From the moment guests sink into the comfortable armchairs and sofas in Capital Park’s waiting room, a glass of champagne in their hands, they know they are in for the treat of a lifetime. This is no ordinary waiting room, but then Rovos Rail is no ordinary rail company either.
Capital Park, Pretoria, the railway station and headquarters of Rovos Rail, is where old rolling stock is transformed into the luxurious classic dining cars, lounges and suites that have made Rovos Rail synonymous with luxury travel. In the loco shed old and not so old engines are restored to gleaming, powerful, operating conditions.
Each train has a lounge car, observation car, smoking lounge and either one or two dining cars. Sleeping coaches accommodate two people in either twin or double bed compartments with a sitting area and en suite shower rooms. A well-stocked hospitality tray is provided as well as bathrobes and slippers.
If you want anything just ask! The young crew are a delight and nothing is too much trouble. From the first early morning cup of tea, through breakfast, morning coffee, three course lunches and four course dinners each course accompanied by a different wine ,afternoon tea with sandwiches and pastries to say nothing of in between cocktails or night caps (all included in the price) the staff are there to help and advise. The food is good and frequently excellent – how the on-board chef and kitchen crew produce food of such high standard on a moving train is beyond comprehension.
Dress during the day is casual but as evening, and dinner, draw closer guests return to their state rooms to change into something more elegant (often black tie) as befits the dining car with its starched white table linen, gleaming glass and cutlery.
Excursions to various attractions en route are also included – maybe a safari park, an ostrich farm, a craft centre – and waiting for guests on their return to the train a table or two complete with appropriate ‘welcome back’ glasses of something delicious, usually bubbly! Rovos Rail takes pride in maintaining standards and its reputation as ‘The Most Luxurious Train in the World’.