We’re in a celebratory kind of mood here at Rovos HQ. With Rohan, our formidable CEO’s birthday, just a few weeks past and with the company’s 35th clickety-clack around the sun fast approaching, we thought we’d also say three cheers to the African Trilogy journey! We have operated this 16-day trip four times and all, for the most part, have been a resounding success.

The maiden voyage of the African Trilogy departed on 9 February, 2022 on board what was then our Shongololo Express train. It was a brave thing to do, not only for us but for our guests because there were still parts of the world that were in various levels of lockdown and people were just beginning to dip their toes back into international sojourns. But our band of intrepid travellers arrived and with our excited train team, set off on a two-week adventure.

The train departed from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria and made its way to the famed Kruger Park for a safari experience. The Shongololo Express then travelled to the Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) before making its way to Northern Zululand for a game drive in the Hluhluwe wildlife reserve and a tour of the city of Durban and its tropical botanical gardens. Saying cheers to KwaZulu-Natal, the train traversed the Valley of a Thousand Hills and the breathtaking Drakensberg Mountains to the 1870s mining village of Kimberley. Passengers were then transported to a different world with the dry and arid Karoo, through Upington and onto the Fish River Canyon. Once in the Kalahari desert, guests visited Garas Park before they boarded a light aircraft for Sossussvlei where they overnighted at a lodge surrounded by the imposing dunes of the Namib-Naukluft Park. Back on board, the train meandered to Windhoek and then into the game-rich Etosha National Park for another overnight stay before journey’s end in Walvis Bay.

Sounds marvellous, doesn’t it?! Well, we can do you one better because towards the end of 2023 we sent a two-person film crew from Motionworx on board to capture the journey and today we get to share a short snippet with you.

Dylan from Motionworx helped us create the reassuring and beautiful “We’re Back” video after we had been shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic so it only made sense that we recruit his exceptional skills again.

Together with John, the formidable and talented drone operator, the two artists waited on muddy mountain slopes, chased the train by car and on many occasions rose before the sun to make their way to the perfect location to get the shot. They chatted with our guests, filmed the staff on board at work and got to know the game rangers and guides who assisted on the various excursions. They were really committed to capturing the feeling of this beautiful trip and we believe they did a wonderful job!

The African Trilogy journey is so varied in terms of landscapes and scenery as the train moves from the lush and tropical east coast to the vast and dry desert of Namibia. As it stands, all 2024 journeys are sold out but there is some space on the 5-20 February 2025 departure so if you watch this video and the trip tickles your fancy then we would be most delighted to welcome you on board.

We hope you enjoy this snippet of what is fast becoming one of our favourite journeys! Below are a few snapshots taken by the crew and you can click here to watch the video or view it below.