Luxury Train Journey on an African Honeymoon

A luxury train journey turns the transfer into part of the honeymoon. Instead of a two-hour flight, you watch the Karoo, the Hex River mountains or the bush roll past from a private suite, dress for dinner in a vintage dining car and wake up somewhere new. Meals and drinks are included, there is little to plan and plenty of time together — which is exactly what many couples want after the wedding.

Rovos Rail vs The Blue Train

Schedules, routes and fares change each year, so check current departures directly with Rovos Rail and The Blue Train or through your specialist.

The best routes for a honeymoon

• Pretoria to Cape Town: the classic journey across the Highveld and the Karoo, usually with a stop such as Kimberley or the Victorian village of Matjiesfontein. Finish with a few nights in Cape Town and the Cape Winelands.
• Pretoria to Victoria Falls (Rovos Rail): a multi-night journey north into Zimbabwe that ends at Victoria Falls, perfect before a Chobe or Okavango safari.
• Longer expeditions (Rovos Rail): journeys to Namibia or across East Africa to Dar es Salaam take one to two weeks and suit couples on a sabbatical-style honeymoon.

How much does a luxury train journey cost?

Fares are quoted per person sharing a suite and include all meals, most drinks and scheduled excursions. For 2026, The Blue Train’s Pretoria–Cape Town fares were listed at around R40,000–50,000 per person in a Deluxe Suite and R52,000–63,000 in a Luxury Suite, depending on season. Rovos Rail’s Cape Town journey sits in a broadly similar bracket for its entry-level suites, with Royal Suites and longer routes costing substantially more. Look out for seasonal specials, but check the conditions: some are limited to South African residents.

Is a luxury train worth it on a honeymoon?

It is worth it if you enjoy slow travel and have the time. The journey replaces a short flight with two or three days, so on a ten-night honeymoon it can take too much time from the safari or beach. On a honeymoon of two weeks or longer, it becomes a romantic centrepiece and a genuine rest between busier stops. Connectivity on board is limited, which many couples see as a benefit.

Planning tips

• Book early: departures are infrequent and the best suites sell out, often 6–12 months ahead.
• Choose the bigger suite: on a honeymoon, the larger suite with a bath or more space is usually worth the upgrade.
• Leave a buffer: trains share lines with freight and can arrive late, so do not book an onward flight on the evening you arrive.
• Pack for dinner: both trains expect smarter dress in the evening.
• Tell them it is your honeymoon: operators can arrange small touches such as champagne in your suite.

Honeymoons that work with a train

• South Africa: Cape Town and safari — add the train between Pretoria and Cape Town.
• Okavango, Chobe and Victoria Falls — arrive at the Falls by Rovos Rail.
• South Africa and Mauritius — train, safari, then a lagoon resort.

For timing and budgets, see the best time for a South Africa honeymoon and the South Africa honeymoon cost guide.

Luxury Train Honeymoon Questions