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Rohan Vos

"Rovos Rail Tours (Proprietary) Limited" trades as "Rovos Rail Tours" and is commonly referred to simply as "Rovos Rail"; it is a private company owned by the Vos family. Founded by Rohan Vos in 1989, Rovos Rail offers luxury train trips. You can book discounted trips on Rovos by joining their club, once you have travelled twice with them (ie the discount is for your third trip).

Rovos Rail Pretoria

Rovos Rail's Pretoria station is at 1 Transnet Avenue, Pretoria. It is also their head office. Below are the directions to Rovos Rail Pretoria Station, if you get lost phone 012-315-8242

Directions from JNB (OR Tambo International Airport) to Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria

• Exit the OR Tambo International Airport onto the R21.
• Stay in the left lane and merge onto Scheiding Street.
• Continue as Scheiding Street becomes Bosman Street.
• Drive to the end of Bosman Street and turn right onto Book Street.
• Take a slight left onto Paul Kruger Street.
• Cross over Flowers Street and Trouw Street.
• Drive under the first railway bridge, then take a slight left onto Transient Avenue.
• Follow the signs to Rovos Rail Station.

Directions from Johannesburg on the M1 to Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria:

• Drive down Kgosi Mamouru Street (formerly Potgieters Street).
• Turn right onto Boom Street.
• Take a slight left onto Paul Kruger Street.
• Cross over Flowers Street and Trouw Street.
• Pass under the first railway bridge, then take a slight left onto Transnet Avenue.
• Follow the signs to Rovos Rail Station.

Transfers from Rovos Rail Station Pretoria

An option is "Ulysses Tours & Safaris cc", who offer transfers as well as airport shuttles.

• Phone landline at +27-12-6530016
• Phone after-hours at +27-82-5665506
• Email reservations@ulysses.co.za

Gautrain Station

The nearest Gautrain station to Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria is the Pretoria Station. You can take a taxi or Uber drive from there to reach Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria; about a 15 minute drive.

Photo credit to Rovos Rail

The red carpet is rolled out for passengers at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria.

A commemorative plaque at Rovos Rail Station reads: "This building was originally constructed in 1943 by the South African Railways as an apprentice school attached to the Capital Park steam locomotive depot. It was rebuilt with additions in 1999 by Rohan Vos to serve as a station and administrative centre for Rovos Rail. The new facility was officially opened by Mr Leslie Boyd vice chairman of Anglo American on Friday the 7th May 1999."

Luxury hotels near Pretoria Station

It's advised to book a night at a hotel in Pretoria at the start or end of your trip. Click here to see a list of luxury hotel options for Rovos rail guests.

Rovos Rail Victoria Falls

• Pretoria to Victoria Falls with Rovos Rail
• Victoria Falls to Pretoria with Rovos Rail

Rovos Rail Cape Town

• Pretoria to Cape Town with Rovos Rail
• Cape Town to Pretoria with Rovos Rail

Rovos Rail Durban

• Pretoria to Durban with Rovos Rail
• Durban to Pretoria with Rovos Rail

Rovos Rail Walvis Bay (Namibia)

• Pretoria to Walvis Bay with Rovos Rail
• Walvis Bay to Pretoria with Rovos Rail
• Cape Town to Walvis Bay with Rovos Rail
• Walvis Bay to Cape Town with Rovos Rail

Locomotives

It runs refurbished Rhodesia Railways trains.

Suites

All the Rovos Rail suites are luxurious compared to what you'd usually get in a train; but even luxurious comes in different grades. The Pullman suite is the most basic (but still has an en-suite shower/toilet), Deluxe suites have a bit more space in them, and tthe Royal suite is the largest (it even has a victorian style bath).

Pullman Suite

Pullman Suites (approximately 7m²) feature an en-suite bathroom equipped with a shower, toilet, and basin. During the day, the suite includes a cozy couch that can be transformed into several sleeping arrangements.

BEDS have several possible setups:

• Crosswise Double 189x150 cm
• Side-by-side Twin 189x75 cm (configured using single-bed linens;  (the side by side twin looks exactly like the crosswise double but there are two mattresses and seperate linen for each)
• Single Lower Bunk 189x94 cm • Single Upper Bunk 189x60 cm (traditional upper bunk single and lower bunk single)

Double bunkbed setup in a Pullman suite (below):

View of a Pullman suite during the day when the bed gets folded into a couch (below):

Deluxe Suite

The Deluxe Suite may either be fitted for a double bed (see above) or twin single beds (see below).

Royal Suite

Rovos Rail's most luxurious suite is known as the "Royal Suite".

Note the massive Victorian style bath in the bathroom (deluxe suites only have a shower):

Twin beds setup in a royal suite:

Room service

Dining car

And from the outside of the train:

Romantic couple in the dining car.

Club lounge car

Lounge car

Observation car

A romantic couple on the observation balcony:

Cellphones & Computers

Passengers may only use their cellphones and omputers in their private suites. s

Amenity kit

Rovos Rail provide passengers with a nifty amenity kit containing a collection of soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, suntan lotion, ear buds and insect repellant.

History & News

• 18 Apr 2025. "ROVOS RAIL STATEMENT.On Friday 18 April 2025 at 06:30, the Rovos Rail train en route to Victoria Falls had a head-on collision with a cargo train near Gwanda in Zimbabwe. This occurred on the BBR line (Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway). The cause of the accident is being investigated. We had 47 guests and 34 staff members on board. No injuries were sustained by our guests. Four staff members are receiving medical attention and are expected to recover in the next two weeks. At 12.30 on Friday, all guests disembarked the train and were transferred to a hotel in Bulawayo. On Saturday 19 April, they were flown from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls where we arranged accommodation. The two Rovos Rail locomotives and four damaged coaches will be returned to our headquarters in South Africa before the end of April. During our 36 years of operation, Rovos Rail has continued to comply with all rail safety regulations. We have consistently travelled on the BBR line for over 20 years and have never had any serious incidents. We pride ourselves on the experience we provide for our guests, which is underpinned by safety for all onboard. We sincerely regret this occurrence but, rest assured, the safety and well-being of our guests and staff is paramount. >Rohan, Tiffany and our communications department are on hand. Should you have any queries, please contact Liezl Maclean communications@rovos.co.za. We are grateful for all your messages and thank you for your support during this time.Rovos Rail Tours"
  
  ROVOS RAIL STATEMENT on 25 Apr 2025 Dear Valued Travel Partners Following the incident in Zimbabwe on Friday 18 April 2025, the affected railway line near Gwanda reopened on Thursday 24 April 2025. Two Rovos Rail trains have now travelled safely through that section since. All our scheduled departures are running as planned. One of our staff members remains in hospital receiving treatment. The incident is still being investigated by BBR (Beitbridge Bulawayo Railways). Please rest assured that our safety protocols remain stringent and our team resolute in their principal. If you or your clients require direct reassurances, please be sure to reach out to us. Rohan, Tiffany and our communications department are on hand. Should you have any queries, please contact Liezl Maclean communications@rovos.co.za. We are grateful for all your messages and thank you for your support during this time. Rovos Rail Tours
  
  This Good Friday incident occurred at about 7am outside Gwanda near Hantinya Village; with 1 Rovos coach having collided with the train ahead, another overturned ending some 5m from the track, whilst a 3rd coach went off the rails into the bush alongside the track. The Gwanda Fire Brigade were the heroes of the day; rescuing those trapped in the wreckage. The injured were flown to Bulawayo's Mater Dei Hospital or went to Gwanda Provincial Hospital. Rovos Rail's train services will continue without any change to the schedule.  Passengers hailed from Canada, Denmark, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and SA
  
  ROVOS RAIL STATEMENT on 9 May 2025. "We are extremely sad to advise that our colleague Elliot Padi has passed away. He was injured in a railway accident near Gwanda in Zimbabwe on Friday 18 April 2025.
  
  We extend our deepest condolences to Elliot’s family, friends and colleagues. He was a much-loved member of the Rovos Rail family – respected for his dedication, kindness and professionalism. His loss is deeply felt by our team and many of our guests who had the privilege of knowing him. We are providing his family with assistance during this time and respectfully request privacy on their behalf.
  
  We continue to cooperate with the investigation led by Beitbridge Bulawayo Railways (BBR). This remains an isolated incident on a privately managed section of line that we have traversed for over 20 years, and is not the result of track condition.
  
  The well-being of our guests and staff remains our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining the high standards of safety and service for which we are known. All our services remain fully operational as scheduled.
  
  Rohan, Tiffany and our communications department are on hand. Should you have any queries, please contact Liezl Maclean at communications@rovos.co.za.
  Thank you for your continued understanding and support.
  Rovos Rail Tours"
  
  

• 27 Sep 2024. A Rovos Rail train is prepped for The Great Train Chase in Heidelberg.

• 13 Sep 2024 : Competition to win a trip in a Rovos Rail Pullman cabin.
• 2024. The Shongololo Express is dissolved into Rovos Rail.
• 2022. The launch of the Copper Trail and African Trilogy.
• 2019. The inaugural trip from Dar es Salaam to Lobito (Angola), the "Trail of Two Oceans".
• 2017. The Pretoria to Vic Falls train trip starts going through Beitbridge again.
• 2016. The first Rovos Rail diesel powered locomotive travels to Dar es Salaam.
• 2015. The Shongololo Express is bought.
• 2013. An observation car is launched.
• 2010. Seaforth House is bought.
• 2009. The St James Manor and Homestead are purhased by Rovos Rail.
• 2008. The inaugural Cape to Cairo itineraries were completed.
• 2007. A steam train is rebuilt for Bushtracks to become the Bushtracks Express at Victoria Falls.
• 2006. The direct rail route between Victoria Falls and Pretoria is reintroduced.
• 2005. Pullman suites are launched.
• 2003. 14 coaches are purchased.
• 2001. The first 9 day Rovos Rail Golf Safari.
• 2000. Rovos Rail Pretoria to Durban Safari's are launched; covering Hluhluwe, the Kruger and Mkhaya Reserve in (then) Swaziland.
• 1999. The new Rovos Rail Station is opened.
• 1998. Rovos launches a train journey from Pretoria to Swakopmund, via Kimberley, the Fish River Canyon and Windhoek.
• 1997. Transnet's property division signs a lease with Rovos Rail over Capital Park, Rovos Rail's railway yard.
• 1994: Rovos Rail breaks even for the first time. Train journeys from Pretoria to Victoria Falls via Botswana are launched.
• 1993. The inaugural Rovos Rail train trip to Dar es Salaam takes place; the start of a an annual visit to Tanzania.
• 1992. A few train trips were run between Pretoria and Maputo.
• 1991. Monthly train journeys between Pretoria and Cape Town are launched.
• 1990. To celebrate the company's first birthday, a series of steam train trips are arranged for the travel trade, between Simonstown and Cape Town.
• 1989 : The Victoria Hotel, a railway hotel from 1893, is restored; and serves as the company's offices and the departure point for the first Rovos Rail train trip through the (then) Transvaal Province.
• 1988. Rovos Rail appoints its first staff member in the marketing division, Joy Hayward
• 1987. The first trip in locomotive 2702 Bianca (Bianca is the name of Rohan and Anthea's daughter; all the locomotives are named after their children - Brenda, Bianca, Tiffany and Shaun).
• 1986. Rohan Vos get permission to run a train on South Africa's national rail network.
• Rovos Rail is founded by Rohan Vos

Safety record

Whilst train travel is not without its incidents, this March 2024 study by the Railway Safety Regulator oif South Africa indicated that Rovos Rail had the least incidents of all railway operators surveyed:

Table 6: Analysis of Safety Culture Documentation submitted on NIMS.

			NIMS SUBMITTED SAFETY CULTURE DOCUMENTATION  EFFECTINESS ASSESSMENT
OPERATOR NAME	PERMIT GROUP		SMS DETERMINATION SAFETY CULTURE REQUIREMENTS
		COMMITTED	INFORMED	HIGH LEVELS OF	PROMOTING A “JUST	PROMOTING	ENCOURAGING
		LEADERSHIP	STAFF (9.3)	VIGILANCE (8.2)	CULTURE”	ORGANIZATIONAL	WILLINGNESS TO
		(8.1.1)		(NOT REQUIRED	ENVIRONMENT	FLEXIBILITY (9.1) (NOT	LEARN (8.4) (NOT
				FOR GROUP B)	(8.3.2.3) (NOT	REQUIRED FOR GROUP B)	REQUIRED FOR GROUP
					REQUIRED FOR GROUP		B)
					B)
PRASA	A	4	4	3	3	3	3
TRANSNET	A	2	2	2	2	2	2
BOC	A	4	4	4	4	4	4
INYANDA MINING HOLDINGS	A	3	3	1	1	1	1
ENGEN	A	4	4	3	3	3	3
KUDUMANE MANGANESE RESOURCES	A	1	1	1	1	1	1
SIYANDA BAKGATLA	A	1	1	1	1	1	1
SIBANYE RUSTERNBURG	A	5	5	5	5	5	5
APLOROX	A	1	1	1	1	1	1
MAKOYA	A	1	1	1	1	1	1
PINDULO VDM	A	4	4	3	3	3	3
ROVOS RAIL	B	4	5	0	0	0	0
EASIGAS	B	4	3	0	0	0	0
CHROMTECH	B	3	4	0	0	0	0
NATREF	B	2	3	0	0	0	0
LE&GE	B	4	4	0	0	0	0
EKURHULENI	B	2	2	0	0	0	0

 

	SAFETY CULTURE EFF	ECTIVENSS  ASSESSMENT RATING SCALE
0	N/A Group B	Information not submitted due to exemption
1	Strongly Disagree	Documentation submitted does not meet the requirement
2	Disagree	Documentation submitted partial does not meet the requirements
3	Neutral	not clear if it meets the requirements or not( not rail related)
4	Agree	that it meets the requirement
5	Strongly Agree	meet the requirement

 

Direct booking with Rovos Rail

Note that if you book directly with Rovos Rail you wont qualify for SA Travel Online's travel vouchers for reviews, or be able to access Cape Town adventure experiences at package rates, or be able to earn R50 per golf hole parred on the Rovos Rail golf safari.

Rovos Rail's offices (including reservations) are open Monday-Friday 08h00-17h00 GMT+2. Public Holidays: 21 Mar, 29 Mar, 1 Apr, 1 May, 29 May, 17 Jun, 9 Aug, 24 Sep, 16 Dec, 25 Dec and 26 Dec 2024. You can contact them at:

• Phone, Pretoria:  012 315 8242
• Phone, Cape Town:  021 421 4020
• Email: reservations@rovos.co.za
• WhatsApp bookings

Rovos Rail PR & Marketing

communications@rovos.co.za

Jobs at Rovos Rail

trainhr@rovos.co.za (train applications)

hr@rovos.co.za (general Human Resources)

Rovos Rail's website

See www.rovos.com.

Company details

• VAT number : 4100127523
• Registration number : 1990/004503/07
• Director : Rohan B Vos.
• Head office address: 1 Transnet Ave, Capital Park, Tshwane, Gauteng Province, SA

• Cape Town address : Rovos Rail Lounge, 1 Adderley St, Paul Sauer Building,
• Durban address : Durban Station Lounge, Jelf Taylor Crescent, Stamford Hill

Associations

Rovos Rail Tours have memberships with the following travel organisations:

• ASA Africa
• ATTA Travel
• FEDHASA
• SATSA
• SKAL
• TOMSA

Reviews

• 4.7 star rating on Google for Rovos Rail Tours (Pty) Ltd.
• 4.5 star rating on Tripadvisor for Rovos Rail; 1st out of 32 in the Transportation in Pretoria category.
• Even on HelloPeter, South Africa's harshest consumer complaints platform, Rovos Rail has achieved a 3.6 star rating (click here to see details).

 

Travel Agents wanting to book Rovos Rail

Travel agents can book Rovos Rail trips for their clients in exchange for an agreed commission. If you're part of the travel trade, give us a shout and we'll put you in touch with the right people at Rovos Rail. Commission is reserved for travel companies that are actively selling Rovos Rail Tours (Pty) Ltd. products, including Rovos Rail and The St James Guesthouses

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