Sponsored by Rovos Rail

Help your customers experience the best of the region by pairing a South Africa cruise with a Rovos Rail escorted train holiday, writes Kaye Holland

Rather like cruising, an escorted rail holiday is an exciting way to travel – where the journey becomes as much a part of the experience as the destination.

Passengers are invited to sit back, relax and admire the scenery, before experiencing the destination’s landscapes, discovering its history and getting to know its culture, food and traditions first-hand via a carefully curated selection of excursions.

Yet, while shore excursions are perfect for giving a flavour of each port of call, having that little bit more time on land – which is what an escorted rail tour offers – gives customers a different perspective and a deeper understanding of their destination.

So, if a South or East Africa cruise – with its promise of rolling grasslands, vibrant cities and beautiful beaches – is on your client’s bucket list, why not suggest they add an escorted train journey either pre or post-sailing for the ultimate holiday adventure?

When it comes to escorted rail journeys in southern Africa, Rovos Rail, owned by the Vos family, is the company to get on board with, hitting all the highlights – from the mighty Victoria Falls to enormous Etosha National Park.

Its beautifully restored locomotive trains include air-conditioned royal suites, which take up half a carriage each, as well as four-course gourmet dinners and world-class wines served in wood-panelled carriages.

Itineraries range from three to 15 days in length and venture as far as Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Swakopmund in Namibia, although the most popular route is between Cape Town and Pretoria.

Yet no matter which rail tour your clients choose, they’ll soon discover that the greatest pleasure is the journey itself.

Below, we break down five reasons to pair your customers’ holidays with a Rovos adventure.

Hit the capital

Want to tick off two capital cities in a single trip while only having to unpack once? Rovos Rail’s three-night Cape Town to Pretoria (or vice versa) itinerary allows your clients to do just that.

After seeing cosmopolitan Cape Town and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned during apartheid, recapture the romance of a bygone era by hopping on a train journey via the Cape Winelands to Pretoria, South Africa’s executive capital.

Time your journey right and the jacaranda trees will be in bloom creating lilac canopies across the city. Guided outings at Kimberley, home to the country’s biggest diamond mine, and the village of Matjiesfontein – once a Victorian health spa – are also included.

Step into the wild

Nothing beats the thrill of seeing Africa’s big five – lions, leopards, elephants, African buffalo and rhinoceros – in the wild. Rovos Rail offers several thrilling safari excursions that will live long in your clients’ memories.

Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is renowned for its big cats and large herds of elephants. Elsewhere in South Africa, Nambiti Game Reserve guarantees a safari experience that should have clients purring.

Led by knowledgeable guides, they’ll bond with a maximum of six people over extraordinary wildlife experiences with a few choice luxuries along the way.

Discover the world’s best wines

South Africa is the southern hemisphere’s oldest wine-producing country and the good news for oenophiles is that they can enjoy wine pairings with both lunch and dinner.

Even better? The food and wine pairings are included in the costs of a Rovos Rail land tour, as are other top‑shelf South African offerings, such as gin, rum, whisky, beer, cider and non-alcoholic options.

Meanwhile, professional sommeliers are onboard to educate guests about the different regions and styles.

Go off grid

Most Rovos Rail departures are from the outfit’s 60-acre, colonial-style private station at Capital Park in Pretoria. Here clients will be welcomed by a Vos family member – and a glass of chilled Champagne – and taken on an informative and engaging 30-minute tour to learn how the carriages are built and how the semi-retired steam locomotives are maintained.

The private station also marks the last place to connect to the internet because, in keeping with its theme of yesteryear, there is no Wi-Fi access on board – while mobile phones and laptops can only be accessed in individual suites.

It’s an excuse to ditch the tech, sit back and enjoy the constantly changing scenery, while taking another sip of fine wine.

Hit a hole-in-one

Every golfer knows that South Africa is one of the world’s leading destinations for a golfing holiday, with top-notch championship courses to test your swing around every corner.

White River in Mbombela, Nkonyeni in Royal Swazi and Durban Country Club are just some of the golf courses that feature on selected Rovos Rail land tour itineraries – and all are far above par.