Jaredincpt.com
  • Home
  • BLOG
    • All Cape Town Food & Drink International Travel Interviews Lifestyle South Africa Spirituality
      South Africa

      Pretoria to Victoria Falls: The Luxury African Rail…

      South Africa

      7 Luxury South African Villas to Isolate In

      Travel

      Bush, Beach and Boat – 3 Exclusive Escapes

      Food & Drink

      Flavours So Fyn

      South Africa

      5 unique South African safari experiences

      South Africa

      Isolated Bush Escapes

      Food & Drink

      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

      Travel

      Sleeping with the Stars: 4 Top SA Sleep-outs

      Cape Town

      The Quarter Kitchen Giveaway: Cape Town’s home of…

      Cape Town

      Cape Town Hidden Gems: Part 2

      Cape Town

      Christmas Wishlist 2018

      Cape Town

      A Paarl Winelands Experience

      Cape Town

      3 New Drinking Spots in Cape Town

      Cape Town

      Kagga Kamma: A Bucket-list African Experience

      Cape Town

      South African Heritage Road Trip

      Cape Town

      Men’s Lifesyle Series 4: Meet the Stylist

      Food & Drink

      Flavours So Fyn

      Food & Drink

      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

      Food & Drink

      Quoin Rock: South Africa’s Golden Vineyard

      Food & Drink

      Four must-have South African wines for your collection

      Food & Drink

      A Heavenly Wine Staycation: The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

      Food & Drink

      Food for Thought: What happens to our surplus…

      Food & Drink

      The Quarter Kitchen Giveaway: Cape Town’s home of…

      Food & Drink

      A Guide to the Cape Winelands

      International Travel

      Braving the Bravarian Alps

      International Travel

      Wilderness in Waiting: Conservation During COVID

      International Travel

      Seychelles Honeymoon: Sexy and Secluded Solitude

      International Travel

      Gourmet Experiences in New Zealand’s Boutique Wine Town

      International Travel

      Seychelles on a shoestring: Making Memories in Mahé

      International Travel

      The South African’s Guide to New Zealand

      International Travel

      Botswana Through My Lens

      International Travel

      TRAVEL: Where to Go & Stay

      Interviews

      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

      Interviews

      Wilderness in Waiting: ⁣Bringing Safari Home

      Interviews

      Wilderness in Waiting: Conservation During COVID

      Interviews

      Food for Thought: What happens to our surplus…

      Interviews

      The Quarter Kitchen Giveaway: Cape Town’s home of…

      Interviews

      3 Trends Influencing the Travel Industry

      Interviews

      Hope for Joburg: Interview with Franck Leya

      Interviews

      3 Wine Makers Making Waves in the Industry

      Lifestyle

      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

      Lifestyle

      Wilderness in Waiting: Safari by the Book with…

      Lifestyle

      Braving the Bravarian Alps

      Lifestyle

      A Franschhoek Fling

      Lifestyle

      My Heritage Journey with Mr D Food

      Lifestyle

      Facing Fears: The Fitness Journey

      Lifestyle

      Navigating Depression: A Personal Reflection

      Lifestyle

      Why we Need Wildness

      South Africa

      Pretoria to Victoria Falls: The Luxury African Rail…

      South Africa

      7 Luxury South African Villas to Isolate In

      South Africa

      Flavours So Fyn

      South Africa

      5 unique South African safari experiences

      South Africa

      Isolated Bush Escapes

      South Africa

      Quoin Rock: South Africa’s Golden Vineyard

      South Africa

      Four must-have South African wines for your collection

      South Africa

      A Heavenly Wine Staycation: The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

      Spirituality

      Navigating Depression: A Personal Reflection

      Spirituality

      Walking Italy: The Way of St Francis

      Spirituality

      What is Devastation?

      Spirituality

      A Letter to Myself

      Spirituality

      Love, Hope and Faith

      Spirituality

      What I'm Learning

      Spirituality

      Words and Pictures

      Spirituality

      The Locked Church

  • SAFARI GUIDE
  • TRAVEL GUIDE
  • CAPE TOWN GUIDE
  • MEET JARED
  • PORTFOLIO
  • Contact
Jaredincpt.com

travel journalist connecting people & experiences

  • Home
  • BLOG
    • All Cape Town Food & Drink International Travel Interviews Lifestyle South Africa Spirituality
      South Africa

      Pretoria to Victoria Falls: The Luxury African Rail…

      South Africa

      7 Luxury South African Villas to Isolate In

      Travel

      Bush, Beach and Boat – 3 Exclusive Escapes

      Food & Drink

      Flavours So Fyn

      South Africa

      5 unique South African safari experiences

      South Africa

      Isolated Bush Escapes

      Food & Drink

      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

      Travel

      Sleeping with the Stars: 4 Top SA Sleep-outs

      Cape Town

      The Quarter Kitchen Giveaway: Cape Town’s home of…

      Cape Town

      Cape Town Hidden Gems: Part 2

      Cape Town

      Christmas Wishlist 2018

      Cape Town

      A Paarl Winelands Experience

      Cape Town

      3 New Drinking Spots in Cape Town

      Cape Town

      Kagga Kamma: A Bucket-list African Experience

      Cape Town

      South African Heritage Road Trip

      Cape Town

      Men’s Lifesyle Series 4: Meet the Stylist

      Food & Drink

      Flavours So Fyn

      Food & Drink

      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

      Food & Drink

      Quoin Rock: South Africa’s Golden Vineyard

      Food & Drink

      Four must-have South African wines for your collection

      Food & Drink

      A Heavenly Wine Staycation: The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

      Food & Drink

      Food for Thought: What happens to our surplus…

      Food & Drink

      The Quarter Kitchen Giveaway: Cape Town’s home of…

      Food & Drink

      A Guide to the Cape Winelands

      International Travel

      Braving the Bravarian Alps

      International Travel

      Wilderness in Waiting: Conservation During COVID

      International Travel

      Seychelles Honeymoon: Sexy and Secluded Solitude

      International Travel

      Gourmet Experiences in New Zealand’s Boutique Wine Town

      International Travel

      Seychelles on a shoestring: Making Memories in Mahé

      International Travel

      The South African’s Guide to New Zealand

      International Travel

      Botswana Through My Lens

      International Travel

      TRAVEL: Where to Go & Stay

      Interviews

      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

      Interviews

      Wilderness in Waiting: ⁣Bringing Safari Home

      Interviews

      Wilderness in Waiting: Conservation During COVID

      Interviews

      Food for Thought: What happens to our surplus…

      Interviews

      The Quarter Kitchen Giveaway: Cape Town’s home of…

      Interviews

      3 Trends Influencing the Travel Industry

      Interviews

      Hope for Joburg: Interview with Franck Leya

      Interviews

      3 Wine Makers Making Waves in the Industry

      Lifestyle

      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

      Lifestyle

      Wilderness in Waiting: Safari by the Book with…

      Lifestyle

      Braving the Bravarian Alps

      Lifestyle

      A Franschhoek Fling

      Lifestyle

      My Heritage Journey with Mr D Food

      Lifestyle

      Facing Fears: The Fitness Journey

      Lifestyle

      Navigating Depression: A Personal Reflection

      Lifestyle

      Why we Need Wildness

      South Africa

      Pretoria to Victoria Falls: The Luxury African Rail…

      South Africa

      7 Luxury South African Villas to Isolate In

      South Africa

      Flavours So Fyn

      South Africa

      5 unique South African safari experiences

      South Africa

      Isolated Bush Escapes

      South Africa

      Quoin Rock: South Africa’s Golden Vineyard

      South Africa

      Four must-have South African wines for your collection

      South Africa

      A Heavenly Wine Staycation: The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

      Spirituality

      Navigating Depression: A Personal Reflection

      Spirituality

      Walking Italy: The Way of St Francis

      Spirituality

      What is Devastation?

      Spirituality

      A Letter to Myself

      Spirituality

      Love, Hope and Faith

      Spirituality

      What I'm Learning

      Spirituality

      Words and Pictures

      Spirituality

      The Locked Church

  • SAFARI GUIDE
  • TRAVEL GUIDE
  • CAPE TOWN GUIDE
  • MEET JARED
  • PORTFOLIO
  • Contact

Travel

    South AfricaTravel

    Pretoria to Victoria Falls: The Luxury African Rail Experience

    by Jared February 5, 2021
    written by Jared
     * This article first appeared in The Kenyan Traveller

    Although it was only the second morning of the trip, already the procedure was muscle memory. After a lazy yawn or two, I’d pick up the telephone alongside my bed and order a glass of Le Lude MCC.

    “Certainly Mr Ruttenberg, that’ll be right over.”

    Moments later there’d be a knock on the door and the steward would bring over the bubbly. While this may seem unusual for a five-star hotel, this experience had one rather important difference… I was not sitting in a stationary hotel room, but a moving carriage, traversing the African countryside on a luxury train.

    Glancing out the large window alongside my bed, glass of bubbly in hand, I was quickly reminded of this, as kilometers of countryside slowly reeled past.

    For over 30 years Rovos Rail has been offering guests the opportunity to explore Africa by rail. What this family-owned company has achieved is nothing short of remarkable, overcoming all odds to establish a world-renowned private railway, often touted as the ‘most luxurious train in the world’.

    Journeys being or end at Capital Park, Rovos Rail’s headquarters in Pretoria. The 60-acre property includes the repair and maintenance depot, a model-railway display, and a museum. Most notably is the graceful station house where guests wait in anticipation for the journey to begin. Reclining on a leather sofa, outwardly I was cool, calm, and collected, but inwardly I was a six-year-old child on Christmas morning – giddy with anticipation.

    Owner Rohan Vos calls us to attention and casts a stately figure (appropriate as the station is a mere three kilometers as the crow flies from the Union Buildings) as he begins his speech. I had goosebumps as he began: “It gives my family and I great pleasure to welcome you onboard Rovos Rail…”

    So starts the journey and we’re escorted to our suites. There are three options for guests: the Pullman suites sized at 7m2, the Deluxe suites at 10m2, and then the spacious Royal suites at 16m2. These remodelled sleeper coaches are wood-panelled, sporting a luxurious experience of a bygone era. My Deluxe Suite featured its own lounge area with a writing desk and then en suite bathroom with shower, toilet, and basin.

    In the train’s dining carriages, I revelled in the elegance of fine china and glassware, accompanied by crisp linen and silver. This is perfectly paired with the formal dress code for evening dining, making sure every evening is a fabulously formal affair.

    At the rear of the train, you’ll find an observation car with a bar and large windows, including a glass-ended open balcony at the end. Many an hour were spent here gazing out at the changing views, and in engaging conversations with other guests. By the second day of the journey, the barman already knew my drinks of choice, readily providing them as my glass approached empty; a sensitive and intuitive service that would continue for the entire trip. There’s also a lounge car, one or two dining cars depending on the journey, and a smoking lounge.

    There’s something undeniably alluring about train travel – knowing that the country is secretly intersected by rail lines and that you’d be travelling along these routes taking you to places you’d otherwise not have seen.

    I have to admit, that on the rare chance when I take a couple days’ vacation, desperately needing a break from the frenzy of modern life, I’m often my own worst enemy cramming in every possible activity often leaves me even more exhausted. This is where the appeal of train travel is so enticing. There’s very little one can do, or where one can go.

    Rather there’s the invitation to sit back and unwind in unparalleled style. Nothing is rushed – including the train, which only reaches a maximum of 60km/h giving enough time to fully appreciate the journey and the scenery that passes by.

    One of Rovos’ many enticing points is that once you’re onboard the experience is all-inclusive. Often all-inclusive stays include one or two ‘house wines’, but with Rovos I was delighted to find that many of my favourite premium South African wines featured on the wine list and were available at any point. Many a glass of Hamilton Russell Chardonnay kept me company, as I stared peacefully at the constantly changing scenery.

    Considered by many to be Rovos’ crowning glory, is the incomparable five-day journey to Victoria Falls. Also departing from Pretoria, heads northwards, crossing into either Zimbabwe or Botswana. Each Rovos journey includes optional excursions, and as the journey usually travels alongside Hwange National Park, the trip wouldn’t be complete without a game drive in the park.

    At the journey’s end, you can stand where David Livingstone once stood and staring at the majestic natural wonder exclaim as he did, “Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.” A fitting end to one of Africa’s most desirable bucket list experiences.

    Rovos Rail is now back on track with its first scheduled trip from Pretoria to Victoria Falls departing on the 4th March. Find out more information and book at rovos.com

    0 comment
    0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmail
  • South AfricaTravel

    7 Luxury South African Villas to Isolate In

    by Jared February 1, 2021

     * This article first appeared here on Aluxurytravelblog.com As exclusive-use properties become even more sought after in a post-pandemic landscape,…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmail
  • Travel

    Bush, Beach and Boat – 3 Exclusive Escapes

    by Jared January 25, 2021

     * This article first appeared here in VIEW Magalouge If you’re in a need of a well-earned vacation – or…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmail
  • Food & DrinkSouth Africa

    Flavours So Fyn

    by Jared February 4, 2021

     * This article first appeared here in Getaway Magazine, Feb 2021 Cape Town Fynbos Experience Since the Cape Floristic Kingdom…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmail
  • South AfricaTravel

    5 unique South African safari experiences

    by Jared January 18, 2021

     * This article originally appeared here on Aluxurytravelblog.com With a plethora of enticing safari and game lodge options available in…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmail
  • South AfricaTravel

    Isolated Bush Escapes

    by Jared January 4, 2021

     * This article originally appeared here in Skynews (Cem Air Inflight Magazine) In our new post-lockdown landscape, fewer environments right…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmail
  • Food & DrinkInterviewsLifestyleTravel

    Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap Classique

    by Jared January 4, 2021

     * This article originally appeared here in Skynews (Cem Air Inflight Magazine) Plettenberg Bay has been long known for its…

    Read more
    1 FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmail
  • Travel

    Sleeping with the Stars: 4 Top SA Sleep-outs

    by Jared December 7, 2020

     * This article first appeared here in Southern Vines. If the idea of falling asleep to the sounds of the…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmail
  • Food & DrinkSouth AfricaTravel

    Quoin Rock: South Africa’s Golden Vineyard

    by Jared December 1, 2020

     * This article first appeared in The Traveller, Kenya  It’s a few minutes to sunset and both garden and the…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmail
  • Food & DrinkSouth Africa

    Four must-have South African wines for your collection

    by Jared November 27, 2020

     * This article first appeared in the Business Day Prime, 26 Nov 2020 With a startling 3 – 4 million…

    Read more
    0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts

SEARCH

Get Travel Inspiration

Add your email below to receive travel inspiration!

Recent Posts

  • Pretoria to Victoria Falls: The Luxury African Rail Experience
  • 7 Luxury South African Villas to Isolate In
  • Bush, Beach and Boat – 3 Exclusive Escapes
  • Flavours So Fyn
  • 5 unique South African safari experiences

Instagram

Categories

  • Cape Town
  • Food & Drink
  • International Travel
  • Interviews
  • Lifestyle
  • South Africa
  • Spirituality
  • Sponsored
  • Travel

SA & Corona Virus

Find out more on the national response website: sacoronavirus.co.za

Keep Updated

Add your email below to receive travel inspiration!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Email

Back To Top
Jaredincpt.com
  • Home
  • BLOG
    • All Cape Town Food & Drink International Travel Interviews Lifestyle South Africa Spirituality
      South Africa

      Pretoria to Victoria Falls: The Luxury African Rail…

      South Africa

      7 Luxury South African Villas to Isolate In

      Travel

      Bush, Beach and Boat – 3 Exclusive Escapes

      Food & Drink

      Flavours So Fyn

      South Africa

      5 unique South African safari experiences

      South Africa

      Isolated Bush Escapes

      Food & Drink

      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

      Travel

      Sleeping with the Stars: 4 Top SA Sleep-outs

      Cape Town

      The Quarter Kitchen Giveaway: Cape Town’s home of…

      Cape Town

      Cape Town Hidden Gems: Part 2

      Cape Town

      Christmas Wishlist 2018

      Cape Town

      A Paarl Winelands Experience

      Cape Town

      3 New Drinking Spots in Cape Town

      Cape Town

      Kagga Kamma: A Bucket-list African Experience

      Cape Town

      South African Heritage Road Trip

      Cape Town

      Men’s Lifesyle Series 4: Meet the Stylist

      Food & Drink

      Flavours So Fyn

      Food & Drink

      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

      Food & Drink

      Quoin Rock: South Africa’s Golden Vineyard

      Food & Drink

      Four must-have South African wines for your collection

      Food & Drink

      A Heavenly Wine Staycation: The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

      Food & Drink

      Food for Thought: What happens to our surplus…

      Food & Drink

      The Quarter Kitchen Giveaway: Cape Town’s home of…

      Food & Drink

      A Guide to the Cape Winelands

      International Travel

      Braving the Bravarian Alps

      International Travel

      Wilderness in Waiting: Conservation During COVID

      International Travel

      Seychelles Honeymoon: Sexy and Secluded Solitude

      International Travel

      Gourmet Experiences in New Zealand’s Boutique Wine Town

      International Travel

      Seychelles on a shoestring: Making Memories in Mahé

      International Travel

      The South African’s Guide to New Zealand

      International Travel

      Botswana Through My Lens

      International Travel

      TRAVEL: Where to Go & Stay

      Interviews

      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

      Interviews

      Wilderness in Waiting: ⁣Bringing Safari Home

      Interviews

      Wilderness in Waiting: Conservation During COVID

      Interviews

      Food for Thought: What happens to our surplus…

      Interviews

      The Quarter Kitchen Giveaway: Cape Town’s home of…

      Interviews

      3 Trends Influencing the Travel Industry

      Interviews

      Hope for Joburg: Interview with Franck Leya

      Interviews

      3 Wine Makers Making Waves in the Industry

      Lifestyle

      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

      Lifestyle

      Wilderness in Waiting: Safari by the Book with…

      Lifestyle

      Braving the Bravarian Alps

      Lifestyle

      A Franschhoek Fling

      Lifestyle

      My Heritage Journey with Mr D Food

      Lifestyle

      Facing Fears: The Fitness Journey

      Lifestyle

      Navigating Depression: A Personal Reflection

      Lifestyle

      Why we Need Wildness

      South Africa

      Pretoria to Victoria Falls: The Luxury African Rail…

      South Africa

      7 Luxury South African Villas to Isolate In

      South Africa

      Flavours So Fyn

      South Africa

      5 unique South African safari experiences

      South Africa

      Isolated Bush Escapes

      South Africa

      Quoin Rock: South Africa’s Golden Vineyard

      South Africa

      Four must-have South African wines for your collection

      South Africa

      A Heavenly Wine Staycation: The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

      Spirituality

      Navigating Depression: A Personal Reflection

      Spirituality

      Walking Italy: The Way of St Francis

      Spirituality

      What is Devastation?

      Spirituality

      A Letter to Myself

      Spirituality

      Love, Hope and Faith

      Spirituality

      What I'm Learning

      Spirituality

      Words and Pictures

      Spirituality

      The Locked Church

  • SAFARI GUIDE
  • TRAVEL GUIDE
  • CAPE TOWN GUIDE
  • MEET JARED
  • PORTFOLIO
  • Contact