If you want a holiday with a difference this year, look no further than a luxury train journey across the South African continent and the best way to see and experience this unique land is aboard a luxury locomotive.
Here are the details of the best luxury train tour on the African continent.
Trail Of Two Oceans
Travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean on a 14-night trip that runs across the continent. The long journey begins at Lobito in Angola, where you board one of the 2023 Rovos Rail tours that will take you across the African continent and the first stop is Huambo, which is the second largest city in Angola. After a comfortable night, you arrive at Kuito and you can tour the town, which is the heart of the Ovimbundu Kingdoms, then you head off to Luena and arrive at the Angolan border town of Luau. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the next country you encounter, with stops at Malonga and then onwards to Kasaji. The following morning you arrive at Kolweizi, where you enjoy a tour of the copper and cobalt mine. The next stop is the town of Sofumwango then you arrive at Sakania, on the border of DRC and Zambia.
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
You fly to this park and spend 3 nights in a luxury lodge, touring the 9,000 sq km park where you can observe the Big 5 in their natural habitat. There are morning and afternoon mini-safaris to observe the wildlife, approximately 3 hours per trip when you will be accompanied by your English-speaking guide. For nature lovers, this is the highlight of the trip and local guides know where the animals are at all times.
Chisimba Falls, Zambia
There are 3 waterfalls to enjoy – Mutumuna, Kaela and Chisimba, all within a 300m stretch. There are several viewpoints where you can capture stunning images. The water levels really depend on the season; the tour operator’s website has all the information you need.
Makambaku, Tanzania
Enjoy a stroll through Makambaku in the morning, then head for the Udzungwa Mountains with bridges and viaducts providing a scenic vista. The next stop is the Selous Game Reserve, which is the largest in Africa at 55,000 sq km. You will see a diverse range of wildlife at this game reserve, so make sure that you have enough digital memory.
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Around the middle of the morning, you should arrive at Tazara Station and at the end of your epic journey across Africa. This city is well worth spending a day or two, then you can catch your connecting flight home. This tour operates eastbound from Lobito to Dar Es Salaam or westbound from Dar Es Salaam to Lobito. Search the tour operator’s website for full details of the timetable and you can make a booking to secure your luxury cabin.
There are other train tours of Africa:
- Cape Town to Dar Es Salaam – Passing through Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
- Namibia Safari – Enjoy the wonders of Namibia on a luxury train tour.
- Southern Cross – From Pretoria to Victoria Falls.
- African Collage – From Pretoria to Cape Town.
These African train tours are extremely popular, therefore book well in advance of your proposed travel dates. If Africa is on your list of places to visit, why not choose one of the above luxury train tours?
