TRAIN TRAVEL

South Africa has a number of steam train and luxury train trips, ranging from several hours to several days. This is a wonderfully relaxing way to appreciate the scenic splendour of South Africa.

The Blue Train
This is an extremely luxurious train that operates regularly between Pretoria and Cape Town. The 1 600 kilometres (994 miles) through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent takes about 27 hours including stops.

On the southbound trip, the train departs from Pretoria at 9:50 and includes a stopover and excursion in Kimberley, where we take a step back in time to the days of the diamond rush. It arrives in Cape Town just after lunch the following day.

On the northbound journey, the train leaves Cape Town just before noon and arrives in Pretoria in time for high tea the following day. It stops at the historic town Matjiesfontein, where guests can visit the famous Lord Milner Hotel and the old car museum.

Luxury Suites
The luxury suites extend your personal domain by more than a metre, and the twin or double-bed suites offer deep, long baths for slow, luxuriant soaking.

The suites extend the choice of radio and movie channels even further by including a private digital entertainment centre and an inviting selection of music CDs and big-screen movies on DVD.

De Luxe Suites
There are nine De Luxe coaches on the first train and eight on the train with the conference car. The De Luxe coaches have four suites per coach; one suite with a bath and the others with showers. The De Luxe suites feature either twin beds with a shower, or double beds with a bathtub and handheld shower.

2007

Low season dates : 01 January 2007 - 31 August 2007 / 16 November 2007 - 31 December 2007

2008

These prices are one way and include all meals, drinks including French Champagne and excursions.

These trains can also be chartered. Please enquire for rates.

The Umgeni Steam Railway, in KwaZulu Natal, runs train trips from Kloof up to Inchanga on the last Sunday of every month. The train itself is a great attraction for both young and old.

The Apple Express is a famous narrow-gauge steam train offering regular trips from Port Elizabeth to Thornhill Village, approximately 40km away. The train stops at the Van Stadens River Bridge, the highest narrow-gauge bridge in the world in order for passengers to disembark and stroll across the structure. It then slowly puffs across the bridge which allows for photographic opportunities. A picnic area is available at the Thornhill Hotel and passengers can bring their own picnic. An alternative option is to order a meal at the Hotel.

The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe is a steam hauled scheduled passenger train running daily (excepting Sunday) between George and Knysna. The route of the Choo-Tjoe is from George, via Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Goukamma to Knysna and encompasses some of the most spectacular scenery in South Africa in the heart of the Garden Route. The section from Victoria Bay along the cliffs and over the Kaaiman´s River viaduct to Wilderness is arguably the most beautiful in the country.

The Shongololo Express offers splendidly comfortable 16 day adventures with tours arranged to various sites and attractions en route. The itineraries include Cape Town to Johannesburg, Cape Town to Victoria Falls and Cape Town to Windhoek in Namibia.

For those seeking the ultimate decadence, Rovos Rail operates some of the finest luxury trains in South Africa, if not the world. Reminiscent of a bygone era, the Rovos Rail operates 2 classic trains of 20 superbly restored coaches, half of which date back to the 1920s and has over 36 luxurious suites.
The Rovos Rail operates the following tours:
Pretoria/Capetown
Pretoria/Victoria Falls
Cape Town/George
Pretoria/Durban
Pretoria/Swakopmund
Golf safaris

A train tour is truly a relaxing and unforgettable journey.

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