South Africa Train Safaris

ROVOS RAIL
Also known as the "Pride of Africa", it is South Africa's version of the legendary Orient Express. Luxury, ambience and nostalgia are the hallmarks of a 1920's steam train that has been lovingly restored by Rohan Vos (Rovos) who once was rich and now claims to owning only a great train set. Routes: Its scheduled routes in both directions are: Pretoria-Cape Town; Pretoria-Kruger Park-Maputo; Pretoria-Vic Falls. But you can also charter the whole train and request you own route. Duration of journey: 22 hours to 4 days

OUTENIQUA CHOO-TJOE
Named after the mountain range along the Garden Route, the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe will steam you through stunning landscapes of the Garden Route. Route: between George and Knysna. Duration: 3 to 6 hours

BANANA EXPRESS
Take a train from the coast of KwaZulu-Natal into the interior, by steaming through rolling hills and banana and sugarcane plantations. Enjoy a braai (barbecue) at the end of the line. Route: between Port Shepstone and Istotsha, Thursday and Saturdays. Duration: 2.5 hours

MAGALIESBERG EXPRESS
This steam train should be chartered for your group, as its scheduled departures are too infrequent. It takes you from Johannesburg into the local mountain range of Magaliesberg. Route: Johannesburg to Magaliesberg.  Duration: One day trip.

APPLE EXPRESS
This is an old narrow-gauge train that used to transport the famous "Cape" apples from the orchards to the harbour of Port Elizabeth. Route: between Port Elizabeth and Loerie. Duration: 3 or 6 hours.

BLUE TRAIN
This 5-star hotel on wheels hardly needs an introduction, having become one of South Africa's best known icons. Suffice it to say that it was recently refurbished and brought up to speed for the new millennium. Its main destinations are Cape Town and the Kruger National Park. Routes: Pretoria-Cape Town and Pretoria-Nelspruit (and vice versa). Duration: Pretoria-Cape Town: 24 hours; Pretoria-Nelspruit: 6.5 hours.

 Enquire about luxury and steam train journeys in South Africa