Introducing the Pride of Africa
Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a bygone era aboard the wood-panelled coaches of The Pride of Africa on a relaxing 14-day (6100km) rail journey into the heart of Africa.
Rail itinerary
From Cape Town in South Africa to Zimbabwe in Zambia and Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania, including stops at Kimberley, Pretoria, the Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls.
About the Pride of Africa
Experience a world-class travel experience when you step aboard the handsome wood-panelled coaches of Rovos Rail: some coaches date back to 1911.
With plush Edwardian interiors, the Pride of Africa features a classic 1920s-style observation car, teak pillar-lined dining cars and three grades of sleeping car as well as 24-hour room service and fine cuisine served in five-star luxury.
The train – which is hauled by steam, diesel or electric locomotives at various stages of the journey – carries a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites.
Accommodation
The sleeper coaches feature some the most spacious train suites in the world, providing modern conveniences and comfort. A choice of air-conditioned suites offer twin or spacious double beds, a lounge area with writing desk, a personal safe, a mini bar filled with drinks of your choice and an en-suite bathroom with Victorian-era tub, separate shower, hair dryer and shaver points.
The Royal suites, each of which take up half a carriage and measure 16m², offer the opportunity to travel in privacy, elegant comfort and luxury.
Dining
Enjoy a wide selection of gourmet meals served on fine china with crisp linen and silver dining ware. The accent is on fresh local ingredients, and traditional dishes such as game are a specialty.
Order a full breakfast with dishes cooked to order or choose from a selection of cold meats, croissants, pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurts, cereals and preserves from the breakfast buffet.
For lunch and dinner there is a starter and a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian dishes complemented by a selection of excellent South African wines. All meals are served in one sitting in the charming Victorian atmosphere of two 42-seater dining cars.
Dress code
In the evening, match the elegant dinner service in formal attire of jacket and tie. During the day, dress is more casual, with cool, comfortable clothes and hats recommended for the excursions, especially in the game reserves where it can be very hot.
Other amenities/activities onboard
Take in the magnificent views from the non-smoking observation car at the rear of the train, with its enlarged windows and open-air balconies. An adjacent coach contains a small smoking lounge. Enjoy lectures at various stages along the journey, by the train’s historian. In maintaining the spirit of travel of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets aboard this train.
Price inclusions
Enjoy all-inclusive pricing for meals, alcoholic beverages and excursions during the train journey. Pre- and post-journey excursions are extra.
Best time to journey with Rovos Rail
The annual Edwardian train safari is taken in July when the temperature averages 28˚C. This coincides with the best time to visit this region of Africa.
Highlights en route
Enjoy the various off-train excursions (as well as optional tours before and after) on one of the most famous train journeys in the world.
Cape Winelands
Explore some of South Africa’s most famous wine estates at Franschhoek, Boschendal and Stellenbosch. Taste some of the classical award-winning red varieties in a region that has a wine culture dating back some 350 years.
Kimberley
Take a ride on the historic tram and learn about the exciting early days of this famous diamond-mining city at the Kimberley Mine Museum, situated next to the Big Hole.
Victoria Falls
Discover one of Africa's best-known natural wonders. At their highest, the Victoria Falls drops a distance of 108m (almost twice as far as Niagara Falls). Take in a sunset cruise or flight-see one of the world's most impressive waterfalls, made known to a wider world in 1855 by the famous British explorer Dr David Livingstone.
Kruger Park Game
See a wealth of wildlife, including cheetahs, leopards, lions, rhinos, wildebeest, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, antelope and impala in South Africa’s largest game reserve. At Masorini, discover how Stone Age hunter-gatherers lived, long before the first white settlers arrived.
Selous Game Reserve
A World Heritage Site, the reserve, at 55,000km², is larger than Switzerland and covers one sixth of Tanzania’s land surface. Walk through untamed bush and around crocodile-filled lakes to watch hippos, elephants, zebras, lion and the rare African wild dog.
Serengeti National Park
The legendary Serengeti covers 14,763km² and is home to Africa’s highest density of plains game, including 35 species of big mammals and a huge selection of bird life. See herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain, stately giraffes munching on flat-topped acacia trees, lazy lions, stealthy cheetahs and flighty zebras.
Ngorongoro Crater
Encounter ‘the big five’ – elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo in the 8288km² volcanic highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a unique ecosystem of lakes, forests and plains. Don’t miss the spectacular views from the misty highlands of the crater’s rim.
Dar es Salaam
Soak up the atmosphere in streets busy with goats, chickens and dust-shrouded safari cars as you brush shoulders with traders in colourful traditional dress. Explore the colonial-era buildings around Sokoine Drive, visit the National Museum, hunt for bargains in sprawling Kariokoo outdoor market and Mwenge craft market or head for the beaches just a short boat ride away.
Zanzibar
Discover Zanzibar’s heady past of slave-traders and colonists and savour its fresh seafood: prawns, squid and lobster are served with subtle spices and blended with sauces. Head to Stone Town, the cultural and historical heart of Zanzibar, with its magical labyrinth of narrow twisting streets, bustling bazaars and grand Arab mansions that closely resemble the medinas of the Arabian Peninsula.
More about Zanzibar . . . |