Vacations By Rail
Cape Town, Kruger National Park & the Blue Train
11 daysfrom $6,899
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
Cape Town, Kruger National Park & the Blue Train
Escorted South Africa tour with 2 nights on the Blue Train
Great Rail Journeys operates this 13-day escorted tour of South Africa, with a UK Tour Manager travelling with the group from London Heathrow to Kruger National Park. Four nights in Cape Town include a full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula to the Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Bay's African penguins, a cable car ride up Table Mountain, and a wine-tasting lunch in the Stellenbosch Valley. The tour then boards the Blue Train for two nights, where a butler escorts you to a private Deluxe Cabin for formal dining and a stop in the diamond city of Kimberley, before disembarking in Pretoria. After a night in Sandton, Johannesburg, three nights at the Kruger Gate Hotel include two full-day jeep safaris with a skilled ranger tracking the Big Five. It suits travellers who want a guided introduction to South Africa built around a two-night journey on the Blue Train, with wildlife safaris at the end.
What to know before you look closer
- The single price (GBP 7,699) is well above half the twin-share price (GBP 5,499), so solo travellers pay a significant single supplement.
- The Table Mountain cable car ride on day 4 is weather permitting, so it is not guaranteed.
- The base package uses a Deluxe Cabin on the Blue Train; an upgrade to a Luxury Cabin is available at extra cost.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: In flight
An overnight flight to Cape Town
Your holiday begins at London Heathrow, where you meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers for a direct overnight flight to Cape Town, South Africa's oldest city and legislative capital.
- Day 2overnight: Cape Town
Arrival in South Africa's 'Mother City'
Touching down in Cape Town, transferred to the hotel in the city's heart. The driver points out Cape Town's main sights. Hotel is close to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and overlooked by Table Mountain. Rest of the day is free to explore and dine independently.
- Day 3railovernight: Cape Town
Cape of Good Hope & Boulders Bay
A full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula. Driven to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Take the Flying Dutchman Funicular railway to just below the lighthouse. Travel along False Bay to Simon's Town for lunch, then visit Boulders Bay to see the colony of African penguins.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 4overnight: Cape Town
Table Mountain & lunch in the Cape winelands
Visit Table Mountain by cable car (weather permitting) with panoramic city views and free time at the top. Then coach to the Stellenbosch Valley for a traditional South African braai lunch at a Cape Dutch farmhouse and wine estate, followed by a wine-tasting experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 5overnight: Cape Town
A free day in beautiful Cape Town
Free day to explore Cape Town. Options include the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, Robben Island (UNESCO World Heritage site), Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, the V&A Waterfront, or a harbour cruise.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 6railovernight: Blue Train
Experiencing old-world charm on the Blue Train
Leisurely breakfast in Cape Town before transferring to the station to board the Blue Train. A butler escorts you to your private cabin. Relax in elegant lounges, enjoy light lunch, afternoon tea, aperitifs, and a formal dinner of local cuisine with Cape Winelands wines. Evening drinks in the Club Car.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7railovernight: Blue Train
Uncovering the Diamond City of Kimberley
Breakfast and lunch served onboard. The Blue Train arrives in Kimberley. Coach to the Kimberley Open Mine Museum and the Big Hole (705 feet / 215 metres deep). Reboard the train for dinner and continue the journey through South Africa's landscapes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8railovernight: Sandton (Johannesburg)
Disembarking the Blue Train in Pretoria
Leisurely breakfast and final lunch aboard the Blue Train. Relax in the lounges watching passing views. The Blue Train pulls into Pretoria early evening. Coach transfer to the hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, where dinner is served.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9overnight: Kruger National Park
To the world-acclaimed Kruger National Park
Early breakfast then depart Sandton by coach to the luxury lodge-style hotel at the entrance to Kruger National Park. The rest of the day is free to settle in, enjoy the swimming pool or viewing deck. Welcome drink before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 10overnight: Kruger National Park
Wildlife viewing in the Kruger National Park
Full day in Kruger National Park. Head out by jeep after early breakfast with a local skilled ranger. Track big cats and look for the Big Five. Picnic lunch then continue driving through the savannah. Return to the lodge late afternoon for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 11overnight: Kruger National Park
A second safari day in the Kruger Park
Second full-day safari in Kruger National Park. Another chance to spot the Big Five and other species including genets, civets, warthogs, monkeys and colourful birds. Skilled ranger leads the way. Picnic lunch. Return to Kruger Park Lodge for the final dinner of the African holiday.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 12overnight: In flight
From Kruger to Johannesburg for our flight to London
Time to relax after breakfast and enjoy the viewing deck. Later, depart by coach back to Johannesburg's OR Tambo airport for a direct overnight flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 13
Homeward bound
The plane lands at London Heathrow and you make your way home. The holiday concludes this morning.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 3A full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula rides the Flying Dutchman Funicular near the lighthouse and visits Boulders Bay to see a colony of African penguins.
- Day 4After Table Mountain by cable car, lunch is a traditional South African braai at a Cape Dutch farmhouse and wine estate in the Stellenbosch Valley.
- Day 6A butler escorts you to your private cabin as you board the Blue Train, with a formal dinner of local cuisine and Cape Winelands wines that evening.
- Day 7The Blue Train stops in Kimberley for a visit to the Kimberley Open Mine Museum and the Big Hole, 705 feet (215 metres) deep.
- Day 10A jeep safari with a skilled ranger tracks big cats and the Big Five on the first of two full days in Kruger National Park.
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 8 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
- 2 nights in a Deluxe Cabin aboard the Blue Train
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Direct flights from London Heathrow to Cape Town and Johannesburg to London Heathrow
- Regional flights available
- Breakfast each day
- 7 lunches
- 6 dinners
- High tea each day onboard the Blue Train
- Beer, wine and soft drinks each day onboard the Blue Train
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes 2 nights in a Deluxe Cabin aboard the Blue Train from Cape Town to Pretoria via Kimberley.
- Is this trip escorted or independent?
- It is an escorted tour with a UK Tour Manager from start to finish, in groups of up to 40.
- Which train is used?
- The Blue Train, travelling from Cape Town to Pretoria via Kimberley, in a Deluxe Cabin (with a Luxury Cabin upgrade available).
- What hotels are used?
- The Southern Sun Waterfront in Cape Town (4 nights, 4-star), The Maslow Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg (1 night, 4-star), and the Kruger Gate Hotel in Kruger National Park (3 nights, 4-star).
- When does it run?
- Departures run in January, February, March, October, November and December across 2026 and 2027.
- What is not included?
- Cancellation and travel insurance.
