There was an era of great luxury trains, portraying the stylish travel of the upper classes, the aristocracy, of wealthy travelers of a fashionable world in a bygone age. 

Now the glamour and excitement of the golden age of train travel have been recreated with some unique train journeys in different continents allowing us to look back at that era and its fascinating history. 

The Blue Train is unique - Think of it as an all inclusive luxury rail cruise with an opportunity to view South Africa's spectacular landscapes and visit interesting tourist attractions along the way.

Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class travel experiences. 

Step aboard the wood-paneled coaches - classics remodeled and refurbished to mint condition - and enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows.

South Africa Page

Trains Page

 Revised: 26 Dec 2005

 

  Southern Africa


THE BLUE TRAIN
 The Blue Train is unique - Think of it as an all inclusive luxury rail cruise with an opportunity to view South Africa's spectacular landscapes and visit interesting tourist attractions along the way. Journey into a timeless world of grace, elegance and romance, where spectacular scenery stirs the imagination and luxurious comfort soothes body and soul. The Blue Train is unique - it is not just one of the world's finest hotels, but one which moves from destination to destination. This unique luxury recreation and business experience takes you where you want to go in an endless, five-star splendor. It pauses only to pick up prestigious World Travel awards for being a cut above the rest and the Diner's Club accolade for its connoisseur selection of South African wines. The Blue Train cuisine puts sheer good taste on a plate while butler personal attention puts you on a pedestal. It's a journey of a lifetime for those who appreciate finer things in life. ........

PRETORIA / CAPE TOWN  - or v.v.(1 night)   Deluxe Train Journeys
After gliding past the goldfields of the Witwatersrand and passing through the historic diamond town of Kimberley, the train crosses the vast semi-desert Karoo overnight. Slipping through a system of pitch dark tunnels, the train emerges into the Hex River Valley and approaches Cape Town, nestled beneath Table Mountain.

THE ROVOS RAIL
Since its establishment more than 10 years ago, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class travel experiences. Step aboard the wood-paneled coaches - classics remodeled and refurbished to mint condition - and enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows. Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a by-gone era, when privileged travelers experienced the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant fashion. In a series of journeys lasting from 24 hours to a fortnight, the Pride of Africa links some of Africa's greatest destinations from Cape Town at the tip of Africa to Dar-Es-Salaam in Tanzania, from scenic splendors as diverse as the game reserves of Mpumalanga to the Victoria Falls, from the desert landscapes of Namibia and the stark beauty of the Karoo to the lush cane fields of KwaZulu-Natal and the magnificent Garden Route along the Cape South Coast. 

CAPE TOWN / PRETORIA - or v.v. 2 nights  Deluxe Train Journeys
Departing from historical Pretoria, travel via the stark beauty of the Northern Cape, stopping en route to view Kimberley's Big Hole, and the Mine and Diamond Museums. Continue on to Cape Town.

CAPE TOWN / GEORGE - or v.v. 1 night   Deluxe Train Journeys
Departing Cape Town, travel through mountain passes, vineyards, wheat fields and race horse stud farms; to the coast and onto the town of George, where you may opt to ride the restored Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe along 67km of spectacular coastal scenery to Knysna.

PRETORIA / DURBAN - or v.v. 2 nights   Deluxe Train Journeys
Departing Pretoria, meander down the Drakensberg escarpment to the picturesque lowveld, for an open vehicle game drive in the famous Kruger National Park. The train continues on through Swaziland, where another exciting game drive may be enjoyed in Mkhaya Game Reserve. The next stop is Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve for another game experience, before arriving in the colorful city of Durban.

PRETORIA / VICTORIA FALLS - or v.v. 2 nights   Deluxe Train Journeys
From Pretoria, travel down the Drakensberg escarpment to the wildlife paradise of Mpumalanga and the famous Kapama Game Reserve to enjoy a thrilling open vehicle game drive and visit the Hoedspruit Research Breeding Center for Endangered Species. The train then ascends the thickly forested and ever green mountain range to the west, through Tzaneen, into Baobab country. At Polokwane, board an historic aircraft for your flight to Livingstone.

CAPE TOWN / DAR-ES-SALAAM - or v.v. 12 nights   Deluxe Train Journeys
This annual 13-day epic journey through South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania to the lush and exotic East Coast is destined to become one of the most famous train journeys in the world. Highlights en route include Kimberley, Pretoria, the Kruger Park, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Lusaka, the Luangwa Valley and the incredible Tazara Railway before arriving at Dar Es Salaam. Once, there, guests have the option of visiting exotic Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro Crater or the wildlife paradise of the Serengeti.

PRETORIA / SWAKOPMUND - or v.v. 6 nights   Deluxe Train Journeys
This 7-day journey takes passengers 3 400kms from the savannahs of the Highveld to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Highlights include Kimberley and the Big Hole, the spectacular Fish River Canyon, the stark beauty of the Kalahari and Namib deserts, Windhoek the vibrant capita of Namibia, and an overnight stay at a game lodge bordering Etosha Pan.

THE AFRICAN COLLAGE -  8 nights   Deluxe Train Journeys
A rich tapestry of landscape, game, history and culture including the Drakensberg, Swaziland, Hluhluwe game reserve in Zululand, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Oudtshoorn, George, Knysna, the winelands of the garden route and Cape Town. Rovos Rail will once again run this annual journey starting 26th May 2005. This panoramic nine-day sojourn commences at the Rovos Rail Station at Capital Park in Pretoria ending its magnificent collage in the Mother City of Cape Town.

GOLF SAFARI -  8 nights   Deluxe Train Journeys
A selection of the finest courses in South Africa are brought together in a kaleidoscope of golf and scenic beauty. Rovos Rail has designed a delightful nine-day Golf Safari to entertain the most discerning player. At all venues, there are optional excursions for the entertainment of non-playing guests. This special journey commences in Pretoria and is a pleasure for both the golfer and the non-golfer. Golfers will play at Leopard's Creek, tee off at the Royal Swazi Golf Club, at one of South Africa's finest courses, the Durban Beachwood Country Club and at the Champagne Sports Resort in the foothills of the imposing Drakensberg Mountains. Non-golfers will enjoy world famous Kruger Park followed by shopping and lunch at Casterbridge near White River, visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory, Houses of Parliament and Mkhaya Game Reserve, game viewing in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve and the St. Lucia Estuary. a city tour of Durban followed by lunch at the Golf Club and a guided tour of the Battlefields a further highlight for non-golfers. Relax as the train travels north towards the magnificent resort of Sun City in the Pilanesberg Mountains. A full day is spent at this world-famous facility before departing for Pretoria where this memorable journey ends.
 
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