Travel Tips
Check-in Information
For your Rovos Rail Golf Safari, check-in is at Rovos Rail Station, 1 Transnet Avenue, Capital Park, Pretoria, South Africa. Guests are requested to check-in a minimum of one hour before departure. If you wish to visit the museum or take a site tour at the station, it is recommended to arrive two hours prior. Passports are required at check-in, and luggage will be tagged and placed in your suite, where a full itinerary pack will await you.
Dining Schedule
Meals on board are served in one sitting in the elegant dining cars, accompanied by a selection of fine South African wines. A gong heralds lunch and dinner. Breakfast is served from 07:00-10:00, Lunch at 13:00, Tea at 16:30, and Formal Dinner at 19:30. Bar service is available from 07:00-01:00 daily, unless otherwise stated in the itinerary.
Dress Code
Days on board: Smart casual attire is recommended, combining neat, conventional, yet relatively informal clothing. For Dinner on board: Formal attire is required. For gentlemen, a jacket and tie are a minimum requirement (from 2024, a collar and tie will be mandatory, while a jacket is optional). Ladies are encouraged to wear cocktail/evening dresses or suits. On long journeys, themed evenings (e.g., 'Africa' or '1920s' themes) may allow for themed dress-up or smart casual. For Off-train excursions and game drives: Comfortable walking shoes, sun lotion, and hats are advised. Mornings can be cool, warming up considerably, while afternoons can be warm, cooling down. Rain capes are available. Golf courses have specific dress codes, so consult the Golf Course Information section.
Electricity & Connectivity
The train operates on 220V AC 50Hz. Suites are equipped with 3-point round-pronged wall plugs and 110V/220V 2-pin plugs for shavers and chargers, along with USB ports. International adaptors are available. While a generator supplies power, be aware that occasional breaks in power are necessary for servicing. Mobile phone and laptop use is confined to suites. Wi-Fi is available at Rovos Rail lounges in Cape Town and Pretoria, and at most off-train accommodation, though not always guaranteed. On board, reception can be poor while the train is moving.
Climate & Weather
Southern Africa experiences varied climates. Mornings on excursions and game drives can be cool, warming up considerably, while afternoons can be warm then cool down considerably. Warm clothing, comfortable shoes, hats, and sun protection are advised. Electric under-blankets are fitted on beds for cooler nights. For specific temperature ranges by area and month, refer to the detailed table provided in your itinerary pack.
Onboard Amenities
Each suite receives a complete amenity bag with South African biodegradable/recyclable products: soap (40g), bamboo tissues, shampoo (50ml), hand/body wash (50ml), hand/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, as are 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. Dressing gowns and slippers are provided for each guest. A gift shop is available on board for souvenirs and essentials.
Medical Information
Guests are responsible for ensuring they are capable of undertaking tours and activities. Rovos Rail is equipped with a standard medical kit, oxygen, automated external defibrillator, and a wheelchair. Private healthcare hospitals are available in South Africa, but not guaranteed elsewhere. Train Managers are First Aid Level 3 trained. Anti-malarial precautions are recommended, as eSwatini, Kruger Park, and other areas on the route are malaria-risk zones. Recommended immunisations include Hepatitis A + B, Polio, Tetanus, and Cholera (low risk). A Yellow Fever/Medical Exemption Certificate is essential for travel to/from DRC and Angola, and may be required by countries visited after your trip. 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 above the door on a luggage rack. While there are no strict restrictions on board, two large suitcases are generally sufficient. For overnight trips or hand luggage on aircraft, a soft bag is preferable, with a weight restriction of 15kg for flights.
Currency
In South Africa, Rands are accepted, and major credit cards are taken on the train. 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 in these areas. US Dollars printed before 2013 or worn notes are not accepted. Low denominations are recommended for shopping/gratuities, while larger denominations are better for exchanging to local currency, especially in Tanzania.