African Luxury Rail Tours – Southern & East Africa by Private Train
Africa is a continent defined by scale, wildlife and dramatic contrast, and luxury train travel offers one of the most immersive ways to experience it. While rail networks extend across much of the continent, true luxury rail journeys in Africa are concentrated in Southern Africa, with select extended itineraries reaching Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania.
Our African luxury rail tours focus on meticulously curated journeys aboard Rovos Rail, the Blue Train, and privately chartered trains such as the African Explorer. These journeys combine elegant onboard living with expertly guided off-train excursions, transforming long distances into relaxed, atmospheric travel through some of Africa’s most iconic landscapes and historic routes.
Luxury African rail tours focus primarily on Southern Africa, where world-class trains such as Rovos Rail, the Blue Train, and the privately chartered African Explorer operate iconic journeys. These rail experiences combine five-star onboard comfort with expertly guided off-train excursions to destinations including South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania. African luxury trains are defined by spacious en-suite cabins, fine dining, attentive service, and immersive travel through safari landscapes, deserts, vineyards and historic cities.
● Luxury Trains in Africa (Southern Africa)
● Why Travel Africa by Luxury Train
● Key Regions & Highlights
● Luxury African Rail Journeys & Routes
● Practical Information & FAQs
● Enquire About African Rail Tours
Luxury Trains in Africa
Luxury rail travel in Africa is defined by a small number of exceptional operators, each offering a distinctive style of journey. These trains are not simply transport, but destination experiences in their own right, combining fine dining, private en-suite cabins and elegant observation cars.
● Rovos Rail is Africa’s most celebrated luxury train, operating multi-country journeys across South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania, including its flagship Cape Town to Dar es Salaam route.
● The Blue Train offers a classic overnight luxury experience between Cape Town and Pretoria, focusing on refined service and short, high-impact journeys.
● African Explorer (private charter) operates select departures using Rovos Rail rolling stock, typically guided and often language-specific.
Each train offers a distinct rhythm and character, but all share an emphasis on space, service and a slower, more immersive way to explore Africa.
Compare African Luxury Trains
Which African luxury train is right for you?
| Feature | Rovos Rail | The Blue Train | African Explorer (Charter) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geographic focus | Southern & East Africa | South Africa only | Southern Africa |
| Typical journey length | 3 days to 15+ days | 1 night | 7–14 days |
| Countries visited | South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania | South Africa | South Africa and neighbouring countries |
| Style of journey | Long-distance, multi-country expeditions | Short, high-impact luxury | Escorted, themed rail journeys |
| Cabin style | Spacious en-suite suites | Elegant en-suite cabins | En-suite cabins |
| Dining | Fine dining with regional menus | Formal fine dining | Full-board dining |
| Excursions | Guided cultural and wildlife excursions | Limited off-train stops | Guided excursions throughout |
| Best suited to | Slow travel enthusiasts and long journeys | First-time luxury rail travellers | Escorted group travel |
| Level of flexibility | High (multiple routes and durations) | Low (fixed route) | Moderate (set departure themes) |
| Overall experience | Most immersive African rail journey | Most iconic overnight train | Most guided rail experience |
Explore each of Africa’s luxury trains in more detail below.
Not sure which African luxury train suits your travel style?
Speak to our specialists for impartial advice and bespoke itinerary planning.
South Africa
Blue Train
South Africa’s iconic overnight luxury train, offering elegant en-suite cabins, fine dining and spectacular scenery between Cape Town and Pretoria.
SOUTH & CENTRAL AFRICA
Rovos Rail
One of the world’s most luxurious trains, operating long-distance, multi-country journeys across Southern and East Africa in classic colonial-style comfort.
NAMIBIA | SOUTH AFRICA
African Explorer
A privately chartered Rovos Rail journey offering guided, small-group rail adventures through South Africa, Namibia and beyond.
Why Travel Africa by Train
Travelling through Africa by luxury train offers a perspective few other journeys can match. Unlike flying between isolated highlights, rail travel allows you to experience Africa as a continuous landscape, where deserts give way to savannah, wetlands open onto mountain ranges, and wildlife corridors unfold beyond the windows.
Onboard life is deliberately unhurried. Days are shaped by panoramic views, elegant meals and conversation in lounge and observation cars, while evenings bring refined dining and quiet reflection. This style of travel suits those who value atmosphere, storytelling and depth over speed, and who appreciate the romance of classic rail travel combined with modern comfort.
Key Regions & Highlights
Africa’s luxury rail journeys focus primarily on Southern Africa, with selected routes extending north and east into iconic regions.
● South Africa forms the backbone of most journeys, with routes connecting Cape Town, Pretoria, the Drakensberg Mountains and major wildlife regions.
● Namibia offers stark desert beauty, including the Namib Desert and Sossusvlei’s sculpted dunes.
● Zimbabwe and Zambia feature dramatic natural landmarks such as Victoria Falls, alongside historic rail routes.
● Tanzania represents the grand finale of Rovos Rail’s longest journey, linking the Indian Ocean at Dar es Salaam with the heart of Southern Africa.
Off-train excursions are a defining feature, ranging from safari game drives and river cruises to cultural visits, historic towns and scenic walks.
SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town
One of the world’s most stunningly located cities and the start or finish of many of our African luxury train adventures.
namibia
Etosha Pan
Prolific wildlife can be seen at this world renown National park in Namibia famous for its watering holes that abound with game.
namibia
Fish River Canyon
Namibia’s answer to America’s Grand Canyon – epic landscape makes Fish River Canyon one of the spectacles of the world.
NAMIBia
Namib Desert
Stark beauty abounds in the vast Namib desert. Vast landscapes and a surprising amount of wildlife can be seen from your train.
namibia
Sossusvlei
A surreal landscape in the desert where the star is a forest of long dead trees that provide endless photographic opportunities.
namibia
Windhoek
Namibia’s Capital city has some interesting architecture and museums and is compact enough to walk around in the centre.
TANZANIA
Dar Es Salaam
Tanzania’s main city and most important train terminus. Also the start point for a trip to the island of Zanzibar as an add-on.
TANZANIA
Selous Reserve
Vast Reserve in Tanzania and one of the world’s last great wildernesses for game. Bisected by the Tzara Railway.
ZIMBABWE / ZAMBIA
Victoria Falls
The greatest waterfall sight in the world straddling the Zambezi river with Zimbabwe to the south and Zambia to the North.
SOUTH AFRICA
Pretoria
One of South Africa’s 3 capitals (others are Cape Town and Bloemfontein) and the base for many Rovos Rail tours.
SOUTH AFRICA
Kruger Park
Kruger is South Africa’s most famous National Park and the best place to see the big five up close on your safari.
ZIMBABWE
Hwange Park
Zimbabwe’s most famous National Park and a great place to see elephants in large numbers as part of a safari stopover.
SOUTH AFRICA
Durban
Large and cosmopolitan city on the coast of South Africa and a popular place for tourists to visit. Included in some Rovos Rail tours.
Zambia
South Luangwa
Remote National Park in Zambia with a selection of high end lodges and a vast amount of game to be seen.
ANGOLA
Lobito
Rarely touristed port city used as the start and finish point of our Rovos Rail trips as it is the terminus of the Benguela Railway.
Luxury African Rail Journeys & Routes
African luxury rail journeys vary significantly in length, style and geography, but all share an emphasis on slow travel, elegant onboard living and carefully curated off-train experiences. Routes range from classic overnight journeys within South Africa to extended multi-country expeditions crossing vast swathes of the continent.
Shorter routes, such as the Blue Train between Cape Town and Pretoria, offer a refined introduction to African luxury rail travel and are easily combined with city stays or safari extensions. Longer journeys, operated primarily by Rovos Rail, may last several days or weeks and link destinations across South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania. These extended routes often include highlights such as Victoria Falls, desert landscapes in Namibia, wildlife regions and historic rail corridors stretching to the Indian Ocean.
Many African luxury rail journeys incorporate guided excursions, game viewing, cultural visits and scenic stops, transforming rail travel into a richly layered experience rather than simple transportation. Journeys can be enjoyed as standalone rail experiences or woven into wider, tailor-made African itineraries that balance train travel with safari lodges, private touring and coastal stays.
African Luxury Train FAQs
African luxury train journeys are concentrated primarily in Southern Africa, with select extended routes reaching Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania. The most established operator is Rovos Rail, offering multi-country rail expeditions with luxury cabins, fine dining and guided off-train excursions.
Additional luxury train experiences include The Blue Train, operating within South Africa, and the African Explorer, a private charter using Rovos Rail carriages. African luxury train tours are typically all-inclusive and can be combined with safari lodges, city stays or coastal extensions.
Explore Luxury Rail Travel Worldwide
Looking beyond this region? Explore all our luxury rail destinations worldwide, from classic European routes to long-distance rail expeditions across Africa, Asia and South America.
Enquire About African Rail Journeys
We offer African luxury train travel as part of carefully tailored itineraries, often combining rail journeys with safari lodges, private touring or coastal extensions. Whether you are considering a classic Rovos Rail journey or a multi-country expedition across Southern and East Africa, our specialists will guide you through the options and help design a journey that fits seamlessly into your wider travel plans.
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.
enquiry@theluxurytraintravelcompany.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 8191 0620
Please complete The Form Below
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.