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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

  • Great South African Rail Adventure

    A grand adventure offering insight into well-known destinations across South Africa. The Shongololo Express provides a special experience, accommodating 72 guests in two categories of comfortable en-suite cabins with double or twin beds, and classic wood-panelled carriages.
    Duration:
    17 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 6,965
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Blue Train: Cape Town to Pretoria

    Enjoy grace and elegance as you sit back and relax travelling through the panoramic countryside of South Africa. Start from either Cape Town of Pretoria and let the Blue Train work its spell.
    Duration:
    3 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 1,350
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Blue Train: Pretoria to Cape Town

    Enjoy grace and elegance as you sit back and relax travelling through the panoramic countryside of South Africa. Start from either Cape Town of Pretoria and let the Blue Train work its spell.
    Duration:
    3 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 1,350
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Rovos Rail Safari: Pretoria to Pretoria

    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:
    9 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 4,128
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

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

    Journey across the picturesque landscapes of South Africa with Rovos Rail, enjoying luxury train travel and old-world atmosphere during your vacation. As you head from Cape Town to Pretoria, you’ll stop off at premium golf courses to tee off in the gorgeous South African countryside.
    Duration:
    10 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 5,251
    Trip Type:
    Rail Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

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

    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$ 5,251
    Trip Type:
    Rail Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

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

    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$ 1,420
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Rovos Rail: Dar Es Salaam to Cape Town (v.v)

    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$ 12,820
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Tanzania See Trip Details

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

    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$ 1,420
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Rovos Rail: Pretoria to Swakopmund or vice versa

    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 while enjoying the unmatched luxury of the classical trains of Rovos Rail.
    Duration:
    9 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 5,169
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

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

    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$ 1,857
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Shongololo Dune Express

    Enjoy an outstanding train tour starting from Pretoria which visits Kimberley and Upington in South Africa before crossing into Namibia, a country offering everything from huge canyons, wildlife safaris and old mining towns eventually finishing at Swakopmund. This is an experience offering unforgettable landscapes.
    Duration:
    12 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 5,610
    Trip Type:
    Active & Adventurous, Escorted Coach Touring, Rail Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Shongololo Good Hope

    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$ 6,058
    Trip Type:
    Active & Adventurous, Escorted Coach Touring, Rail Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • Shongololo Southern Cross

    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$ 5,610
    Trip Type:
    Rail Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • The Blue Train Hoedspruit to Pretoria

    Enjoy a luxury overnight experience after your Kruger Park wildlife safari on the renowned Blue Train between Hoedspruit, a town situated on the western edge of the park and South Africa’s administrative capital, Pretoria.
    Duration:
    2 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 871
    Trip Type:
    Bucket List Travel Ideas, Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details

  • The Blue Train: Pretoria to Hoedspruit

    All aboard the luxurious Blue Train, which brings a touch of elegance to any South Africa vacation. Depart from Pretoria and explore the picturesque landscapes of Northern South Africa.
    Duration:
    2 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 871
    Trip Type:
    Luxury and Beyond, Rail Travel Ideas, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    South Africa See Trip Details
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