Exterior of the Rovos Rail Pride of Africa train
Server pouring drinks on the Rovos Rail Pride of Africa train
Looking out of a window on the Rovos Rail Pride of Africa train
Sign along theRovos Rail Pride of Africa route
Server carrying food on the Rovos Rail Pride of Africa train
Shortbread and fruit on the Rovos Rail Pride of Africa
World’s Top 25 Trains > Rovos Rail Pride of Africa

Rovos Rail Pride of Africa

Africa
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Overview

Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa offers an old-world elegance and luxury to a degree that was never equaled in the 1920s. The coaches have been painstakingly rebuilt with fine teak paneling, traditional furnishings and period décor. Many seasoned IRT Society travelers consider it their favorite train.

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Celebrated not only for its old-world charm, the train is rightfully proud of its stellar dining, amazing South African wine list and friendly on-board service. In short, the entire experience consistently meets the highest luxury standards.

More News: IRT’s Rachel Hardy and Angela Walker visited South Africa, where they inspected Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa, among other luxury travel partners. Read part one of their report on the train, here for part two.

Inside Track: We always enjoy visits by Rovos Rail’s Alicia Taljaard. On her latest visit, she confessed to having a favorite trip. It’s not what you might think. Read it here.

Dining

Depending on the total number of passengers, there will be one or two dining cars, each seating 42 guests in tables of two and four.

The Victorian-era dining cars feature meal after meal of incredible perfection. All on-board meals and drinks are included in the price of the tour. If one highlight of your vacation is fine food and wines, with service to match, this is the journey for you. Jackets and ties for gentlemen and dressy outfits for ladies are expected at the dinner hour on the train.

Fresh local ingredients and traditional dishes such as game are frequently on the menu. Every morning, a made-to-order breakfast is served in the diner. Lunch and dinner are multi-course affairs on lovely china, silver and linen. South African wines are served.

Lounges

The observation car, at the end of the train, has a bar and sitting area as well as an open-air “patio” in the back for wind-in-the-face viewing. It is a favorite spot on the train, and something just about all IRT travelers mention enjoying immensely.

There is also a separate lounge where lectures are given on longer journeys; it has comfy sofas, armchairs and a small gift shop.  These lounges are nonsmoking; there is a separate, fully enclosed Club area where smoking is allowed.  All drinks are included on board.

IRT Insights

Afternoon tea in the observation car is lovely — a wonderful opportunity to get to know your fellow guests and watch the scenery float by.

Off-train alcohol is not included in the price of the tour. For programs in Africa’s winter, which would be around July, it’s good to note that although rooms are heated, hallways are not. Our single travelers say Pullman Gold class is fine––but our IRT couples report that it’s a bit tight a fit for two people on a long trip.

Just about all IRT travelers rave about the food, the service and the fun on board. As H. Grabill of Ohio and Kentucky, put it, he waited decades “to put that in the bucket list…I just appreciated the people a lot. I hated to get off that train, I’ll tell you. Some way, some how, I’m going to go back.”

Begin Your Journey

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