Staff Writer
Rovos Rail says its tours to Namibia will continue despite a recent accident that claimed the lives of two crew members.
The company said all services to Namibia remain operational and safety protocols remain in place. It operates about 10 train journeys from Namibia each year.
The accident occurred on Sunday when a Rovos Rail train travelling southbound from Windhoek derailed at Naute, about 285km from Ariamsvlei near the South African border.
The company said the incident was caused by a washaway of the last span of a bridge, which led to the loss of two locomotives and two utility coaches. The automatic brake system stopped the train and prevented further damage.
The Rovos driver and the TransNamib pilot died in the incident. No passengers or other staff members were injured.
Passengers were transported by bus to Upington and then flown to Cape Town.
Rovos Rail said it has operated on the TransNamib line for 28 years without any previous serious incidents.
According to the company, while the damaged bridge is closed, tours will continue under a temporary arrangement.
Under this plan, a second train has been dispatched to collect passengers on the northbound journey in Cape Town.
While passengers visit the Fish River Canyon, their luggage will be transferred to another Rovos Rail train on the other side of the bridge.
The company said this will take place during the excursion to limit disruption to the journey.
The 11-day Namibian tour starts in Pretoria and travels through the Northern Cape to the Fish River Canyon and Garas Park. Passengers then travel through the Kalahari Desert, visit a cheetah conservation project and stop in Windhoek.
The journey includes a flight to Sossusvlei for an overnight stay, followed by a night in Etosha National Park before ending in Walvis Bay.
According to the company’s rates, the Royal suite costs R336 000 for single occupancy; the Deluxe suite costs R273 000, rising to R409 500 for single occupancy; and the Pullman Gold costs R215 000, with single occupancy at R322 500.
