Travel Tips
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1What is the dress code for dinner on Rovos Rail's African Collage?
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.
2What type of electrical outlets are available on Rovos Rail suites?
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.
3Is there WiFi available on board Rovos Rail?
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.
4What are the luggage restrictions for the Rovos Rail African Collage tour?
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.
5What medical precautions should I take for the African Collage journey?
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).
6What currencies are accepted on the Rovos Rail African Collage tour?
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.
7Is laundry service available on Rovos Rail?
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.
8Can children travel on the Rovos Rail African Collage?
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.
9What are the check-in procedures for Rovos Rail departures?
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.
10What is the suggested gratuity for Rovos Rail staff and game lodge guides?
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.
11What happens if there are delays on the Rovos Rail journey?
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.
12Are dressing gowns and other amenities provided in the suites?
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.
13What are the dining times on board Rovos Rail?
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.
14Is it safe to drink the tap water in the suites?
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.