Rovos Rail: A romantic honeymoon on a luxurious practice journey by Southern Africa

With journey being again on everyones agenda after a tough few years, we’re loving seeing how persons are selecting to honeymoon. For one thing a little bit out of the odd ZHENYA SWAN is taking us again in time for a 3-day unforgettable journey from Victoria Falls to Pretoria on the ROVOS RAIL. For {couples} searching for a singular and unforgettable journey expertise, this overland journey is the right alternative. The luxurious practice journey by the guts of Southern Africa combines the fun of journey with the romance of a bygone period. From the second you step into the elegant classic inside, you may be transported again in time to the golden age of journey. Zhenya shares with us, “Being an skilled traveler by the African continent, it isn’t straightforward to wow me, and but this journey left me with probably the most stunning and distinctive reminiscences shared with my associate. It felt like I used to be a personality in a romance film, and no, there was no homicide on the practice, nonetheless, we did expertise some sudden occasions

ROVOS RAIL was based in 1989 by Rohan Vos, a passionate collector of classic locomotives and rolling inventory. As we speak, it’s thought of one of the crucial luxurious trains on this planet, providing a variety of journeys by South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. The practice is meticulously restored to its former glory, with beautiful interval furnishings and decor that evoke the glamour of the early twentieth century. Attention-grabbing reality: you possibly can witness this practice and its interiors within the well-known film “A United Kingdom” which is devoted to the romance between the inheritor to the throne of Bechuanaland (present Botswana), Seretse Khama, and his spouse Ruth Williams Khama (performed by Rosamund Pike).

There aren’t any radios or televisions on the practice to take care of the spirit of touring in an old style model. The usage of cell phones, laptops, and primarily something that may disturb different passengers is confined to the privateness of the fits solely. Frankly, you gained’t even want to make use of them as there isn’t any wifi on the practice and no cell connection for many of the route. It’s a nice alternative to dive deeper into the expertise, into your relationship, or relatively replicate in your internal emotions which reveal themselves so vividly on this journey.

The ROVOS RAIL expertise begins on the station, the place visitors are greeted by liveried porters and dancers from a area people, in addition to being served a welcome drink. As you agree into your cabin, you may be charmed by the eye to element and the luxurious facilities on supply. Every cabin is elegantly appointed with advantageous materials, polished wooden partitions, and personal en-suite loos. There are three lessons of lodging to select from, starting from the comfortable Pullman Suites to the spacious Royal Suites with their non-public balconies. We stayed in a Deluxe Suite and I imagine this performed a necessary position within the general expertise. Sleeping in a king-sized mattress, journaling on the previous wood desk whereas the genuine African surroundings handed by to the sounds of the wheels rattling towards the rails – these had been the priceless reminiscences gained within the cabin.

Because the practice makes its approach by the beautiful landscapes of Southern Africa, you’ll have the chance to discover the area’s wealthy cultural heritage and pure wonders. Relying in your itinerary, you could go to historic cities, nationwide parks, or vineyards, and luxuriate in a alternative of actions resembling guided excursions, recreation drives, and wine tastings. There are additionally loads of alternatives for leisure, with spa remedies and afternoon tea served on board.

The route we took from Victoria Falls to Pretoria is understood to be one of the crucial spectacular practice journeys on this planet. This 1,600 km journey takes passengers by among the most breathtaking landscapes in Southern Africa and is crammed with fascinating information and historical past. The journey begins with a cease on the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge, which was in-built 1905. The bridge is 111 meters excessive and spans the Zambezi River, providing beautiful views of Victoria Falls. The following morning the practice passes by Hwange Nationwide Park, which is the biggest recreation reserve in Zimbabwe. The park is dwelling to over 100 species of mammals and 400 species of birds, together with elephants, lions, and cheetahs. We made a cease at 5 am and launched into a 4-5 hour recreation drive with a tea/espresso cease within the coronary heart of the bush. As we continued the journey, we may spot extra animals whereas having lunch, proper from the window. Because the practice travels by nationwide parks, it rides very slowly on the pace of 30-35 km an hour, so there are good probabilities to seek out wildlife proper alongside the best way.

Amongst different fascinating websites that shall be met on the best way are the Matobo Hills (4-night journey solely), the Karoo Desert, and the Limpopo River.

One of many highlights of the journey is the beautiful delicacies served on board. The practice has a status for its distinctive eating expertise, with meals ready by knowledgeable cooks utilizing the freshest native substances. Whether or not you favor a hearty breakfast, a gourmand lunch, or a luxurious five-course dinner, you may be handled to a feast for the senses. Company are required to put on formal outfits for dinner (for males a swimsuit with a tie is a minimal requirement) and this provides a particular ambiance to the night as you sit surrounded by finely dressed women and gents and in addition take your time to dress in a cabin for a special day. I couldn’t think about I would want to convey elegant maxi clothes to Africa however ended up packing fairly just a few choices. There may be additionally a bar carriage, the place you possibly can get pleasure from a variety of drinks (their pink G&T was my all-time favorite) whereas taking in beautiful views.

For {couples}, the ROVOS RAIL journey is an particularly romantic expertise. Whether or not you might be celebrating a special day, happening a honeymoon journey, or just need to spend high quality time collectively, the practice gives an ideal setting for love. Think about sipping champagne because the solar units over the African savannah, or having fun with a candlelit dinner beneath the celebrities. The practice’s intimate setting and attentive service create an environment of romance and luxurious that’s exhausting to match. I keep in mind one night once we had been sitting within the commentary automobile, and a heat humid breeze was blowing in our faces, it was barely raining outdoors and subsequently a rainbow popped up within the sky and the Solar fought by the clouds. It was a lyrical second to share. 

For my part, a journey on ROVOS RAIL is an journey that each couple ought to expertise at the very least as soon as of their lifetime. From the beautiful landscapes to the beautiful delicacies and the luxurious facilities, this can be a journey that may create reminiscences to final a lifetime. Whether or not you might be searching for journey, romance, or just a break from the routine of day by day life, you’ll obtain a singular and unforgettable expertise that’s positive to go away you enchanted. 

P.S. Concerning the sudden occasions that I discussed… through the time we had been there, the Limpopo area was severely flooded and it was everywhere in the information. We had severe considerations that the final leg of the route may very well be discontinued, however fortunately we simply did just a few emergency stops on the best way to ensure the tracks had been clear and protected to journey. Nonetheless, this made it an much more memorable expertise, as I’m positive there weren’t so many passengers earlier than and after witnessing excessive climate circumstances, and big storms that fashioned into probably the most stunning scenes of pure metamorphoses.