Overview
Rovos Rail's 12-night African Collage journey from Pretoria to Cape Town spans 3700km, offering an unparalleled exploration of Southern Africa's diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. This luxury train experience seamlessly blends elegant rail travel with immersive off-train excursions, designed for discerning travelers seeking a profound connection with the continent.
The adventure begins in Pretoria, quickly transitioning to the iconic Kruger National Park for an unforgettable game drive, where the opportunity to spot the Big Five is a highlight. From there, the train crosses into the Kingdom of eSwatini, offering a unique glimpse into traditional Swazi life and artisan craftsmanship at Swazi Candles and Mantenga Cultural Village. The journey continues through the rolling hills of Zululand, with a focus on historical battlefields like Spionkop, where you can walk in the footsteps of Churchill and Gandhi, and the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, often referred to as 'Dragon Mountain' for their dramatic, weathered peaks.
As the train progresses, you will discover the vibrant coastal city of Durban, exploring its botanical gardens and bustling port, before heading inland to the geological wonders of the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, renowned for its golden-hued sandstone cliffs and Brandwag Rock. The route then delves into the vast, semi-desert expanse of the Karoo, a unique ecosystem characterized by hardy shrubs and succulents, before reaching the Addo Elephant National Park, home to one of the world's densest African Elephant populations, with roughly 600 elephants.
The final leg of the journey traces the picturesque Garden Route, including a charming lagoon ferry ride in Knysna and an exploration of the Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn, where breathtaking limestone formations await. You'll also visit an ostrich farm, learning about the region's historical 'feather capital' status. The journey culminates in Cape Town, a city celebrated for its spectacular mountain ranges, scenic winelands, and vibrant waterfront. Throughout, Rovos Rail ensures a travel experience of exceptional comfort and elegance, allowing you to absorb the beauty and history of Southern Africa at a leisurely pace, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Itinerary
Itinerary
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Terms & Conditions
Payment Terms
25% of total tour cost due at the time of booking. 75% balance due no later than 65 days prior to tour departure date. All reservations are subject to availability and will be confirmed upon receipt of the required deposit. A provisional booking will be held for 14 days, after which the 25% deposit is due.
Cancellation Fees
| Timeframe Before Departure | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|
| More than 95 days | 10% of total tour price |
| 95–66 days | 25% of total tour price |
| 65–36 days | 50% of total tour price |
| 35 days or less / failure to travel | 100% of total tour price (no refund) |
A 5% Administrative Fee will be charged by Palace Tours on any applicable refunds. All cancellation fees apply to the full tour price before any discounts or coupons. Cancellation insurance is compulsory as these fees will not be waived. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing.
Change of Date / Name / Occupancy
Changes may be requested up to 125 days prior to departure and are subject to availability and supplier approval. No changes will be permitted within 65 days prior to departure. Any request within this period will be treated as a cancellation and subject to the applicable cancellation fees. All changes may incur additional costs, which will be advised prior to confirmation. No changes will be processed without written authorization and payment of any applicable fees.
Payment Methods
Payments may be made via bank transfer or credit card. All payments must reference the booking number and be supported by proof of payment. Refunds, when applicable, will be processed to the original form of payment. Any exchange rate fluctuations or bank charges are the responsibility of the client.
What's Included
- Accommodation on board
- All meals on board
- All beverages on board
- Room service
- Limited laundry
- Excursions with a qualified guide (where applicable)
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
- Government tax
- Flights to/from Sossusvlei
- Overnight bag
- Off-train accommodation (Sossusvlei and Etosha) including meals, water, tea/coffee, and breakfast juices
What's Not Included
- All off-train beverages (excluding water, tea/coffee, and breakfast juices at lodges)
- International sparkling wine
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Pre- and post-tour transfers, accommodation, and flights
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is strongly recommended and is required to cover cancellation fees, medical emergencies, and unforeseen circumstances. Clients are responsible for securing their own insurance coverage and should travel with a copy of their policy including the insurance company name, policy number, and 24-hour medical emergency telephone number.
Passports & Visas
Valid passports and any required visas are the sole responsibility of the client and must be obtained prior to departure. Passports must have at least five blank visa pages and must be valid for at least six months from the return-home date. This tour passes through South Africa and Namibia; please confirm visa requirements for your nationality well in advance.
Health & Medical
Guests are solely responsible for ensuring they are capable of undertaking the tours and activities. Please inform us at the time of booking if you have any medical conditions, physical disabilities, or allergies. Anti-malarial precautions are recommended for certain areas visited on this itinerary, including Etosha National Park. Please consult your clinic or doctor for the latest medical advice prior to travel.
General Conditions
All services are provided subject to availability and supplier terms and conditions. Schedules, routing, and excursions are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed. Times are approximate and excursion arrangements may be altered due to operational, weather, or other factors beyond our control. The operator is not liable for loss, damage, injury, delays, or unforeseen events beyond its control. Participation in tours and related activities is voluntary and at the client's own risk.
Guest Indemnity
Although certain limited insurances have been arranged, the operator and its agents, servants, or employees shall not be liable for any loss or damage to passengers' luggage or effects. The passenger waives any claim against the operator, its servants, agents, employees, or subcontractors for any injury and/or loss of any nature whatsoever (including consequential loss) arising directly or indirectly from any aspect of the tour, including any form of transport used. This waiver binds the passenger's executors, heirs, trustees, and dependants. The passenger accepts all services and facilities voluntarily, with full knowledge that they may expose them to injury, danger, or loss.
Important Note
All timeframes are based on the local time of the destination. To allow sufficient processing time, clients must submit payment or cancellation requests with a minimum 5-day advance margin prior to the applicable deadlines.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Your Tour Price Includes
- Accommodation
- All meals
- All beverages on board
- Room service
- Limited laundry
- Excursions with a guide (where applicable)
- Preselected local wines, beers and soft drinks on excursions
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
- Government tax
- Golf, green fees and carts (for golfers itinerary)
Your Tour Price Excludes
- All other beverages
- International sparkling wine
- Gratuities (suggested ±ZAR450 / ±US$25 per guest per night on board, plus ±ZAR450 / ±US$25 per day at game lodges)
- Personal expenses
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Pre- and post-tour transfers, accommodation and flights
Accommodations
Accommodation Overview
Each Rovos Rail train features accommodation carriages, dining cars, a lounge car (±26 seats), a small gift shop, a smoking lounge (±11 seats), and an observation car (±32 seats) with an open-air balcony. The suites are designed for elegance and spacious comfort, providing passengers with privacy and luxury. All suites include en-suite facilities, tea facilities, safes, and air conditioning, and are serviced daily. Adequate storage with hangers and shelves is provided. Suite layouts may differ from images.
Royal Suites
These expansive suites (±16m² / ±172ft²) occupy half a carriage and boast a private lounge area. They are the most luxurious option on board.
Amenities
- Minibar
- Air conditioning
- Writing desk
- Luggage shelf
- Cupboards
- Safe
- En-suite bathroom with toilet, basin, bath and shower
- Tea facilities
Bed Configurations
Double: 200×189cm, Split Twin: 200×75cm
Deluxe Suites
These comfortable suites (±10m² / ±108ft²) feature a lounge area and an en-suite bathroom. Royals and Deluxes sometimes have a room divider.
Amenities
- Minibar
- Air conditioning
- Writing desk
- Luggage shelf
- Cupboards
- Safe
- En-suite bathroom with toilet, basin and shower
- Tea facilities
Bed Configurations
Lengthways Double: 189×189cm, Crosswise Double: 189×160cm, Split Twin: 189×75cm
Pullman Gold Suites
These charming suites (±7m² / ±76ft²) are available on longer journeys and feature an en-suite bathroom. During the day, the suite is set up with split twin beds configured as couches, transforming into sleeping arrangements at night.
Amenities
- Minibar
- Air conditioning
- Fold-out writing desk
- Luggage shelf
- Cupboards
- Safe
- En-suite bathroom with toilet, basin and shower
- Tea facilities
Bed Configurations
Double: 189×189cm, Split Twin: 189×75cm
Pullman Suites
These suites (±7m² / ±76ft²) are available on shorter journeys only and feature an en-suite bathroom. During the day, the suite is set up with a comfortable couch that can be converted into various sleeping options at night.
Amenities
- En-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin
- Tea facilities
Bed Configurations
Crosswise Double: 189×150cm, Side-by-side Twin: 189×75cm (achieved by making up side-by-side twin mattresses with single-bed linen), Single Lower Bunk: 189×94cm, Single Upper Bunk: 189×60cm
Frequently Asked Questions & Tips
Dinner on board Rovos Rail is a formal affair. For gentlemen, a collar and tie are mandatory, with a jacket being optional. Ladies are encouraged to wear cocktail or evening dresses, or suits. On long journeys like the African Collage, themed evenings, such as an 'Africa' theme or a '1920s' theme, may occur, allowing guests to dress accordingly or opt for smart casual. Daytime attire on board is smart casual, which means neat, conventional yet relatively informal clothing.
Rovos Rail suites are equipped with 220V AC 50Hz 3-point round-pronged wall plugs for general use. Additionally, 110V/220V 2-pin plugs are available for shavers and chargers. USB ports are also provided in each suite for convenience. International adaptors are available for guests from different regions. The train operates on generator power, and brief breaks in power may occur for servicing.
In maintaining the spirit of traditional train travel, Rovos Rail does not offer radio, television, or WiFi on board the train itself. The use of mobile phones, laptops, and other devices that might disturb other guests is confined to the privacy of your suites only. Mobile reception can be poor while the train is moving. However, WiFi is available at Rovos Rail lounges in Cape Town and Pretoria, and at most off-train accommodation options, though not always guaranteed.
Luggage can be stored conveniently in your suite under the bed or on the luggage rack above the door. While there are no strict luggage restrictions on board the train, it is not recommended to bring more than two large suitcases. For overnight excursions, Rovos Rail provides tog bags. If your itinerary includes plane transfers, a soft bag is preferable due to a typical luggage weight restriction of 15kg for flights.
Guests are solely responsible for their health and ability to undertake the tour's activities. Rovos Rail trains are equipped with a standard medical kit, oxygen, an automated external defibrillator, and a wheelchair. Train Managers are trained in First Aid up to Level 3. Anti-malarial precautions are recommended, as the itinerary includes malaria-risk areas such as Kruger Park and eSwatini. Recommended (though not required) immunisations include Hepatitis A+B, Polio, Tetanus, and Cholera (low risk). A Yellow Fever/Medical Exemption Certificate is essential if travelling to/from DRC and Angola. Consult your doctor or TRAVEL DOCTOR AFRICA (local 0861 300 911 or international +27 (0) 11 214 9030).
In South Africa, only Rands are accepted on the train. Rands are also accepted in Namibia and eSwatini. For Zimbabwe and Tanzania (Dar es Salaam only), US Dollars are accepted. Cash is highly recommended for off-train purchases, and major dealers accept credit cards. Please note that US Dollar notes printed before 2013 or those that appear worn will not be accepted. Low denominations are recommended for shopping and gratuities, while larger denominations are better for exchanging money to local currency, especially in Tanzania.
Yes, Rovos Rail offers a limited laundry service on board, processing up to 10 items per day. The turnaround time for laundry is typically 48 hours. There are no dry-cleaning facilities available either on the train or en route. While this is a complimentary service, Rovos Rail cannot be held responsible for items that may be damaged or lost during the process.
Rovos Rail does accommodate children, but parents are kindly asked to be sensitive to the adult nature and atmosphere of the train by ensuring children are respectful and quiet. Long journeys are not recommended for children under 13 years old. Children between 0-2 years old are not permitted to travel. There are no child-minding facilities or activities available on board. Please refer to the Child Policy on rovos.com for more details.
Guests are required to check in a minimum of one hour before departure. If departing from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria, arriving two hours prior is suggested if you wish to visit the museum or take a site tour. Passports are mandatory for check-in and will be returned before the end of the trip. No vouchers are required as luggage will be tagged and placed directly in your suite.
Gratuities for the staff are at your discretion. A suitably marked envelope will be in your suite for you to hand directly to the Train Manager, who will distribute the amount pro-rata among the staff. A suggested amount is ±ZAR450 (±US$25) per guest per night on board. For game lodges, it is customary to tip guides and lodge staff an estimated ±ZAR450 (±US$25) per guest per day.
Rovos Rail is reliant on the traction and railway services provided by the countries it traverses. Delays can occur due to various factors like locomotive issues, signal problems, power-cable damage, theft, vandalism, electricity outages, or driver issues. Rovos Rail is not responsible for delays or changes beyond its control. While Rovos Rail endeavors to carry out all off-train experiences, the obligation to transport guests on schedule may override excursions. Same-day air travel on departure/arrival days is strongly cautioned due to possible delays.
Yes, a comfortable one-size-fits-all dressing gown and slippers are provided for each guest's use on board the train. If you wish to purchase them, they are available at the Gift Shop. Other amenities provided include South African biodegradable/recyclable products such as soap, shampoo, body wash, lotion, and lip balm, along with insect repellent, bamboo tissues, ear buds, a shower cap, ear plugs, sun cream, razors, and nail files.
Meals are served at specific times: Breakfast from 07:00-10:00, Lunch at 13:00, Tea at 16:30, and Formal Dinner at 19:30. The bar service is available from 07:00 until approximately 01:00. A gong sounds to announce lunch and dinner. All meals are served in the dining cars in a single sitting.
The water in the suites has been filtered and chlorinated, making it safe for bathing and brushing teeth only. For drinking, guests are provided with bottled water. Rovos Rail carries water in tanks under each coach, which are refilled daily, but cannot be topped up while the train is moving. Guests are kindly asked to use water responsibly.
Check-in Information
Please check-in a minimum of one hour before departure. If Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria is your starting point, it is suggested to arrive two hours before departure if you wish to do a site tour of the museum. Passports are required at check-in. No vouchers are required. Luggage will be tagged and placed in your suite on board the train where you will find a full itinerary pack. The Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria is located at 1 Transnet Avenue, Capital Park. For Cape Town, the Rovos Rail Lounge is at 1 Adderley Street, Paul Sauer Building. For Durban, the Durban Station Lounge is at Jelf Taylor Crescent, Stamford Hill.
Dining Schedule
Meals on board are served in one sitting only in the dining cars. Breakfast is served from 07:00-10:00. Lunch is served at 13:00. Tea is served at 16:30. Formal Dinner is served at 19:30. Bar Service operates from 07:00-±01:00. A gong heralds lunch and dinner. All meals are served at these times unless otherwise stated in the timetable. Rovos Rail offers a carefully curated selection of local and international beverages, with a proud focus on South African offerings. All beverages on board are included, though special requests like international sparkling wine can be pre-ordered at an additional cost (30+ days before departure).
Dress Code
Days on board: Smart Casual. This means neat, conventional yet relatively informal style, combining casual and formal clothing pieces.
Dinner on board: Formal. For gentlemen, a collar and tie are mandatory, while a jacket is optional. For ladies, cocktail/evening dresses or suits are suggested. Please respect this dress code. On long journeys, themed evenings ('Africa' and '1920s') may occur, where guests can dress up accordingly or opt for smart casual.
Off-train excursions/Game Drives: Comfortable walking shoes, sun lotion, and hats are recommended. Rain capes are available. Game drives are on open vehicles, so dress accordingly; mornings can be cool then warm up considerably, afternoons can be warm then cool down considerably. Warm clothing is advised for cooler conditions.
Golf Courses: Refer to specific Golf Course Information for the dress code at the golf courses.
Electricity & Connectivity
The train is equipped with 220V AC 50Hz 3-point round-pronged wall plugs and 110V/220V 2-pin plugs for shavers and chargers. USB ports are available in each suite. International adaptors are also available. A generator supplies power, but be aware that certain breaks in power are necessary for servicing. In maintaining the spirit of train travel, there is no radio, television or WiFi on board. The use of mobile phones, laptops and anything that can disturb other guests is confined to the privacy of your suites only. Reception is poor while the train is moving. WiFi is available at Rovos Rail lounges in Cape Town and Pretoria, and at most off-train accommodation (though not always guaranteed).
Climate & Weather
The average temperatures vary by area and month. For example, Cape Town experiences average highs of 28°C (Jan/Feb) and lows of 7°C (Jul/Aug), while Pretoria sees highs of 30°C (Jan/Feb) and lows of 4°C (Jul/Aug). Rain occurs predominantly Oct-Mar in Pretoria and Durban, and Apr-Aug in Cape Town. Guests should dress accordingly for excursions/game drives: mornings can be cool then warm up considerably; afternoons can be warm then cool down considerably. Warm clothing, comfortable shoes, hats and sun protection are advised. Rain capes are available.
Onboard Amenities
South African biodegradable and/or recyclable products are provided, including soap (40g), bamboo tissues, shampoo (50ml), hand and body wash (50ml), hand and body lotion (50ml), lip balm (15ml), insect repellent spray (for journeys over 4 days), reusable bamboo rounds, bamboo ear buds, a compostable shower cap, ear plugs, sun cream, razors, and nail files. Plug-in hairdryers are available. Dressing gowns and slippers are provided for guest use, and can be purchased from the Gift Shop. There is a limited laundry service (10 items/day) with a 48-hour turnaround; no dry-cleaning. The Gift Shop on the train and at Rovos Rail Station sells stamps and other items.
Medical Information
All guests are solely responsible for ensuring they are capable of undertaking the tours and activities. Rovos Rail is equipped with a standard medical kit, oxygen, automated external defibrillator, and a wheelchair. Train Managers are First Aid Level 3 trained. Anti-malarial precautions are recommended for malaria areas including Kruger Park and Eswatini. Recommended immunisations (not required) include Hepatitis A+B, Polio, Tetanus, Cholera (low risk). A Yellow Fever/Medical Exemption Certificate is essential if travelling to/from DRC and Angola. Consult your clinic or doctor. TRAVEL DOCTOR AFRICA: local 0861 300 911 or international +27 (0) 11 214 9030.
Luggage
Luggage can be stored in your suite under the bed or above the door on a luggage rack. While there are no strict restrictions, it's not recommended to bring more than two large suitcases. On selected long journeys, Rovos Rail tog bags are provided for overnight trips or hand luggage on aircraft. A soft bag is preferable for plane transfers due to a 15kg weight restriction.
Currency
South Africa accepts Rands only. Rands are accepted in Namibia and eSwatini. US Dollars are accepted in Zimbabwe and Tanzania (Dar es Salaam only). Cash is highly recommended. Hotels and major dealers accept credit cards. US Dollars printed before 2013 or worn will not be accepted. Low denominations are recommended for shopping/gratuities. Larger denominations are recommended for exchanging money to local currency (especially in Tanzania) as you get a better rate.
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