Rovos Rail is one of the most luxurious train journeys in the world, offering an unforgettable travel experience through Africa’s most iconic landscapes.
Known for its classic elegance, exceptional service, and fine dining, the Rovos Rail has been providing its passengers with the perfect blend of adventure and luxury since 1989. With a fleet of beautifully restored vintage coaches, the train takes travellers on journeys that range from two nights to 15 days, showcasing the best of South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and beyond.
This luxury rail experience is a must-sell for travel agents looking to provide clients with unique, high-end travel options.
Introduction to Rovos Rail
Rovos Rail is much more than a mode of transport; it’s a journey back in time to the golden age of travel. Passengers experience the romance of rail travel with luxurious suites, gourmet meals, and curated excursions along the way. The train offers several itineraries, from short trips like Pretoria to Cape Town, to longer adventures like the 15-day journey between Cape Town and Dar es Salaam.
Each train is meticulously crafted, featuring opulent suites, observation cars, and dining cars where meals are prepared by expert chefs using locally sourced ingredients. The all-inclusive packages cover meals, drinks, and guided excursions, ensuring guests experience both comfort and adventure in style.
Key Selling Points for Travel Agents
1. Target the Luxury Traveller
Rovos Rail is ideal for clients looking for a high-end, all-inclusive travel experience. The train offers luxurious suites in three categories: Pullman, Deluxe, and Royal, each featuring en-suite bathrooms, wood panelling, and Edwardian-style decor. Whether your clients are honeymooners, retirees, or high-net-worth individuals seeking a once-in-a-lifetime journey, Rovos Rail caters to those who appreciate the finer things in life.
2. Highlight Unique Experiences
Each Rovos Rail journey is designed to showcase the beauty, history, and culture of Africa. The itineraries include guided excursions to famous landmarks such as Victoria Falls, safari experiences in private reserves, and visits to historical sites like Kimberley’s diamond mines. These curated activities add immense value, ensuring that clients not only enjoy the luxury onboard but also immerse themselves in Africa’s rich heritage.
3. Offer Flexibility with Itineraries and Durations
With a variety of itineraries, Rovos Rail can appeal to different types of travellers. For clients with limited time, shorter routes like the four-day Pretoria to Cape Town trip are perfect. Those looking for extended adventures can choose longer trips like the 15-day Cape to Dar es Salaam journey. Agents can help clients select the perfect itinerary based on their interests, whether they want to explore South Africa’s winelands, go on safari in Namibia, or witness the majestic Victoria Falls.
Understanding the Rates and Dates
Rovos Rail has transparent pricing with schedules and rates available for 2023-2026, making it easy for agents to plan and sell future trips. Rates are per suite and cover accommodation, all meals, beverages, and excursions, with a breakdown of single occupancy supplements.
For agents selling to families, it’s important to note the child policy: children over the age of 10 are welcome on board, making Rovos Rail a viable option for multi-generational travel. The all-inclusive nature of the trip means clients won’t face hidden costs, and agents can confidently sell this as a hassle-free, luxurious experience.
Additional Resources for Agents
Rovos Rail offers travel agents a wealth of resources to support their sales efforts. The RVR Rates & Dates Schedule for 2023-2026 provides detailed information on departure dates, suite prices, inclusions, and exclusions. Additionally, the Rovos Rail website features an extensive Document Directory with itineraries, day-by-day journey binders, FAQs, suite layouts, and more, giving agents easy access to the tools they need to tailor trips to client preferences.
For agents looking to incentivise their sales teams, Rovos Rail also offers club incentives, and the website’s Image Gallery allows agents to showcase the luxurious onboard experience to potential clients.
Final Tips for Selling Rovos Rail
- Leverage the exclusivity: Rovos Rail is perfect for clients seeking an intimate and exclusive travel experience, with limited suites ensuring a personalised service for every guest.
- Emphasise the heritage: The charm of travelling in vintage carriages through iconic African landscapes appeals to travellers interested in both history and luxury.
- Provide peace of mind: Highlight the all-inclusive nature of the journey, with all meals, drinks, and excursions included, ensuring that clients know they are paying for a complete, hassle-free experience.
- Highlight sustainability: With a growing focus on responsible tourism, agents can market Rovos Rail’s commitment to preserving Africa’s landscapes and wildlife through carefully curated, eco-conscious excursions.
Rates & Dates
Below are the schedules listing all departure dates for Short Journeys, Combination Journeys, Collections and Long Journeys along with their rates per suite (including single supplement/occupancy). It also has information on what is included, excluded, meals and drinks on board, child policy as well as the general make-up of the train.
- RVR 2023-2024 Rates & Dates Schedule
- RVR 2024-2025 Rates & Dates Schedule
- RVR 2025-2026 Rates & Dates Schedule
The journey binders include the day-by-day itinerary, inclusions and exclusions, suite specifications, general information such as departure and arrival details, passports and visas, health and medical requirements, currency, dress code, luggage, amenities on board, average temperatures and so on, as well as terms and conditions.
They can be found on the website under each journey’s page here and on the Document Directory.
