Travel Tips
Check-in Information
For your Rovos Rail Namibia Safari, please check-in a minimum of one hour before departure. If you wish to visit the Rovos Rail museum or take a site tour at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria, it's recommended to arrive two hours prior to departure. Your check-in location in Pretoria is Rovos Rail Station, 1 Transnet Avenue, Capital Park. Passports are required at check-in; no vouchers are needed. Your luggage will be tagged and placed directly in your suite, where you'll also find a full itinerary pack.
Dining Schedule
Meals on board Rovos Rail are served in one sitting only within the elegant dining cars. Breakfast is available from 07:00 to 10:00, lunch is served promptly at 13:00, and tea is offered at 16:30. Dinner is a formal affair, commencing at 19:30. A gentle gong heralds the serving of lunch and dinner. The bar service operates from 07:00 until approximately 01:00.
Dress Code
During the day on board the train, the dress code is smart casual – neat, conventional, yet relatively informal clothing pieces. For dinner, the dress code is formal: gentlemen are required to wear a collar and tie (a jacket is optional), while ladies are encouraged to wear cocktail/evening dresses or suits. The Namibia Safari includes themed evenings ('Africa' and '1920s') where guests can dress up accordingly or opt for smart casual. For off-train excursions, comfortable walking shoes, sun lotion, and hats are recommended. Game drives in open vehicles suggest dressing in layers, as mornings can be cool, warming up considerably, and afternoons can cool down again.
Electricity & Connectivity
Each suite is equipped with 220V AC 50Hz 3-point round-pronged wall plugs, along with 110V/220V 2-pin plugs for shavers and chargers. USB ports are also available in each suite. International adaptors are provided if needed. The train's power is supplied by a generator, and while generally reliable, certain breaks in power are necessary for servicing. In keeping with the spirit of train travel, there is no radio, television, or WiFi on board the train. The use of mobile phones and laptops is confined to the privacy of your suites. 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 journey traverses diverse regions, experiencing various climates. For example, Walvis Bay averages 16-22°C in Jan/Feb, while Etosha Pan ranges 18-31°C in Jan/Feb. September/October sees temperatures in Etosha rise to 15-32°C. Mornings on game drives can be cool, warming up considerably, and afternoons can be warm before cooling down. Warm clothing, hats, comfortable shoes, and sun protection are advised. Rain capes are available.
Onboard Amenities
Your suite includes a range of South African biodegradable and/or recyclable products: 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 in your bathroom unit or upon request. Comfortable one-size-fits-all dressing gowns and slippers are provided for use on board, with the option to purchase them from the Gift Shop. A limited laundry service (10 items per day) is available, with a 48-hour turnaround; no dry-cleaning facilities are offered.
Medical Information
All guests are solely responsible for ensuring they are capable of undertaking the tours and activities. Please inform Rovos Rail at the time of your reservation if you have any medical conditions, physical disabilities, or allergies. While there is no doctor permanently on this specific journey, the train is equipped with a standard medical kit, oxygen, an automated external defibrillator, and a wheelchair. Anti-malarial precautions are recommended for areas like Etosha. Recommended immunisations include Hepatitis A + B, Polio, Tetanus, and Cholera (low risk). A Yellow Fever/Medical Exemption Certificate is essential if traveling to/from DRC and Angola. Please consult your clinic or doctor before travel. For urgent medical advice, you can contact Travel Doctor Africa at 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 on board, carrying more than two large suitcases is not recommended. For overnight trips or plane transfers, a Rovos Rail tog bag is provided, and a soft bag is preferable for flights with a weight restriction of 15kg.
Currency
In South Africa, only Rands are accepted, and major credit cards are taken on the train. Outside South Africa (Namibia, eSwatini, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, DRC, Angola), Rands are accepted, but US Dollars are widely accepted and cash is highly recommended. Hotels and major dealers typically accept credit cards. Be aware 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 useful for exchanging to local currency, especially in Tanzania.