Author Archives: Liezl Maclean

Rovos Rail Train

Embracing the slow travel trend

No Comment Sep 24,2024 Journeys, Station, Victoria Falls

If you’re the type of traveller who enjoys the journey as much as the destination and prefers to experience every detail of your trip at a relaxed pace, then “slow travel” might be just the thing for you.

According to the Journal of Travel Research, “Slow tourism is characterized by reducing mobility and by taking time to explore local history and culture, while supporting the environment – the traveller’s main goals are relaxation, self-reflection, escape, novelty seeking, engagement and discovery.”  

It’s about more meaningful travel experiences, pausing to reflect, and savouring the journey, rather than rushing to tick off bucket list items. This tends to create a more fulfilling experience, longer lasting memories, and the feeling of being revitalised and refreshed once the trip is over.

With modern life now busier than ever, the constant information overload, packed schedules, and enslavement to technology, travellers are choosing to slow down, escape, relax and reconnect. It’s often quality as opposed to quantity, valuing what’s truly important – real human connection and the beauty of the world that surrounds us.

Slow travel encourages more leisurely modes of transport which is why train travel is becoming increasingly popular. And luxury train travel in particular takes travellers to a bygone era when slow travel was the norm with journeys being as much about the experience as the destination. Rovos Rail offers a genuine experience of slow travel by merging opulence with an unhurried pace, and I recently had the pleasure of experiencing this firsthand on a trip from Victoria Falls to Pretoria. It truly was more than just a journey, it was an indulgent adventure blending the luxury of the train with the thoughtfully planned stops to create authentic local experiences and an insight into the nature, cultures, and history along the route.

  • Rovos Rail Excursion

Embarking the train at The Victoria Falls Hotel, (as well as the disembarkation at Rovos Rail’s head office Capital Park) was in itself a charming throwback to a bygone era, and stepping onto the train is like stepping into a different world — where time slows down and elegance reigns.

Rovos Rail’s interiors embody the essence of slow travel by offering spaces where relaxation and extravagance are paramount – plush furnishings, polished wood panelling and the ultimate in comfort and attention to detail – it’s not about reaching a destination, but rather about luxuriating in the journey itself.

One of the highlights of the Rovos Rail experience is the exquisite dining. Meals are served in the elegant dining car, which exudes a refined atmosphere with old fashioned décor, cut glassware, beautiful silverware, and freshly starched linen. Mealtimes are not just about eating, it’s the entire experience from dressing up for dinner to savouring each course, and all of one’s senses are fulfilled. The menu highlights the best of Southern African cuisine from tender venison steaks to succulent seafood and freshly baked pastries all paired with fine wines from the region’s top vineyards. Afternoon tea, another cherished ritual, features a variety of teas accompanied by an array of decadent savoury and sweet delicacies.

One of the highlights of luxury train travel is the opportunity for unique connections with fellow travellers which enables one to meet interesting people from around the world. The communal areas, such as the lounge and observation car, are perfect for engaging conversations with other passengers, and the bar after dinner sees guests sharing stories and experiences, and often forging lasting friendships.

  • Rovos Rail Dining Cart

The journey from Victoria Falls to Pretoria spans approximately 1600 kilometres meandering through some of Southern Africa’s most stunning scenery. Rovos Rail passengers are fortunate to be able to appreciate the changing landscapes whilst relishing all that the train has to offer and being attended to by the attentive staff who are always on hand to cater to every want or need.

Yet the Rovos Rail journey is not just about the onboard experience, it also includes carefully curated excursions that allow passengers to explore the regions the train passes through.  We had the opportunity to disembark and enjoy game viewing in leading Southern African reserves and learn about the local flora and fauna, including close up encounters with the endangered rhino. 

Educational forays into the regions rich history are conducted by passionate and knowledgeable raconteurs who hold their audiences captive regaling stories ranging from the culture of the ancient San tribes – Africa’s original inhabitants, to the intriguing life of Cecil John Rhodes.

The journey from Victoria Falls to Pretoria on Rovos Rail was more than just a trip, it was an escape from the treadmill of life and technology, into a world where time moves at a more leisurely pace and every moment is a celebration of elegance and discovery.

Slow travel is not just a trend, it’s a mindset that encourages one to rediscover the joy of the journey – the leisurely pace, true escapism and relaxation, deeper connections, and a more meaningful appreciation of the world around us.

For a travel experience that combines exploration and opulence, Rovos Rail offers an unparalleled slow travel adventure – it’s an invitation to escape the humdrum of normal life, step back in time, revel in the ultimate of luxury, explore beautiful landscapes, and forge genuine connections with fellow travellers.

Written by Linda Sparks

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Women’s Month: Belinda Rakoma

No Comment Aug 30,2024 Guests, Journeys, Our Team, Victoria Falls

Belinda Rakoma is one of Rovos Rail’s unsung heroes working behind the scenes for 31 years! From humble beginnings as a casual cleaner at Pretoria Train Station in 1993, her journey with Rovos has carried her to the current position of Store Supervisor, a testament to her ambition.

Belinda’s primary responsibility is to prepare the beverage stock for all trips. Every Monday, she checks the schedule to determine the number of journeys, how many carriages are on each one and how many passengers are travelling. She also accounts for the menus, special requests and the guests’ nationalities because, for example, Germans often consume more beer. She is proud of this attention to detail.

Belinda and her strong team load a full bar onto each train for every trip. The carefully curated selection of local and international beverages – with a proud focus on South African offerings – includes wine, brandy, gin, rum, vodka, whisky, spirits, digestifs, grappa, liqueur, beer, cider, non-alcoholic options, mixers and a cocktail menu. Rovos Rail maintains its commitment to sustainability by sourcing water from Cape Town using plant-based bottles. All beverages on board are included while special requests may be ordered at an additional cost.

Belinda’s time with Rovos has not only taught her practical skills such as mixing drinks and understanding wines, she credits the company with invaluable lessons in communication and teamwork. She believes in letting go of grudges, avoiding gossip and communicating honestly, which is reflected in her grounded approach.

The highlights of her job extend beyond the bar from her first trip outside South Africa to the experiences of meeting new people and exploring new places. Her favourite Rovos destination is Victoria Falls.

Belinda lives in Soshanguve but her heritage is Eswatini where her mother was born, and Lesotho, her father’s origins. She enjoys cooking, walking and spring cleaning but her priorities lie with her three children and three grandchildren. Her goal is to ensure they all receive a quality education and can take care of themselves.

In Belinda Rakoma, Rovos Rail has a dedicated team player. Her passion, attention to detail and commitment to customer service are qualities that contribute to the company’s mission to provide luxury train travel.

So, the next time you’re on board, raise a glass to the hard work and dedication of Belinda and her team.

Written by Linda Sparks • Edited by Bianca Vos-Lynch

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Women’s Month: Mariëlle Wynbergen

No Comment Aug 23,2024 Guests, Journeys, Namibia Safari, Our Team

For nearly three decades, Mariëlle Wynbergen has been an integral part of the Rovos Rail family serving as the Reservations Manager for short trips. She has seen the company grow and adapt to many challenges and has learned invaluable lessons about the importance of caring for her team and embracing change.

She is inspired by the owner and founder Rohan Vos who she describes as being full of new ideas and constantly wanting to improve the guest experience. Mariëlle believes that a company’s success is deeply intertwined with the well-being and dedication of its staff, and the fact that so many employees can boast decades of service indicates that they must be getting this right. 

Her journey with Rovos began soon after she fell in love with a ballroom dancing teacher who had family members working at the company. “My father-in-law, Oom Wyny, was the CFO for the Victoria Hotel, and my brother-in-law and his partner were the first IT employees who installed our first computers and also wrote the first reservations programme for Rovos.” After a tip-off that there was a job available, she followed their footsteps and was appointed PA to the Reservations Manager who became her mentor. She quickly learned the ropes and found her calling in promoting and selling the train.

Mariëlle’s daily routine involves a variety of tasks from answering booking enquiries and product-interest phone calls to confirming bookings, invoicing and following up on payments. She fields many interesting and sometimes humorous questions from future guests. As she aptly puts it, her job is about “putting bums in beds” – a phrase coined by one of her previous colleagues. 

Beyond the administrative tasks, Mariëlle Wynbergen takes pride in guiding and training her reservations team in the Pretoria and Cape Town offices and instilling in them the passion and dedication that is synonymous with Rovos Rail. She enjoys her job, the camaraderie among her colleagues, the interaction with guests from around the world, and the privilege of being part of an extraordinary story.

Many staff have said they could write a book about all their experiences and the interesting people they have met, and Mariëlle concurs. Two guests stand out in her memory…a couple who travel the world without luggage! Their PA packed their brand-new clothes into the cupboard on the train and, when they arrived in Cape Town, the clothes were donated. “Despite their privilege, they were one of the nicest, most unassuming and down-to-earth couples I have ever met!”

Outside of work, Mariëlle’s priorities lie with her home and her family, especially her two teenagers, her husband, and caring for her mother. She feels the words patience, consideration and compliance define her personally and professionally and shape her relationships and her approach to life. 

As Mariëlle Wynbergen looks to the future, she hopes to continue contributing her skills and knowledge while learning from the remarkable individuals she has had the privilege to work alongside. “When it’s my time to leave Rovos I hope to have been as generous as Sandy Ingram, as charming as Peter Winterbottom, as vivacious as Beatrice Colon, as kind as Christine Roberts, as knowledgeable as Joy Strydom, as confident as Estee Badenhorst, as funny as Daniela Greyling, as determined as Rohan Vos and of course will always attempt to be a workhorse like Heike Gerntholtz,” she laughs. 

Mariëlle’s dedication and commitment embody the spirit of Rovos Rail – a special company that enriches the experiences of guests and colleagues alike. 

Written by Linda Sparks • Edited by Bianca Vos-Lynch

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Women’s Month: Dianah Vukeya

No Comment Aug 13,2024 Dar es Salaam, Guests, Journeys, Our Team

For nearly three decades Dianah Vukeya has been a committed member of the Rovos Rail family. As the Senior Laundry Assistant, she has become an expert in maintaining the impeccable standards of the train.

The three suite categories on board each have their own bed size and linen requirements including everything from robes and slippers to pillowcases and towels. The public cars include tablecloths, napkins, antimacassars and even curtains, which are made by the onsite upholstery team. Dianah is part of an 18-member team responsible for washing, steaming, ironing, pressing, folding and preparing all laundry for each journey. Her daily routine involves checking the schedule and rooming lists for upcoming journeys and guests’ requirements to ensure all stock items are available. A 15-night Dar es Salaam journey can have about 2000 items, for example. Dianah and the team methodically count and pack every item into large laundry bags for each suite and public car to maximise the limited space on board. And when the train returns, they count it all back into stock to repeat the process.

Dianah first encountered Rovos Rail when she was a clothing vendor at Pretoria Train Station. She joined the company as a passage lady and hostess on board, no mean feat when a train can be ±350m long. She held for 12 years before joining the laundry team on site. Her favourite Rovos destination was Dar es Salaam as it marked her first trip outside South Africa. Another highlight was Victoria Falls made even more memorable by her bravely taking the plunge with a bungee jump off the iconic bridge! 

When asked what she loves most about her job, Dianah responded with: “Everything!” She is proud of the invaluable skills she has learned during her time with Rovos and describes it as a journey of personal and professional growth. These include learning to work with a diverse range of people, respecting others, transparency and teamwork. She has also learned skills in hospitality and healthcare and has completed courses in First Aid, Firefighting and Empathy Training.

Home for Dianah is Midrand where she enjoys spending time with her large family, which includes her husband, five children and four grandchildren. She enjoys cooking for her family, taking them to church and spring cleaning! She describes herself as strong, brave, kind, respectful, hard-working and proactive – qualities that shine through in her work and interactions with coworkers and guests. Dianah’s dedication to her work is inspiring and she is a much-valued member of the team.

Written by Linda Sparks • Edited by Bianca Vos-Lynch

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Women’s Month: Karin Whitaker

No Comment Jul 29,2024 Guests, Journeys, Namibia Safari, Our Team

In the heart of Rovos Rail’s bustling operations, a stalwart figure has been present in the Accounts department for nearly three decades. Karin Whitaker fulfils the role of debt controller responsible for managing and allocating outstanding payments and addressing queries regarding the financial side of train bookings. It is a post she’s grown into over the years and one that she has become extremely skilled at through hands-on experience. “You learn as you go,” she quips with a knowing smile.

Karin’s association with Rovos Rail dates back to a chance opportunity in 1995 when she heard from a friend that the company needed extra staff to work as train hosts over the New Year’s weekend. Little did she know that weekend stint would evolve into a lifelong career spanning various positions within Rovos Rail, including front office manager and eventually finding her niche in finance.

Despite the demands of her job, Karin approaches it with a light-hearted spirit. “Asking people for money is my favourite part,” she jests. Beneath the humour, it is clear that Karin is passionate about Rovos and that it’s rewarding for her to play a role in helping the company thrive financially. “It is an honour to be a part of Rovos’ history seeing the company grow from just one train and 17 coaches when I began to six trains and 140 coaches today.”

A job with Rovos is always full of surprises, and Karin has had many memorable moments. “So many,” she laughs, “I think most of us could draft a book!” One of these saw the entire team on a comical chase down the train tracks at Capital Park wrangling Betty the ostrich back into the yard after she had escaped.

Beyond the numbers, Karin’s time at Rovos has been a journey of personal growth. Interacting with colleagues and passengers from diverse cultural backgrounds has instilled in her a deep sense of compassion and understanding. “Kindness and a smile can have an enormous impact on others,” she reflects. Close bonds have been formed with her colleagues over the years and they all have a deep fondness for Karin. “We really are family,” she explains, “and we have had so much fun together along the way.”

Of all the destinations Karin has travelled to during her time with Rovos, Namibia holds a special place in her heart for its breathtaking landscapes and natural beauty.

Karin is a devoted animal lover, volunteering at rescue groups and dedicating time to reuniting lost pets with their owners. At work, she watches over the resident animals, most of which are rescues: donkeys Romeo and Juliet, Tori the horse and the Nguni cattle, Camilla and Mia Bella as well as the late ostriches and alpacas. At home, she enjoys her own furry companions, a large collection of black cats. Another interesting tidbit is that Karin has an identical twin and boasts of being five minutes older than her sister!

Confident, strong and independent: Karin’s three-word self-portrait that aptly describes her character and approach to life. She takes pride in her ability to adapt to change, a skill that has served her well in the often unpredictable South African railway industry. As for her future, she simply aspires to find happiness in all facets of life.

With her dedication to her job and her vibrant personality, it is clear that Karin’s contribution is integral in keeping Rovos Rail on track. And her almost 30-year journey with the company is a testament to Rovos’ commitment to fostering long-term relationships with its team.

Written by Linda Sparks • Edited by Bianca Vos-Lynch

  • Karin Whitaker
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