Rail

Blue Train

The Blue Train is unique - it is not merely a train but combines the luxury of the world's leading hotels with the charm of train travel. Think of it as an all inclusive luxury rail cruise with an opportunity to view South Africa's spectacular landscapes and visit interesting tourist attractions along the way.

Take a journey into a timeless world of grace, elegance and romance, where spectacular scenery stirs your imagination and luxurious comfort soothes your body and soul. Sit back, de-stress and relax.

This unique luxury recreation and business experience takes you where you want to go in an endless, five-star splendour. It pauses only to pick up prestigious World Travel awards for being a cut above the rest and the Diner's Club accolade for its connoisseur selection of South African wines. The Blue Train cuisine puts sheer good taste on a plate while butler personal attention puts you on a pedestal.

It's a journey of a lifetime for those who appreciate finer things in life. .........
Accommodation:
With interiors created by a leading interior architectural design company, The Blue Train will rival many a five-star hotel in terms of elegance, grace, comfort and style. The suites have been superbly redesigned to offer discerning guests the best that modern technology and superior craftsmanship can provide.

Guests may choose between a De luxe and a luxury accomodation.
De-Luxe Accomodation:
Choice of twin-beds suite with a shower or a double-bed suite with a three-quarter size bath.
Luxury Accomodation:
Choice of twin-beds or double bed, and a full size bath with hand shower. Luxury suites are also equipped with CD players and video machines.
Each Blue Train suite has a fully appointed en-suite, featuring either a bath or a shower. All suites are equipped with telephone, television monitor and individually controlled air-conditioning. A video channel allows guests to access short documentaries about the area through which the train is travelling.

Facilities and Services:
Air-conditioning / Heating
Each Blue Train has two lounges: the main lounge and the Club lounge. The Club lounge, has a more masculine ambiance and is expected to find favour with those seeking a peaceful place for after-dinner cognacs, coffees or cigars. This area is the only section of the train designated for smokers. High tea is served each afternoon in the main lounge.
Another attraction of the opulent main lounge is the giant-size TV monitor revealing the unfolding scenery of the track ahead, courtesy of a camera mounted onto the front of the locomotive. The ambiance of the lounges is one of warm elegance. Large windows allow for panoramic views of the passing countryside.

To ensure the ultimate in hospitality, each coach has a professionally trained butler who is on call for guests in each suite to attend to their every need. The butlers are there to ensure that your journey is as memorable and comfortable as possible.
On-board services include:
A variety of delicious snacks and beverages served in the suites, on request, by butlers;
A limited on-board laundry and valet service;
Safes are provided in all suites for the safe keeping of your valuable belongings;
A luggage van is available to store any additional luggage that a guest will not need during the journey.
All these services are already included in the fare.
Trained first aid personnel are on board at all times. In the event of an emergency, doctors and medical personnel can be contacted at the various stations en-route; or flown in by helicopter.
Two engineers with specialised expertise on luxury trains are always on board The Blue Train and are happy to share their knowledge with train enthusiasts.
The telephone beside each bed allows guests to dial the Train Manager, the personal butler or the butler on duty 24 hours a day. Should a guest wish to make an external call (local or international), the staff will gladly assist them in doing so at a nominal cost. Fax facilities are also available on board.

Rovos Rail

Travel to South Africa and take a trip on the most luxurious train in the world. Your romantic vacation through the heart of Southern Africa will begin or end at the headquarters of this private railway company, Capital Park Station and Locomotive Yard situated outside Pretoria. Rovos Rail offers two beautifully rebuilt Classic trains, each carrying a maximum of 72 passengers who are accommodated in the most spacious and luxurious train suites in the world. The use of traditional furnishings and period décor ensure an atmosphere of elegance and grandeur in the Dining, Lounge and Observation cars.
Coaches:
Rovos Rail operates two classic 20-coach, 72 berth trains as well as a third 13-coach, 42-berth Edwardian train which is available year round for charter. The coaches have been painstakingly rebuilt and the use fine wood panelling, traditional furnishings and period décor has ensured an atmosphere of elegance and grandeur. Exquisite pillared dining cars are a signature of the Rovos Rail trains. Each one has a proud history and has been meticulously restored from a derelict state. Each of the trains has two 42-seater dining cars to accommodate the maximum complement of 72 passengers in total comfort at one sitting. Each train has a non-smoking Observation Car at the rear of the train, while the coach next to it contains a small smoking lounge. A unique feature of the Observation Cars is the enlarged windows and open-air balconies. At the centre of the train we have, when numbers dictate, a non-smoking Lounge Car, which houses the Gift Shop.

Facilities and Services:
An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for overseeing the very important task of ensuring guests every need is catered for, while considerable thought and meticulous planning goes into making up the menus. Unlike many of the great trains of the world, travellers are on board the trains for several days at a time, requiring a much wider selection of meals. There's an accent on fresh local ingredients, and traditional dishes such as game are a specialty. Every morning there's a full breakfast with dishes cooked to order. A selection of cold meats, croissants, pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurts, cereals and preserves make up a tempting breakfast buffet. For lunch and dinner there is a starter and a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian dishes, followed by a tempting dessert and are complemented by a selection of excellent South African wines. Many of the passengers aboard the Pride of Africa enjoy the formality of fine china, crisp linen and silver, and dress accordingly. 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. In maintaining the spirit of travel of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets onboard.

Shongololo Express



Shongololo Express traverses seven countries on the southern African continent: South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Each train has its own bar, dining and accommodation carriages. As in any hotel, bedding and towels are provided and cabins are serviced daily. Cabins have ample storage space and closets are equipped with both hangers and shelving. All passenger compartments have hand basins and running water. Power is 220v AC and European plug adaptors are provided. In addition, there is an onboard laundry service.
Accommodation:
The Africa Train offers two types of accommodation, Gold and Ivory.
The Heritage Train has three types of accommodation, Emerald, Gold and Ivory.
Emerald –- double or twin beds with private shower and toilets, airconditioning, safe and lounge area.
Gold – twin beds with private shower and toilets, fan and safe
Ivory – twin beds with fan, safe, hand basin and running water, one shower and two toilets per coach.

Facilities and Services:
All cabins on Shongololo Express trains have a hand basin with running water. Basins are covered by a folding table, which converts into a bedside table at night
Each cabin has a fan, hanging space, a safe and a power point
Windows on all trains can be opened and have shades and safety shutters.
Extra coaches of a different configuration to current rolling stock may be added from time to time.