What are you looking for?

South African Safari Train Tours

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

Step back into a bygone era of luxury travel by going on a train journey in South Africa. With the hum of the locomotive as the soundtrack, pass through diverse landscapes and see an array of spectacular flora and fauna, all from your lavish suite.

Why Should You Travel by Rail in South Africa?

Travel in Luxury

Journey in style aboard luxury trains like the Blue Train or Rovos Rail.

On the Blue Train, guests can expect a dedicated butler, comfortable accommodation, fine dining, and exquisite wines; on Rovos Rail, bespoke amenities and Victorian baths create an opulent experience.

Spectacular Landscapes

Train journeys in South Africa take you through breathtaking landscapes. Travel through vast savannahs dotted with wildlife and mountainous regions with spectacular views in absolute comfort.

Gourmet Dining

On a rail travel experience in South Africa, while aboard, you can indulge in gourmet dining and fine wines. On your journey, you may also stop at renowned destinations for lavish meals.

Historical and Cultural Experiences

South Africa has a fascinating history and an array of cultures that make up this unique nation. While on your journey, you can visit historical sites and cultural stops to enhance your holiday.

Ideal for Slow Travel

If slow travel appeals to you, South Africa rail travel is ideal. Instead of rushing from destination to destination and trying to fit in as much as possible, embrace a slower pace and soak up the luxury.

Best Destinations to Explore by Rail

Pretoria to Cape Town

This multi-day journey from Pretoria to Cape Town will take you through 1,600 km (994 miles) of diverse scenery, including desert landscapes, lush valleys, and vast grasslands. Hop off the train at Kimberley to visit the Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum. This is a classic route showcasing the country’s impressive diversity.

Pretoria to Victoria Falls

This train journey combines South African and Zimbabwean highlights! You’ll cross the Tropic of Capricorn and the Limpopo River en route to Zimbabwe, where you’ll see the incredible wildlife of this region from the train or while on game drives.

Cape Winelands

The Cape Winelands offers short train trips where you can take in the scenic vineyard views and stop for fine dining experiences and wine tastings.

Eastern Cape Safaris

Combine your luxury train experience with a South Africa safari experience in the Eastern Cape. Go on Big Five safaris as you travel through this gorgeous landscape.

Karoo Region

This train journey features vast desert landscapes and small-town charm. See the arid environment with its unique flora and fauna while on this tour.

4 Tips for a Rail Travel Experience in South Africa

1. Book Early

Luxury train experiences in South Africa fill up quickly, especially the popular routes, so reserve your train car early to avoid disappointment.

2. Don’t Forget Your Formal Wear

Luxury trains often have a dress code for dinner, so pack semi-formal attire for onboard dining.

3. Choose the Right Itinerary

Get clear on the types of experiences you want to have while on a rail journey in South Africa. Discover Africa can advise you on the perfect route based on your interests.

4. Maximise Your Experience with Planned Stops

Train journeys stop at different locations along the way. Plan activities at these destinations to enhance your experience.

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari?

960 Reviews - 5/5 Stars

Craft your journey with the expertise of our dedicated Africa Safari Experts

Start Planning

What Our Guests Have to Say?

Read recent reviews from travellers who have planned and booked their trips with us

star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"Bianca, thank you for making this a wonderful trip. When we contacted Discover Africa we did not know what to expect. It was the best decision we could have made. The attention to detail made the trip go smoothly. When I asked a question, and there were man..."

Janet Orr, United States•29 Sep 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"My wife and I and two of our friends took this trip, which covered South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The trip was customized based on our needs and our Tour Manager/ Coordinator, Vihann, planned and executed with such ease and precision, I cannot think o..."

Ashesh, United States•08 Jul 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Safari Bookings review

"Discover Africa Safaris were great to deal with. Cayleigh put together an excellent itinerary which included Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta and Maun. It included everything we requested, with excellent accommodation, transfers and s..."

Julie Whitmore, Australia•09 Jun 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"Justin Van Wyk from Discover Africa Safari did an outstanding job in planning our perfect Safari. All travel and transfers between airports and game lodges have been flawless! The lodges and safari experiences have been awesome."

Roland Braun, United States•05 Jan 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"We were initially overwhelmed with all of the options for African Safaris when we first started planning our trip. Luckily, Discover Africa responded promptly to our initial request for information and we were quickly scheduled for an initial consult with A..."

John Stanton, United States•26 Nov 2025•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"The best trip of our lives!! I am so glad I came across Discover Africa and was paired with Dev. We started with a video chat and Dev listened to my vision for the trip- all of the things I was excited to do, and he shared his travel expertise. He took thos..."

Nithya Mohrfeld, United States•27 Oct 2025•

Read More
View All Testimonials

Our safari traveller reviews are independently verified and sourced from trusted third-party review platforms.