comfortable seating, and balcony acted as the perfect spot to read, chat with fellow passengers, or simply gaze out at the ever-changing landscapes.

The suites, of which there are three types, were a welcome embrace at the end of the day. The comfortable beds, small lounge area and en-suite bathroom of the Deluxe Suites offered everything I needed for a comfortable stay. Each cabin onboard had a dedicated host on hand to help with my every desire. Service was attentive but unintrusive, and every detail was thought of. 

Dining on Rovos Rail was an elegant affair with multi-course meals paired with South African wines. Each morning began with a cooked-to-order breakfast, freshly brewed coffee and refreshing fruit juices. Lunch was a multi-course event that set me up for an afternoon of adventure, and afternoon tea was a daily ritual. Meanwhile, dinner was a formal affair that brought guests together to reflect on the day. Each menu perfectly balanced authentic South African flavours with international favourites and often featured local delicacies. During our trip, dishes like Cape Malay bobotie samosas, chorizo and butternut linguine, springbok loin on wilted spinach and grilled salmon fillet featured on the menu.

During the day, smart casual attire was appropriate in the dining cars. Lunch was usually hosted before excursions, so it was important to dress for the temperatures off the train. However, dinner was a far more formal affair and provided the perfect opportunity to put on our glad rags. Gentlemen were encouraged to wear jackets and ties, ladies in cocktail dresses or similar. 

There was no rushing on Rovos Rail. Life onboard was about switching off, slowing down, and enjoying the rhythm of the rails. There were no televisions or Wi-Fi onboard, and signal was patchy at best - intentionally so. Disconnecting was encouraged, and at first, it felt strange. The panic set in when it dawned on me that I was so far from home and completely and utterly uncontactable. But as time passed, the panic disappeared. 

Without even realising it, I began to enjoy being detached. The window became my television, conversations flowed more easily, books were actually finished, and quiet moments took on a new kind of richness. I started to notice the subtle rhythm of the train and the changing colours of the landscape. And the opportunity for reflection arose. I considered what the experience meant and how it might affect me. Disconnecting was what made the experience so special. And, for many, the digital detox was the most memorable, refreshing and surprising part of the trip. It certainly was for me. 

One of the things I loved most about the journey from Pretoria to Victoria Falls was how it gradually drew us into the wild. As we travelled through Limpopo Province and along the edge of the Kalahari Basin, the landscapes shifted and so did the atmosphere - by the time we reached Zimbabwe, the sense of adventure was in full swing. Our game drives in Matobo National Park and Hwange Reserve were real highlights. In Matobo, we spotted warthog, klipspringer, a black eagle, a mother rhino with her six-month-old calf, kudu and wildebeest. Hwange was even more generous, with sightings of impala, steenbok, sable antelope, zebra, giraffe, springbok, elephants and a lioness with her three tiny cubs. Seeing elephants was a dream come true. 

Our guides were exceptional - friendly, knowledgeable and passionate. They taught us so much. During our excursions, we learnt that lions sleep for up to 22 hours a day, steenbok mate for life, and if one dies, the other commits suicide, and elephants have six sets of teeth throughout their lifetime.