The Best Luxury Rail Safari Routes and Destinations in Africa

A luxury train journey on Rovos Rail or the Blue Train in Africa is invariably included on a list of the world’s best luxury rail safari destinations. These journeys are inestimably more than just transport – they’re an exploration of Africa in style, sumptuous comfort, and sheer indulgence. Olde-world charm permeates the elegant lounge carriages and defines each of the lavish, comfortable suites. 

Gourmet cuisine is impeccably served in elegant, wood-panelled dining cars, as you relax and absorb Africa’s magnificent landscapes gliding by outside the large windows. You may stop enroute for a Big Five safari or enjoy a superb overnight stay in a luxury game lodge or hotel. Throughout your trip, the emphasis will be on luxury travel that, once experienced, is never forgotten. So, switch off your phone, laptop or tablet and stash it deep and out-of-mind in your suitcase! 

Luxury Rail Safari Destinations in Africa

So, where can you go on a rail safari? In Africa, you can choose from the captivating beauty of Cape Town, the bustle of Dar Es Salaam, the breathtaking spectacle of Victoria Falls, unspoilt Zambia, historic Durban and Pretoria, the vast desert vistas of Walvis Bay, and the coastal charm of Lobito. Let’s take a closer look.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is a premier destination for luxury rail safaris in Africa, offering travellers an exceptional blend of scenery, culture, and history. The city, cradled by iconic Table Mountain and bordered by the Atlantic ocean, serves as the starting or end point of several luxury train routes. 

Among these, the route from Pretoria to Cape Town is particularly notable. It allows passengers to traverse the expansive Highveld, the arid Great Karoo, and the Cape Winelands to reach the picturesque Mother City.

Highlights include stops at the historic village of Matjiesfontein, a perfectly preserved Victorian-era outpost, and Kimberley, where visitors can explore the Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole. Near Cape Town, the luxury trip includes off-train excursions to experience the region’s vineyards, best restaurants, and natural wonders. The combination of opulent onboard amenities on the train and the opportunity to see some of South Africa’s diverse attractions make this route a standout choice for visitors. 

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 

Colourful and bustling Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s political and business centre. It also serves as the destination and gateway to some of the most exquisite luxury rail safari experiences in Africa. This coastal city not only immerses travellers in its unique blend of Swahili, colonial, and contemporary cultures, but is also the destination for an epic 15-night Rovos Rail journey from Cape Town that showcases the continent’s dramatic geography, wildlife, and historical sites. 

The trip includes the Selous Game Reserve, renowned for its elephant, cheetah, rhinoceros, and hippopotamus populations. The route also passes through the unspoilt landscapes of Zambia and Zimbabwe to see the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls. Sumptuous levels of comfort and elegance, with opulent suites, gourmet dining, and elegant lounges, typify this luxury train safari. 

Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls, famously known as “the smoke that thunders”, is a spectacular destination for luxury rail safaris in Africa. It serves as both an awe-inspiring natural wonder and a pivotal stop on several luxury train routes. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers an unforgettable backdrop for luxury train journeys that combine outstanding natural beauty with the elegance of bygone travel eras. 

Rovos Rail and the Shongololo Express also offer routes that include Victoria Falls and all its adrenaline-fuelled activities and attractions. This luxury immersive experience takes visitors through South Africa’s bushveld, the arid plains of Botswana, and culminates in the lush surroundings of the falls themselves. Special excursions are arranged for passengers, such as guided tours, sunset cruises on the Zambezi River, and game drives in nearby wildlife parks like Mosi oa Tunya. The journey to Victoria Falls isn’t just a safari, but a lavish expedition through the very heart of southern Africa.

Zambia

Zambia, with its stunning landscapes and rich wildlife, is a key highlight for travellers on sought-after luxury rail safaris in Africa. Luxury train routes through Zambia typically include journeys that span several countries, connecting South Africa’s vast landscapes with the east coast of Tanzania. The routes offered by Rovos Rail include a wide variety of options, and allow passengers to witness Zambia’s varied ecosystems, including vast savannahs, wetlands, and forests, all home to an incredible diversity of wildlife.

The luxury train journeys also often include a traverse through the Kapiri Mposhi area on the TAZARA railway, offering unique insights into Zambia’s culture and heritage. Stops enroute include game drives in the country’s national parks and visits to local communities. 

Durban, South Africa

Durban, named after Sir Benjamin D’Urban and affectionately referred to as “Durbs” by many, is one of South Africa’s best known coastal port cities. Famed for its golden beaches, multicultural atmosphere, and bustling harbour, Durban serves as the departure or conclusion for several luxury train itineraries. 

The Rovos Durban Safari trip (also available in reverse from Durban to Pretoria) is one of the most notable. It takes travellers from Pretoria to Durban, weaving through some spectacular scenery, including the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and the famous Valley of a Thousand Hills.

The Durban Safari route is also celebrated for its rich programme of off-train excursions, including game drives in the Nambiti Conservancy. Passengers also learn about the local battlefields, and visit Ardmore Ceramics, which captures the vibrant spirit of Zulu culture. Onboard the train passengers revel in luxury accommodations, gourmet dining, and impeccable service. Durban‘s unique blend of natural beauty, historical significance and cultural richness make it a standout luxury rail destination.

Pretoria, South Africa

Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital, is a notable start or endpoint for some of the best luxury rail safaris in Africa. Rich in history and adorned with jacaranda-lined avenues, magnificent buildings, and lush gardens, Pretoria offers an impressive backdrop for a luxury rail journey. 

Pretoria serves as the central hub for luxury trains such as Rovos Rail and the Blue Train to several destinations. Routes from Pretoria showcase the diversity of Africa’s terrain, from the Highveld’s grasslands to the dramatic vistas of the Drakensberg Mountains, the wildlife-rich savannahs, and the stark beauty of the Karoo. Rovos Rail has their own private station in the city. 

Walvis Bay, Namibia

Situated in the Kuiseb River delta in Namibia, Walvis Bay, or Walvisbaai as it’s more commonly known, is a lively, cosmopolitan port city on the west coast of Namibia. It’s also a hub for activities and attractions, ranging from dune riding experiences to birding and encountering Cape fur seals. It’s famed for its rich marine life, including flamingos and pelicans that flock to its lagoon, and is a gateway to the dramatic landscapes of the Namib Desert. 

It’s also the destination for one of Rovos Rail’s outstanding luxury rail journeys, the sought-after 10-day Namibia Safari. This journey takes passengers from Pretoria through the heart of South Africa, the first stop being Kimberley, focus of one of the world’s most famous diamond rushes, and site of the famous Big Hole. 

In Namibia, natural wonders include the Fish River Canyon, Garas Park with its indigenous quiver-tree forest, and the vast and mind-blowing Namib Desert. A flight and overnight stay at Sossusvlei and the game-rich Etosha National Park are also included. On the final morning of the trip, the train travels to Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, both known for their German colonial-era architecture, excellent accommodations, restaurants and numerous attractions. This luxury rail experience is also available in reverse.

Lobito, Angola

Rovos Rail’s 15-day, 4,300 km Trail of Two Oceans luxury rail trip literally traverses the African Continent from east and west. It runs between the two cities of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Lobito in Angola. It was a brand new route pioneered after long negotiations by Rovos Rail in 2019 as the first passenger rail trip on the copper trail from Dar es Salaam to Lobito. It proved a great success and now runs both ways. 

High points of the luxury train’s itinerary include the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania, a visit to the Kolwezi copper mine, a two-night safari in the renowned South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, and a tour of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

Previously an uncharted destination for luxury rail safaris in Africa, this trip offers a unique blend of Angolan and Tanzanian culture, history, and widely diverse African scenery from coastal plains to rugged interior mountainscapes. It offers a truly immersive experience of travelling through one of Africa’s less-visited countries in unparalleled comfort and style. 

A luxury train safari is a shamelessly indulgent experience that unapologetically insists on treating you like royalty! At Discover Africa we know that both Rovos Rail and the Blue Train will offer you a totally unforgettable safari experience. And don’t forget, we can tailor-make a safari just for you that will incorporate a luxury train trip. Book your dream adventure with us today!