Luxury Train Journeys in Africa

Dreaming of travel that’s as much about the journey as the destination? A South Africa safari is often an exhilarating mix of game-viewing and sight-seeing. A heady mixture, but not always relaxing. What could be nicer than breaking your safari with a 2 to 3 night train ride on one of the most luxurious train journeys in the world? Africa’s luxury trains offer a spectacular way to experience the continent’s landscapes, from golden savannahs to dramatic coastlines — all from the comfort of a private suite. Naturally with a chilled glass of bubbles in hand.

South Africa leads the way with iconic names like Rovos Rail and the Blue Train. But the romance of luxury rail journeys has now spread across Africa, with unforgettable trips offered to Namibia, Victoria Falls, East Africa, and even straddling the continent.

Whether you’re breaking up a thrilling safari or seeking a standalone grand adventure, a luxury train trip is the perfect blend of elegance, nostalgia, and discovery.

The luxury trains in South Africa vary in routing and price so that a wide variety of tastes are catered for. Some luxury train journeys are shorter — a decadent 2 to 3 nights — ideal for recharging mid-safari. Others are luxury train holidays in themselves, spanning up to 15 nights and multiple countries.

Luxury Trains in South Africa - Rovos Rail

The Grand Dame of Luxury Train Travel

See more detail on Rovos Rail train journeys here

There’s nothing quite like the soft hiss of steam as a vintage locomotive pulls into the station. Rovos Rail captures the magic of a bygone era, combining Edwardian elegance with five-star service across a range of journeys.

• The two-night journey between Pretoria and Cape Town (1600km) is a classic, complete with off-train excursions to historic Kimberley and charming Matjiesfontein.
• For safari lovers, the Pretoria to Durban route offers game-viewing stops en route.
• One of the most popular is the Pretoria to Victoria Falls trip, a seamless combination of railway romance and safari adventure.

For the ultimate African odyssey, Rovos Rail’s longer 9 to 15 night expeditions stretch into Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and all the way to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

All are leisurely and elegant luxury train trips, in which you enjoy fine cuisine and wines. Have a look at each trip in detail below under Rovos Rail tours.

Rovos Rail Accommodation

Your accommodation is in luxurious air-conditioned suites with exquisite wood panelling and period Edwardian features. There’s a range of suites to choose from: .

• Pullman Suites have a sofa during the day which converts to a bed in the evening.
• Larger Deluxe suites offer a permanent bed, small lounge area and en suite shower room.
• Royal Suites have  en suite bathrooms with a bath.

The Shongololo Express has now been upgrade and incorporated into Rovos Rail. These luxury train packages include some longer itineraries such as the Trilogy and the Southern Cross. But note that some only offer two compartment sizes, and not always the Royal Suite option.

Links to these luxury train journeys:

• Rovos Rail Southern Cross Train Journey
• Rovos Rail African Trilogy Train Journey

Rovos Rail offers the ultimate in luxury train trains in Africa. See more details on the Rovos Rail experience.

Luxury Trains in South Africa - The Blue Train

A Legend on Rails

The Blue Train is synonymous with South African glamour. Its famed 2-night journey between Cape Town and Pretoria is a symphony of fine dining, attentive butler service, and views that evolve from vineyard to veld.

On board: Every suite is en suite and air-conditioned, with deluxe options offering either a shower or a three-quarter bathtub. Think mahogany, marble, and the quiet thrill of watching the African landscape unfold in slow, luxurious motion.

Each air-conditioned suite in the Blue Train has an en suite bathroom and television with movie channels, telephone and a writing desk. The deluxe twin bed suite has a shower en suite and the deluxe double bed suite has a three-quarter bath en suite.

See the more details about the Blue Train here, or check out the Blue Train tour between Cape Town and Johannesburg below,

Ready to Step Aboard?

A luxury train journey in Africa is a voyage back to a time when travel itself was the grand adventure. Whether for a few indulgent nights or a luxury train journey across the continent, let us help you find the perfect luxury train trip for YOU.

Links to some luxury train journeys:

• Rovos Rail Southern Cross Train Journey
• Rovos Rail African Trilogy Train Journey

Useful Blog articles about travelling on luxury trains in South Africa:

• My Rovos Rail train journey by Gloria