Travel Tips
Check-in Information
Guests are required to check in a minimum of one hour before departure. If you wish to visit the Rovos Rail museum or partake in a site tour at the Pretoria Station, it is recommended to arrive two hours prior to departure. For arrivals in Pretoria, delaying your pick-up allows time for the site tour. Passports are mandatory for check-in; no vouchers are required. Luggage will be tagged and placed directly in your suite, where a full itinerary pack awaits. For Lobito, check-in is at the Hotel Terminus, R. Robert Williams 16, Lobito.
Dining Schedule
Meals on board are served in a single sitting in the dining cars, accompanied by a selection of fine South African wines. Breakfast is served from 07:00 to 10:00, lunch at 13:00, and tea at 16:30. Formal dinner commences at 19:30. Bar service is available from 07:00 until 01:00. A gong heralds lunch and dinner.
Dress Code
Days on board require smart casual attire – neat, conventional, yet relatively informal, combining casual and formal pieces. For dinner on board, the dress code is formal. Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie (mandatory from 2024), while ladies are suggested to wear cocktail/evening dresses or suits. Long journeys often feature themed evenings (e.g., 'Africa' or '1920s' themes), where guests can dress accordingly or opt for smart casual. For off-train excursions, comfortable walking shoes, sun lotion, and hats are recommended. Blankets and rain capes are available. Game drives are conducted in open vehicles, so dress for varying temperatures: mornings can be cool, warming up considerably, while afternoons can be warm, then cool down considerably.
Electricity & Connectivity
Suites are equipped with 220V AC 50Hz 3-point round-pronged wall plugs and 110V/220V 2-pin plugs for shavers and chargers. USB ports are also available in each suite. International adaptors can be provided. A generator supplies power, though be aware that certain power breaks are necessary for servicing. To maintain the spirit of train travel, there are no radios or television sets on board. The use of mobile phones and laptops is confined to the privacy of your suites. Mobile reception is generally poor while the train is moving. Wi-Fi is available at Rovos Rail lounges in Cape Town and Pretoria, and at most off-train accommodation, though not always guaranteed.
Climate & Weather
Temperatures vary significantly along the route and by season. For game drives, warm clothing, hats, comfortable shoes, and sun protection are advised. Rain capes are available. Consult the detailed 'Average Temps °C' table on page 8 of the brochure for specific monthly temperature ranges for each area visited.
Onboard Amenities
Each suite receives a complete amenity bag with South African biodegradable/recyclable products, including soap (40g), bamboo tissues, shampoo (50ml), hand and body wash (50ml), hand and body lotion (50ml), lip balm (15ml/7g), insect repellent spray (100ml for journeys over 4 days), reusable bamboo rounds, bamboo ear buds, and a compostable shower cap. Plug-in hairdryers are available on board, alongside sun cream, shoe mitts, nail files, sewing kits, ear plugs, and insect repellent. A limited laundry service (10 items/day) is available with a 48-hour turnaround; dry-cleaning is not available. There is a small gift shop on the train and at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. Dressing gowns and slippers are provided for use on board, with gowns available for purchase.
Medical Information
Guests are responsible for ensuring they are capable of undertaking all tours and activities. Please inform Rovos Rail of any medical conditions, physical disabilities, or allergies at the time of reservation. A doctor is on board for the African Trilogy, Copper Trail, and Dar es Salaam journeys. Anti-malarial precautions are recommended, as malaria areas include eSwatini, Kruger Park, Northern Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Etosha, Tanzania, DRC, and Angola. Recommended (but not required) immunizations include Hepatitis A & B, Polio, Tetanus, and Cholera (low risk). Ebola is confined to the northeast of DRC, thousands of miles from the Lobito journeys. A Yellow Fever/Medical Exemption Certificate is essential for travel to/from DRC and Angola; guests returning from the trip may also require it for their home country. Consult your clinic or doctor; Travel Doctor Africa can be reached at 0861 300 911 (local) or +27 (0) 11 214 9030 (international).
Luggage
Luggage can be stored in your suite under the bed or on a luggage rack above the door. While there are no strict restrictions, more than two large suitcases are not recommended. For selected long journeys, a Rovos Rail tog bag is provided for overnight trips or hand luggage on aircraft. A soft bag is preferable for plane transfers, which may have a 15kg weight restriction.
Currency
In South Africa, only Rands are accepted, and major credit cards are taken. Outside South Africa, Rands are accepted in Namibia and eSwatini. US Dollars are accepted in Zimbabwe, Tanzania (Dar es Salaam only), DRC, and Angola. Cash is highly recommended, and hotels/major dealers often accept credit cards. US Dollars printed before 2013 or worn notes will not be accepted. Low denominations are recommended for shopping/gratuities, while larger denominations are better for exchanging to local currency (especially in Tanzania).
Locomotion
Diesel or electric locomotives are primarily used. Steam locomotives are used exclusively in and around the Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria.
The Track
The railway track can be inconsistently maintained. The train travels at a maximum of 60km/h (37mph), reducing to 20km/h (12mph) on rough sections. Earplugs are available in your amenities bag and at the Gift Shop if you find the noise disruptive.
Water
Water is carried in tanks under each coach and refilled daily. Guests are encouraged to use water responsibly. Water in the suites is filtered and chlorinated, safe for bathing and brushing teeth. Bottled water is provided for drinking in biodegradable, plant-based bottles.
Children
Children are accommodated, but parents are kindly asked to be sensitive to the adult atmosphere of the train. Long journeys are not recommended for children under 13, and children aged 0-2 years are not permitted to travel. No child-minding facilities or activities are available.
Pets
Pets and emotional-support animals are not permitted on board.
Postage
Stamps are available for sale from the Gift Shop, and postcards can be handed to the Administration Deputy for posting.
Security
An electronic safe is provided in the cupboard in each suite. Guests are encouraged to close shutters or shutters and windows when not in their suites, especially when passing through stations. Train doors in the passages are locked from the inside, and your suite door can also be locked.
Service
A dedicated host/ess is available 24 hours a day and can be reached via your suite telephone. Suites are cleaned daily, with a nightly turndown service. The Train Manager and Deputy Train Manager are available for queries, and the Administration Deputy is based in the Gift Shop for administrative requirements.
Smoking
Smoking is permitted only in the smoking Club Lounge. Guests are requested to be mindful of others. It is strictly forbidden to throw flammable items off the train due to the risk of bush fires. Guests should note at the time of reservation if they are smoking or non-smoking to assist with appropriate room requests at hotels/lodges.
Special Occasions
Guests celebrating a special occasion should inform Rovos Rail at the time of reservation so they can help make it memorable.