This guide rounds up the top 10 best rail trips in Africa to add to your African rail journeys bucket list. this year.
Go through the list of these most beautiful train rides in Africa and make sure to ride in at least one of them this year then let’s compare notes!
What's Covered in This Article
Kenya Train, Nairobi to Mombasa
The newly built Chinese standard-gauge railway (SGR) between Nairobi and Mombasa opened in May 2017, reducing the journey time from a ostensive 16-24 hour journey on the old narrow-gauge line of past years.
Today, the journey time from Nairobi to Mombasa or Mombasa to Nairobi takes just over four hours on the non-stop version of the Madaraka Express, and about six hours on the Intercounty Train which stops at eight stations along the line.
A 10 hour time saving from the old Jambo Deluxe train.
The train has only two classes: economy and first class.
Both classes are air-conditioned.
The main difference between economy and first is the latter have a table seating, as well as a bottle of complimentary water for each of the passengers.
They also get nicer less crowded waiting rooms before boarding the train.
The cabins each have large top to bottom windows with great views over the Kapiti Plains and many little towns along the railway line.
If you’re lucky, you will see wild animals as the railway line crosses the famous Tsavo National Park.
SGR Madaraka express fare train tickets from Nairobi to Mombasa and Mombasa to Nairobi costs KES 700 for economy class and KES 3,000 for first class, one way.
SGR tickets must be booked and payed for in person at the station in Syokimau or booked for online and paid for via mobile money M-PESA.
You can also contact me to buy you an SGR ticket in advance.
Makes sure to check the Kenya Railways website for any updates and changes in the SGR Nairobi Mombasa train journey or on the SGR Nairobi Mombasa Nairobi Mombasa train tickets booking Nairobi, Kenya.
Read more about my SGR experience on the inter county train from Nairobi to Mombasa and back to Nairobi.
Rovos Rail Luxury Train
This air-conditioned luxury train made it on my bucket list many moons ago and I was fortunate to strike it off on the Rovos Rail journey from Pretoria to South Africa. You can read all about my experience here.
The train cars have solely en suite rooms with double or twin beds and is undoubtedly the most luxurious way to experience southern Africa – from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Swakopmund in Namibia, all the way to Cape Town and Pretoria in South Africa.
Itineraries vary from three to 15 days with most trips beginning or ending at Rovos Rail’s Capital Park station near Pretoria.
The cost per itinerary rangers from US $1,425 full board (including alcoholic beverages) per person sharing, plus excursions.
Call the Rovos Rail contact number: +27 12 315 8242; or visit the Rovos website for more details and to book a trip.
Addis Ababa to Djibouti Train
The Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway is the new standard gauge railway (SGR) linking Addis Ababa – the capital city of Ethiopia, to the Red Sea port of Djibouti.
The Addis Ababa–Djibouti train journey is also the first fully electrified cross-border railway line in Africa.
It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on January 1, 2018 and just like Kenya’s Madaraka Express SGR, it was financed by China’s Exim Bank (70%), built by China Railway Group and China Civil Engineering Construction, and is set to be managed by Chinese staff for next couple years.
The dream is that one day the railway line can extend all the way from Addis, to Djibouti, to Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, and eventually all the way to the Atlantic.
The 752 KM 10-hour long Addis Ababa to Djibouti city train journey has been on my bucket list from 2017 when word started going round that it would launch.
I always imagined that’s how my maiden trip to Djibouti would happen.
But things don’t always go as per plan.
I instead flew direct from Nairobi to Djibouti city, Djibouti.
You can read about my 4 days 3 nights Djibouti experience here.
Thus, this Addis – Djibouti train journey remains on my bucket list and I hope to knock it off by the end of 2019.
The Djibouti city bound Addis to Djibouti train departs Addis at 8:00 am in the morning from the new Furi – Lebu station outside of Addis Ababa and as at the writing of this post, only runs on odd number days.
Just like any international trip though, its advisable to get there early enough to avoid rushing through immigration and baggage check.
Although the train has two main stops, one at Adama, and the other at Dire Dawa; expect occasional brief stops due to power outages as the train is fully electrified.
TIA… This is Africa…
The train arrives Djibouti border at about 18:00 hours and into Djibouti’s Nagad station at about 19:00 hours or thereabouts.
A few things to take note of for your Djibouti bound trip:
- Make sure to buy your Addis Ababa to Djibouti train tickets at least 24 hours in advance of your intended travel date.
- Get your Djibouti visa before leaving for Djibouti.
The Blue Train
The Blue Train is a South African rail experience that has been on my bucket list for the longest time and I hope to kick it out by the year 202 at the latest.
The Blue Train has been offering its guests luxury rail travel experiences since 1946 and is probably the oldest on this list.
What I love most about it is that, like the Rovos Rail journeys, it offers a unique way of experiencing some of Southern Africa in one long shot. As in, it’s an all inclusive way of experiencing magnificent landscapes and landmarks – just like on a cruise.
Standard route of the Blue Train is Pretoria – Cape Town and vice-versa.
Should you however choose to charter, the route are: Pretoria – Durban, Pretoria – Kruger; Pretoria – Sun City; Pretoria – Bloemfontein and anywhere else where there are rail networks that are compatible to The Blue Train’s technology.
According to The Blue Train website, there are two types of suites on the train:
- The De Luxe Suite which offers you a choice between twin beds (with shower) or double beds (with bath); and
- Luxury suites which are more spacious and offer twin or double beds with bath facilities. Each luxury suite comes with a private entertainment center with a choice of movie channels and radio stations. Take me there alreadyyyyy!!!!!!!!
and guess what, The Blue Train package comes complete with a personal Butler at your beck-and-call.
I’m sold 🙂
Click here to make a reservation.
Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi by Train
At 1,860 km the Railway line between Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia was the first railway line built by the Chinese in Africa and opened in 1975.
It was later given a face lift in 2016 with new cars.
Unlike Kenya’s Madaraka Express, the Dar es Salaam Kapiri Moshi railway line has several car classes: first and second class sleeping cars, and second and third class seating cars.
There are two restaurant cars and one first class lounge car.
As it also passes through the Selous Game Reserve, you will be unlucky not to spot elephants, giraffes, zebra and antelope and the is a picturesque mountain section with several bridges and tunnels.
First class train tickets costs US$ 50 one way.
Dar es Salaam train contact number: +255 715 469239
Check out the Kenyan Backpacker’s experience on the train from Kapiri Mposhi to Dar es Salaam.
Bulawayo to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Train
The overnight journey from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls by train is perfect for the vintage traveler who would like to experience the wood-paneled train cars from yester years.
But I have news for those who have a soft spot for the good life.
A sleeper train with refurbished “traditional” carriages was introduced on the Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park route. This deal comes complete with a three-course dinner.
First class train tickets from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls costs US$ 15 one way without bedding.
Makes sure to check the National Railways of Zimbabwe website for updates and any changes on the Bulawayo to Victoria Falls train journey or the Hwange train journey.
Cairo to Luxor, Egypt Train
There are two rail journeys on the Cairo to Luxor route.
You can either go by the daytime air-conditioned express; or the overnight sleeper train.
The best way to experience the Nile valley and the Nile river’s feluccas is by the overnight train from Cairo to Luxor.
Unfortunately, Egyptian government restrictions don’t allow tourists to travel on this train.
There is however a work around.
You can buy tickets on the daytime train and then defy the sanctions and take the overnight train. Simply board the train at Ramses station at Cairo, pay while already on board, and hope you find a seat. Better still, buy your ticket online in advance.
Aren’t all these rail journeys absolutely stunning? Do you have any more rail trips in Africa to add to the list? Feel free to share with our readers in the comments below. No doubt that at least one of these rides will knock you off your feet!
