Travel Tips
Check-in Information
For your departure from Walvis Bay, check-in at Walvis Bay Station, located at the Corner of 6th Street and 11th Road, Namibia. If your journey concludes in Pretoria, you will arrive at Rovos Rail Station, 1 Transnet Avenue, Capital Park. It is recommended to check-in a minimum of one hour before departure. Passports are required at check-in, and luggage will be tagged and placed directly into your suite on board the train.
Dining Schedule
Meals on board are served in one sitting in 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. Formal dinner is served at 19:30. The bar service operates from 07:00 until approximately 01:00. A distinctive gong announces lunch and dinner service. These times are adhered to unless otherwise specified in the daily timetable.
Dress Code
During the day on board, the dress code is smart casual, encouraging neat, conventional, yet relatively informal attire. For evening dinners, a formal dress code is mandatory: gentlemen are required to wear a collar and tie (a jacket is optional), while ladies are encouraged to wear cocktail/evening dresses or suits. Long journeys often feature themed evenings, such as '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. Warm clothing is advised for game drives, as mornings can be cool.
Electricity & Connectivity
All suites are equipped with 220V AC 50Hz 3-point round-pronged wall plugs, as well as 110V/220V 2-pin plugs for shavers and chargers. USB ports are also available in each suite. International adaptors are provided upon request. Power is supplied by a generator, though occasional breaks for servicing may occur. In keeping with the spirit of train travel, there is no radio, television, or onboard WiFi. The use of mobile phones and laptops is confined to the privacy of your suites. WiFi is available at the Rovos Rail lounges in Cape Town and Pretoria, and generally at off-train accommodations.
Climate & Weather
The journey traverses diverse climates. In Walvis Bay, average temperatures range from 16-22°C (Min/Max) in March to 10-20°C in July. Etosha Pan sees averages from 18-31°C in Jan-Mar, and 10-27°C in May-Jun. Pretoria experiences 18-30°C in Jan-Mar and 7-23°C in May-Jun. All public cars are fitted with gas-filled air-conditioning, and suites have individual climate controls with heating options. Electric under-blankets are provided. For game drives, mornings can be cool, warming up considerably, while afternoons can be warm before cooling down. Pack warm clothing, hats, comfortable shoes, and sun protection.
Onboard Amenities
A range of South African biodegradable and/or recyclable amenities are provided, including 40g soap, 50ml shampoo, hand and body wash, and lotion, 15ml lip balm, insect repellent spray (for journeys over 4 days), bamboo rounds, ear buds, compostable shower cap, ear plugs, sun cream, razors, and nail files. Plug-in hairdryers are available. Dressing gowns and slippers are provided for use on board, and can be purchased from the gift shop. A small gift shop is available on the train and at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. A limited laundry service (10 items per day) is available with a 48-hour turnaround; dry-cleaning is not offered.
Medical Information
Each train is equipped with a standard medical kit, oxygen, automated external defibrillator, and a wheelchair. Train Managers are trained in Level 3 First Aid. While private healthcare hospitals can be arranged for evacuation (at your own cost), these are not guaranteed outside South Africa. Guests are solely responsible for ensuring they are capable of undertaking tours and activities. Anti-malarial precautions are recommended for areas like Etosha, eSwatini, Kruger Park, Northern Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, and Angola. Recommended (not required) immunizations include Hepatitis A+B, Polio, Tetanus, and Cholera (low risk). A Yellow Fever/Medical Exemption Certificate is essential for DRC and Angola, and may be required by other countries for re-entry. 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 under the bed or on the luggage rack above the door in your suite. While there are no strict restrictions on board, it is recommended not to bring more than two large suitcases. For overnight trips or plane transfers, a Rovos Rail tog bag is provided, and a soft bag is preferable for flights, which often have a 15kg weight restriction.
Currency
In South Africa, only Rands are accepted. Rands are also accepted in Namibia and eSwatini. US Dollars are accepted in Zimbabwe, Tanzania (Dar es Salaam only), DRC, and Angola, with cash highly recommended. Please note that US Dollar bills printed before 2013 or those that appear worn will not be accepted. Low denominations are best for shopping and gratuities, while larger denominations are better for exchanging to local currency, especially in Tanzania.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1What is the dress code on the Rovos Rail Namibia Safari?
The dress code on Rovos Rail varies between daytime and evening. During the day, smart casual attire is recommended – neat, conventional, yet relatively informal clothing. For dinner, the dress code is formal: gentlemen are required to wear a collar and tie (a jacket is optional), while ladies should opt for cocktail/evening dresses or suits. Some long journeys, including this one, feature themed evenings such as 'Africa' or '1920s', where guests can dress accordingly or choose smart casual. For off-train excursions, comfortable walking shoes, sun lotion, hats, and warm clothing (especially for game drives) are advised.
2Are meals and beverages included on the Rovos Rail Namibia Safari?
Yes, all meals are included and served in the dining cars at set times: Breakfast 07:00-10:00, Lunch 13:00, Tea 16:30, and Dinner 19:30. All beverages on board are also included, encompassing a curated selection of local and international wines, brandies, gins, whiskies, spirits, and non-alcoholic options. Special requests, such as international sparkling wine, can be pre-ordered at an additional cost at least 30 days before departure. Please note that off-train beverages are generally excluded, except for water, tea/coffee, and breakfast juices during off-train accommodation stays.
3What medical precautions should I take for the Namibia Safari?
Guests are solely responsible for their physical capability to undertake the tours and activities. Rovos Rail trains carry a standard medical kit, oxygen, an automated external defibrillator, and a wheelchair. Train Managers are trained in Level 3 First Aid. Anti-malarial precautions are recommended for regions visited, including Etosha National Park. Recommended (but not required) immunizations 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 other countries for re-entry. It is strongly advised to consult your clinic or doctor prior to travel. Travel Doctor Africa can be reached at 0861 300 911 (local) or +27 (0) 11 214 9030 (international).
4What are the luggage restrictions on Rovos Rail?
There are no strict luggage restrictions on board the train, and ample storage is available under beds or on luggage racks in your suite. However, it is not recommended to bring more than two large suitcases. For sections of the journey involving light aircraft transfers (such as to Sossusvlei), a soft bag is preferable, and a luggage weight restriction of 15kg per person applies. A Rovos Rail tog bag is provided in your suite for convenience during overnight off-train excursions.
5Is WiFi available on the Rovos Rail Namibia Safari?
In keeping with the traditional spirit of train travel, there is no WiFi, radio, or television on board the Rovos Rail train itself. The use of mobile phones and laptops is permitted within the privacy of your suite only. Mobile reception can be poor while the train is moving. WiFi is generally available at the Rovos Rail lounges in Cape Town and Pretoria, and at most off-train accommodation facilities, though not always guaranteed.
6What currencies are accepted during the tour?
On board the train in South Africa, only Rands are accepted. Rands are also 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 countries. Please note that US Dollar notes printed before 2013 or those that appear worn will not be accepted. It is advisable to carry low denominations for shopping and gratuities, and larger denominations for exchanging money to local currency, especially in Tanzania.
7What are the check-in procedures and locations?
For this Namibia Safari, check-in is at Walvis Bay Station, Corner 6th Street and 11th Road, Namibia, at 10:00 on Day 1. It is recommended to check-in a minimum of one hour before departure. Passports are required at check-in. Luggage will be tagged and placed directly into your suite on board the train. Upon arrival in Pretoria on Day 12, the train will conclude its journey at Rovos Rail Station, 1 Transnet Avenue, Capital Park.
8Is travel insurance compulsory for this tour?
Yes, cancellation insurance is compulsory for all guests on Rovos Rail journeys, and these fees will not be waived. Rovos Rail offers insurance options for South African residents. For international guests, it is strongly advised to contact your local insurance agent for suitable coverage. You should bring a copy of your travel insurance policy, clearly stating the company, policy number, and the 24-hour medical emergency telephone number.
9What type of electrical outlets are available in the suites?
Each suite is equipped with 220V AC 50Hz 3-point round-pronged wall plugs. Additionally, 110V/220V 2-pin plugs are available for shavers and chargers. USB ports are also provided in each suite for convenient device charging. International adaptors are available upon request from the staff. Power is supplied by a generator, and occasional brief breaks in power may occur when servicing is required.
10What amenities are provided in the suites?
Each suite is well-appointed with a range of amenities. These include a minibar, air conditioning, a writing desk, luggage shelf, and cupboards. All suites have an electronic safe for valuables. En-suite bathrooms are standard, featuring a shower, toilet, and basin (Royal Suites also include a bath). Guests will find biodegradable and/or recyclable toiletries such as soap, shampoo, hand and body wash, lotion, lip balm, insect repellent spray, bamboo rounds, ear buds, a compostable shower cap, ear plugs, sun cream, razors, and nail files. Plug-in hairdryers are also available. Suites are serviced daily, and a nightly turndown service is provided.