Africa-wide

Rovos Rail

Luxury train travel

Luxury train travel

There is no finer way to see Africa than on board a Rovos Rail train locomotive, known as ‘the most luxurious train in the world’. This is the most civilised and relaxing method of transport to embark upon some of the world’s most epic long distance journeys and stepping aboard you will recapture the romance of a bygone era in five-star luxury.

The rebuilt wood-panelled coaches offer Victorian styled en-suite accommodation of unmatched luxury and space and the service on board is exemplary. Guests dress for dinner and meals are served with a sense of occasion in beautifully restored pre-1940 dining carriages. Observation carriages to the rear enjoy enlarged windows and open air balconies while lounge cars offer deep sofas and wingback chairs and host lectures on longer journeys.

The signature Rovos journey is a 48 hour, 1600 km meander from Pretoria to Cape Town taking in the grasslands of the gold-rich Highveld and the haunting barrenness of the Great Karoo before winding through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic winelands of the Cape. Highlights of this route include a visit to the historic village of Matjiesfontein (an authentic perfectly preserved 1890s Victorian village) and Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum. Additional routes are outlined below but please contact us for further details and full itineraries.

Travelling aboard a Rovos train the journey itself is your destination. This is not about speed, it’s about experience – a delightfully civilised way to discover far flung destinations in style!

 

Journeys

Pretoria to Cape Town: A 3 day classic route from Pretoria to Cape Town, or vice versa, taking in Matjiesfontein and Kimberley en route.

Cape Town to Victoria Falls: An iconic seven-day journey commencing in Cape Town and ending at the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe with an overnight stop in Pretoria. Traverse Hwange National Park, a rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary where animals can be spotted from the train, and stop for game drives en route.

Pretoria to Durban: 3 days of travel during which you will enjoy the stunning scenery of the Drakensberg Mountains, a battlefields tour with a world-class historian and a game drive in KwaZulu-Natal.

Golf Safari, Pretoria: A nine day journey taking in South Africa’s finest golf courses including Sun City, Champagne Sports Resort and Durban Country Club. Also includes a battle fields tour and game viewing in Kruger National Park. Begins and ends in Pretoria.

Pretoria to Walvis Bay, Namibia: An extensive itinerary covering Kimberley, Fish River Canyon, Windhoek, the dunes of Sossusvlei and Etosha National Park en route from Pretoria in South Africa to Walvis Bay in Namibia over 9 days.

Cape Town to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: This epic 15-day train journey travels through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania and is one of the most famous in the world.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to Lobito, Angola: A brand new 15-day expedition that bisects the entire continent of Africa in half and unites the Atlantic and Indian Oceans by traversing Tanzania, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola. This will be the first time in history that a passenger train travels the famous east-to-west copper trail on this route.

You will love

  • The romance of the railway
  • Luxury, old world elegance
  • Authentic Victorian carriages
  • Gourmet dining
  • Stunning scenery

Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.

Elizabeth Mackintosh

Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.

Milford family

We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.

Kim & Brad Balance

The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.

Rowntree family

Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.

Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones

We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!

Laurence & Remi Cunningham

An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!

Sheryl & Robert Taylor

Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.

Paul Cozzi

Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!

Jane & Robert Happell

Everything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.

Tim Bradley

You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!

Buckingham Family

The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.

Emma Jeffcoat

Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.

Simon & Jackie Adams

Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!

Ros Wheeler

Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.

Andrew & Pip Stevens

If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.

Miriam & Joseph Harrison

Classic Safari is the place to go to for "top end" adventure travel.

Ron & Alison Guthrie

Classic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10

Di & Kingsley Yates

The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.

Annette Whiley

It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing.  We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.

Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud

Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!

The McGowan Tribe

An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.

Judith & Roger Williams

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