Rovos Rail dress code
During the day, a smart casual dress code is required. On their website, Rovos Rail describes this as “neat, conventional yet relatively informal in style combining casual and formal clothing pieces.”
Depending on which route you choose, you may spend a lot of time relaxing onboard. For this, I’d recommend comfortable clothing. I opted for loose dresses with comfortable sandals and kept a jumper/cardigan close by when in the public carriages as they are fully air-conditioned and can be a little chilly at times.
At night, the dress code is formal. For gentlemen, a collar and tie are mandatory while a jacket is optional. For ladies, Rovos Rail suggests a cocktail evening dress or suit. I packed a stain midi dress and small heels for each evening. I wouldn’t say that heels are necessary, and some might find it difficult to navigate the train while it’s moving.
The route I was on included two game drives, one in Matobo National Park and the other in Hwange National Park. Both drives took place in open vehicles during the early afternoon when the temperatures were at their highest. To try and keep as cool as possible, I wore loose linen clothing with comfortable shoes and a straw hat.
Comfortable shoes are a must - there is no station in Hwange National Park so we disembarked the train on the track. In Matobo National Park, we safely hopped off the jeep to try and get as close to a rhino and her baby as possible. It wasn’t a long walk, but uncomfortable shoes would have made it difficult. I also made sure to top up the sun cream regularly and drink plenty of water.
One of the game drives continued until the sun had set - we sat and enjoyed a sundowner around a small fire and although I didn’t feel cold, evenings can cool down considerably.
What else to pack for Rovos Rail
It’s important to note that Rovos Rail harks back to the golden age of travel so there are no radios, no televisions and no access to the internet. Guests are permitted to use their phones in their cabins only, however, the reception is poor when the train is moving and, in some locations, non-existent. For example, when we reached Zimbabwe, we had no signal whatsoever. Because of this, I would highly recommend packing as many things to keep you occupied as possible. I found it a great time to read and took several books with me.
Africa’s train tracks are inconsistently maintained and some travellers find the movement and noise difficult to contend with. I found the motion very soothing but some may benefit from ear plugs. An eye mask is also useful to have.
Each cabin comes with an amenity kit that has the following South African biodegradable and/or recyclable products; soap, bamboo tissues, shampoo, hand and body wash, hand and body lotion, lip balm, insect repellent spray, reusable bamboo rounds, bamboo earbuds and a compostable shower cap. However, if you’re travelling as part of a cruise and rail package, you’ll likely have all your favourite toiletries with you already. Don’t forget to pack medication, paracetamol and plasters - there is a basic first aid kit available at the gift shop onboard, but it’s good to have access to a personal stash.
I took a plug adaptor with me in order to use hair tools and charge my phone. Each cabin has 220V AC 50Hz 3-point round-pronged wall plugs, 110V/220V 2-pin plugs for shavers and chargers and USB ports.
Rovos Rail recommends taking cash with you onboard. Each person in my group took 200 South African rands in cash in order to pay for our Zimbabwean visa and to tip staff at the end of our journey.
Other things to note:
There are just a few other things that I think are important to note. There are no luggage restrictions on Rovos Rail, however, they do not recommend taking more than two large suitcases. There are porters at every station who will transfer your bags, but you will have to get them to the station first so the lighter the better.
In your cabin, you’ll find plenty of space to store your luggage either under your bed or on the luggage shelf. However, it can be a nuisance to access (especially when on the move), so I’d recommend taking everything out that you need for the duration of your journey and hanging it in the wardrobe space.
