Blue Train Countries & Cities

The Blue Train destinations

This article is an introduction to the countries and cities that are visited by the luxury Blue Train - Botswana, Namibiam South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.

History of the Blue Train in Africa

The Blue Train travels 990 miles through South Africa between Pretoria and Cape Town. The luxury provides butler service, two lounge cars (smoking and non-smoking), an observation car, and carriages with gold-tinted picture windows, in soundproofed, fully carpeted compartments, each featuring its own en-suite (many of which are equipped with a full-sized bathtub).

Rovos Rail trains are based in Capital Park in Pretoria. It carries passengers on various routes throughout southern Africa, from South Africa to Namibia and Tanzania. It has three types of accommodation on board, the smallest being the Pullman, Deluxe and Royal suite.

Blue Train Countries and Cities to explore

Full details of the itinerary of the Blue Train trips to explore are here.

African Country - Botswana

Photo by Luke Tanis on Unsplash

A landlocked country in South Africa, Botswana rightly conjures up images of big game like lions, tigers, giraffes, cheetahs and hyenas. Nestled above the Okavanga Delta, the Moremi game reserve will offer a host of opportunities to spot majestic elephant herds, impala and packs of big cats. Soak up the atmosphere of the vast savanna and keep your eyes open at all times, for you are bound to see a vast array of wildlife here.

Your journey will take you to Gaborone, capital of Botswana. Gaborone is home to a nature reserve famed for impala and a host of wild birds and other wildlife.

African Country - Namibia

Photo by Richard Hoskins on Unsplash

Set in the south west of Africa, Namibia is home to Etosha National Park Wildlife Reserve. The park has a diverse landscape with salt flats known as Sossusvlei, which have striking red sand dunes in architectural formations. Windhoek is Namibia’s capital city which is home to colonial architecture and Christus church as well as the national museum of Namibia. You can also explore the wildlife at Daan Viljoen Game Reserve. In the months of March, you’ll see the Enjando street festival and see the city at its best when the vegetation is lush in this semi desert region.

African Country - South Africa

South African City - Pretoria

Pretoria or Jacaranda city is the capital city of South Africa. With the Apies River running through it. The national zoological gardens of south Africa spans 85 hectares and offers the chance to see all the animals you would on safari, it is one of the largest zoos in South Africa. The zoo also houses the country’s only inland aquarium where you can see sharks. A fertile river valley, Pretoria National Botanic Garden has some of the largest collections of plant species in the world. Union buildings in Church Square built in 1913 have an impressive sandstone façade and are home to the administrative seat of government where Nelson Mandela was inaugurated in 1994.

South African City - Durban

Third largest South African city Durban sits on the impressive coast and is famed for its golden mile boardwalk along the beach, first created for the 2010 world cup. You’ll have the chance see Marine World Water Park and Aquarium and you can also have dinner in the presence of sharks at the Cargo Hold restaurant. If you’re looking for a meal to go, try the Bunny Chow, which is a chicken or beef curry in a hollowed-out bread bun, great if you’re on the move. If you’re looking for some African art, head to Durban’s art museum or check out what’s on at the Tudor-style playhouse theatre.

South African City - Cape Town

Sharing capital status with Pretoria, Cape Town is famous for Table Mountain and cable car trips. It’s also infamous for Robben Island where Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years before his release and inauguration as president.

African Country - Zimbabwe

Photo by Nqobile Vundla on Unsplash

Zimbabwe is now slowly emerging from the shadow of Robert Mugabe who ruled there for decades. It was known as the breadbasket of Africa, for its fertile soils and ability to produce an abundance of food from its agriculture. No visit to Zimbabwe would be complete without a visit to the Hwange National Park which is located in the north east of the country just one hour south of the majestic Victoria Falls. If you want to see the wildlife like; giraffes, elephants and big cats, for which Zimbabwe is famed, there is no better location to do it. With over 14,500 square kilometres of reserve and over 100 species of wildlife, don’t forget your camera.

Your visit will also take you to Plumtree, a small town in Zimbabwe, which is famous for its wild plum trees, hence its moniker. It is bordered by the Ramokgwebana River, which also marks the boundary between Botswana and Zimbabwe. 4,500 feet above sea level, it sits between the northern Zambezi River basin and the Limpopo River basin in the south.

African Country - Tanzania

Photo by Rohan Reddy on Unsplash

Dar Es Salaam, Arabic for 'house of peace', used to be a sleepy fishing village but has grown into vibrant community of over 4 million people. Its architecture is like the city, a melting pot of cultures and styles with a mix of German, African Arab and Indian influences. Highrise buildings now gleam in the sunshine and dwarf traditional buildings. Coco Beach is definitely worth seeing and you can also visit the marine reserve and offshore islands while you are there.

The Luxury Blue Train Experience

The Blue Train has been synonymous with luxury and hospitality since 1946, travelling through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent. Guests can expect personal and attentive service, a dedicated butler, comfortable accommodation, excellent fine-dining and exquisite wines.

The suite is a spacious lounge by day and a sanctuary by night with goose down duvets and pillows. Private bathrooms offer marble floor and wall tiles, marble basins with gold fittings, along with a shower/bath and under-floor heating in both the bathroom and bedroom.

Continental or full English breakfast are served at your leisure. Lunch and dinner menus feature a selection of local cuisine from Karoo lamb and ostrich fillet to Knysna oysters, accompanied by award-winning wines from the Cape. Prepared from the freshest produce and ingredients, artfully presented in the finest Silver Service tradition, The Blue Train's legendary cuisine is an irresistible tribute to culinary mastery.

The Train offers scheduled and charter services. The scheduled route is from Pretoria to Cape Town or vice versa and the charter routes are from either Pretoria to Durban or Pretoria to Hoedspruit.

Contact for Booking Blue Train Trips

Please contact us to book accomodation on the Blue Train or to ask any questions.