Rovos Rail, SOUTH AFRICA
Airing Date: Mar 3rd, 2007
Rovos Rail, the Pride of Africa is a private rail company which was established in 1989. These trains are promoted as the world's most luxurious train - a five star luxury experience on wheels. Travellers who board the train will enjoy a journey across some of Africa's most scenic landscapes.
The trains offer a number of journeys lasting from 24 hours to a fortnight. Some of the great African destinations include trips from
Cape Town to
Dar-Es-Salaam in
Tanzania, scenic splendours as diverse as the game reserves of
Mpumalanga to
Victoria Falls, from the desert landscapes of
Namibia and the stark beauty of the
Karoo to the lush cane fields of
KwaZulu-Natal and the magnificent
Garden Route along the
Cape South Coast.
The trains, which may be hauled by steam, diesel or electric locomotives at various stages of the journey, carry a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 suites. Rovos Rail has its own private station and headquarters at Capital Park in
Pretoria.
The rebuilt sleeper coaches are said to provide the most spacious train suites in the world. The epitome of luxury with handsome wood paneling and period Edwardian features, the air-conditioned suites accommodate two people offering the option of twin or spacious double beds.
The Royal Suites, each of which takes up half a carriage, measure 16 sq meters in size (172 sq ft). Each one has its own private lounge area and full bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower. The Deluxe Suites (11 sq metres/118sq feet,) also accommodate two passengers in either twin or double beds and have a lounge area and an en suite bathroom and shower.
All are equipped with a writing desk and, for valuables, a personal safe. There's also a bar fridge filled with drinks of the passengers' 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 dryers, heaters and shaver plugs. The train has an onboard water and sewerage system so showers and toilets may be used at any time.
While on the train everything is included, which means all meals, beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks), entry fees to the game parks and the game drives themselves.
