Luxury Trains in South Africa

A South Africa safari is often an exhilarating mix of game-viewing and sight-seeing across many provinces. It's a heady mixture. But not always relaxing. What could be nicer than breaking your safari with a 2 to 3 night trip on one of the luxury trains of South Africa - Rovos Rail or the Blue Train?

South Africa has two luxury trains. Their train journeys vary in routing and duration so that a wide variety of tastes are catered for. (The Shongololo Express has now been incorporated into its sister company Rovos Rail).

Luxury Trains in South Africa - Rovos Rail

There is nothing which quite matches the magic of a hiss of steam as a vintage engine pulls into the station.. There can be no grander way to experience the delights of a luxury train in Africa than Rovos. It has a range of journeys. Choose between the ever-popular three-night Rovos Rail journey between Pretoria and Cape Town. This covers 1600 km with off-train excursions in both Kimberley and Matjiesfontein . Or take the 56 hour ‘safari train’ between Pretoria and Durban with game-viewing en route. Another firm favourite is the 4 night journey from Pretoria to Victoria Falls. These are all leisurely, sophisticated train trips, in which you enjoy fine cuisine and wines.

However there are also longer 9 night+ itineraries throughout Southern Africa and even up to Tanzania, and into Angola. These are basically holiday itineraries where hotels have been replaced by the train. Have a look at each trip in detail below.

Your accommodation is in 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; Deluxe suites are larger with a permanent bed, small lounge area and en suite shower room. Royal Suites are larger still with a full en suite bathrooms with even a bath.

Rovos Rail offers the ultimate in luxury train trains in Africa. See more details on the Rovos Rail experience or Check out Rovos Rail accommodation below which entails the compartments on offer.

Note: The Shongololo Express, sister train to Rovos Rail, has now been upgraded and incorporated into the Rovos rail brand. The only difference is that they only have the Pullman and Deluxe Suites, not the Royal Suites.

Luxury Trains in South Africa - The Blue Train

The Blue Train is a legendary luxury train in South Africa which offers its iconic 2 day train journey between Cape Town and Pretoria. This is ideal if you just can't afford the time for the 3-night option on Rovos. It’s particularly known for its superb cuisine, attentive butler service and immaculate mahogany and marble fittings.

As with Rovos Rail, the Blue Train offers en suite compartments. 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 Blue Train packages