Blue Train, Luxury, South Africa, Cape Town, Pretoria

Relax in style as in days of old and enjoy the exquisite cuisine, fine wines and champagne, fresh crisp linen and gently rocking bathtub all administered by your very own butler as the magnificent African scenery rolls by.

Elegant, romantic and utterly luxurious, The Blue Train has enjoyed its well-deserved and excellent reputation since 1946. One of the great train journeys of the world - a self-contained bubble of luxury that follows wherever the tracks lead across the beautiful and varied country of southern Africa. In just thirty-six hours and a couple of chinks of cut glass The Blue Train makes the journey from Central Station in Cape Town, across the Karoo and all the way to the Jacaranda City. At different times of year, one can also enjoy a journey to Hoedspruit and the Valley of the Olifants, Victoria Falls or along the Garden Route to Port Elizabeth.

One is pampered from the moment of arrival in the elegant Blue Train VIP Lounge where baggage is replaced with a glass of bubbly and the director bids all welcome. Aboard the train, one’s butler awaits and the sumptuous suites are made up as private sitting rooms. Each has a marble floored bathroom with a bath which develops quite a swell when the train is moving! Generous lounge chairs offer unrivalled views of Africa and when night falls one’s suite transforms into a luxurious bedroom with double or twin beds.

In the centre of the eighteen carriage train there are two lounge cars and the wonderful restaurant. Fine dining is complemented by excellent South African wines and throughout the magnificent breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, the quality of the cuisine is unmistakable. Relax in style as in days of old and enjoy the wonderful service. The Blue Train Lounge and Club Car provide extremely comfortable areas in which to take one’s ease and chat with one’s fellow passenger - interesting encounters take place over aperitifs or cigars and liqueurs.

The most wonderful carriage of all is the Observation Car at the back of the train. It is here that passengers congregate to watch the ever-changing African countryside roll by. Sitting in lounge chairs or on the sofas in front of the floor to ceiling widows, there is no finer sight than that of the beautiful Blue Train snaking ahead up the track, cutting through the bush, whilst being served canapes and sparkling wine of the Cape. This truly is a memorable experience and one’s journey passes only too quickly - a very rare experience aboard trains these days!