This is a wonderful way of celebrating a special occasion by adding a 2 or 3 night rail trip into your African itinerary that will have you feeling like Royalty in no time. The two most luxurious and famous offerings in South Africa are Rovos Rail and The Blue Train. Both journey between Cape Town and Pretoria (or vice versa). Below we give you the run down on their differences.
Rovos Rail has been termed as the world’s most luxurious train. Its vintage trains have a classic colonial décor with rolling stock dating back to the Edwardian age with an observation car at the rear. Its most popular route is between Cape Town and South Africa’s capital city of Pretoria but also travels further afield with routes to Victoria Falls, Namibia and Dar es Salaam.
Excellent cuisine is paired with fine wines and beautifully presented in the signature dining car – the atmosphere of grandeur and tradition suitably complemented by the transitory landscape. The train’s sedate pace allows stops for professionally operated walks, game drives and tours.
The Blue Train is comparable to the world’s finest hotels, it’s the fastest and perhaps poshest of the two trains where each suite on board the train offers five star luxurious accommodation with private en-suite bathroom facilities.
In 2019 this legendary Blue Train has extended the journey between Cape Town/Pretoria to a 2 night slow travel experience. Highlights of this trip include sipping bubbly in the bath, watching the changing vistas through the panoramic window as the train makes its journey through wide open farmlands, rugged mountains, semi-arid desert, dams pink with flamingos, Cape Winelands, gold and diamond mining landscapes, an abundance of wild flowers and of course Table Mountain. Off train excursions are visiting Kimberley Open Diamond Mine Museum and The Big Hole.
Rovos Rail offers trips for keen golfers
Whilst children are permitted on Rovos Rail, there are no special facilities and this is very much an adult experience.
Rovos Rail is a digital detox zone!
Look out for the fragrant purple blooms of the Jacaranda Trees in Jacaranda City as Pretoria is known!
The Rail journey stops at points of interest along the way - for example on the Cape Town to Pretoria route stop off at Kimberley Diamond Mine
We like to meet face to face wherever possible to plan your trip so why not come and visit us to discuss your next safari?
Please complete the Enquiry Form below and we will get back to you to start the process of creating your dream safari. We will contact you within 24 hours, unless you enquire over the weekend, in which case we will contact you on Monday.
