ITHE DREAMCHILD OF ROHAN VOS

n 1985, when Rohan Vos picked up a handful of carriages at an auction, his sole ambition was to restore them for family excursions by train. Ten years later, he was the owner of some 50 carriages and locomotives. Rovos Rail, his luxury train tourism company, had overcome the obstacles of its early years, and the Pride of Africa, its flagship train, was steaming ahead in its conquest of southern Africa, adding Namibia, Angola, Tanzania and Zambia to the many trips it already offered its passengers. Today, it is one of the most luxurious trains in operation and a favourite of rail lovers everywhere.

It must be said that the Pride of Africa, a real throwback to the luxury express trains of the early 20th century, has many arguments in its favour. First of all, the different suites accommodating the passengers, from the Pullman suite to the Royal Suite, occupy up to half a carriage in the case of the largest. Equipped with every possible comfort, in addition to room service available at all hours of the day or night, they all have a private bathroom, the Royal even offering the luxury of a Victorian foot tub. Open-plan with colonnades or intimate booths with padded leather benches, these two dining cars are where diners can tuck into game birds and South African Grands Crus without missing a moment of the breathtaking and ever-changing landscapes. The carriage at the back of the convoy has a large external viewing platform with wooden benches, giving a full experience of the countryside. And for those who prefer to enjoy the spectacle with the benefit of cool air conditioning while sipping a cocktail or a glass of wine, the bar area with its sofas and wing chairs is there to meet their needs. In line with the Belle Epoque spirit of the train, a closed lounge allows cigar lovers to puff away and recreate the atmosphere of the most exclusive clubs of the first part of the century. In this carriage, as in the rest of the convoy, the Pride of Africa mixes periods, drawing inspiration from both the Victorian and the Edwardian eras. Its teak-lined interiors contain a variety of furnishings in Baroque, Empire or Art Nouveau styles, with floral motifs and colonnades, creating an atmosphere that is both relaxed and refined, ideal for a nostalgic rail safari to discover Africa.

For that is one of the great strengths of the Pride of Africa. It was conceived originally as a South African train, but it is the whole of southern Africa that is its domain. Its various routes – the longest one linking the Atlantic and Indian Oceans in a fortnight – take in some of the most iconic sites on the African continent.

From the legendary Victoria Falls, where the waters of the majestic Zambezi tumble down, to the red dunes of the Kalahari Desert and the jagged coastline of the Cape of Good Hope, the Pride of Africa offers many marvels to its passengers.

Guests can also enjoy a kaiseki, a meal made up of a series of small dishes, and sample the delights of fugu, the fish that, unless it is prepared by a professional, can be fatal. Finally, the five couchette cars making up the rest of the convoy give their occupants a space to unwind between two of the activities offered to them during the journey. There is no doubt that this train merits all seven of its stars.

The compartments of the Seven Stars are extremely luxurious. At the end of the lounge carriage, the best table looks out of a bay window which gives a view of the landscape from the back of the train.