Luxury Rail Travel
Journey in style with luxury rail travel in Africa, featuring world-class trains, refined service and panoramic views of the continent’s most dramatic landscapes.
FIVE STAR VINTAGE STEAM TRAINS
Luxury Rail Travel In Africa
Luxury rail travel is one of the most deluxe ways to experience the spectacular cities and sights of Africa. Magnificent landscapes abound as you enjoy some of the most brilliant scenes, from the comfort and luxury of a world class vintage steam train. Experience Africa from a different angle, Greatest Africa’s luxury rail travel itineraries offer an exotic experience featuring some of Africa’s finest attractions, including the natural wonder of Victoria Falls. Luxury rail travel in Africa is famed for its silver service of a bygone age, and guests will experience the refined taste of colonial opulence. Luxury accommodation aboard these magnificent five star steam trains is second to none. The choices of Rovos Rail and the Blue Train are hard to compare, with no detail spared. Guests will enjoy beautiful furnished five star suites, with the highest level of comfort. Each meal is a gourmet delight, using the best local ingredients. Explore the delight of local flavours as you journey across the magnificent African landscapes.
WORLD CLASS SERVICE
Unique And Unforgettable
Built in the 1800’s, these luxury rail vintage steam trains are a window to the past. Perfectly persevered, guests on board a luxury steam strain will experience the elegance and opulence of a bygone age, with antique finishes and a rejuvenating calm. Apart from the world class service and beautiful finishes, luxury rail travel is a unique and unforgettable way to experience some of the most spectacular sights in Africa. Enjoy the best the continent has to offer from an elegant and relaxed atmosphere.
UNMATCHED COLONIAL COMFORT
A First Class Experience Not To Be Missed
Offering unmatched colonial comfort, a unique looking glass to stunning scenes, delectable gourmet cuisine, and the ultimate relaxation – luxury rail travel in Africa is a first class experience not to be missed. Greatest Africa are on the ground Southern Africa travel specialists, based in Cape Town, South Africa. Allow us to tailor the ultimate luxury rail travel experience for your African adventure. Choose your rail preference or the sights and attractions you may encounter, Greatest Africa will assist in planning a perfect African luxury rail travel itinerary to fit your budget and taste!
LUXURIOUS AND PICTURESQUE
About Rovos Rail
Rowan Vos is a man of considerable drive, vision and tenacity, for he has single-handedly created a dream to of owning and managing a luxury vintage railway experience, that today, is renowned as one of the most luxurious and picturesque rail journey’s in the world: Rovos Rail. From humble beginnings in the 1980’s when Rowan purchased his first carriage, today, Rovos Rail not only schedules various routes around South Africa, but also as far as Victoria Falls, Dar-Es-Salaam and Cairo. One of the many highlights includes boarding and disembarking at the privately owned, historic, rather colonial railway station at Capital Park, Pretoria. It also possesses a small and fascinating railway museum of South African railways. A typical Rovos Rail schedule and route is as follows:
SCHEDULE AND ROUTE
Typical Rovos Rail Schedule
Day 1 – depart Pretoria at 15h00, gourmet dinner aboard the train followed by overnight on train. Evening dinners are formal dress; dinner jacket or jacket and tie for men, and for ladies a cocktail or evening dress (B/fast 07h00-10h00, lunch at 13h00, high tea at 16h00, dinner at 19h30)
Day 2 – train arrives at 09h45 for a stop at Kimberley, the largest man-made hole in the world, where a guided tour of the diamond mine and the museum take place before boarding again at 12h30 for lunch. The journey continues via De Aar and Beaufort West before arriving at Matjiesfontein the following morning
Day 3 – at 08h15 enjoy a guided tour of the unique and historic hamlet of Matjiesfontein before re-boarding the train at 10h30 for the final journey to ape Town via Touws River and Worcester, arriving at Cape Town station at 18h00
BUILT IN THE 1800’S
A Truly Wonderful
Experience Of Bye-gone Era
Life on board Rovos Rail is a truly wonderful experience of bye-gone era. The original dining car was built in the 1800’s and at the rear of the train is an observation car in which you can sit in the open back of the train admiring the passing landscapes. the train travels at a slow 60km/hour which allows passengers to really slow down, relax, and soak up some gorgeous African scenery. there is no television, no radios, and the use of mobiles and lap-tops are confined to the travellers own private cabin or suite.
ONE OF THE FINEST LUXURY RAIL EXPERIENCES
About The Blue Train
The history of the Blue Train stretches back to a period of colonial opulence when diamonds and gold brought new wealth to this southern tip of Africa. Today, The Blue Train, with its royal blue and cream livery suit, offers one of the finest luxury rail experiences in the world. Having only ever ceased its schedules in WWII, the two sets of Blue Train have been renovated and modernised twice in recent years, first in the 70’s and then in the 90’s. Travelling at an approximate 90 km/h, the Blue Train is a smooth, comfortable, low decibel, air-conditioned ride using electric and diesel. With two highly qualified technicians aboard, the Blue Trains suspension, braking system, lighting and under-floor heating have been designed to ensure maximum comfort for guests. At the rear of the train is a beautiful observation car where guests can relax, read, take a drink, or watch the passing landscapes before your eyes. At both ends of the train there are also wood panelled lounge and club cars with beautiful bar areas and separate table and chair seating.
TOUCH OF AFRICA
Choice Of Two Accommodations
There are a choice of two accommodations on the Blue Train: a De Luxe Suite comprising a twin or double bed, with shower or bath, loo and basin. The Luxury Suite comprises a slightly larger area by a length of a meter, to include twin or double bed, en-suite shower or bath with loo and basin, and the lounge space is as a result slightly larger. All suites are beautifully furnished with a ‘touch of Africa’ theme running through, and all electrical mod-cons including telephone, shaver points, plugs, hair driers and digital TV’s are provided.
Dining
Dining is a serious affair on board the Blue Train where guests can enjoy local flavours such as Karoo lamb or ostrich fillet, all accompanied by the Cape’s finest wines. All requirements are catered for, including vegetarian, halaal and kosher. Each meal is also accompanied by a low key background music of the Soweto String Quartet, or some light jazz or classical music.
Routes & Excursions
The Blue Train offers two routes: Cape Town to Pretoria, or Pretoria to Cape. Both routes are of a duration of 2 days and 1 night. During the journey of each route, the Blue Train makes two stops, one at the diamond town of Kimberley for a guided tour f the largest man-made hole in the world, and the other, for a guided tour of the quaint hamlet of Matjiesfontein, who’s roots are still firmly set in the historic Victorian era.