
The Pride of Africa’s wood-paneled bar car boasts comfortable seating, a convivial atmosphere and – best of all – a large, rear outdoor deck, perfect for viewing the wild African landscape. IRT Photo by Nels Freeman
South Africa’s 15-day Cape Town – Dar es Salaam “luxury adventure” ranks among the top five rail trips for many IRT travelers.
But for Alicia Taljaard, sales and marketing executive for South Africa’s Rovos Rail, the shorter African Collage is her hands-down favorite.

We rolled out the red carpet for Alicia Taljaard, sales & marketing executive for S. Africa’s Rovos Rail recently. IRT Photo by Eleanor Hardy
We so trust Alicia’s judgement, we sent IRT’s Rachel Hardy and Angela Walker to South Africa to see for themselves.
The result?
We’ve made Rovos Rail’s 9-day African Collage between Pretoria and Cape Town the centerpiece of this year’s special group tour: South African Spectacular.
Running just once —Oct. 27-Nov. 12—our exclusive 17-day extravaganza includes many safari days. We have room for just 16 guests. It will be hosted by IRT’s wonderful Angela Walker and includes many exclusive experiences.
The African Collage is “our most scenic trip,” says Alicia, a longtime Rovos Rail veteran who recently visited us here in Louisville. (We were so thrilled to see her, we popped champagne and commissioned a special cake baked in her and Rovos Rail’s honor—see below.)
“It’s perfect for the safari enthusiast, and the scenery on that trip is unbeatable,” Alicia says.

South Africa’s Garden Route is unbeatable for its scenery, ranging from towering mountains to dramatic seashores. IRT Photo by John Fiorilla
“You have the mountain passes. And the Garden Route, a very lush, beautiful area along the coastline of the eastern to western Cape.
“Then there’s the vineyards and the ocean…”