Looking to eschew the traditional flight and hotel package? Then Rovos Rail may well be able to create a holiday that you’ll truly remember, with a rail journey like no other.

Operating from their head offices in Pretoria, South Africa, Rovos specialise in rail journeys across the country with more than a passing nod being given to rail travel of a bygone era. A charming Victorian setting and the requirement of formal evening attire for dinner make this a truly unique experience. The company has been run by the Vos family since they purchased their first railway coaches in 1985, and with all their engines having been named for each of the four Vos children, one for Rohan Vos’ mother and one after his beloved pet Dalmatian Zog, they are very much a family company.

With a capacity of just 72 passengers, the trains are not too large. Each one is made up of a number of different carriages including sleeping cars, dinning car, lounge car, observation car and of course the all-important locomotive. Meals are prepared in the on board kitchen with an emphasis on local produce and fresh game and in keeping with the ambiance there is even a dinner gong which is sounded to summon guests to meals. They have many of the facilities on board you would expect in a small hotel such as a laundry service, and are decorated throughout in a style that is in keeping with the age of the carriages.

In addition to the large selection of locomotives, all restored by the company, and their many carriages Rovos also own a collection of three guesthouses, the St James Guesthouses, situated in St James and overlooking the fishing village of Kalk Bay. Each of the unique guesthouses has been completely renovated and refurbished to a very high standard with luxurious Arabic rugs and antique furniture, as with the trains the emphasis is on the bygone era and is very in keeping with the architecture of the buildings.

The trains take in a varied selection of destinations including Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Dar es Salaam, and a number of different safari excursions

Travel buyers will be able to craft the very best romantic holidays for their clients thanks to Rovos Rail’s attention to detail and the romantic setting of their stunning restored train carriages, visiting one of many beautiful locations.

Rovos Rail will be joining us in Brazil for our next Connections Luxury event to be held in Rio from the 16-19 October. If you would like to take part or would like more information about our unique events crafted especially for the luxury travel market, please get in touch with me at micaela@weraeconnections.com.