By Kristof Eyckmans | Visiting in April 2017
The modern luxury traveler knows how to get around these days, but only few people know that history is just repeating itself as I found out on my recent Rovos Rail journey.
Commonly referred to as the “Pride of Africa” and “the Most Luxurious Train in the World” this train journeys primarily within South Africa, although trips are offered further and all the way up to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. The owner, Rohan Rovos buys old locomotives and carriages and restores them back to their former Victorian glory. The stunning restorations hark back to the former luxury of when trains were today's first class plane experience.
I had high expectations when I arrived at the Rovos Rail train station to start my 2 day journey from Pretoria to Capetown. Yes, you read that correctly, they do have their own railway station and it does take 2 days where a plane would take you there in a mere 2 hours. But this is all about the journey, the timetable is more like a guideline. When entering, the staff directly took charge and made sure that everything was taken care of. My luggage was taken to my deluxe suite while I was welcomed in the lounge area for some canapés and the first of many glasses of vonkelwijn (the local name for South African champagne).
Outside the station, a beautiful locomotive was getting itself ready to pull out all the carriages to accommodate the guests. With a maximum capacity of only 72 passengers, the Rovos Rail train is everything but an ordinary train ride. It features 2 dining carriages, a lounge area, a smokers room and last but not least a bar carriage at the very end of the train with an open air terrace on which one can enjoy a nice glass while the ever changing beautiful African landscapes pass by. Every suite has its own butler and comes with all the modern amenities one can desire on a train. It feels great to take a refreshing shower while rolling on the tracks, or lounge on your king-sized bed while staring outside. And while you are out and about to have a few cocktails in the bar, or to enjoy the great food, your butler will make sure your suite is taken care of. They will also stock the fridge in your suite with all the drinks you desire. I mean, who doesn’t like a pre-dinner drink or a nightcap before they fall asleep under the Egyptian cotton.
Everything is included in this luxurious trip, the amazing food, the delicious wines and spirits, laundry services, the excursions, … You name it, Rovos will provide it for you. They surely take their gastronomy seriously, and every evening there is a formal 4-course dinner including the best ingredients like rock lobster or springbok fillet. The sommelier will help you with the menu and provide all the pairing wines and dessert wines.
But the fun doesn’t stop there. Besides the beautiful landscapes, the star filled night sky, the afternoon tea and the ever so friendly staff, one does have the chance to get out and explore a little bit of the country. On this specific trip there were 2 stops, the first one being in Kimberley, one of the diamond capitals in the world, where we visited the Big Hole. The second day we stopped at Matjiesfontein, an historic and very well preserved Victorian village which blends in perfectly with the style and glamour Rovos Rail represents.
Soon enough our train passed through the Cape winelands and into the city. Our minds had to travel back to the future as we had lived in the glamorous and luxurious past for the last few days. This train isn’t just a means of transport, it is a way of life and one that has to be experienced to truly understand the class and perfection that goes into this time travel.
