Luxury Rail Travel in
South Africa made for you
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Epic South African train tours in elegant style
South Africa has some of the most moving, distinct and dramatic landscapes this world has to offer, which can all be enjoyed from the smooth gait of a luxury locomotive pulling along the wide open plains, swallowing up the savannah and coursing along its coastlines.
There’s also nothing more effortlessly comfortable and convenient, nor more hopelessly romantic, than travelling by luxury train through Africa. We offer a number of differing routes and luxury trains in South Africa that snake through some of the most extraordinary scenes.
The Blue Train South Africa, Rovos Rail and Shongololo Express each hold their own distinctive style. With different routes, highlights and an array of on and off-board experiences to try, these trains make the journey as special as the destination.
Our travel designers will be able to suggest the best itinerary and luxury trains in South Africa to suit your interests and passions. You may prefer to hop on or off at a particular point to enjoy a safari stay and combine the entire experience with a stay at one of Africa’s best beaches. There’s also the opportunity to to spend extra nights in Cape Town and the rolling Winelands before and after your train trip.
Experiences picked by our destination specialists
A word from one of our experts
There's not much that's more luxurious than exploring beautiful scenery by rail. Taking in all of the sights, sounds and flavours of South Africa from the comfort of an elegant cabin, but still having the freedom to stop off and explore lively cities and unmatched safaris. It really is like putting yourself at the heart of all South Africa has to offer.
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury rail accommodation in South Africa
There are many incredible places to stay in South Africa. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip Inspriation
Get inspired with our South African rail example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
15-Day Trip
A Luxury Rail Journey Through Africa
15-Day Trip
A Luxury Rail Journey Through Africa
Discover South Africa
Cape Town
Cape Town can really take your breath away. The horizon is dominated by the iconic Table Mountain rising up in the background, whilst in the foreground are the crisp waters of the cape and the laid-back bustle of the city’s waterfront skirted by sandy beaches and picturesque suburbs.
Drakensberg Mountains
Now affectionately known as ‘the Berg’, Drakensberg, meaning ‘Dragon Mountains’, magically encapsulates the escarpment’s otherworldly feel. Tabletop peaks, wind-swept plains, mighty cliffs and glorious waterfalls make up just some of the spectacular grandeur.
Durban
Durban is another of South Africa’s great seaside cities, with the added feature of enjoying a warm sub-tropical climate all year round.
Eastern Cape Safaris
South Africa’s Eastern Cape continues to win visitors over with its pristine coastline, accessible and malaria-free wildlife reserves, picturesque villages and surreal hinterland landscapes.
Johannesburg
South Africa‘s ‘Big Apple’, this sunny city is not only one of the world’s largest urban areas and South Africa’s commercial and economic hub, it’s also been branded the new capital of cool.
KwaZulu Natal
Known as the ‘Kingdom of the Zulu’, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s most north-easterly coastal province, quite literally has it all.
Limpopo Province
“The Great North” or South Africa’s northernmost province of Limpopo, justifies its nickname with some of the most magnificently scenic and contrasting terrain you’ll see throughout the country.
Madikwe
The Madikwe Game Reserve, bordering the Kalahari Desert and Botswana in South Africa’s north west corner, is one of the country’s lesser known and more remote safari experiences. Moreover, it’s malaria-free, making the area great for families.
Northern Kruger National Park
The Makuleke is the northernmost section of the Kruger National Park. It is something of an open secret among safari aficionados, a diverse and dramatic region that is perhaps the park’s most beautiful, yet kept wonderfully quiet thanks to its remoteness and community run concession status.
Phinda
In the northern corner of the KwaZulu Natal’s eastern coast, the Phinda Private Game Reserve is a small and exclusive gem of conservation-based hospitality and authentic African safari splendor.
Pretoria
Located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, this handsome city is one of South Africa‘s three capital cities. Pretoria is made up of grand buildings, large, leafy green suburbs and wide, tree-lined streets.
Sabi Sands
Widely regarded as Africa’s premier safari reserve, Sabi Sands is world renowned for the abundance of game (particularly leopard), and is the best place to see all of the ‘Big Five’ in South Africa.
The Garden Route
This exquisitely pretty, pleasant and popular strip of South Africa’s Western Cape and coastline is a nature lover’s paradise and a horticulturist’s dream.
The Kalahari
Although termed a desert, this semi-arid sandy savannah supports more animal and plant life than what is typical and is, in fact, not a desert in the truest sense.
The Kruger
Founded in 1898 by President Paul Kruger, this National Park remains one of the oldest and largest wildlife reserves in the world.
The Western Cape Mountains
Sweeping from the north of Cape Town and curving eastward underneath the southern limits of the Northern Cape, this arched expanse incorporates the Cederberg mountains, a good portion of the Karoo plateau spilling over into the Overburg interior.
The Whale Coast
As you might imagine, the marine life of the Whale Coast is the main draw of the area, but you can’t help but credit them for picking such a spectacular stretch of coastline around which to gather.
The Winelands
Just a short drive from Cape Town one enters the verdant, rolling hills of South Africa’s wine country. Home to fantastic wine and some of Africa’s best restaurants.
Meet your Africa team
When to visit South Africa for rail tours
Rail travel is great any time of year. Rates tend to fluctuate between the high season (September to November) and low season (January to August, and most of December).
Safari
May - October
Wildflowers
August - September
Cape Town
October - April
Plan your trip to South Africa
Whatever you want from your rail adventure in South Africa, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Don't take our word for it
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
