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Africa & Middle East

South Africa: Rail Travel Ideas

  • Rovos Rail Dining Car
  • Rovos Rail Deluxe Suite
  • Blue Train
  • Shongololo Emerald Cabin
  • Shongololo Express

In a bygone era, travelling by train was a way of life. Now, it remains a relaxing, enjoyable way to get to your next destination, and in some cases, a great travel experience on its own. Train travel also allows you to take in passing vistas while eating, reading, or simply relaxing.

In Southern Africa, one can travel in style on either the Blue Train, linking Cape Town and Pretoria in 27 hours, or Rovos Rail, which offers an excellent selection of longer itineraries around Southern Africa. Slightly less luxurious but still of a high standard are train tours with Shongololo Express, which offers a broad selection of journeys around Southern Africa.

Rail travel removes both the responsibilities of driving and the expense and carbon footprint of flying. It also helps cut down on accommodation costs, with sleeping berths available on overnight services.

Rail Travel Ideas

  • Shongololo Dune Express: Luderitz, Sossusvlei, Etosha National Park & More

    FIRST-CLASS | RAIL: Ride in style on this train journey across Namibia and South Africa. Venturing aboard the Shongololo Express, you’ll head on safari, hike across sand dunes, gaze upon one of the world’s largest canyons, and explore ghost towns and diamond mines.
    Duration:
    12 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 7,794
    Trip Type:
    Active & Adventurous, Multi Country Vacation Ideas, Rail Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Shongololo Good Hope: Knysna, Durban, Kruger National Park & More

    FIRST-CLASS | RAIL: This comprehensive train itinerary of South Africa covers many of the country’s highlights while catering to golfers who can play on some of the top golf courses here. The train departs from Cape Town and finishes in Pretoria with many memorable stops in between.
    Duration:
    15 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 9,407
    Trip Type:
    Active & Adventurous, Rail Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Shongololo Southern Cross: Kruger National Park, Great Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls & More

    FIRST-CLASS | RAIL: Experience, on a relaxing train journey, 4 different countries, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland while taking in Victoria Falls, enjoying several game drives in 3 different wildlife parks including Kruger, exploring canyons, old mining towns and visiting Pretoria, Johannesburg and Maputo, Mozambique’s capital.
    Duration:
    12 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 7,794
    Trip Type:
    Active & Adventurous, Multi Country Vacation Ideas, Rail Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Romance on the Rails: Cape Town, Kruger National Park & Victoria Falls

    DELUXE | TAILOR-MADE: Experience the splendour and romance of Southern Africa on this 14-day luxury journey. Starting in Cape Town, you’ll then venture to Kruger National Park before your elegant train journey with Rovos Rail. A stay in Victoria Falls rounds out a truly unforgettable vacation.
    Duration:
    14 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 8,568
    Trip Type:
    Bucket List Travel Ideas, Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas, Safaris Worldwide, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Rovos Rail: Pretoria to Victoria Falls (or v.v.)

    DELUXE | RAIL: This journey takes guests from Pretoria westward to Botswana before crossing the border into Zimbabwe and on to the mighty Victoria Falls. This tour also operates in reverse.
    Duration:
    4 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,453
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Rovos Rail: Cape Town to Dar Es Salaam

    DELUXE | RAIL: This journey is one of the most famous rail experiences in the world. Travel through South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania combining the luxury of pre-war travel with modern touches.
    Duration:
    15 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 13,220
    Trip Type:
    Bucket List Travel Ideas, Luxury and Beyond, Multi Country Vacation Ideas, Rail Travel Ideas
    Tanzania See Trip Details

  • Rovos Rail: Cape Town to Pretoria (or v.v)

    DELUXE | RAIL: Departing from Cape Town or Pretoria, stopping en-route to view Kimberley's 'Big Hole' and the Mine and Diamond museums, while enjoying the stark beauty of the Northern Cape.
    Duration:
    3 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 1,781
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Rovos Rail Golf Safari: Pretoria to Pretoria

    DELUXE | RAIL: Play at the world-renowned Leopard Creek golf course, plus superb courses in Swaziland, Durban, the Drakensburg and Sun City. Enjoy game viewing in Kruger Park, Mkhaya and Hluhluwe Reserves.
    Duration:
    10 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 5,241
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Rovos Rail: Pretoria to Walvis Bay or vice versa

    DELUXE | RAIL: Ride through the natural wonders of Southern Africa on this luxury rail journey aboard Rovos Rail. As you pass from South Africa to Namibia, you’ll explore diamond mines, hike through deep canyons and vast deserts, and head on safari game drives, all while enjoying unmatched luxury aboard your train.
    Duration:
    10 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 7,794
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Blue Train: Pretoria to Cape Town

    DELUXE | RAIL: Enjoy grace and elegance as you sit back and relax travelling through the panoramic countryside of South Africa. Start from either Cape Town or Pretoria and let the Blue Train work its spell.
    Duration:
    3 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 1,690
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Rovos Rail: Durban to Pretoria (or v.v)

    DELUXE | RAIL: Join this three day safari on the most luxurious train in the world and experience the splendour of KwaZula-Natal. Take in the 'Big Five' at the private bush retreat of Nambiti Conservancy, and Spionkop battlefields tour with a world class historian.
    Duration:
    3 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 1,781
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Signature South Africa: Cape Town, Rovos Rail, Kruger & More

    DELUXE | PRIVATE-GUIDED: Discover the magic and splendour of Southern Africa on this 12-day luxury journey of South Africa. Starting in Cape Town, you’ll venture to the Cape Winelands, Johannesburg, and Kruger National Park. Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a by-gone era with 2 nights spent on-board the elegant Rovos Rail train.
    Duration:
    12 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 8,318
    Trip Type:
    Classics (Bestsellers), Luxury and Beyond, Private Experiences, Rail Travel Ideas, Safaris Worldwide, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Rovos Rail: African Golf Collage from Pretoria to Cape Town

    DELUXE | RAIL: Journey across the picturesque landscapes of South Africa with Rovos Rail, enjoying luxury train travel and old-world atmosphere during your journey. As you head from Pretoria to Cape Town, you’ll stop off at premium golf courses to tee off in the gorgeous South African countryside.
    Duration:
    10 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 9,844
    Trip Type:
    Rail Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details
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