Rovos Rail African Trilogy Tour Notes

Rovos Rail African Trilogy

Tour Notes

Welcome to your upcoming tour! These Tour Notes are designed to provide you with important information about your journey, helping you prepare for a smooth and enjoyable experience. Inside, you’ll find essential details about your destination, including cultural insights, local customs, weather tips, and packing recommendations.

We’ve also included practical information about your tour, such as meeting points, transportation details, and any specific requirements or reminders. Please take a moment to review these notes thoroughly—they’ll help ensure you’re ready to make the most of this exciting adventure!


Pre-Travel FormPre-Travel Form

We need some important information prior to your trip. This information will include your flight details, which we need for your transfer. Please fill in this information as soon as possible.



Options For Your Tour

Use this form to add options to your tour.

Add pre-night accommodation to your tour at the beautiful, five-star Irene Country Lodge.

Arrival DetailsDepartAirport Transfers
Arrival Details
Arrive to Johannesburg, South Africa – O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) – at any time on or before first day of tour.
Departure Details
Depart from Walvis Bay, Namibia – Walvis Bay International Airport (WVB) – after 4:00PM on last day of tour.
Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are included with your tour. You will be met at the airport. After you exit the secure area look for someone with a sign with either your name or the Women’s Travel Club.  
 
If you have purchased your own pre-night or post night accommodations (not through the Women’s Travel Club) you will have to arrange your own airport transfer or take a taxi.

Flight BookingFlight Booking

The Women’s Travel Club recommends booking flexible/refundable air tickets when possible. Please do not book flights until your tour status is guaranteed. Once your flights are booked, please enter your flight information on the pre-travel form above.

If you would like assistance booking international flights for your tour, please use the form below. The Women’s Travel Club Flight Desk will work with you to arrange the best options.

Our flight management fee is CAD 100.00 + HST per tour.



Entry Requirements and Information

Visa

For Canadian and U.S. citizens, a visa is not required for stays of less than 90 days in South Africa and Namibia.

Passport

Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond the date you expect to depart and have at least 2 completely blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

Vaccinations

While no specific vaccinations are required, we recommend that your routine vaccinations are up to date and that you visit a local travel health clinic or doctor for advice prior to the trip. It is recommended to take anti-malarial medication during this tour. It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure they meet all requirements.

Please note that proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country where yellow fever occurs.

Travel requirements may change at any time. Please visit your government’s travel recommendations page.
Canada – https://travel.gc.ca/ 
USA –  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html


Suggested Packing List

This is a suggested packing list for your tour. Please keep in mind that your personal needs or requirements may differ from the items on this list.

– Flight information and documents – eticket number
– Travel insurance policy (with photocopies)
– Passport (with photocopies)
– Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination (if required)
– Pen (please bring your own for filling out documents)
– Bandana or buff
– Binoculars
– Camera (with extra memory cards and batteries)
– Cash, credit card and debit card
– Cell phone, tablet, etc with charging cables
– Day pack (for daily excursions)
– Ear plugs (if needed)
– Electrical adapter and converter
– External charger
– First-aid kit and medications (bring extra medications in their prescription bottles/packages)
– Flashlight and/or head lamp
– Fleece top/sweater
– Footwear including comfortable closed toe shoes
– Formal, cocktail/evening wear for dinners on board the train
– Hat
– Headphones or earbuds
– Light jacket
– Locks for bags
– Long pants, capris and/or shorts
– Money belt (optional)
– Neutral coloured clothing for safari
– Outfits for 1920’s and African themed dinners on board the train
– Personal entertainment (reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc)
– Refillable water bottle
– Shirts (blouses, t-shirts, tank tops, etc)
– Sleepwear
– Small travel towel (optional)
– Smart outfit (optional for evenings out)
– Sunglasses
– Swimsuit and wrap
– Toiletries
– Watch and/or alarm clock
– Windproof rain jacket

WeatherCurrencyType C Plug
Weather
The month of October in South Africa offers comfortable temperatures as high as 28°C (82°F) and daily average of 16°C (60°F) in cooler areas. It is the spring season in South Africa. This dry period is great for safaris and multi-region trips. Temperatures will be similar in Namibia, with it being warmer in the desert areas.
Currency
There are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in Africa. Check with your bank prior to your departure.
 
SOUTH AFRICA:
The official currency of South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR). We recommend that you exchange money into South African Rands (ZAR) as other currencies are not widely accepted.
 
Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in Africa. Check with your bank prior to your departure.
 
NAMIBIA:
The Namibian Dollar is the official currency and is fixed to and equals the South African Rand. These currencies can be used freely in Namibia, but the Namibian Dollar is not legal tender in South Africa.
 
ATM’s are widely available throughout the country for cash withdrawals. In addition, there are four main commercial banks in Namibia (Standard Bank, FNB, Nedbank and Bank Windhoek). These banks have foreign currency exchange facilities.
 
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Please note, service stations do not accept credit for petrol.
 
General Sales Tax (GST) in Namibia is 15% on goods and services. Bonafide tourists to Namibia are exempt from paying sales duty or excise duty on luxury items. Visitors may reclaim VAT at Hosea Kutako International Airport, Eros Airport and Walvis Bay Airport. If you intend to claim the VAT back from your purchases, make sure you arrive a bit earlier at the airport as this takes some time to complete.
Electric Outlets
In South Africa there are four associated plug types, types C, D, M and N. Type C plugs have two round pins, type D and M plugs have three round pins in a triangular pattern and type N plugs have three round pins. South Africa operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

In Namibia there are two associated plug types, types D and M. Type D and M plugs both have three round pins in a triangular pattern. Namibia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

A universal all-in-one travel adapter (can be purchased from retailers like Amazon) will allow you to plug in and charge most electronic devices. Most electronic devices have built-in converters. However, if you plan to use North American appliances like hair dryers, flat irons or curling irons you will need a converter.

Other Information

Luggage

It is possible to store luggage in your suite under the bed or above the door on a luggage rack, which provides ample space for storage. There are no luggage restrictions on board although we do not recommend more than two large suitcases. On selected long journeys, guests are provided with a Rovos Rail tog bag that can be used for overnight trips or hand luggage on aircraft. A soft bag is preferable on plane transfers with a luggage weight restriction of 15kg.

Suites & Coaches (Measurements in centimetres (cm) = Length x Width)

Each train has accommodation carriages, dining cars, a lounge car (±26 seats), small gift shop, smoking lounge (±11 seats) and observation car (±32 seats) with open-air balcony. The suites are elegant and spacious offering passengers privacy and comfort with double or twin beds and fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. All have en-suites with shower, toilet, basin and bath (Royal only), tea facilities, safes, air conditioning, linen and amenities and are serviced daily. There is adequate storage and small cupboards with hangers and shelves.

Deluxe Suites (±10m2/±108ft2) have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. BEDS: Lengthways Double 189×189 • Crosswise Double 189×160 • Split Twin 189×75.

Pullman Gold Suites (±7m2/±76ft2) on LONG journeys only (dependent on capacity) have an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. During the day the suite is setup with split twin beds configured as couches. BEDS: Double 189×189 • Split Twin 189×75.

Aircrafts to Sossusvlei

Private Cessna, light aircrafts are used for air transfer to visit Sossusvlei.

Gift Shop/Administration

There is a small gift shop on the train and at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. Due to the varying exchange rates, credit cards are preferred. The Administration Deputy on duty has a basic first aid kit and personal essentials (toothbrushes, razors, earplugs etc.). He/she will also fulfil any administrative requirements and check your onward arrangements.