It's impossible not to be swept off your feet by the majestic displays of Africa, a melting pot of contrasts. Be awed by the endless grasslands of the Maasai Mara where zebras and giraffes graze in peace, interrupted occasionally by the roar of a lion, and where hippopotamuses laze. Take in the dynamic cities that present a seamless fusion of modern and traditional cultures. Glimpse rural Kenyan life amid lofty mountains and unique African fauna as you journey on iconic trains through the heartlands of this epic continent.
No trip to Africa is complete without trying its unique flavours; sample the wines of the Stellenbosch Valley or treat yourself to an authentic Kenyan coffee. You can also experience some 17th-century adventure aboard the Flying Dutchman funicular railway on the tumultuous Cape of Good Hope. A whole new world awaits you in Africa.
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Holiday ideas for Africa
Great Rail Journeys is committed to providing our customers exceptional value for money whilst ensuring that the quality of our tours is not compromised. The cost of each of our rail holidays in Africa covers all flights and travel throughout, overnight accommodation, an itinerary of exciting and memorable excursions and activities and, where appropriate, meals.
A knowledgeable and experienced Tour Manager accompanies every rail tour of Africa to answer questions, provide assistance and make recommendations in order to ensure that our customers have the most pleasurable and rewarding time. Customers will also benefit from the additional insights and information that local guides bring to some of our African excursions and activities.
We take great care to build itineraries which introduce our guests to the most interesting and enjoyable aspects of Africa's history, culture, wildlife and natural beauty. Whether that's visiting a traditional Berber village in the foothills of Morocco's Atlas Mountains or sipping wine among the vineyards of Franschhoek, South Africa, we aspire to leave every customer with happy and lasting memories of their African rail holiday.
We're equally selective about our overnight accommodation, which must be suitably comfortable, conveniently located, and provide excellent service and guest facilities. In order for our customers to enjoy a higher degree of friendly, personal service and a relaxing environment we often choose family-owned and run hotels.
From the moment our customers join Great Rail Journeys on an escorted rail tour of Africa to the moment they leave us we want them to enjoy a safe and worry-free experience. We have been the UK's foremost provider of rail tours and holidays for over thirty years and for the assurance of our customers' financial protection we are members of ATOL, AITO, and ABTA, and the flights we provide are protected by the CAA.
Africa's railways offer a safe, comfortable and rewarding means of exploring this spectacular continent, and Great Rail Journeys provides the opportunity to ride aboard some of Africa's most celebrated and luxurious trains.
Since its introduction in the 1920s, South Africa's Blue Train has made the sixteen-hundred kilometre journey from the northern city of Pretoria to Cape Town in the south. The Union Limited and Union Express trains, as they were then known, catered for travellers that had grown wealthy as a result of Africa's diamond and gold mining industries. Lavishly decorated and furnished, these trains raised the bar for luxury travel.
Fully justifying its name, the Pride of Africa is effectively a five-star luxury hotel in the guise of a train. The Pride of Africa's operator, RoVos Rail, suggests that this is 'the most luxurious train in the world' and travellers observing the stunningly re-furbished Edwardian carriages and sleeping compartments would be hard-pressed to disagree. The train's design offers gorgeous wood-panelled suites that are larger than those aboard the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, each beautifully furnished and equipped with every modern amenity for passengers' enjoyment and convenience.
Helping you plan your holiday to Escorted Rail Holidays in Africa
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09/07/2021 · By Sukie Chapman
Sustainability is an increasingly important topic. According to Euromonitor, two thirds (66.4%) of consumers globally now want to have a positive impact on the environment through their daily actions, and choosing a sustainable holiday by rail is a great way to incorporate eco-friendly activities into your leisure plans.
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08/03/2019 · By Sukie Chapman
Ferdinand Magellan, Captain James Cook, Marco Polo, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Ranulph Fiennes. What do they all have in common?
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15/12/2017 · By Sukie Chapman
As luxury train rides go, it would be misguided to not consider South Africa's The Blue Train amongst the very best.
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30/03/2016 · By Persephone Hallow
Discover the history of South Africa’s battlefields, as we travel back in time today on The Journey Blog, uncovering the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.
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