Your hotel on rails, the African Explorer, offers two compartment categories with double or single bed, two air-conditioned restaurant cars, a bar car and a lounge car with panorama windows and an open observation platform at the end. Delicious three-course dinners are served nightly. The bar car, open around the clock, is the ideal place to relax over a beer or a glass of South African wine. It is a popular spot for reading and is the venue for fascinating on board talks.

There is no dress code on your private train and formal evening wear is not required. A laundry service is available during the entire trip. Large pieces of luggage can be stowed beneath the beds or on the upper luggage racks. However, since space on board is limited, we do recommend taking soft shell suitcases rather than hard shell. For your comfort and safety a doctor is on board throughout the journey.

BOOKING AS FAR AHEAD AS YOU CAN IN ADVANCE IS ESSENTIAL FOR THESE TOURS

The two air-conditioned restaurant cars of the African Explorer serve African and European culinary specialties. Dinners, which are served in three courses, are always a special highlight. In the bar car, you can relax with a cool Windhoek lager or one of South Africa’s famous wines, listen to presentations given by your tour guide, enjoy a good read or have a stimulating conversation with your fellow travelers.

If the African Explorer is a hotel on wheels, then the open observation platform of the cozy lounge car is a rolling porch. A paradise for photographers and nature lovers alike—the uninterrupted views of the wilderness facilitate not only sightings of rare animals, but also makes it easy to take amazing photos. There are no annoying reflections or streaks that love to show up in photos taken through windows, instead it’s just a direct connection to nature so that your journey becomes a true safari on rails.

Below are the rail tours we offer that use the African Explorer Private Train. Just click on any tour to open a PDF containing all you need to know about the trip.

A selection of photos below give a flavour of life on board the Golden Eagle Luxury Train.

All compartments feature 220/230V power outlets, a small safe, hand towels and clothes hangers. Beds are made daily by train staff. Windows in all compartments can be opened. Blinds and sun blinds are available.

Casual clothing is common on board, and you do not need formal wear for this trip. Laundry service is available throughout the train journey. And just in case, there is also a doctor on board for the entire journey.

PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE FOR GUIDANCE ONLY AND MAY DIFFER TO YOUR ACTUAL CABIN

Elephant sleeping compartments feature a private shower and toilet, individually adjustable air-conditioning, 220/230V power outlets, a small safe, towels, a closet with clothes hangers, small bedside cabinets, a hair dryer and travel size toiletries. The windows (equipped with blinds and sunshades) can be opened as needed.

The compartments (approx. 7 sq m/75 sq ft) are equipped with two single beds next to each other or a double bed. There is a total of five cars in the Elephant category with five compartments each.

PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE FOR GUIDANCE ONLY AND MAY DIFFER TO YOUR ACTUAL CABIN

PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE FOR GUIDANCE ONLY AND MAY DIFFER TO YOUR ACTUAL CABIN

Leopard sleeping compartments feature a private shower and toilet, individually adjustable air-conditioning, 220/230V sockets, a small safe, towels, a closet with clothes hangers, small bedside cabinets, a hair dryer and travel size toiletries. The windows (equipped with blinds and sunshades) can be opened as needed.

The compartments (approx. 10 sq m/107 sq ft) are equipped with two single beds or a double bed. There is a total of five cars in the Leopard category with three sleeper suites each.

PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE FOR GUIDANCE ONLY AND MAY DIFFER TO YOUR ACTUAL CABIN

We look forward to hearing from you and are happy to answer any questions you have - just call us or use the form below.