Rovos Rail, the most luxurious train in the world: Pretoria to Cape Town trip report
video description
Date: 2019-09-06
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 9
Arthur Manolopoulos
Sorry to spoil the party folks but this, seems to me, a come back to 'neo-colonialism', with all the super luxury and fanfare about style, splendid accommodation and lavish plates of food and drinks. No doubt it is an amazing train ride for the few privileged passengers that can afford it, while one can briefly see the slams of the outer Kimberley areas (at 21. 18') With provocative videos such as this, is there any wonder why crime in large parts of S. Africa has become endemic? Again, I am sorry for saying so but, after watching the entire video, this is the very first thing that came to my mind.
reply
Sorry to spoil the party folks but this, seems to me, a come back to 'neo-colonialism', with all the super luxury and fanfare about style, splendid accommodation and lavish plates of food and drinks. No doubt it is an amazing train ride for the few privileged passengers that can afford it, while one can briefly see the slams of the outer Kimberley areas (at 21. 18') With provocative videos such as this, is there any wonder why crime in large parts of S. Africa has become endemic? Again, I am sorry for saying so but, after watching the entire video, this is the very first thing that came to my mind.
reply
Aquarius1011
I stay by Cape Town, and one Sunday evening I saw that train arrive. I then walked passed it, looking at it, quite luxurious. The people were saying they had a good time. I wouldn't mind travelling. Some of that food, like the deserts, looks nice. The Big Hole Museum in Kimberley has been upgraded quite a bit I see, since I was last there in the 1990's. The Big Hole itself is quite a sight. Gee, I never knew that about Matjiesfontein. On the train I wouldn't mind sitting on one of those benches right at the back, on the balcony, and seeing the passing sights fading away into the distance.
reply
I stay by Cape Town, and one Sunday evening I saw that train arrive. I then walked passed it, looking at it, quite luxurious. The people were saying they had a good time. I wouldn't mind travelling. Some of that food, like the deserts, looks nice. The Big Hole Museum in Kimberley has been upgraded quite a bit I see, since I was last there in the 1990's. The Big Hole itself is quite a sight. Gee, I never knew that about Matjiesfontein. On the train I wouldn't mind sitting on one of those benches right at the back, on the balcony, and seeing the passing sights fading away into the distance.
reply
Phil Sandercock
Hmm sweet potato and lychee soup That's just plain ole nasty. It didn't say how much you need to get once you've selected the bank you'll Rob to fund the trip. I'm in mixed up with the ol thing. its taking you back to the era that most people imagine steam trains crossing Africa under British rule and seeing pioneers trying to set their fourtune for life. I get that. Then there's the food breakfast looks like something you get from a motel, then evening dinner formal-wear 5 rules with 2 quality. It's defo relaxed holiday and repetitive scenery shame
reply
Hmm sweet potato and lychee soup That's just plain ole nasty. It didn't say how much you need to get once you've selected the bank you'll Rob to fund the trip. I'm in mixed up with the ol thing. its taking you back to the era that most people imagine steam trains crossing Africa under British rule and seeing pioneers trying to set their fourtune for life. I get that. Then there's the food breakfast looks like something you get from a motel, then evening dinner formal-wear 5 rules with 2 quality. It's defo relaxed holiday and repetitive scenery shame
reply
sulutkin
I was quite shocked how dry is almost everywhere, no plants, no trees, no bushes, no flowers, almost not anything on a trip except in the end when it comes to Stellenbosch it's totally different and Table Mountain. I would be in real trouble because I've never eaten lobsters and prawn, octopussy and so on and don't even know how or what to eat from them. Lots of fruits and that is nice but food amount on plates are quite small to me as a big guy and I would be quite hungry and have to order some extra food.
reply
I was quite shocked how dry is almost everywhere, no plants, no trees, no bushes, no flowers, almost not anything on a trip except in the end when it comes to Stellenbosch it's totally different and Table Mountain. I would be in real trouble because I've never eaten lobsters and prawn, octopussy and so on and don't even know how or what to eat from them. Lots of fruits and that is nice but food amount on plates are quite small to me as a big guy and I would be quite hungry and have to order some extra food.
reply
Hoof Kantoor
This is no ordanary train that goes from point A to B non stop, depending on the route they wil stop and take everyone on a game drive through the Kruger National Park or take you to Vic Valls or stop between stations where there is no platform so that the Passangers can apresiate the flowers in the Karoo food and drinks for the whole trip included if you are in a hurry take the 500 km/h train in Japan but if you are on holliday and want to relax this is the train
reply
This is no ordanary train that goes from point A to B non stop, depending on the route they wil stop and take everyone on a game drive through the Kruger National Park or take you to Vic Valls or stop between stations where there is no platform so that the Passangers can apresiate the flowers in the Karoo food and drinks for the whole trip included if you are in a hurry take the 500 km/h train in Japan but if you are on holliday and want to relax this is the train
reply
Raizel M
The trip of a lifetime The meals looked spectacular. I love the idea of thr train stopping at night. Trains can be so noisey, and they seem even more so at night. I suspect you need to be rather well-off to afford this sort of luxury. I didn't notice any younger people enjoying the trip and the menus were definitely chosen for the mature traveller. Thank you for sharing, I could never afford a trip like this.
reply
The trip of a lifetime The meals looked spectacular. I love the idea of thr train stopping at night. Trains can be so noisey, and they seem even more so at night. I suspect you need to be rather well-off to afford this sort of luxury. I didn't notice any younger people enjoying the trip and the menus were definitely chosen for the mature traveller. Thank you for sharing, I could never afford a trip like this.
reply
Bunny Biedenharn
0: 10 White cars generally speak of practicality, pushy and rapacious owners, or rental status. But silver cars SCREAM, I'm afraid, I'm having money problems, and Financial disaster looms. So, it's not surprising to see nothing but silver cars, in an affluent parking lot, in a world whose inhabitants have been marked for brutal genocide. I hope they all make it out, before that happens.
reply
0: 10 White cars generally speak of practicality, pushy and rapacious owners, or rental status. But silver cars SCREAM, I'm afraid, I'm having money problems, and Financial disaster looms. So, it's not surprising to see nothing but silver cars, in an affluent parking lot, in a world whose inhabitants have been marked for brutal genocide. I hope they all make it out, before that happens.
reply
Prof Gordon Land
One would think to meet Hercule Poirot amongst the travellers. What a most beautiful way to travel. In 1958 I have traveled from Paris to Athens on the Simplon Orient Express, when it was still the genuine Pullman train. It was an adventure one never forgets. It was very similar to this beautiful train. A train journey is so much nicer than a plain travel. What comfort and exclusivity
reply
One would think to meet Hercule Poirot amongst the travellers. What a most beautiful way to travel. In 1958 I have traveled from Paris to Athens on the Simplon Orient Express, when it was still the genuine Pullman train. It was an adventure one never forgets. It was very similar to this beautiful train. A train journey is so much nicer than a plain travel. What comfort and exclusivity
reply
Jos Brouwer
I was advised to look at Rovos from a steam train point of view. It looks like steam is just a homeopathic part of the experience, and dress code suit and tie (for dinner) is really not done for steam enthousiasts - real steam enthousiasts are more the anorak types (not me however. Do they serve a decent beer on board, or only spoilt grapejuice (some people call it wine?
reply
I was advised to look at Rovos from a steam train point of view. It looks like steam is just a homeopathic part of the experience, and dress code suit and tie (for dinner) is really not done for steam enthousiasts - real steam enthousiasts are more the anorak types (not me however. Do they serve a decent beer on board, or only spoilt grapejuice (some people call it wine?
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
