south africa train tours

SA-Rail Train Tours South Africa

Book your ticket for the most luxurious train travel experience you can get in South Africa. With SA Rail reservation services you can book your ticket for The Blue Train , Rovos Rail , Shongololo Express and Kruger Shalati – Train on the bridge . We specialize in ensuring classic luxury train travel itineraries in Southern Africa.

The Finest Luxury Train Travel in South Africa

Vacationing by train is a great way to view the hidden details of any country; you can feel at ease and loosen up onboard as you are not bothered by either directions or traffic. Featuring some of the finest rail vacations globally, journeying by train travel in South Africa has continued to soar in popularity in recent years. Rail passing through wildlife reserves, winelands, ancient sites and the wide-open fields of the Karoo region, would definitely create an unforgettable experience.

Adding a magnificent train journey into your travel plan would add a distinct perspective to your vacation – train travel is really in a class of its own. Luxury Trains transport you in style and give you the freedom to relax and have fun.

Here are three of African’s best options for luxury train travel in South Africa.

Feel the lavish ambiance of rail travel on one of the most magnificent train in the world. These exclusive train safaris through the soul of Africa integrate the most stunning scenery with the glamour and thrill of rail travel. Rovos Rail has attained a global standing for its genuine first-class travel experiences. With great wooden panelling and air-conditioned suites, the En-suite bathrooms are equipped with hot showers and many other great features. The Royal Suites are roomy and stylish, with private lounge area and full bathroom as well as Victorian bath and shower. The Deluxe Suites accommodate two passengers and have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower. Read more

Shongololo Express ( Operated by Rovos Rail )

Travel by train through 7 southern African nations on the Shongololo Express operated by the Rovos Rail . This luxury train travels through several Southern Africa countries on long-distance journeys to fascinating sites with breathtaking sights.

This luxury train moves with a fleet of air-conditioned tour buses driven by competent multi-lingual guides. Jump off the train to take pleasure in game-viewing safaris, visit historic sites, view natural marvels and soak up in the culture and rhythm of the region.

The trains feature a variety of facilities such as a bar, dining, observation carriages as well as restful cabins with en suite bathing rooms. The rooms have dual beds and differ in their layouts. The large breakfast spread of fresh baked pastries and muffins. An assortment of cereals and seasonal fruits, as well as a variety of choices from English breakfast.

The Blue Train

A symbol of South African’s luxury travel, the Blue Train is a foremost way to absorb the magnificent vistas of the rainbow nation. Famous people and presidents are among its patrons. This esteemed hotel on wheels incorporates world-class accommodation and dining with an ever-changing backdrop of train travel in South Africa’s landscapes for an absolutely memorable experience.

Everything is class and style made manifest. The Lounge Car, beautiful windows are another perfect for taking sights. Furthermore the Dining Car offers tasty meals made by master chefs. Served against a backdrop of soothing jazz or classical music. In addition a unique boutique offers a variety of fittings. Most of which are branded with the Blue Train’s stylish signet. Items is beautiful and will keep the memory for years.

The Suites include Deluxe and Luxury Suites. The Luxury option slightly occupies more space with a comfortable and stylish bath tub. All suites have twin or double beds and under floor heating as well as independently controlled air conditioning system. Read more

At SA-Rail, we sell luxury passenger train tickets in South Africa. Above all three of the best luxury trains in the country. The Blue Train , Rovos Rail and Premier Classe has been known for their luxury train tours in South Africa for years.

Contact Us Today!

Tel: +27 (0)21 100 3596 Fax: +27 (0)86 598 0812 Email: [email protected] RSA Co Reg: 2007/049324/23

RESERVATION FORMS

Rovos Rail Shongololo Express The Blue Train Kruger Shalati

STAY CONNECTED

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Privacy Overview

*Four Night Journey

• The SA Special discounted offers is an exclusive rate valid to any person who resides on the Africa Continent.
• These offers are only applicable in the Deluxe suite category and available on selected Blue Train departures between Pretoria and Cape Town as advertised.
• The rates are quoted per adult sharing .  Single Travelers and Child’s rates are available on request.
• Hotels are in a package budget and prices are quoted on entry level room categories. Should you wish to book a higher room category or an alternative hotel from our list, we will send you a quotation accordingly.
• Packages that includes flights are booked on low cost carriers and are in a budget off R1’500.00 per person. Should the fare be higher, guests would be requested to pay in the difference. Guests are also welcome to request a preferred airline.
• Flights can only be guaranteed once proof of payment have been received.  Please ensure that the correct names as per ID/Passport is provided as name changes are not permitted.
• All travel services remain subject to availability at the time of making your reservation and packages can be withdrawn without prior notice.
• We are not limited to website offers and can assist with any tailor made package.
• Our standard travel terms and conditions apply.

*Higher rates apply

*Higher rate applies

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Please select all the ways you would like to hear from SA Rail:

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices here.

Prices are subject to availability and can change due to currency fluctuation tax in/decreases.

High season rates may apply and will be confirmed upon requesting a quotation.

The rates are quoted per adult sharing. Single Travellers and Child’s rates are available on request.

Hotels are in a package budget and prices are quoted on entry level room categories unless otherwise stated. Should you wish to book a higher room category or an alternative hotel from our list, we will gladly send you a quotation accordingly.

• We are not limited to website offers and can assist with tailor made packages.

Our standard travel terms and conditions apply.

**DATES IN COLOR DENOTE THE TRAIN WITH A MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF 82 GUESTS – WITH A PARAPLEGIC SUITE (PARTIALLY WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY)

Get 5% discount on all Blue Train departures for August and September 2019 !

Use Promotion Code: LMPROMO Valid from 12 – 16 August 2019 only. *Terms & Conditions Apply

• These offers are only applicable in the Deluxe suite category and available on Blue Train departures between Pretoria and Cape Town from now until the end of 2020.
• High season rates apply from 01 September to 15 November.
• The Free night hotel offer is available on all Blue Train departures between Pretoria and Cape Town from now until the end of 2020, pre or post departures.
• This offer is only valid on entry level room categories and remains subject to availability.
• Should you wish to book a higher room category or an alternative hotel from our list, we will send you a quotation accordingly.
• Rates are quoted per adult sharing .  Single Travelers and Child’s rates are available on request.

Pullman Suite by day

Pullman Suite - Double Bed

Pullman Suite - Double Bunks

Pullman Suite - Single Bunk

*Train stop for operational purposes

Africa Luxury Train Travel Rovos Rail Train Journeys

Rovos Rail Train Routes

Rovos Rail is one of South Africa's finest and most luxurious trains. Trains travel through the heart of Africa combining magnificent scenery with the elegance and glamor of the golden age rail travel.

Rovos Rail Train Travel Info

Since being established in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned a reputation for providing world class train travel in Africa. Experience five-star cuisine and luxury aboard this elegant locomotive.

Rail Safari

Awake each morning to a fresh new vista of Southern Africa and the anticipation of new and exciting adventures ahead. Read more about the magic of a Rail Safari .

Life on Board

A rovos Rail train trip is a luxury affair where guests are treated like royalty. Dining is a grand affair, with everyone dressed to the nines! Learn more about Life on Board Rovos Rail.

Unforgettable Luxury Train Safari in South Africa

Rail journeys in africa.

Experience the magic of travelling through Africa by rail. Customize your trip by adding pre and post accommodation.

• Tel: +27 21 424 1037
• Fax: +27 21 424 1036
• Contact by Mail
• Business Hours
• Mon - Fri. 08:00 - 17:00
• Saturday. 08:00 - 12:00
• Reservations and Bookings
• Booking Conditions
• Visa and Passport
• About Siyabona Africa (Pty) Ltd
• Useful Guides
• Train Safari in South Africa

Blue Train South Africa Luxury Train Travel in Africa

Blue Train Routes

Luxury South African train tour routes on the Blue Train include a 2 day journey from Cape Town to Pretoria and a 2 day train trip from Pretoria to Cape Town .

Life On Board

The Blue Train will easily rival many a 5-star hotel in terms of elegance, comfort and style. Read more about the facilities on board this luxury South Africa train.

About the Blue Train

Find out what makes this first class luxury South Africa train so special. Indulge on the finest cuisine, relax in the cigar bar, shop in the boutique or just watch the beautiful scenery go by...

Blue Train Charter

Charter The Blue Train for strategic meetings, product launches, weddings and more. You can also book a golfing charter and even a safari charter to Kruger National Park to see African wildlife.

Luxury Train Travel

Experience superb service, spectacular scenery and luxurious accommodation and facilities on board the Blue Train in South Africa.

• Customer Support
• Tel: +27 21 424 1037
• Fax: +27 21 424 1036
• Contact by Mail
• Business Hours
• Mon - Fri. 08:00 - 17:00
• Saturday. 08:00 - 12:00
• Reservations and Bookings
• Booking Conditions
• Visa and Passport
• About Siyabona Africa (Pty) Ltd
• Useful Guides
• Train Safari in South Africa

Call Us: +44 (0)20 8191 0620   |  Email Us: [email protected]

Blue Train Tours: Experience the Iconic Blue Train South Africa Journey

If you’re considering adventuring away from home and treating yourself to a dose of luxury, Blue Train Tours can offer you the experience you’re looking for. The Blue Train South Africa is a genuine icon in luxury train travel and an enterprise that this magnificent country is enormously proud of. Operated by Transnet Freight Rail, our Blue Train holiday packages offer you a magical way of travelling from Pretoria to Cape Town while enjoying unbeatable hospitality that has been a trademark of Blue Train trips since 1946.

View all the Blue Train tours we offer to get your trip going.

Cabin Classes

Full details on the cabin classes available on the Blue Train.

Life On Board

Learn about life on board the Luxury Blue Train.

Frequently asked questions about the Blue Train.

South Africa’s Legendary Blue Train Luxury Tours

Below are the rail tours we offer that use the Blue Train. Just click on any tour to open a PDF containing all you need to know about the trip including a detailed itinerary, dates and prices.

● Please remember that booking as far ahead as you can in advance is essential for these trains ●

2 Nights From SA Rand ZAR 40,035

Contact us for quotes in other currencies

Cape Town ● Kimberley ● Pretoria

Pretoria ● Kimberley ● Cape Town

South Africa’s Blue Train Gallery

A selection of photos below give a flavour of life on board the Blue Train.

The luxury train travel company

Contact us about the blue train.

We look forward to hearing from you and are happy to answer any questions you have – just email or call us or use the form below.

[email protected]

Tel: +44 (0)20 8191 0620

Enquire Here About The Blue Train

Please provide as much information as possible so we can respond with the best answer and don't forget to press the submit button at the bottom. We reply to all enquiries within one working day.

How Can We Reach You?

How can we help, which blue train trip are you interested in, how did you hear about us, south africa’s blue train tours: elegance and sophistication on rails.

South Africa’s Blue Train has been synonymous with the warmth of its hospitality and the opulence of its accommodation since making its debut in the late 1940s. Whether you’re looking to sit back, kick your shoes off, and unwind on the 2-night Blue Train Cape Town to Pretoria route or the reverse journey, these Blue Train South Africa specials offer a truly unique glimpse into some of the country’s most stunning diverse scenery.

As a guest boarding Blue Train tours in South Africa, you’ll find yourself fully immersed in the lap of luxury for the duration of your journey. From a dedicated butler and spacious and beautifully designed cabin to the observation car and incredible onboard dining, the luxury Blue Train South Africa will continue to draw you in and impress you at every turn. Blue Train prices for upcoming tours represent immense value, and the Blue Train Express is something everyone should experience.

African Blue Train Holidays: From Cape Town to Pretoria in Opulent Style

The Luxury Train Travel Company’s Blue Train holiday packages allow you to steep your soul in the wonderful things this country offers. Once you’ve boarded the Blue Train, Cape Town to Pretoria route, you’re in for a first-class treat as you’ll have some magical opportunities and off-train excursions made available to you. You could add a “rail safari” to your South African Blue Train package and visit the Kruger National Park to see South Africa’s big five: elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and buffalo.

If off-train excursions aren’t your thing, the luxury Blue Train South Africa won’t leave you short of enjoyable experiences. You could relax in the observation car and enjoy a glass of champagne on your Blue Train holiday. The landscape along the route is mesmerising; you could spend hours taking in the spectacular vistas. If you want to cocoon yourself in your luxurious suite while resting easy on the African Blue Train, bury your head in a good book and watch the world go by on one of our Blue Train holidays in South Africa.

Blue Train South Africa Prices: Luxury Meets Affordability

Luxury and affordability are two words that will have a unique meaning to each of us. But one thing that can’t be argued is the luxury of South Africa’s Blue Train. Available packages for 2024/25 will introduce you to the height of luxury rail travel that can comfortably be set side by side with any luxury trains currently operating worldwide. The Blue Train South Africa route, north or southbound, allows its passengers to indulge like royalty.

Blue Train prices also represent incredible monetary worth. Blue train packages can be booked as part of a wider-reaching South African adventure or as a 3-day and 2-night short getaway. A Blue Train travel package is something that everyone should experience, and thanks to our Blue Train prices being so reasonable, they can. Our Blue Train holidays in South Africa start at over USD 1,500 and provide absolute luxury and comfort, including your meals, wine, and cigars, if that’s your thing.

Blue Train Specials: Exclusive Deals for the Discerning Traveller

Here at The Luxury Train Travel Company, we want to give our clientele the most rewarding experience when booking one of our Blue Train holiday packages. We have long excelled in customer service and assisting in providing Blue Train trips that far exceed expectations. For many guests boarding South Africa’s Blue Train, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, maybe the beginning of a honeymoon, a wedding anniversary, or a retirement treat.

Our Blue Train specials have been curated to ensure the finest of details have been taken care of as we make every effort possible to ensure your time aboard the African Blue Train is unforgettable for all the right reasons. Whether you want to book the Blue Train Cape Town to Pretoria or the return Blue Train tour, we’re with you every step to ensure it’s perfect. Check out our Blue Train specials and speak to an expert here who will help you get the best deal for your luxury rail journey in South Africa.

Available Blue Train Packages: Tailored for Every Adventurous Soul

Even though many people are never fortunate enough not to treat themselves, we all love an adventure. The Luxury Train Travel Company is here to make it easy for you to book that dream trip in the form of one of our beautifully curated Blue Train tours in South Africa. And if you’re seeking adventure, what an adventure this is, and you get to enjoy it all in the lap of luxury. Our Blue Train South Africa specials promise you the experience you’ve been missing, and you’ll experience it in total comfort.

Whichever Blue Train travel package you settle on as your dream journey, you can experience the finest of the country, from South Africa’s “Big Five” the elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard, and rhino, to Kimberley Open Mine Museum. Onboard, you’ll indulge in best-in-class accommodation and onboard service, including a butler. Along the Blue Train South Africa route, you can enjoy fine wines and champagne, spectacular meals prepared onboard, and relax in the bar or observation car.

The Classic Route: Blue Train from Pretoria to Cape Town and Beyond

The classic and most popular route is the Blue Train trip to Cape Town. The journey begins in Pretoria, some 1600km northeast of the port city of Cape Town. You’ll register and then check in to the Blue Train lounge for a midday departure. Your Blue Train tour will begin with canapés being served. High Tea is served at 4 p.m. before you can dress for one of two dinner settings in a jacket or waistcoat for the gentlemen and elegant wear for the ladies.

After enjoying a stunning fine dining meal, you could relax at the bar or retire in your luxury cabin for the evening. Day 2 sees South Africa’s Blue Train arrive at Kimberly station for your excursion to the Open Mine Museum. You’ll depart around midday for lunch onboard the Blue Train Express. Day 3 will see your Blue Train South Africa route end as you arrive at Cape Town Station at 6 p.m., where you’ll depart to continue your journey.

A Journey to Remember: The Blue Train Express Adventure

Luxury train travel has always provided a beautifully laid-back way of journeying from one destination to the next. Unlike other forms of transport, a trip onboard the African Blue Train is as much about the journey itself as it is about reaching Cape Town or Pretoria. Our Blue Train tours in South Africa include adventure, excitement, and thrills while remaining relaxed in total luxury. Our Blue Train tour packages are wonderfully designed to optimise unique opportunities and create a lifetime of incredible memories.

Blue Train Trips in South Africa: Discover the Country’s Hidden Gems

Blue Train trips allow the discerning traveller to explore the magical country in a way that no other method of transport allows. Whether you’re booked on the Blue Train Cape Town to Pretoria route, the reverse journey, or both, you’ll get a unique perspective of South Africa. You could book one of our Blue Train available packages as a stand-alone trip or use a journey on the Blue Train Express to embellish a wide-ranging tour of the country to discover more of its secrets and hidden gems.

Luxury Blue Train Tour Packages: Curated for Ultimate Travel Bliss

Each Blue Train travel package has been carefully curated to produce lifelong experiences and memories. Whether it’s your first Blue Train trip to Cape Town or your tenth, you’ll never be let down by the tremendous level of onboard luxury and the experiences along the route. The Blue Train South Africa route is extraordinary, and even the most seasoned luxury traveller will be dazzled by the opulence and old-world charm of any of these Blue Train tours.

THE MOST POPULAR QUESTIONS

Blue train holidays faqs, what are the blue train south africa prices for the different routes.

The Blue Train specials at The Luxury Train Travel Company provide incredible value for money when taking a luxury train journey through South Africa or another continent. The landscapes you’ll see across SA are very diverse and offer something truly unique. The Blue Train trips in South Africa from either Cape Town or Pretoria make for an incredible journey. Blue Train prices are dependent on several factors. The price can change significantly between the high and low seasons, depending on which luxury cabin you choose. If you opt for a luxury double cabin in the low season, you can expect the price to be around USD 1800, and a deluxe single occupancy cabin in the high season will be USD 2500+.

Are there any special Blue Train South Africa Specials or discounts available?

Blue Train specials are sometimes available throughout the year. If you are considering any of our Blue Train holiday packages available through our website, contact an expert at The Luxury Train Travel Company, and we’ll help you get the best available deal at that time.

Which Blue Train Packages are the most popular?

It would be fair to say that all the routes currently available onboard South Africa’s Blue Train are very popular. It depends on whether the three days and two nights onboard your Blue Train tour will be your entire vacation or whether your stay onboard the luxury Blue Train South Africa is being optimised to transport you to Pretoria or Cape Town to continue your journey.

Can I book a Blue Train Tour with rail travel and safari experiences?

The Pretoria to Hoedspruit is returning, and this Blue Train travel package is being run as a “rail safari” and will take in Kruger National Park. Kruger National Park is one of the country’s top three destinations and will provide ample opportunity to witness Africa’s Big Five. These particular Blue Train tour packages will be running with a route from Pretoria to Hoedspruit, including the 19-hour overnight journey, arriving at 5 a.m. and then returning at 10 a.m. the following morning.

explore the world of luxury trains

Explore the luxury train travel company.

Explore Our Range of Luxury Rail Tours Across the Globe. Learn About The Different Luxury Trains We Can Offer. View Our Tours by Region & Destinations. View our train departure Calendar.

The Man in Seat 61

A beginner's guide to

Train travel in south africa.

• Buy train tickets
• Buy ferry tickets
• Book a hotel
• Privacy & cookies
•   Home

Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, safe, comfortable south african trains.

Contrary to what you may have heard and to what many middle-class South Africans may tell you, taking the train is a remarkably safe, civilised & enjoyable way to travel between cities in South Africa.  In fact, you'd be crazy not to consider it.  There are several completely different train services:

Shosholoza Meyl long-distance passenger trains

Comfortable & amazingly cheap, Shosholoza Meyl long-distance passenger trains link Johannesburg with Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth & East London.  They're perfectly safe , and one of South Africa's best-kept secrets, highly recommended by travellers.  The Cape Town to Johannesburg train passes the same wonderful scenery as the megabucks Blue Train, but costs only 690 Rand (£33 or $50) including a bed in a 2-berth or 4-berth sleeper.  Durban to Johannesburg is even cheaper.  Shosholoza Meyl's Tourist Class trains have modernised sleeping-cars and a restaurant car, a great alternative to flying and missing everything, or being stuck in a bus seat for whole days & nights.  See train times, fares, photos & how to buy tickets .  See important update .

Premier Classe trains

Luxury on a budget.  Premier Classe trains link Cape Town & Johannesburg weekly for R3,120 (£189 or $235) including exclusive use of a cosy private sleeper and all meals & afternoon tea in the elegant restaurant car as you pass the fabulous South African scenery.  There's a spacious lounge-bar car too.  Highly recommended by travellers, who give Premier Classe rave reviews.  See train times, fares, photos & how to buy tickets .  Not currently running, see update .

The Blue Train, Cape Town to Pretoria

A world-famous luxury train from Cape Town to Pretoria once or twice a week.  It costs from 10,120 Rand (£895 or $1,300) one-way including meals, wine and even cigars.  Worth it if you have the money.  See train times, fares & how to buy tickets .

Gautrain linking Jo'burg, Pretoria & Jo'burg airport

Gautrain is the brand-new safe and modern electric suburban train service around Johannesburg.  The Airport Line links Jo'burg's O.R. Tambo international airport with Sandton.  The North-South Line links Park Station in central Johannesburg (used by Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Classe long distance trains) with Sandton and Pretoria.

Metro suburban trains

Suburban ( Metro ) trains around Johannesburg & Pretoria are not safe (which is why some South Africans will mistakenly tell you that all South African trains are unsafe), but those around Cape Town can be used if you're reasonably careful to travel from Cape Town to Stellenbosch, Paarl & Simon's Town.  Metro train information .

Cruise trains:  Rovos Rail, Shongololo

There are several luxury cruise trains in South Africa, run by companies like Rovos Rail or Shongololo, aimed a tourists with western-style prices.  Cruise train information .

International travel to & from South Africa by train, bus & sea

Unfortunately, there are now no international trains (other than occasional tourist cruise trains) from South Africa to Namibia, Botswana or Zimbabwe, but for information on international travel by a combination of train and bus from South Africa to Zimbabwe, see the Zimbabwe page . For onward travel to Zambia and Tanzania, see the Zambia page .  For travel to Namibia, see the Namibia page .  For trains to Maputo in Mozambique, see the Mozambique page .  For travel to Botswana, see the Botswana page .  See the map here .

Freight ships with limited passenger places and an occasional cruise liner link the UK with Cape Town.  Start with your search with thecruisepeople.wordpress.com , a UK agency which books both cruise liners and freighters.  Also try www.travltips.com/cruises/freighter/overview.php & www.freightercruises.com .  Cunard have occasional sailings from Southampton to Cape Town, see www.cunard.com .  The St Helena steamship used to have very occasional sailings from the UK to Cape Town but these ended in 2018 as the island of St Helena finally (sadly) got an airstrip, see www.rms-st-helena.com .

Useful country information

Shosholoza meyl trains.

The Shosholoza Meyl long-distance passenger trains are perhaps South Africa's best-kept travel secret and an unbelievable bargain.  Comfortable, cheap & perfectly safe , they link major cities including Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth & East London.  They're a great way to travel as they let you see South Africa comfortably & affordably at ground level, without spending whole days & nights in a bus seat, or spending a fortune on expensive tourist experiences like the Blue Train or Rovos Rail , or flying and missing everything.  They are run by Shosholoza Meyl ( www.shosholozameyl.co.za ), originally part of South African Railways (Spoornet) and now a division of the Passenger Rail Authority of South Africa (PRASA, www.prasa.com ).  The Shosholoza Meyl name was launched in 2001 along with newly-refurbished brightly-coloured sleeping-cars.  In 2006, Shosholoza Meyl split its trains into two distinct classes:  Tourist class with sleeping cars with 2 & 4-berth compartments and a restaurant car serving full meals, snacks, beer and wine, and Economy class with sitter class seats and sometimes a restaurant car.  In Tourist class, the sleepers even have hot showers at the end of the corridor!

IMPORTANT UPDATE 2024:  Shosholoza Meyl trains were suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic, the rail network was then hit by looting and cable theft.  Latest info is that the Cape Town - Jo'burg train resumed once a week in December 2023 as shown below.  The Jo'burg-Durban train has also resumed, details not known.  Contact them (not me!) for details.

Update to the update, January 2024:  Reports now coming in that the Cape Town to Jo'burg train has been suspended again.  Incompetence all round...

Train times & routes

Cape Town - Johannesburg

Johannesburg - Durban

Johannesburg - Bloemfontein - Port Elizabeth

Johannesburg - East London

Johannesburg & Pretoria - Louis Trichardt - Messina

Johannesburg & Pretoria - Nelspruit - Komatipoort (for Kruger Park)

Johannesburg - Mafikeng - Kimberley

Cape Town - East London

Shosholoza Meyl travel information

How much does it cost.

How to buy tickets    

What are Shosholoza Meyl trains like?  

Safety on Shosholoza Meyl trains   

You can check Shosholoza Meyl train times at the official site www.shosholozameyl.co.za , but travel agency site www.southafricanrailways.co.za is kept better updated and is usually far more useful!

1.  Cape Town - Johannesburg

* Until 2019, the Premier Classe train ran every week.  In 2020 it was reduced to running some weeks only, once or twice each month, see www.southafricanrailways.co.za for dates.

** Pretoria:  Shosholoza Meyl & Premier Classe trains no longer run through to/from Pretoria, since 2006 they start/finish their journey at Johannesburg.  Remember that Johannesburg city centre isn't safe for visitors, but Johannesburg Park Station itself has security and is well-patrolled & secure.  Be very careful if you walk outside the station.  It's recommended that you either use the safe new Gautrain network to travel between Jo'burg Park Station, Sandton and Pretoria, or that you pre-book a car or taxi to pick you up at Jo'burg station when you arrive, and when leaving again, take a taxi or car to the station entrance.  Pretoria is a safer city to use as a base when visiting the Jo'burg area.

Fares    How to buy tickets    What are the trains like?    Are these trains safe? Yes!    Cape Town to Johannesburg is 1,530 Km or 956 miles.

Fares    How to buy tickets    What are the trains like?    Are these trains safe?  Yes they are!    Hotels in Cape Town, Jo'burg & Pretoria

2.  Johannesburg - Durban

Johannesburg-Durban trains pass the spot near Estcourt where in 1899 young war correspondent Winston Churchill was taken prisoner by the Boers when the British armoured train he was with was derailed.  They call at Pietermaritzburg (PMB), the station where Mahatma Ghandi was thrown off a train in 1893.  Not just transportation, but a bit of history!

Fares    How to buy tickets    What are the trains like?    Safety on board    Johannesburg to Durban is 722 Km or 451 miles.

3. Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth

Fares    How to buy tickets    What are the trains like?    Are these trains safe? Yes!    Johannesburg to Pt Elizabeth is 1,112 Km or 695 miles.

Check status at www.southafricanrailways.co.za

4. Johannesburg - East London

Fares    How to buy tickets    What are the trains like?    Are these trains safe? Yes!    Johannesburg to East London is 1,023 Km or 639 miles.

Fares may vary by month.   For example, Cape Town to Jo'burg might be R650 in August, R670 in Sept-Oct, R680 in November, R690 in December & January.  The fare includes a sleeper berth in a 2 or 4 berth sleeper compartment.  Couples can request berths in a 2-berth compartment, though this can't be guaranteed.  Bookings open 90 days in advance.

Bedding (sheets, blankets, pillow, made up for you by the train attendant) is an extra 60 rand (£4, $6) or so per person, paid on the train.

Children in tourist class sleepers aged from 0 to 9 pay half fare, 10 and over pay the adult fare.  This arrangement was introduced in 2009.  It seems harsh to have to pay half fare for a 3-month old baby, but remember how cheap the fares are to start with.  Children in economy class seats aged under 5 travel free, children aged 5 to 9 inclusive travel at half fare, children aged 10 and over pay full fare.

Return fares are twice the one-way fare. 

There may be further reductions for students & seniors in off-peak periods, so ask when booking.

Luggage:   You can take up to 25Kg of luggage into your sleeper compartment with you.  Excess can be sent in the baggage car for R4 per item.

Cars can be transported , for prices & booking contact www.shosholozameyl.co.za or (probably better) reliable agency www.southafricanrailways.co.za .  Pets are not allowed on board, except guide dogs.

Economy class fares:   Cape Town to Johannesburg in a seat on the daily Economy class train costs 170 Rand (£12).

What are Shosholoza Meyl Tourist Class trains like?

Sleeping-cars:    The sleeping-cars have 4-berth rooms called 'compartments' and smaller 2-berth rooms known as 'coupés'.  The berths convert to seating for daytime use.  Each compartment has basic leatherette bench seats which convert to bunks at night, and a washbasin with hot and cold water.  Bedding is provided for a small extra charge (60 Rand, about £4, $6) and expertly made up for you in the evening by the train attendant.  Each sleeping-car has a hot shower at the end of the corridor, with lockable shower cubicle & changing area - bring your own soap & towel.  The coaches are not air-conditioned, so the windows open for a superb view of the countryside.  A metal mesh screen is provided for use at night to allow cool air.  Berth numbers aren't specified on your ticket or allocated when you book.  Instead, reservation lists are posted at the departure station telling you your car and berth number.  As far as is possible, two passengers travelling together will be booked into a 2-berth coupé, a solo traveller will normally be booked into a 4-berth compartment with passengers of the same sex.  The price is the same.  If you pay for two tickets (quite affordable, given the fare) you can have sole occupancy of a coupé.  The whole train is all non-smoking.

Example restaurant car prices:  Full English breakfast R 55, porridge R35.  Sirloin steak & chips R95.  Chicken & chips or salad R55.  Lasagne R70.  Macaroni cheese R65.  Castle beer R17 for 440ml.  Wine prices not known.

What are Shosholoza Meyl Economy Class Trains like?

Sitter class seating: Economy trains have basic seating, which does not convert to berths.  Fine for daytime journeys, and safe with travelling security staff on board, but not generally recommended for visitors on overnight trips unless you can't get a sleeper and are prepared to rough it.  Most trains also have a restaurant or refreshment car.

How to buy tickets

Bookings open 90 days before departure. 

Shosholoza Meyl tourist class sleepers can get fully-booked a month or two ahead, especially on the popular Cape Town to Johannesburg route, so book as far ahead as you can . 

Remember that this is Africa and trains can run late, sometimes hours not minutes, so don't book any tight onward connections - ideally allow an overnight stop before any connecting international flight. 

Option 1, buy tickets online at www.shosholozameyl.co.za

Online booking used to be possible on the official Shosholoza Meyl website www.shosholozameyl.co.za - click Book now at top right.

Option 2, buy tickets in person or by phone on 086 000 8888

If you live in South Africa , simply call Shosholoza Meyl's freephone number 086 000 8888.

From outside South Africa , call + 27 11 7744 555 - but you have to collect & pay at a Shosholoza Meyl station within 2 days.  As this may be impractical, I suggest booking online as above or using African Sun Travel as shown below.

Reservations are computerised, so any reservation office can book any journey in South Africa.  When booking by phone, you will be given a booking reference number, and you must collect and pay for your tickets at a station within 2 days.  Your ticket will not show your coach or berth number, but a passenger list showing which berth is allocated to which passenger is posted in a glass case at the station about an hour before departure.

Safety & security on Shosholoza Meyl trains:  Not a problem!

Shosholoza Meyl tourist class trains are perfectly safe to travel on, and can even be recommended for families and women travelling alone.  Sleeping compartments have both a normal lock and a security lock which cannot be opened from the outside, and the train manager and his assistants do a good job looking after their passengers.  People who tell you that 'trains in South Africa are unsafe' have probably never been on one, and are confusing these excellent and safe Shosholoza Meyl trains with the suburban Metro trains around the big cities which they see adversely reported on South African TV.  It goes without saying that the high-end Premier Classe and Blue Train services are very safe, too.

Safety & security at Johannesburg's Park Station

The long-distance trains themselves are very safe, and Johannesburg's Park Station itself is well-patrolled with security guards & CCTV.  However, the streets surrounding Park Station in downtown Johannesburg are definitely not safe, so arrange a car to drop you off or pick you up right at the station entrance or ask the driver to meet you inside the station.   You should take advice before walking around in Johannesburg city centre.  However, things are improving and you can now travel between Johannesburg Park Station and Pretoria via the suburb of Sandton, using the safe new Gautrain network .

Traveller's report:   Trish Jones says this about arriving by car at Johannesburg Park station to catch the Premier Classe train to Cape Town: "With regards to Johannesburg's Park Station, it was one of the things I was concerned about as I haven’t been there for ages, and I’m super cautious.  We had a friend collect us, drove into the car park from the Rissik Street side, and much to my amazement it was spotless and well organized.  Once inside, it’s a case of down the escalator, turn left, and straight into the Premier Classe Lounge (also used for The Blue Train) for check in.  It’s totally separate and is available only to Premier Classe [and Blue Train] passengers.  No hassles and I didn’t feel uncomfortable or threatened at all.  The rest of the station isn't great, but it doesn't matter because you don’t go there."

Traveller's report:   Steven Wasiura says "Park Station in Johannesburg was very busy and felt generally safe, with visible security presence throughout.  The Gautrain is an excellent way to reach the station [from Pretoria, airport, or suburbs], though the direct link between the Gautrain station and Park is still under construction, necessitating a short, easy walk outside.  There are also several car hire agencies with offices at the station, so you may be able, as I was, to return your rental car there and go straight to your train."

Traveller's report:   Ivor Morgan says "The key point is that it's possible to transfer between Shosholoza Meyl & Premier Classe trains, long-distance buses and the Gautrain, without leaving the reasonably secure perimeter of Jo'burg Park Station.  Shosholoza Meyl & Premier Classe trains arrive on the lowest level, on a platform which is somewhat separate from the Metrorail suburban platforms.  Leaving the platform (where your ticket will be collected, so have it handy) an escalator takes you up to the main concourse.  Long-distance buses leave from the main concourse level.  The bus companies have their offices on one side, and there are waiting areas and departure gates on the other.  If you go up another level, there are some shops and a food court and this upper level is also the way to the Gautrain.  The signage is not great, so look for the Wolmarans St exit if there is no Gautrain sign.  When you reach the exit from the building at this level, you will see a short (~15m) covered walkway leading to another building. Inside the entrance to this building, you can see escalators going down to the Gautrain.  At the bottom of the escalators, there is a short passage:  The Gautrain ticket counter and ticket machines are straight ahead, and the ticket barriers are on the left.  Going the other way should be easier - turn right out of the Gautrain ticket barriers (left takes you to the Gautrain car park), up the escalators, and follow the covered walkway to the main station building.  If there are no signs specifically for Shosholoza Meyl, follow the signs for Metrorail until Shosholoza Meyl signs appear."

Travelling from Johannesburg to Cape Town by Shosholoza Meyl tourist class train

Back to top

IMPORTANT UPDATE 2024:  These Premier Classe trains stopped operating in 2020 due to Covid and have not resumed.  The great South African Railways has been brought to it knees by mismanagement, corruption, vandalism & theft.

Cape Town -  Johannesburg (once a week)

The Premier Classe train ( www.premierclasse.co.za , if & when their site is working) is an affordable deluxe service aimed at both budget-conscious tourists and South Africans themselves.  It's another of South-Africa's well-kept travel secrets, and it's already getting great reports from travellers who try it.  If you can't afford the famous Blue Train, but still want safe, civilised deluxe train travel at ground level through superb South African scenery that you can't see from 35,000 feet, take a Premier Classe train.  Premier Classe started out in 1998 as an affordable deluxe service from Cape Town to Johannesburg, originally running once a week attached to the regular Shosholoza Meyl train.  But in 2006 it was made into a completely separate train.  In 2008 they introduced a Jo'burg-Durban train and in 2013 they added a Jo'burg to Port Elizabeth train.  Sadly both of these were discontinued in 2014.  See advice on using Johannesburg Park Station .

The Premier Classe train is a hotels on rails.  It uses standard South African Railways sleeping-cars (in fact, the same 1960s-1970s type used by Shosholoza Meyl) which have been refurbished to deluxe standards, and passengers are given twice the normal amount of space per passenger:  Solo passengers get sole occupancy of what would have been a 2-berth coupé, two passengers get sole use of what would have been a 4-berth compartment and so get two lower berths.  The sleeping-cars aren't air-conditioned, a big advantage for photographers as the windows open.  There's a deluxe Premier Classe restaurant car serving 3-5 course meals and a Premier Classe lounge car with armchairs, sofas and a bar.  The fare includes all your meals and complimentary tea/coffee, although alcoholic drinks cost extra.  Premier Classe passengers can use the luxury Blue Train VIP lounges at Cape Town and Johannesburg stations.  Premier Classe is now a division of the new Passenger Rail Authority of South Africa (PRASA, www.prasa.com ).  This amateur video gives a good idea of what to expect on board the Premier Classe train and in terms of scenery, and you may also find this account helps convince you to try out this excellent train service!

Pretoria, Sandton & airport connections:  You can now travel between Jo'burg Park Station, Sandton, Pretoria & Jo'burg international airport on the safe new Gautrain network , see below.

Car transport:   Cars can also be transported on these trains between Cape Town & Johannesburg, R 1,780- R 3,700 per car.

Premier Classe train timetable...    You can check train times & fares at www.premierclasse.co.za (if working) or at www.southafricanrailways.co.za (African Sun Travel, a private agency but usually more reliable).

* Until 2019, the Premier Classe train ran every week.  In 2020 it will be reduced to running some weeks only, once or twice each month, see www.southafricanrailways.co.za for dates.

How much does Premier Classe cost?

Cape Town to Johannesburg  costs around R 3,120 (£189 or $235) each way per person including all meals and private sleeper.

Slightly higher fares apply at peak times such as December-January, Easter & school holidays.

Children under 3 travel free if sharing with their parents, children under 10 pay 80% of the adult fare, children 10 & over pay the adult fare.

You can check fares at www.premierclasse.co.za (if working, it may well still not be!), www.southafricanrailways.co.za (African Sun Travel) or www.newfusion.co.za (New Fusion Travel)

Booking for Premier Classe opens 12 months ahead.  You can request a Premier Classe booking online at www.southafricanrailways.co.za (this is  African Sun Travel, a reliable ticketing agency, not the operator themselves) or www.newfusion.co.za (New Fusion Travel).  Or you can book by phone calling the train operator on +27 11 774 4555 or + 27 12 334 8039 or (from within South Africa) 086 000 8888 (lines open Monday-Friday 09:00-16:30, GMT+2).  Alternatively, you can e-mail your request to the train operator at [email protected] .  There is more information at the Premier Classe website, if it's working, at www.premierclasse.co.za , with an online booking request form.  However, reports suggest you'll get more responsive booking from ticketing agency www.southafricanrailways.co.za (African Sun Travel).

A journey from Cape Town to Jo'burg by Premier Classe train

For these photos I am indebted to Billy Shearer ( read his trip report below ) and Tommi Tollki.

The Blue Train , Cape Town to Pretoria

IMPORTANT UPDATE 2024:  The Blue Train stopped running in 2020 due to the pandemic, but resumed in 2022.  In 2024 it's running.

It's the most famous train in South Africa, and one of the most famous trains in the world.  South Africa's Blue Train links Cape Town with Pretoria once or twice a week, year round.  With a one-way fare from around R 36,000 (£1,750 or $2,000) per person for two people travelling together even in the low season, it's now aimed squarely at foreign visitors.  However, The Blue Train is definitely the most luxurious way to travel between these two cities, and if you do choose to splurge, you will not be disappointed!

Blue Train timetable 2023

The Blue Train switched to a novel night-day-night schedule in 2019, a slower schedule but one less susceptible to delays and with additional off-train excursions.

For departure dates see www.bluetrain.co.za .   See here for the regular passenger trains between Cape Town & Johannesburg .

The northbound journey includes a one-hour stop at the 19th century health resort of Matjiesfontein in the heart of the Karoo.  The Southbound trip includes a stop at Kimberley for a tour of the Kimberley 'big hole' mining museum.  The train no longer serves Johannesburg in either direction, as few tourists want to go there because of its security problems.  The Blue Train rolling stock is also used to run irregular rail cruises on a couple of other scenic routes within South Africa.

You can arrange a package which includes the Blue Train with hotels, transfers, flights through train specialist Railbookers.  They have offices in the UK, USA & Australia:

What's it like on the Blue Train?

The Blue Train offers two types of room:  Deluxe compartments have either a double bed or two single beds and en suite shower or small bath.  Luxury compartments cost a bit more and are almost identical, but have a full size bath (yes, really) and a video.  The train has a dining car and two lounge cars (one smoking, one non-smoking) and both of the two trainsets have an observation car at the rear, allowing you to look back along the line (one of the was damaged and taken out of service several years ago, but is restored for the 2019 season).  Meals and drinks (and even Montecristo Havana cigars!) are included in the fare, and there is an extensive list of South African wines available.  You probably won't be able to drink £800-worth before you reach Pretoria, but you can have a dam' good try...  For pictures of the scenery between Cape Town and Pretoria, see the scenery shots from the Cape Town to Johannesburg journey by Shosholoza Meyl train here and by Premier Classe train here , as the Blue Train follows the same route as far as Jo'burg.

Watch the video: The Blue Train

It's a PR video, of course, but this short film shows how good travelling in The Blue Train from Cape Town to Pretoria can be.

A bit of history

A fast train called the Union Express northbound and the Union Limited southbound was introduced in 1923, to link the Union Castle steamers arriving at Cape Town from Southampton with the gold fields of Jo'burg and the Transvaal capital at Pretoria.  The original wooden coaches were replaced in 1937 with steel coaches built in Birmingham and painted a smart blue.  Before long, the train became known colloquially as 'that blue train', and its name was changed officially to 'The Blue Train' in 1946.  Two new sets of coaches were built for the Blue Train in 1972, and both of these were beautifully refurbished in 1997.  You travel in these same trainsets today.  The Blue Train is still run by the South African Railways (Spoornet), but it is now a separate business unit, due for privatisation...

Gautrain, Jo'burg & Pretoria

Airport line:  sandton ► johannesburg international airport, see www.gautrain.co.za.

Phase 1 of the modern standard-gauge metro service called 'Gautrain' is now operational between the Jo'burg suburb of Sandton and Jo'burg's OR Tambo international airport.  Using brand-new standard-gauge electric trains, it has all the necessary CCTV and security equipment to be a safe and comfortable means of transport for locals and tourists alike.  Trains run every 30 minutes at weekends, every 20 minutes weekday off-peak, and every 12 minutes in the weekday morning and evening peaks.  See www.gautrain.co.za for fares, times and more information.

North-South Line:  Johannesburg (Park Station) ► Sandton ► Pretoria  Gautrain, see www.gautrain.co.za

Phase 2 is now open, with safe modern Gautrain service linking Johannesburg Park Station in downtown Johannesburg (the station used by Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Classe long-distance trains) with the suburb of Sandton and the administrative capital Pretoria.  Gautrain is the best way to travel between Jo'burg and Pretoria, and the safest way to access Jo'burg Park station to connect with your Premier Classe or Shosholoza Meyl long-distance train.  Trains run run every 30 minutes at weekends, every 20 minutes weekday off-peak, and every 12 minutes in the weekday morning and evening peaks.  See www.gautrain.co.za for details.

Suburban Metro trains

Metro trains around johannesburg & pretoria.

Although long-distance Shosholoza Meyl trains and Gautrain are safe for tourists, 'Metro Rail' suburban trains around Johannesburg, Soweto and Pretoria are different matter.  Unless you are particularly foolhardy or adventurous, they are probably best avoided completely.  In 2022, work to restore normal metro services continues .

Metro trains from Cape Town to Stellenbosch, Simon's Town & Paarl

Metro Rail suburban trains around Cape Town have always been less of a problem and as long as you take care, leave your valuables at your hotel and don't travel after dark, they can be a good way to get from central Cape Town to the seaside town of Simon's Town (a scenic run along the coast), or to the wine regions at Stellenbosch or even Paarl - I've taken the metro train to Stellenbosch myself, then hired a bike to cycle round the wineries.  But always check current local travel advice as the situation can change and there have been incidents, even if that may not be the norm.  On the other hand, there is a new initiative for tourists using the Cape Town to Simon's Town train service to tour the coast.

Two classes are available, 1st ('Metro Plus') and 3rd.  Metro Plus means longitudinal cloth seats on newer trains, grey plastic seats on the older ones, 3rd class means plastic bench seats.  Outside the rush hours, trains are not crowded and there's a train from Cape Town to Simon's Town or Stellenbosch every hour or two, taking about an hour.  Make sure you sit in a carriage with other travellers.  To reach the wineries, bicycles can be hired in Stellenbosch, for about £4 a day.

In 2022, work to restore normal metro services continues.  In mid-2022, trains are running between Cape Town & Fish Hoek, but Fish Hoek to Simonstown is out of action.  The Cape Town-Stellenbosch line is also still out of action.

Cruise trains

Several companies run all-inclusive tours around Southern Africa using special deluxe cruise trains. 

Rovos Rail ( www.rovos.co.za ) runs a 5-star cruise train to a regular schedule from Cape Town to Pretoria and on to Victoria Falls.  The train consists of beautifully restored South African coaches with all the usual tourist facilities - lounge, restaurant, private sleeping compartments and showers.  Meals are included in the tour price.  For times, dates of running and prices see www.rovos.co.za . 

Shongololo Express ( www.shongololo.com ) also operates a 3-star cruise train on various routes in Southern Africa and into neighbouring countries.

Buses in South Africa

The trains don't go everywhere in South Africa, and there are times when you might need to take a bus.  There are several long-distance bus operators.  Useful internet addresses are:

TransLux, www.translux.co.za .  Call 011 774 3333 or from outside South Africa +27 (011) 774 3333

Greyhound, www.greyhound.co.za .  Call 083 915 9000.

InterCape, www.intercape.co.za .  Call 0861 287 287 or from outside South Africa +27 21 380 4400.

Click the images to buy online at Amazon.co.uk...

Accommodation in south africa, hotels in cape town, johannesburg, durban or anywhere in south africa....

Personal recommendations:  The Tudor Hotel in Cape Town is inexpensive and central, a good budget choice, from 440 Rand (£33 or $65) per night.  Pretoria is a better place to stay than Johannesburg itself.

Backpacker hostels

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in most cities at rock-bottom prices.

Flights to South Africa

1)  check flight prices at opodo, www.opodo.com ..., 2)  use skyscanner to compare flight prices & routes worldwide across 600 airlines....

3)  Lounge passes...

Make the airport experience a little more bearable with a VIP lounge pass, it's not as expensive as you think!  See www.loungepass.com

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover.  It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit.  An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  W hy you need a VPN

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I get a small commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from Buy from Amazon.com .

Other Shosholoza Meyl routes...

Fares:  Jo'burg to Messina in economy seat from R100, in a tourist class sleeper berth from R160. 

This train has economy class seats, tourist class sleepers, restaurant car.  For travellers bound for Bulawayo or Harare in Zimbabwe, Messina is 12km from the Zimbabwe frontier across the Limpopo River at Beitbridge.  This route was discontinued in 2014 but was reinstated from March 2018.  It went twice-weekly in August 2018.

*  See the Mozambique page for full details about travel between Johannesburg & Maputo by train.

Fare from Cape Town to East London approx R 650 in Tourist sleeper class.

Fares:  Jo'burg to Mafikeng R100, Mafikeng to Kimberley R130.  New service started 5 June 2015.

Back to home page

South Africa Train Journeys

Be transported to a more glamorous era while travelling on our selection of luxury trains across the spectacular landscapes of southern africa. choose from the blue train, rovos rail or the shongololo express..

Experience the elegance of a bygone era, where rail travel was a luxury accessible only to the fabulously wealthy.

For a few decades before World War II, trains were the most exclusive mode of transport available to a very select number of well-to-do clientele. The addition of dining cars and sleeper coaches eventually allowed travellers to make their way between countries non-stop, whilst enjoying a level of indulgence on board similar to that found at a world-class luxury hotel.

South Africa’s Rovos Rail and The Blue Train offer some of the planet’s most extraordinary rail journeys, ranging from an overnight trip to an epic 15 day safari covering over 6,000 kilometres and visiting five countries between Cape Town to Dar es Salaam. Aboard premium trains, expect old-fashioned butler service, fine dining and the opportunity to dress up for dinner. On the Shongololo Express, passengers enjoy a more casual atmosphere, with meals an informal affair.

Off-train excursions are available on most journeys, ranging from short refreshment stops in charming Victorian towns to game drives in famous wildlife reserves.

• Experience the romance and glamour of 1920s rail travel
• Journey aboard painstakingly restored locomotives
• Enjoy quality meals and fine wines in an elegant dining carriage
• Go on exciting off-train excursions
• Sleep in plush cabins with private ensuite facilities

Our trains operate all year round, with departures throughout the year. Please ask our agents for more information about the journeys we offer.

Be transported to an earlier, more glamorous era while travelling by train across the spectacular landscapes of southern Africa. Our award-winning luxury trains boast comfortable guest cabins, exceptional cuisine, old-fashioned service and itineraries with outstanding off-train excursions.

Experience the extravagance of Victorian and Edwardian-era train travel on a journey aboard one of Rovos Rail’s gleaming, gloriously restored vintage trains.

The Blue Train

The multi award-winning Blue Train first launched in 1946 and today remains synonymous with the highest standards in luxury train travel.

South Africa Itineraries

The following itineraries are just some of the many experiences that we can design for you. All of our tours are private, independent and tailor-made to your personal travelling requirements. Please contact us to begin customising your personalised South Africa experience.

Find out more about our tailor made African safaris. Get in touch with one of our Destination Specialists.

Subscribe below to keep up to date, find out more about our tailor made african safaris, more of south africa, e-newsletter.

Sign up to receive updates about exciting journeys, special offers and more

Our Journeys

Rediscover the old pioneering trail of the Karoo on this 3-night journey

Durban Safari

Venture into the heart of the South African bushveld on this 2-night safari

Victoria Falls

A 3/4-night meander to see one of the natural wonders of the world

Golf Safari

An exciting 9-night kaleidoscope of golf and scenic beauty (and non-golfing)

Namibia Safari

Explore untamed deserts and the wild Atlantic on this incredible 11-night safari

Southern Cross

An 11-night panoramic journey through South Africa, eSwatini, Mozambique and Zimbabwe

African Collage

A 12-night tapestry of landscape, game, history and culture covering South Africa

African Trilogy

A spectacular 15-night meander across the continent from the mountainous east to the deserts of the west

Dar es Salaam

Embark on this epic 15-night voyage across Southern Africa

Copper Trail

14 nights uniting a natural wonder of the world with the famous copper trail

Trail of Two Oceans

A pioneering 15-night east-west African adventure

Combinations

Create extraordinary itineraries combining our short and long journeys

Collections

Discover our variety of special collections for guests travelling Southern Africa

Private Hire

See our bespoke offerings for private and corporate train safaris

© Rovos Rail. 2024. Built & maintained by TYL

JoMel Train Tours

Beaufort west accommodation - credit card, thank you for your patience while we revamp parts of the website., train tours south africa.

South Africa offers a feast of train tours that carry you across the length and breadth of South Africa and even into Africa.

South Africa is host to the Blue Train, a 5-star train which has 4+ short routes within South Africa, Rovos Rail which has 10+ routes, ranging from 2-28 Days train safaris within South Africa and even up into Africa.

There is also the Shongololo Express (3-star) that is host to several 7-13 Day tours each year through South Africa and into Africa, and then the Premier and Tourist Class that each host 20+ tours each year to various events and cities.

The South African Railways is still alive and well offering regular overnight train tickets, rail tours and safaris, luxury and ultra luxury safari experiences throughout South Africa and Africa.

The Blue train is an award winning 5-star luxury train company offering shorter tours between Cape Town and Pretoria and Pretoria and Hoedspruit.

All Meals and tea times (Drinks not always included) Top of the range Bedding Luxurious compartments Excursions on some routes 5-Star service and experience

Blue Train Routes

Cape Town to Pretoria or return (Once a week) Durban to Pretoria or return (When available) Hoedspruit / Kruger National Park to Pretoria or return (Once a month) Pretoria to Durban or return (When available) Pretoria to Cape Town or return (Once a week) Pretoria to Hoedspruit / Kruger National Park or return (Once a month)

Book Tickets Here

Train tours in south africa, south africa, africa, train tours, train tours africa, blue train, africa blue, rovos rail, rovos, shongololo express, premier, premier class, tourist, tourist class, train, tour, africa train, south africa rail, africa rail, rail tours, rail safari, train safari, safari, trein toere, .

We have several economy / budget tours on offer in South Africa:  

• Argus Train Tour
• Namaqualand Flower Train Tour
• Two Oceans Marathon Train Tour
• Comrades Marathon Train Tour
• Namibia Train Tour
• Kruger National Park Train & Bus Tour
• Many More...

SEMI-LUXURY / UPMARKET TRAIN TOURS : Offer private compartments with luxury bedding and shared bathrooms per coach. Tasty meals are served in the dining car and are included in the tour rates (drinks not included). These tours are usually 25 hours or less between Johannesburg and Cape Town, or Johannesburg and Durban. Premier Classe.

LUXURY TRAIN TOURS: Offer private luxury compartments with luxury bedding and a private luxury bathroom per compartment. All meals are included in the rate and are served in the dining car (Drinks not included). These train tours vary between 2 Day, 4 Day, 7 Day, 14 Day or 28 Day Tours throughout Africa. Shongololo Express.

ULTRA-LUXURY TRAIN TOURS: Offers private luxury train accommodation in well appointed compartments or suites with luxury bedding, furniture and comfort. 5 Star meals and all drinks are included in the rate and are served in the dining car. These tours vary in length from 2 Days, 4 Days, 7 Day or 28 Day Tours through the length and breadth of Afric a. We stock both Blue Train and Rovos Tours.

Tour Types: 1 Day Train Tour (Pretoria to Cape Town) 1 Day Train Tour (Cape Town to Pretoria) 1 Day Tour Johannesburg to Cape Town) 3 Day Train Tour (Pretoria to Victoria Falls)

Please look at the enquiry form below:

Travel Insurance

• Luxury Train Travel South Africa

Rovos Rail - Luxury Train Journeys in Southern Africa

Since its inaugural trip in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned the reputation of being ‘the most luxurious train in the world’ . Experience the ultimate in long-distance travel aboard Rovos Rail’s opulent trains which offer epic j ourneys throughout Southern and East Africa . Also known as ‘The Pride of Africa’, Rovos Rail recaptures the charm and ambience of yesteryear and lavishes its guests with comfort, luxury, and personal service.

In 2016 , The Shongololo Express , one of South Africa’s other luxury trains, began operating under the Rovos Rail umbrella. In January 2024 the Shongololo Express will fully merge with the Rovos Rail, increasing the number of journeys on the Rovos Rail to 12 extraordinary luxury train experiences. The Shongololo Express Brand will be dissolved.

A Brief History

For three decades, South African entrepreneur Rohan Vos - the owner of Rovos Rail - has painstakingly acquired railway locomotives and coaches from the old Rhodesian and South African Railways, foreign rail operators, private owners, and auctions. Each has been carefully chosen, restored, and assigned to duty. His fleet of vintage coaches make up one of the biggest private collections in the world.

On The Train

The coaches, which serve as suites, dining cars, lounge cars, observation, and kitchen cars, have been meticulously restored to preserve their most alluring features. The ornate wood-panelling and carved roof-supporting pillars and arches of the suites tell of old-world charm and character, while the custom-built wing-back chairs, button-leather seats, and deep sofas of the lounge and observation cars envelop guests in comfort.

Each Rovos Rail train accommodates a maximum of 72 passengers in guest suites on Rovos Rail that tastefully combine period Edwardian furnishings with modern conveniences.

As the train meanders through Southern Africa’s most breathtaking scenery, guests relax amidst sophisticated five-star facilities, service, and fine dining. A journey with Rovos Rail adds an exciting highlight to any travel itinerary and can be easily incorporated into other Africa Travel Gateway tours and safaris.

The Different Journeys

Journeys on Rovos Rail travel to Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Durban, Dar es Salaam and Namibia with two different Golf Journeys also available. Journeys depart several times per month and can be booked in either direction. Pretoria is Rovos Rail’s main headquarters.

The scenery en route - vineyards, mountains, deserts, forests, rugged coastline, game reserves, and African savanna - is truly spectacular. Trains are drawn by diesel, electric or, for special occasions, steam locomotives.

Contact African Travel Gateway to discuss how we can incorporate one of Rovos Trail’s train journeys into your Southern African itinerary. Alternatively, look at the rates & dates for 2024 ** or 2025 **

** In South Africa when it comes to train travel, time delays are a potential reality due to the electricity constraints the country experiences. So the time schedules displayed in the rate sheets can differ to reality. For this reason when you (or we) plan your itinerary before and after a train journey we will allow a margin for error in times.

In addition to Rovos Rail, we also recommend another luxury train service - The Blue Train which offers journeys between Pretoria, Cape Town, and the Kruger National Park.

For more information about these or other Luxury Train Travel options in South Africa , please Email us

Your Safari Planning starts here.

Quick Enquire

Pay in full discount on selected dates. Save $609 pp!

16 Day Premium South Africa, Victoria Falls & The Iconic Blue Train

pp Twin Share

From pp Twin Share

Partially Escorted

Leisurely Pace

Luxury Train

A portion of this tour runs as a group tour where you will be escorted by an expert tour leader. Another portion is self-guided, whether conducted by rail, cruise or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.

This itinerary will be conducted at a relaxed pace. You will typically spend several nights at one location which means less time spent packing and unpacking, and more sightseeing. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and handling your own luggage.

Take advantage of our 7 day cooling-off period. 

✓ Incredible sightseeing including unforgettable open vehicle game drives through Kruger National Park, a private guided tour of Cape Town and Table Mountain, Wine Tram ticket to allow you to explore the incredible wineries of Franschhoek and a guided tour of Victoria Falls from both Zambia and Zimbabwe  ✓ 13 nights in premium 4-star accommodation in prime locations including a luxury tented suite stay with indoor and outdoor showers located within the incredible Kruger National Park  ✓ 2 nights aboard the iconic Blue Train with all-inclusive dining and beverages ✓ Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 4 dinners ✓ Internal flight from Johannesburg to Kruger, Kruger to Victoria Falls and Victoria Falls to Cape Town ✓ Meet & greet on arrival at Johannesburg Airport   ✓ Complimentary arrival and departure airport transfers in Johannesburg  ✓ In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary

Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.

Day 1 Johannesburg

Welcome to South Africa! Upon arrival into Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), you will be met in the arrivals hall by a local representative who will escort you to your shuttle transfer to your hotel.

Located just 500 meters from the airport terminals, the Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport hotel offers superb amenities and a warm welcome on the doorstep of Johannesburg’s main airport.

The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Day 2 Johannesburg Kruger National Park

After breakfast, make your way back to the airport using the hotel’s complimentary shuttle for your included flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, the gateway to the incredible Kruger National Park. Please ensure you check-in at least 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure.

On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your stunning tented lodge located within the Kruger National Park itself, your home for the next three nights.

Mdluli Safari Lodge features accommodation in luxurious safari tents that feature private patios, indoor and outdoor showers as well as direct views over the park. Check into your luxury tented suite where the rest of the day is at leisure before enjoying dinner at the lodge. 

Day 3 Kruger National Park

Today is dedicated to exploring one of the world’s premier game parks, Kruger National Park on a full day safari adventure. 

Accompany your expert naturalist guide on an early morning safari through the Kruger National Park who will endeavour to spoil you with sightings of the “Big Five”, general game and prolific bird life.

Stop for a picnic lunch in the park before we head out again in the afternoon to enjoy another thrilling game drive through the incredible Kruger National Park in search of the "Big Five" and other rare and endangered species. 

Return to your tented suite in time to freshen up for another delicious dinner at your lodge.

Day 4 Kruger National Park

This morning, head out again for another thrilling game drive through Kruger National Park. Enjoy a half day experience accompanied by your naturalist guide as you traverse the varying landscape in search of  the incredible wildlife in hope of spotting the Big Five. 

Return to the lodge this afternoon for rest and relaxation followed by dinner at the lodge. Alternatively, you may wish to continue your game experience and join an optional game drive this afternoon.

Continue your game experience and join an optional afternoon safari in an open vehicle through Kruger National Park. You will be accompanied by a highly qualified field guide who is eager to share their knowledge and passion for this unique wilderness area.

Please note: this game drive runs on a minimum of 2 people.

Day 5 Kruger National Park Victoria Falls

Today you are transferred to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for your included flight to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. 

On arrival, you are transferred to your hotel located in the heart of town and a mere eight-minute walk from the famous Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Ilala Lodge is ideally located and it is very easy to access all the historical sites, restaurants and activities available in Victoria Falls.

Please note: As touring is included in both Zambia and Zimbabwe, please ensure that you obtain a multi-entry visa for Zimbabwe.

Day 6 Victoria Falls

Enjoy breakfast at leisure before meeting with your guide for your included morning tour of Victoria Falls. Six hundred and fifty million litres of water from the Zambezi River crashes with great aplomb into the chasm below, which is why the locals call Victoria Falls, Mosi oa Tunya, the smoke that thunders. The smoke is the permanent mist which hangs over the falls and the surrounding forest, and the thunder! You will hear for yourself. The force and power of the Falls almost defies belief. We visit the falls from both the Zimbabwe and the Zambian sides, and when it's in full flow, usually from February - May, you'll experience the showers from the crushing falls below.

Return to the hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure, or you may wish to join one of the optional tours below.

Feel the freedom. And you certainly will, on a 13 minute helicopter flight over Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River. The helicopter has the ability to fly lower than a fixed wing aircraft, so you'll have unrivaled opportunities to view the breathtaking Falls... and get those perfect pictures! Your flight path takes you over the seemingly tranquil Zambezi River, and on a journey of discovery along the gorges which zigzag their way to the infamous Batoka Gorge downstream. It's a unique perspective on the Falls, and gives you the perfect overview of the size and magnitude of this astounding Natural Wonder of the World.

Includes: t ransfers included from Victoria Falls hotel, fuel surcharge, park entrance fee

Put your feet up, sip a sundowner as the light gently fades, and let our tranquil wildlife cruise float you along the Zambezi River above the Falls. You'll have the finest vantage point from which to watch hippo, elephants, crocodiles and other animals which come down to the river's edge in the early evening, to slake their thirst. Enjoy your cocktail and snacks (included) while captivated by the sun's dying rays as they cast a burnt orange glow which shimmers on the river.

Start: 3:30pm End: 6:30pm (pending sunset)

Inclusions: return transport to port, part entrance fees

Day 7 Victoria Falls

After breakfast today, you can explore Victoria Falls at leisure, including the town itself which hosts a range of activities from adventure to cultural experiences. 

Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional full day tour to Chobe National Park in Botswana. 

Take a day trip across the border to Botswana to explore the incredible Chobe National Park. You will be collected for your hotel and transferred to the Kazungula border post where you will meet your Botswana guide. From here, proceed straight to the Chobe River for a morning game cruise. Following the cruise you are then taken to the Chobe Safari Lodge on the banks of the river for lunch. After lunch board safari vehicles for an afternoon game drive in the Chobe National Park with the opportunity to observe an abundance of wildlife. Thereafter you are taken back to the border and arrive back in Victoria Falls at approximately 18:30.

Important: Guests participating on this optional tour must obtain a multi-entry visa for Zimbabwe.

Includes: park fees, game drives, boat cruise, transfers, Kazungula Bridge levy and lunch.

Day 8 Victoria Falls Cape Town

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your included flight to Cape Town. Voted as the best place in the world to visit by the prestigious New York Times, Cape Town is one of the most popular destinations in South Africa.

On arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel located in the heart of the city’s vibrant centre surrounded by some of the best restaurants and eateries that the city has to offer.

Day 9 Cape Town

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we head out on a private half day tour which showcases the best of the city of Cape Town. 

Cape Town city centre is rich in history and culture and is alive with the sights and sounds of a diverse people that call it home. This tour will take you to some of the most celebrated attractions from the Castle of Good Hope to the City Hall, where Nelson Mandela spoke to a crowd of hundreds of thousands after his release from prison earlier that day. You will also see the cobbled streets and brightly coloured houses of the Bo-Kaap. and then take a trip up Table Mountain, high above the clouds and on the revolving cable car. 

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore this incredible city on your own. 

Please note: Table Mountain will be substituted with a visit to Signal Hill should Table Mountain be closed.

Day 10 Cape Town

Today is spent  at leisure, to experience Cape Town at your own pace. 

Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional full day tour of Cape Point.

This tour begins with a scenic drive along the Atlantic coast, passing through the cosmopolitan suburbs of Sea Point and Camps Bay with its glorious views of the Twelve Apostles, part of the Table Mountain range. Continue to the fishing village of Hout Bay, one of Cape Town's best-kept secrets, then from here, travel to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, comprising over 17,300 acres of indigenous fauna and flora. Here you can see a variety of wildlife that includes baboons, Reebok, Cape Mountain zebra, bontebok and the elusive eland. The reserve is also one of the world’s largest breeding grounds for tortoises. Birdwatchers, too, will find many fine species to observe. The majestic coastline offers drama worthy of being called Nature's Greatest Show. 

Guests will be able to see the union of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and may even feel the brisk wind that is dubbed the Cape Doctor for its presumed curative powers. 

Following the coastline along False Bay, return to Cape Town by way of Simons Town, where you will visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance ticket not included and payable on tour) and Fish Hoek fishing village. 

Before your return, stop for afternoon tea and cake and a visit to Rhodes Memorial, situated on the slopes of Table Mountain offering spectacular views across the city. 

Depart: 8am Return: 5pm Inclusions: shared transport from hotel pick-up to hotel drop off, fully guided tour with English-speaking guide

Day 11 Cape Town Franschhoek

Enjoy breakfast at leisure before meeting your driver for your transfer to Franschhoek, a town described as South Africa’s food and wine capital and just a short hour’s drive from Cape Town. There are more award winning restaurants in this town than anywhere else in the country. Vineyards over these mountain slopes have been nurtured and grown for over 300 years when the French Huguenots settled here in their escape from persecution. In the village you will find crafts, art and antique shops and galleries and a visit to the Huguenot Memorial is a definite when visiting Franschhoek. For those in search of energetic activities, there are a number of walking trails in the surrounding mountains and you could cycle or horse ride through vineyards.

On arrival, check into your hotel located in the very heart of Franschhoek town where you can spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 12 Franschhoek

Enjoy breakfast at leisure before a full day exploring the local wineries of the Franschhoek area with your included Franschhoek Wine Tram - Orange Line ticket. 

Make your own way to the Franschhoek Wine Tram depot, just a short walk from your hotel. The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley: picturesque vineyards, breathtaking scenery, warm hospitality, world class cuisine, fine wines and a 300 year history.

Aboard the hop-on hop-off tour you will experience a unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley as you journey through rolling vineyards in a double-decker tram and open air tram-bus stopping in at some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates. A combination of tram and tram-bus transports you around a loop of stops allowing you to hop off at each stop and experience the activities on offer, be it wine tasting, a cellar tour, lunch or simply a stroll through the vineyards and when they are ready, hop on to continue the tour. This tour takes you right into the heart of the Franschhoek Valley, with a narration focusing on the history of Franschhoek and wine cultivation in the valley and unparalleled views of the valley and Vineyards.

Please note: all experiences at the wineries, tastings and meals are at an additional cost.

Day 13 Franschhoek Cape Town Blue Train

After breakfast we transfer back to Cape Town in time to board the iconic Blue Train for your luxurious two night journey to Johannesburg. 

Known as one of the world’s most luxurious train journeys, you will be transported back to an era where opulent surroundings and fine dining were commonplace. Indulge in luxury suites with private ensuite facilities and elegant lounges serving freshly prepared meals accompanied by carefully curated wines. This all inclusive train journey will have you seeing South Africa at its very best. 

Once on board the Blue Train, your butler will usher you to your suite. As the train pulls out of Cape Town, enjoy a selection of canapes prior to lunch which will be served onboard. Enjoy a leisurely on board experience in the privacy of your suite or in one of the lounge cars sipping on your favourite drink as you watch the ever changing scenery before you. 

Tonight, enjoy an a-la-carte dinner with paired wines as your butler prepares your suite for a restful night. Feel free to enjoy post dinner drinks and cognacs in the Club Bar before retiring for the evening.  

Please Note: dinner is an elegant affair. Gentlemen are requested to wear a jacket and tie.

Day 14 Kimberly

Enjoy breakfast this morning on board as you watch the moving landscape before you with time to relax on the train as we continue our journey to Kimberley. After lunch, disembark the train for an included excursion of Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum, known as “the Big Hole”. Capital of the Northern Cape,  Kimberley is well known for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871. 

After our tour, we board the train where dinner is served in the main dining car accompanied by the finest of South African wines. 

Please note: formal dress is required for dinner.

Day 15 Pretoria Johannesburg

Enjoy breakfast on board as the train continues its travels enroute to Pretoira. Enjoy a leisurely morning on board before lunch is served then relish your final few hours before arriving into Pretoria Train Station at around 6pm this evening. 

On arrival at Pretoria Train Station, you will be met and transferred to your hotel conveniently located at just 500 metres from Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport where the remainder of the evening is at leisure.

Day 16 Johannesburg

Your adventure ends today after breakfast. 

Take the hotel complimentary shuttle back to the airport for your onward departure flight. 

We hope you have been inspired by Africa and will return to this great land on another adventure.

What's Included

• Full day and a half day open vehicle game drive in Kruger National Park
• Private guided tour of Cape Town and Table Mountain
• Full day wine tram hop-on hop-off ticket in Franschhoek 
• Guided tour of Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides on a shared basis 
• 13 nights in 4-star accommodation throughout 
• 2 night Blue Train journey with all-inclusive dining and beverages in a De Luxe Suite 
• Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 5 dinners
• Internal flights in economy class from Johannesburg to Kruger, Kruger to Victoria Falls and Victoria Falls to Cape Town
• Meet & greet on arrival at Johannesburg Airport 
• Complimentary arrival and departure airport transfers in Johannesburg 
• In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary

Sightseeing Highlights

• Kruger National Park  - Two days of game viewing in search of the “Big Five” with an expert naturalist guide. Stay in a luxury tented suite with indoor and outdoor showers located within the Kruger National Park   
• Cape Town  - Enjoy a private guided tour of the city including the Castle of Good Hope, City Hall, the beautiful Company Gardens, the vibrant V&A Waterfront, the brightly coloured houses of Bo-Kaapand a trip up Table Mountain on the revolving cable car. Also enjoy a full day at leisure to explore on your own or join an optional tour of the Cape Peninsula at an additional charge  
• Franschhoek  - Explore the beautiful wine producing region of South Africa with an included Wine Tram ticket allowing you access to the best wineries in the region. Stay in the heart of Franschhoek with all of the town’s best restaurants, shops and attractions at your doorstep
• Victoria Falls  - Tour of the mighty Victoria Falls from both Zambia and Zimbabwe, known by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya - “the smoke that thunders”. Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore on your own or choose from a selection of optional tours at an additional charge to enhance your experience including helicopter flights over the falls, an evening cruise on the Zambezi River with free flowing drinks and canapes, or a full day excursion of Chobe National Park
• The Blue Train  - Enjoy unparalleled luxury on a two night journey from Cape Town to Pretoria as you enjoy all inclusive dining, free flow beverages and all included off train sightseeing

Inspiring Features

Inspiring Sights

• Marvel at the largest waterfalls in the world (by size) that borders Zimbabwe and Zambia. Foot access to the falls takes you right to its' edge, close enough to feel the spray, hear its' roar and see its' magnitude. Our team highly recommends the Flight of the Angels add-on (additional cost), should you wish to view the falls from a incredible perspective.

Inspiring Tastes

• Exploration of the international renowned wine region of Franschhoek via the iconic and thoroughly enjoyable Wine Tram. Watch the vineyards pass you by as you're taken along the Orange Line, stopping at as many as 8 different wineries, each with its own unique characteristics.

Inspiring Stays

• The Blue Train has been an icon of South Africa for over 70 years and recognised as one of the world’s great rail journeys. Voted Africa’s Leading Luxury Train for 11 consecutive years by the World Travel Awards, this unique experience offers a strong heritage of service and quality.

Blue Train Information

The Blue Train The Blue Train has been an icon of South Africa for over 70 years and recognised as one of the world’s great rail journeys. Voted Africa’s Leading Luxury Train for 11 consecutive years by the World Travel Awards, this unique experience offers a strong heritage of service and quality. 

De Luxe Suites Your De Luxe Suite offers an elegant and relaxing lounge during the day. At night your butler will transform your cabin into either a twin or double bedded suite equipped with goose-down bedding. 

De Luxe Suites are either double or twin bedded cabins (twin beds cannot be converted to double beds and vice versa). 

• Double bedded suites have bathrooms equipped with a ¾ size bath tub with handheld shower
• Twin Bedded Suites have bathrooms equipped with showers 
• Choice of cabin and bedding and be requested but not guaranteed until check-in

The De Luxe Suites measure 4 by 2 metres and feature: 

• Goose-down and 100 percent percale-cotton bedding
• Individually-controlled air-conditioning system
• Opulent marble and gold-fitted bathroom with under-floor heating
• Electronic entertainment options
• Safes are provided in all suites

Luxury Suites Enhance your journey with an upgrade to a Luxury Suite. The Luxury Suite extends the offering from a De Luxe suite even further; by an extra metre of space.  Luxury Suites measure 5 by 2 metres and are twin or double bedded cabins and feature the same inclusions to the De Luxe Suites. Butlers Each coach has a Butler whose pleasure it will be to ensure that guests enjoy a memorable experience. Butlers are available 24 hours a day for the duration of the journey.

All-inclusive rates With the exception of Caviar, French Champagne and external telephone calls, everything else onboard is included in the rate.

Dining All meals and room-service snacks are included in the rate. Should guests require a snack the butler can be contacted. Lunch and dinner are usually served in two sittings and cater for 42 guests per sitting, while breakfast is served between 07:00 and 10:00 at guests' leisure.

Disability Services  One train set is compatible for disabled persons. Customised wheelchairs on board The Blue Train have been specifically-designed to negotiate the train’s corridors. A Butler will be on-hand to assist guests should they require.

Dress code In keeping with tradition it is a compulsory custom to dress formal for dinner to match the sheer elegance of The Blue Train. Evening wear is elegant for ladies and gentlemen are requested to wear a jacket and tie. During the day the dress code is smart casual. No shorts and flip-flops are allowed in the Dining Car.

Drinking Water Bottled water is supplied in the suite. The butler will provide more water on request.

Electricity The electricity supply on-board is 220 volts. Lights switches are located at the door and the bedside table.

First Aid Trained first aid personnel are on-board at all times. In the event of an emergency, doctors can be contacted at the various stations en-route.

Laundry A limited on-board laundry and valet service is available and is included in the rate. Please contact a butler for assistance.

Lounge Car The Lounge Car is designed as a meeting place for Aperitifs and afternoon High-tea and is a no smoking area. The Club Car is ideal for post-dinner Cognac or hand-made Cuban cigars. The bar opens as soon as the train commences its journey and closes when the last guest departs.

Room Service Room service is available 24-hours, free of charge.

Smoking Smoking is only permitted in the Club Car. All suites, the Lounge and Dining Cars are strictly smoke-free zones.

Special Dietary Requirements Kindly specify any special dietary requirements at the time of booking. The Blue Train is happy to accommodate all culinary requests.

Payment Terms

Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person. Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options. Instalment Schedule:

• At the time of booking pay a $99.00 deposit per person.
• Pay a 1st installment of $1,170.00 per person within 28 days.
• Pay a 2nd installment of $2,340.00 per person within 90 days.
• You will then be invoiced for final payment 120 days prior to departure.

Flight requests & booking information

This package is sold as land only, however you do have the option of adding domestic & international airfares to your booking. Simply click on’ book now’, and under upgrades ,  you will be asked “Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?” . By selecting this option Inspiring Vacations will contact you to discuss adding flights to your chosen destination. We can then assist with turning your booking into a flight inclusive package. Upon completing the purchase of your package and fulfilling the following booking requirements, you will be granted access to our flight portal via your Traveller Hub.

• 1st installment or full payment has been made
• Your booking is within 11 months of departure
• Your booking is labeled as ‘confirmed’ in Traveller Hub

Once these criteria have been met, access will be made available to you via Traveller Hub to book your flights via our flight portal. The following requests are able to be processed through the online flight portal:

• Airline Preferences - You may wish to fly with a particular airline
• Cabin Preferences - These include upgrading to premium economy or business class
• Extensions (start and end cities must remain the same) - You may request to extend your stay pre or post tour.

The online flight portal is unable to process the following requests and you must book these yourself independently:

• Stopovers - Is where you might want to stop in transit for a certain amount of days prior to your tour or after your tour.
• One way flights
• Different start or end city to the tour - you may not amend the arrival or departure city of your itinerary. 
• Around the world tickets  - Is when a ticket includes multiple stops in different continents.
• Return home to a different city from the one you departed.
• Frequent Flyer point redemption - Is when an airline allows you to redeem points to pay for your flights or upgrade your ticket.  

Online check-in 

Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers

Important Information

Fitness Requirements While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.

As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.

This particular tour is categorized as a”3”

3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.

Tipping  A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.

Accommodation The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.

Single Supplement Single supplement is $4,497.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.

Triple Share Not available.

Travel Insurance Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.

We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE .

Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.

Visa & Passport information It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.

Visas may be required.

Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.

Group Size Minimum: 1

Children Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.

Tour Style To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels: 

• Partially Escorted - A portion of these packages runs as a group tour where you will be escorted by an expert tour leader. Another portion is independent, whether conducted by rail, cruise or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.

Pre and Post-Tour Accommodation & Extra Services

You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:

Pre Tour Accommodation

• $233.00 per room, per night for double and twin share
• $202.00 per room, per night for solo travellers

Post Tour Accommodation

Your transfer may be shared with other Inspiring Vacations customers.

Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.

Optional Tours

To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):

• Afternoon Safari Game Drive (Day 4) - $176 per person
• Flight of the Angels (13 minutes) over Victoria Falls (Day 6) - $294 per person
• Afternoon Sunset Cruise With Canapes & Cocktails (Day 6) - $97 per person
• Full Day Chobe National Park Safari (Day 7) - $345 per person
• Cape Peninsula Full Day Tour (Day 10) - $106 per person

Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.

Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.

• International airfares
• Travel insurance (compulsory)
• Optional activities
• Personal expenses
• Anything not mentioned in the itinerary

What Weather to Expect

Click HERE for more information on weather in South Africa.

Departure Dates

Select your departure month

Choose your departure month

• 0 && datePax[result.departure_date] Selling Fast = 5" class="corner-tip corner-blue px-2" :style="{color: result.tag_icon.color, borderColor: result.tag_icon.color}"> DEPART RETURN PRICE FROM $ Twin share PP Unavailable Sold Out Book Now

Enter your email & we will notify you as soon as more dates are added!

A member of our team will notify you as soon as dates become available.

You might also like

13 day south african explorer, 19 day ultimate african safari, 15 day 5 star kruger, victoria falls & rovos rail, 13 day cape, kruger & victoria falls premium small group tour, 24 day namibia & okavango discovery with victoria falls, experiences, meet cape town, south africa’s mother city, experience south africa by train, the taste of south africa, snapshot: franschhoek valley, snapshot: pretoria, snapshot: bo-kapp, snapshot: boulders beach, snapshot: cape point, snapshot: kirstenbosch national botanical garden, snapshot: hout bay, latest insights, south africa, three ways.

Whether you love feasting on local delicacies and wine, or sightseeing from a great height, South Africa is just the ticket   Only in recent years has South Africa’s gems – beyond safaris and braai – come to the attention of the savvy traveller. With an eclectic mix of culture, homegrown wines and more outdoor activiti...

Wine and Dine: The Perfect Pairing

South Africa is a gastronomic tour de force with fresh fish, wild meats and world-class wine all on the menu. We look at some of the best local food and wine pairings to try   Ever since the Dutch settled in South Africa back in the 17th century, bringing French Muscadet grapes with them, the country has been making fi...

A first timer's guide to Kruger National Park

The ultimate nature reserve in South Africa is a dream destination for animal lovers who want to see it all Kruger National Park covers an enormous area – almost 20,000 sq km of different landscapes and biodiverse eco-zones ranging from wetlands to grasslands and tropical forests. It has an ancient history of human occ...

When is the best time to visit Southern Africa

A trip to Southern Africa is a true adventure. Astonishing landscapes, incredible wildlife, ancient cultures. But, when is the best time to go?     Southern Africa is nothing short of mind-blowing. South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe all boast some of the most memorable experiences and sights on the planet. A...

What to expect on your first visit to South Africa

South Africa is an incredibly diverse country – its landscape, people and culture are like nowhere else. Here’s what you need to know before you go on a holiday to South Africa If there is one word that sums up South Africa, it is diverse. What other country has 11 official languages, ever-changing, dramatic landscapes...

We see that you are based in but you are viewing that is meant for residents.

Getting Around East And South Africa: Transportation Options

A frica is a wild and diverse continent that promises nothing short of adventure. It’s the second largest continent, made up of 54 countries, and presents travelers with a host of wonderful experiences, as well as a few challenges.

One of the biggest challenges about traveling in Africa is knowing how to get around.

We explored East and South Africa on a five-month backpacking adventure, and found there were many forms of transport to explore the continent with.

Getting around East and South Africa is rough, but it’s cheap, and it will provide you with some of your most entertaining stories.

In this guide, we share how to get around East and South Africa and the different modes of transport you can take.

There are many transportation options to suit each travellers budget, desired experiences and comfort levels, which we’ll go into below.

Globus Tours

Public buses, hitchhiking, final thoughts, more africa travel tips, how to travel africa: getting around east and south africa.

Below are the main ways to get around Africa.

Guided Tour

For those travellers who feels a little intimidated about backpacking Africa independently, or a short on time and want to be spared the hassle, there are organized overland safari tours that make traveling in Africa easy.

Craig, and I decided not to travel Africa in this way, although we ran into a lot of these overlander trucks through Africa and were given quite an insight into how they operated.

We wanted to travel slower through each area, and have a lot more contact with the local people, but we can see the appeal for a tour – Africa can feel huge and overwhelming.

Overland safari tours will be more expensive than independent travel,  but costs usually cover meals, transport, and accommodation.

Travelling Africa independently for 5 months cost us $7,000 tota l, and we visited several countries.

If you’re short on time, or only have one month, then we highly recommend this GAdventures Tour from Nairobi to South Africa , which covers the top places to visit in Africa such as Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, South Luangwa National Park, Lake Malawi, Zanzibar and a trip to the Serengeti.

We have also traveled with the Globus family brand of tours on several occasions now and have loved them. They offer a variety of tours including budget and more luxury. Here are some of their Africa tours. Don’t forget our exclusive discount code in the blue box below.

• Globus tours of Africa
• Cosmos tours of Africa

GLOBUS DISCOUNT JUST FOR YOU!

We’ve secured an exclusive yTravel discoun t: Save $100 per person on select 2023 and 2024 Globus and Avalon Waterway Vacations. Use the code: YTRAVEL when booking online at the Globus , Cosmos , and Avalon Waterways websites, by calling Globus and Avalon Waterways directly, or booking with a preferred Travel Advisor. Terms & Conditions .

The Baz Bus is a hop on, hop off style transportation company organized to help backpackers and travelers get around South Africa in comfort.

It has designated travel route that follows the backpacking trail, taking you to the most popular destinations and popular things to do in South Africa .

You can choose the route you want, and the bust will pick you up and drop you off at your selected hostel.

Tickets can be purchased for a specific number of days, or more open-ended fleixible tickets are available.

Prices for the Baz Bus range from USD $200 to $500.

After 4 months of traveling around Africa using public transport, I welcomed the Baz Bus ‘luxury’ experience with open arms.

I used it for the last two weeks in South Africa to travel from Durban to Johannesburg via Zululand, Swaziland and Kruger National Park.

Getting picked up and dropped off at my hostel door, spreading myself out on my own spacious seat while I watched videos and swapped stories with other travelers, was pure bliss and so worth the extra expense.

It’s also a safer way to travel for solo travelers in South Africa who don’t want to take a group tour.

There wasn’t a bus journey we went on in Africa that did not involve a laughter and conversation with the locals, having a child thrown on your lap, a neighboring rooster dangerously pecking around your head, a protective mother figure curing your motion sickness with matchsticks, or dramas such as punctured tires, highway roadside ablutions and bus drivers leaving behind those who did not get back from the toilet quick enough.

This is Africa and what better way to experience it.

Public buses (USD$3-$32) are usually taken for longer journeys and across borders where there is a good network of sealed roads.

The buses are generally comfortable, safe and spacious.

When traveling around East African countries such as Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, you’ll find there are fewer public buses available than there are in North African countries such as Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt.

This is because they are less developed and have fewer vehicles on the road in general.

These places have fewer or no sealed roads and will have ancient buses that frequently break down, and are crowded.

A step up from the local public buses is the Intercape , the largest privately owned intercity bus service in Southern Africa.

Think modern coach service with reclining seats and restrooms. We experienced the comfort of this from Cape Town to Durban…ahhh!

I thought Asians knew how to fill a mini-van, but then I went to Africa. The mini vans in Asia are quite spacious in comparison to mini vans in Africa.

Africa is the place that sets the outer limits as to how many people can be transported at once in a vehicle. 

Just when you think they couldn’t possibly fit another person in, they have them stand on the window sill outside the van.

I questioned my sanity, every time I rode in a mini-van, and spent the majority of the journey eyes closed to avoid seeing the drivers careen around mountainous corners at speeds of over 80km/h, overtaking anything from bikes to livestock trucks.

Travel in Africa, like this, is not for the faint hearted. Africa is poor; the drivers want to overfill the beat-up, rusty van and go as fast as they can in order to make more money.

Mini-vans are a very cheap way to get around, and are usually taken for up to 6 hour journeys within a country (usually around USD$1-$10) .

They don’t leave until they are full, so jump on one that looks ready to go and avoid sitting in the front seat, commonly referred to as the ‘death seat.’

Of course there is more room!

Pickups are cheap (usually not much more than USD$2) and tend to go a lot slower, traveling more on the smaller rural or village roads. I appreciated pickup travel a lot more than mini vans.

Even though I was hanging out in the pickup tray with bags of rice and potatoes, bicycles, and generally the whole village, I still felt a lot safer.

Traveling Africa in this way is extremely uncomfortable, but the communal aspect of it makes up for this.

A local African took me under his wing, as his muzungu (white person), on an 8 hour, 97km pickup trip to see the gorillas in Uganda.

No one was to touch me or make me uncomfortable; he even threatened to beat two handcuffed prisoners for accidentally sitting on my shoulder.

We sat under a blue tarp as rain pelted down on our drive through treacherous mountain passes.

Benson rescued me several times from sliding off the side of the truck to certain death below. You can always count on African pickups to give you memories like this.

We share more about this experience in this podcast on Amazing adventures to have in Uganda.

Hitchhiking is something that would turn most people’s blood to ice, especially with the thought of doing it in Africa.

It can be a relatively safe and cheap way to get around East and South Africa, and it can also be incredibly dangerous.

More people tend to hitchhike through Namibia and South Africa than any other East African country, but we wouldn’t recommend it unless there is no other way .

Hitchhiking can be free, although many times you will be expected to leave a small tip, and you have to be able to judge each situation. It is always a good idea to ask how much up front.

Accommodations and internet message boards often have notices for those seeking rides, in return for the sharing of fuel costs. This is much safer than flagging someone down on the side of the road.

If you hitch from the side of the road it’s best to wave your hand up and down to flag a lift, as sticking out your thumb is considered a rude gesture in Africa.

Craig and I hitchhiked from Namibia to South Africa, only because other transport options were limited.

A Namibian trucker, for a small tip, drove us halfway, sharing stories with Craig about Namibian life while I slept comfortably in his bed.

Chinese students drove us the remainder of the way to Cape Town, for the sharing of fuel prices and stories of life in South Africa as a Chinese student.

Although not a common form of transportation in East and South Africa, there will be times when the opportunity for train travel should be taken as it is a pleasantly relaxing, cultural experience.

You can travel most of Zimbabwe by train, using the National Railways of Zimbabwe . There is also a famous route from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, but this is a luxury train and quite expensive.

Cruising through game reserves and seeing giraffe, lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, wildebeest and zebra from my sleeper class cabin window was a surreal experience.

It was a treat to pick up passengers from small African towns and have goods hawked at our windows while children raced up to smile broadly and wave at the passing Muzungus.

Usually with travel in Africa you are squashed in like sardines, but if you pay for the higher class ticket (USD$20-$30) you will have your own sleeping cabin, giving you the space and freedom to walk around and appreciate African travel.

If you are not doing game drives in the Game Reserves, then leave room in your Africa travel budget for car hire.

There is no other way to view the wildlife and the natural wonders of Africa, and let’s face it this is one of your main reasons for coming to this beautiful continent.

Be clear on where the best viewing areas and safari camps are for your chosen game parks and plan accordingly so you can cut down on mileage and fuel expenses.

Car hire can be expensive but can work out to be a more cost-effective way to go on safari and tour certain regions of Africa. Check out DiscoverCars.com for the best competitive rates and excellent customer service.

We hired cars for safaris in Namibia and South Africa and to experience the beautiful Garden Route, a popular and scenic stretch off the coast of South Africa.

Car hire in South Africa can be found for as cheap as $30 a day, especially if you book online in advance.

In other parts of Africa it ranges from $75- $100 a day. Be careful of where you have to pick up your vehicle from.

If it is too far from the safari park you will have to allow for extra mileage and fuel expenses.

If you are planning on long term travel in Africa you may even consider buying your own 4WD to tour the continent in.

South Africa would be the best option for purchase, or a departing traveler ready to sell up.

Getting around East and South Africa can be done really cheaply if planned well. Carefully consider your budget and safety interests for getting around Africa.

While public transport is cheap and authentic, it is uncomfortable and less safe. Hiring or buying a car is the more expensive option, but will give you greater freedom.

Overland Safari tours will be expensive and less authentic but will give you an all inclusive package and a greater sense of safety.

So there you have it, those are the ways to travel around Africa, and as you can see there’s a lot of transportation options.

Before you go, we highly recommend you take out travel insurance to protect yourself ahead of your trip.

This will protect you should you come into any unforeseen circumstances.

Don’t forget to get your travel vaccinations too and talk to your doctor about medications!

Need more inspiration for traveling in Africa? Here are some other helpful guides…

• Top 5 Things in Botswana to experience the natural beauty
• 7 Reasons to visit Mozambique
• 13 awe-inspiring things to do in Eastern and Southern Africa
• Africa Travel Safety Tips
• How to travel Africa on a budget
• Safari game parks in Africa not to miss
• Africa safari tips to see the best wildlife
• Why this couple is traveling Africa and you should too
• 7 Reasons to honeymoon in South Africa
• 5 Extraordinary places to visit in Namibia

• Share full article

For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio , a new iOS app available for news subscribers.

Israel’s Deadly Airstrike on the World Central Kitchen

The story behind the pioneering aid group and how it mistakenly came under attack..

From “The New York Times,” I’m Michael Barbaro. This is “The Daily.”

The Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers delivering food in Gaza has touched off outrage and condemnations from across the world. Today, Kim Severson on the pioneering relief crew at the center of the story, and Adam Rasgon on what we’re learning about the deadly attack on the group’s workers. It’s Thursday, April 4.

Kim, can you tell us about the World Central Kitchen?

World Central Kitchen started as a little idea in Chef José Andrés’ head. He was in Haiti with some other folks, trying to do earthquake relief in 2010. And his idea at that point was to teach Haitians to cook and to use solar stoves and ways for people to feed themselves, because the infrastructure was gone.

And he was cooking with some Haitians in one of the camps, and they were showing him how to cook beans the Haitian way. You sort of smash them and make them a little creamy. And it occurred to him that there was something so comforting for those folks to eat food that was from their culture that tasted good to them. You know, if you’re having a really hard time, what makes you feel good is comfort food, right? And warm comfort food.

So that moment in the camp really was the seed of this idea. It planted this notion in José Andrés’ mind, and that notion eventually became World Central Kitchen.

And for those who don’t know, Kim, who exactly is Chef José Andrés?

José Andrés is a Spanish chef who cooked under some of the Spanish molecular gastronomy greats, came to America, really made his bones in Washington, DC, with some avant-garde food, but also started to expand and cook tapas, cook Mexican food. He’s got about 40 restaurants now.

Yeah. And he’s got a great Spanish restaurant in New York. He’s got restaurants in DC, restaurants in Miami.

Come with me to the kitchen. Don’t be shy.

He’s also become a big TV personality.

Chef, are you going to put the lobster in the pot with the potatoes?

We’re going to leave the potatoes in.

Leave the potatoes in!

He’s one of the most charismatic people I’ve ever been around in the food world.

He’s very much the touchstone of what people want their celebrity chefs to be.

So how does he go from being all those things you just described, to being on the ground, making local comfort food for Haitians? And how does this all go from an idea that that would be a good idea, to this much bigger, full-fledged humanitarian organization?

So he started to realize that giving people food in disaster zones was a thing that was really powerful. He helped feed people after Hurricane Sandy, and he realized that he could get local chefs who all wanted to help and somehow harness that power. But the idea really became set when he went to Houston in 2017 to help after Hurricane Harvey.

And that’s when he saw that getting local chefs to tap into their resources, borrowing kitchens, using ingredients that chefs might have had on hand or are spoiling in the fridge because the power is out and all these restaurants needed something to do with all this food before it rotted — harnessing all that and putting it together and giving people well-cooked, delicious — at least as delicious as it can be in a disaster zone — that’s when World Central Kitchen as we know it today sort of emerged as a fully formed concept.

The first pictures now coming in from Puerto Rico after taking a direct hit — Hurricane Maria slamming into the island. And as you heard, one official saying the island is destroyed.

Shortly after that, he flew to Puerto Rico, where Hurricane Maria had pretty much left the entire island without water and in darkness.

He flew in on one of the first commercial jets that went back in. He got a couple of his chef buddies whose kitchens were closed, and they just decided to start cooking. They were basically just serving pots of stew, chicken stew, in front of the restaurants.

The lines got longer. And of course, chefs are a really specific kind of creature. They really like to help their community. They’re really about feeding people.

So all the people who were chefs or cooks on the ground in Puerto Rico who could wanted to help. And you had all these chefs in the States who wanted to fly down and help if they could, too. So you had this constant flow of chefs coming in and out. That’s when I went down and followed him around for about a week.

And what did you see?

Well, one of the most striking things was his ability to get food to remote places in ways the Salvation Army couldn’t and other government agencies that were on the ground couldn’t. You know, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, doesn’t deliver food. It contracts with people to deliver food.

So you have all these steps of bureaucracy you have to go through to get those contracts. And then, FEMA says you have to have a bottle of water and this and that in those boxes. There’s a lot of structure to be able to meet the rules and regulations of FEMA.

So José doesn’t really care about rules and regulations very much. So he just got his troops together and figured out where people needed food. He had this big paper map he’d carry around and lay out. And he had a Sharpie, and he’d circle villages where he’d heard people needed food or where a bridge was out.

And then he would dispatch people to get the food there. Now, how are you going to do that? He was staying in a hotel where some National Guard and military police were staying to go patrol areas to make sure they were safe. He would tuck his big aluminum pans of food into the back of those guys’ cars, and say, Could you stop and drop these off at this church?

During that time in Puerto Rico, he funded a lot of it off of his own credit cards or with cash. And then he’s on the phone with people like the president of Goya or his golf buddies who are well-connected, saying, hey, we need some money. Can you send some money for this? Can you send some money for that?

So he just developed this network, almost overnight. I mean, he is very much a general in the field. He wears this Orvis fishing vest, has cigars in one pocket, money in the other. And he just sets out to feed people.

And there were deliveries that were as simple as he and a couple of folks taking plastic bags with food and wading through a flooded parking lot to an apartment building where an older person had been stuck for a few days and couldn’t get out, to driving up to a community that had been cut off. There was a church that was trying to distribute food.

We drive through this little mountain road and get to this church. We start unloading the food, and the congregation is inside the church. José comes in, and the pastor thanks him so much. And the 20 people or so who are there gather around José, and they begin praying.

And he puts his head down. He’s a Catholic. He’s a man who prays. He puts his head down. He’s in the middle of these folks, and he starts to pray with them. And then, pulls out his map, circles another spot, and the group is off to the next place.

And when Russia invades Ukraine, he immediately decided it was time for World Central Kitchen to step into a war zone. You know, so many people needed to eat. So many Ukrainians were crossing the border into Poland.

There are refugees in several countries surrounding Ukraine. So a lot of the work that they did was feeding the refugees. They set up big operations around train stations, places where refugees were coming, and then they were able to get into cities.

One of their operations did get hit with some armaments early on. Nobody was hurt badly. But I think that was the first time that they realized this was an actually more dangerous situation than perhaps going in after there’s been an earthquake.

But the other thing that really made a difference here is, José Andrés and World Central Kitchen would broadcast on social media, live from the kitchens. In the beginning, he’d be holding up his phone and saying, we put out 3 million meals for the people of Puerto Rico, chefs for Puerto Rico. It was very infectious.

And now, one of the standard operating procedures for people who are in the World Central Kitchens is to hold up the phone like that — you can see the kitchen, busy in the back — and talk about how many meals they’ve served. They have these kind of wild meal counts, which one presumes are pretty accurate. But they’re like, we served 320,000 meals this morning to the people of Lviv.

I mean, that scale seems important to note. This is not the kind of work that feeds a few people and a few towns. When you’re talking about 300,000 meals in a morning, you’re talking about something that begins, it would seem, to rival the scope and the reach of the groups that we tend to think of as the most important in the disaster-relief world.

Absolutely. And the meals — there are lots and lots and lots of meals. But also, World Central Kitchen hires local cooks. They’ll hire food truck operators, who obviously have no work, and pay them to go out and deliver the meals. They’ll pay local cooks to come in and cook. That’s what they do with a lot of their donations, which is very different than other aid organizations. And this then helps the local economy. He’s trying to buy as much local food as he can. That keeps the economy going in the time of a disaster. So that’s a piece of his operation that is a little different than traditional aid operations.

So walk us up to October 7, when Hamas attacked Israel. What does Chef José Andrés and the World Kitchen do?

Well, he had had such impact in Ukraine. And I think the organization itself thought that they had the infrastructure to now take food into another war zone. Gaza, of course, was nothing like Ukraine. But World Central Kitchen shows up. They’re nimble. They start to connect with local chefs.

Right now, they have about 60 kitchens in the areas around Gaza, and they’ve hired about 400 Palestinians to help do that. But getting the food into Gaza became the difficulty.

How do you actually get the food into the Gaza Strip? Large amounts of food that require trucks? You’ve got to realize, getting food into Gaza right now requires going through Israeli checkpoints.

And that slows the operation down. You might get eight trucks a day in, and that is such a small amount of food. And this has been incredibly difficult for any aid operations.

So World Central Kitchen, playing on the experience that they had in a war zone and working with government entities and trying to coordinate permissions — they took that experience from Ukraine and were trying to apply it in the Gaza Strip. Now, they had worked for a long time with Israeli officials. They wanted to make sure that they could get their food in.

And they decided that the best way to do it would be to take food off of ships, get it in a warehouse, and then get that food into Gaza. It took a long time to pull those permissions through, but they were able to get the permissions they needed and set this system up, so they could move the food fairly quickly into North Gaza.

And once they get those permissions, how big a player do they become in Gaza?

World Central Kitchen became a kind of a fulcrum point for getting food aid in to Gaza in a way that a larger and more established humanitarian aid operations couldn’t, in part because they were small and nimble in their way. So the amount of food they were moving maybe wasn’t as large as some of the more established humanitarian aid organizations, but they had so much goodwill. They had so much logistical knowledge.

They were working with local Palestinians who knew the food systems and who understood how to get things in and out. So they were able to find a way to use a humanitarian corridor to have permissions from the Israeli government, to be able to move this food back and forth. And that’s always been the secret to World Central Kitchen — is incredibly nimble. So —

Just like in Puerto Rico, they seemed to win over just about everybody and do the seemingly impossible.

Right. And World Central Kitchen says they delivered 43 million meals to Gazans since the start of the war. And I don’t think there was any other group that could have pulled this off.

Hey, this is Zomi and Chef Olivier. We’re at the Deir al-Balah kitchen. And we’ve got the mise en place. Tell us a little bit about it, Chef.

And then, this caravan, this fairly efficient caravan of armored vehicles, labeled with World Central Kitchen logo on the roof, on the sides — the idea was they head on — this humanitarian quarter, they head on this road. The seven people who went all in vests — three of whom are security people from Great Britain — you have another World Central Kitchen employee who has handled operations in Asia, in Central America. She’s quite a veteran of the World Central Kitchen operation.

And you have a young man who someone told me was like the Michael Jordan of humanitarian aid, who hooked up with World Central Kitchen in Poland. He was a hospitality student and had just become an indispensable make-it-happen guy. And you have a Palestinian guy who’s 25, a driver.

So this is the team. They have all the clearances. They have the well-marked vehicles. It seemed like a very simple, surgical kind of operation. And of course, now, as we know, it was anything but that.

After the break, my colleague Adam Rasgon on what happened to the World Central Kitchen workers in that caravan. We’ll be right back.

So Adam, what ends up happening to this convoy that our colleague Kim Severson just described from World Central Kitchen?

So what we know is that members of the World Central Kitchen had been at a warehouse in Deir al-Balah in the Central Gaza Strip. They had just unloaded about 100 tons of food aid that had been brought via a maritime route to the coast of the Gaza Strip. When they departed the warehouse, they were in three cars.

Two of the cars were armored cars, and one was a soft-skinned car, according to the organization. When the cars reached the coastal road, known as Al Rashid Street, they started to make their way south.

And what do we know about how much the World Central Kitchen would have told the Israeli military about their plans to be on this road?

Yeah. So the World Central Kitchen said that its movements were coordinated. And in military speak or in technical speak, people often refer to this as deconfliction. So basically, this process is something that not only the World Central Kitchen but the UN, telecommunications companies going out to repair damaged telecommunications infrastructure, others would use, where they basically provide the Israeli military with information about the people who are traveling — their ID numbers, their names, the license plate numbers of the cars they’ll be traveling in.

They’ll sort of explain where their destination is. And the general process is that the Israelis will then come back to them and say, you’re approved to travel from this time, and you can take this specific route.

And do we know if that happened? If the IDF said, you’re approved, use this route on this night?

So we heard from the World Central Kitchen that they did receive this approval. And the military hasn’t come out and said that it wasn’t approved. So I think it’s fair to assume that their movements were coordinated and de-conflicted.

OK. So what happens as this seemingly pre-approved and coordinated convoy trip is making this leg of the journey?

They started to make their way south towards Rafah. And the three cars suddenly came under fire. The Israeli army unleashes powerful and devastating strikes on the three cars in the convoy, most likely from a drone. The strikes rip through the cars, killing everyone inside.

Shortly thereafter, ambulances from the Palestine Red Crescent are dispatched to the location. They retrieve the dead bodies.

They bring those bodies to a hospital. And at the hospital, the bodies are laid out, and journalists start to report to the world that indeed, five members of the World Central Kitchen staff have been killed. And the Palestine Red Crescent teams were continuing to search for other bodies and eventually brought back two more bodies to the hospital for a total of seven people killed in these airstrikes.

And when the sun comes up, what does it end up looking like — the scene of these struck trucks from this convoy?

So early in the morning when the sun comes up, a number of Palestinian journalists headed out to the coastal road and started taking pictures and videos. And I received a series of videos from one of the reporters that I was in touch with, essentially showing three cars, all heavily damaged. One had a World Central Kitchen logo on top of it, with a gaping hole in the middle of the roof.

A second car was completely charred. You could barely recognize the structure of the car. The inside of it had been completely charred, and the front smashed.

And do we know if the strike on this convoy was the only strike happening in this area? In other words, is it possible that this convoy was caught in some kind of a crossfire or in the middle of a firefight, or does it appear that this was quite narrow, and was the Israeli army targeting these specific vehicles, whether or not they realized who was in it?

We don’t have any other indication that there was another strike on that road around that time.

What that suggests, of course, is that this convoy was targeted. Now, whether Israeli officials knew who was in it, whether they were aid workers, seems like a yet-unresolved question. But it does feel very clear that the trucks in this convoy were deliberately struck.

Yes. I do think the trucks in this convoy were deliberately struck.

What is the reaction to these airstrikes on this convoy and to the death of these aid workers?

Well, one of the first reactions is from the World Central kitchen’s founder, José Andrés.

Chef José Andrés, who founded World Central Kitchen, calling them angels.

He said he was heartbroken and grieving.

And adding the Israeli government needs to stop this indiscriminate killing.

And then, he accused Israel of using food as a weapon.

What I know is that we were targeted deliberately, nonstop, until everybody was dead in this convoy.

And he just seemed devastated and quite angry.

And so what is the reaction from not just World Central Kitchen, but from the rest of the world to this airstrike?

There’s, frankly, fury and outrage.

The White House says it is outraged by an Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers in Gaza, including one American.

President Biden, who has been becoming increasingly critical of Israel’s approach to this war — he came out and said that he was outraged and heartbroken.

Certainly sharper in tone than we have heard in the past. He says Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed help to civilians. Incidents like yesterday’s simply should not happen. Israel also has not —

And we’re seeing similar outrage from foreign governments. The British Foreign Secretary David Cameron —

The dreadful events of the last two days are a moment when we should mourn the loss of these brave humanitarian workers.

— said that the airstrikes were completely unacceptable. And he called on Israel to explain how this happened and to make changes to ensure that aid workers could be safe.

So amid all this, what does Israel have to say about the attack — about how it happened, about why it happened?

The response from Israel this time was much different, compared to other controversial airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. Often, when we’re reporting on these issues, we’ll hear from the army that they’re investigating a given incident. It will take days, if not weeks, to receive updates on where that investigation stands.

There are instances where Israel does take responsibility for harming civilians, but it’s often rare. This time, the Prime Minister —

[NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

— Benjamin Netanyahu comes out with a video message —

— saying that Israel had unintentionally harmed innocent civilians. And that was the first indication or public indication that Israel was going to take responsibility for what had happened.

The IDF works together closely with the World Central Kitchen and greatly appreciates the important work that they do.

We later heard from the military’s chief of staff. Herzi Halevi issued a video statement in English.

I want to be very clear the strike was not carried out with the intention of harming aid workers. It was a mistake that followed a misidentification.

And he said this mistake had come after a misidentification. He said it was in the middle of a war, in a very complex condition. But —

This incident was a grave mistake. We are sorry for the unintentional harm to the members of WCK.

He was clear that this shouldn’t have happened.

I want to talk about that statement, because it seems to suggest — that word, “misidentification”— that the Israeli army believed that somebody else was in this convoy, that it wasn’t a bunch of aid workers.

That’s possible, although it’s extremely vague and cryptic language that genuinely is difficult to understand. And it’s a question that us in the Jerusalem Bureau have been asking ourselves.

I’m curious if the Israeli government has said anything in all of its statements so far about whether it noticed these markings on these three cars in the convoy. Because that, I think, for so many people, stands out as making misidentification hard to understand. It seems like perhaps a random pickup truck could be misidentified as perhaps a vehicle being used by a Hamas militant. But a group of World Central Kitchen trucks with their name all over it, driving down a known aid corridor — that becomes harder to understand as misidentification.

Yeah, it’s an important question. And at this moment, we don’t know exactly what the Israeli reconnaissance drones could see, and whether or not they were able to see, in the darkness of the night, the markings of the World Central Kitchen on the cars. But what is clear is that when the cars were found in the morning, right there was the big emblazoned logo of the World Central Kitchen.

Mm-hmm. I’m curious how you think about the speed with which Israel came out and said it was in the wrong here. Because as you said, that’s not how Israel typically reacts to many of these situations. And that makes me think that it might have something to do with the nature of the aid group that was the target of these airstrikes — the World Central Kitchen — and its story.

I think it does have to do with this particular group. This is a group that’s led by a celebrity chef, very high-profile, who is gone around the world to conflict zones, disaster areas, to provide food aid. And I also think it has to do with the people who were killed, most of who were Western foreign aid workers. Frankly, I don’t think we would be having this conversation if a group of Palestinian aid workers had been killed.

Nor, perhaps, would we be having the reaction that we have had so far from the Israeli government.

I would agree with that.

Adam, at the end of the day, what is going to be the fallout from all of this for the people of Gaza? How do we think that this attack on World Central Kitchen is going to impact how food, medicine, aid is distributed there?

So the World Central Kitchen has said that it’s suspending its operations across Gaza. Because it essentially seems that they don’t feel they can safely operate there right now. And several ships that carried aid for the organization, which were sort of just on the coast — those ships ended up turning back to Cyprus, carrying more than 200 tons of aid.

So aid that was supposed to reach the people of Gaza is now leaving Gaza because of this attack.

Yes. And it’s also had a chilling effect. Another aid group, named INARA, has also suspended its operations in Gaza. And it seems that there is concern among humanitarians that other aid groups could follow.

So in a place where people are already suffering from severe hunger, poor sanitation, the spread of dangerous disease, this is only going to make the humanitarian situation, which is already dire, even worse.

Well, Adam, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

Thanks so much for having me.

We’ll be right back.

Here’s what else you need to know today. The magnitude-7.4 earthquake that struck Taiwan on Wednesday has killed nine people, injured more than 1,000, and touched off several landslides. It was Taiwan’s strongest quake in the past 25 years. But in a blessing for the island’s biggest cities, its epicenter was off the island’s east coast, relatively far from population centers like Taipei.

And the first patient to receive a kidney transplant from a genetically modified pig has fared so well that he was discharged from a Massachusetts hospital on Wednesday just two weeks after surgery. Two previous transplants from genetically modified pigs both failed. Doctors say the success of the latest surgery represents a major moment in medicine that, if replicated, could usher in a new era of organ transplantation.

Today’s episode was produced by Lynsea Garrison, Olivia Natt, and Carlos Prieto, with help from Asthaa Chaturvedi. It was edited by Marc Georges, with help from Paige Cowett, contains original music by Marion Lozano and Dan Powell, and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Michael Barbaro. See you tomorrow.

• April 5, 2024   •   29:11 An Engineering Experiment to Cool the Earth
• April 4, 2024   •   32:37 Israel’s Deadly Airstrike on the World Central Kitchen
• April 3, 2024   •   27:42 The Accidental Tax Cutter in Chief
• April 2, 2024   •   29:32 Kids Are Missing School at an Alarming Rate
• April 1, 2024   •   36:14 Ronna McDaniel, TV News and the Trump Problem
• March 29, 2024   •   48:42 Hamas Took Her, and Still Has Her Husband
• March 28, 2024   •   33:40 The Newest Tech Start-Up Billionaire? Donald Trump.
• March 27, 2024   •   28:06 Democrats’ Plan to Save the Republican House Speaker
• March 26, 2024   •   29:13 The United States vs. the iPhone
• March 25, 2024   •   25:59 A Terrorist Attack in Russia
• March 24, 2024   •   21:39 The Sunday Read: ‘My Goldendoodle Spent a Week at Some Luxury Dog ‘Hotels.’ I Tagged Along.’
• March 22, 2024   •   35:30 Chuck Schumer on His Campaign to Oust Israel’s Leader

Hosted by Michael Barbaro

Featuring Kim Severson and Adam Rasgon

Produced by Lynsea Garrison ,  Olivia Natt ,  Carlos Prieto and Asthaa Chaturvedi

Edited by Marc Georges and Paige Cowett

Original music by Dan Powell and Marion Lozano

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

The Israeli airstrike that killed seven workers delivering food in Gaza has touched off global outrage and condemnation.

Kim Severson, who covers food culture for The Times, discusses the World Central Kitchen, the aid group at the center of the story; and Adam Rasgon, who reports from Israel, explains what we know about the tragedy so far.

On today’s episode

Kim Severson , a food correspondent for The New York Times.

Adam Rasgon , an Israel correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading

The relief convoy was hit just after workers had delivered tons of food .

José Andrés, the Spanish chef who founded World Central Kitchen, and his corps of cooks have become leaders in disaster aid .

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Kim Severson is an Atlanta-based reporter who covers the nation’s food culture and contributes to NYT Cooking . More about Kim Severson

Adam Rasgon reports from Israel for The Times's Jerusalem bureau. More about Adam Rasgon

Advertisement