South Africa: Celebrate 80 Years of The Blue Train

This year, the Blue Train turns eighty, and there's no better excuse to swap the aeroplane window for a private suite and watch South Africa unfold at a slower pace. This is a journey with three distinct rhythms: the free-form days of a coastal city, the slow theatre of a legendary train, and the quiet focus of the bush. 

Three nights in Cape Town open the trip at your own pace, from the slopes of Table Mountain to the wine estates just beyond the city. From there things turn unashamedly romantic, with two nights aboard the Blue Train as it marks eighty years of carrying travellers across the country, in private suites with a butler at your service. A night in Pretoria eases the transition from rail to reserve, before three nights at Mhondoro Game Lodge in the malaria-free Welgevonden Reserve close the trip with Big Five game drives and a private plunge pool for evenings spent watching the bush settle into dusk. It's a ten-night journey built for couples marking a milestone, whether an anniversary or simply time carved out together, with each stage bringing its own distinct rhythm. 

Your Experience Includes: 

• 3 nights in Cape Town at Winchester Boutique Hotel in a Standard Room on Bed & Breakfast 
• 2 nights on The Blue Train in a Deluxe Suite on Full Board 
• 1 night in Pretoria at Court Classique Suite Hotel in a One Bedroom Suite on Bed & Breakfast 
• 3 nights in Welgevonden Private Game Reserve at Mhondoro Game Lodge in a Honeymoon Suite with Pool on Fully Inclusive 
• 1 night in Johannesburg at Southern Sun Hotel O.R. Tambo International Airport in a Standard Room on Bed & Breakfast 
• All stays include breakfast as standard, with full board aboard the Blue Train and a fully inclusive meal plan at Mhondoro Game Lodge 
• Three nights in Cape Town giving you time to explore the city’s sights including the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain, Bo Kaap, the city and the winelands 
• Gourmet dining paired with world-class South African wines in the Blue Train dining car 
• All meals, beverages, cigars and cognacs included on the Blue Train 
• Off-train at Kimberly’s to see the Big Hole and the Open Mine Museum 
• Twice-daily safari game drives or guided walking safaris at Mhondoro Game Lodge 
• Access to an underground waterhole hide for a closeup view of animals 
• Dining experiences 
• Return international flights with Ethiopian Airlines from Heathrow 
• 23kg baggage allowance per person 
• All transfers from airport to hotels return 
• Airport taxes and surcharges included. Regional supplements may apply 
• Full board train journey from Cape Town to Pretoria on the Blue Train 
• Fully inclusive safari at Mhondoro Game Lodge 
• Bed & breakfast meal plan in Cape Town, Pretoria and Johannesburg 

Why You’ll Love This Trip! 
You'll love this trip because each stage feels genuinely different from the last, and yet the whole ten nights hang together as one story. Cape Town opens things gently, with mornings free for Table Mountain or a lazy wander through the Constantia vineyards and evenings spent watching the sun drop behind Lion's Head. Then the pace shifts entirely as you step aboard the Blue Train, marking its eightieth year with a butler at your door and dinner served over two elegant sittings as the Karoo rolls past the window. Pretoria offers a quiet night to catch your breath before Mhondoro Game Lodge closes the trip properly, with your own private plunge pool and an underground hide where elephants come to drink close enough to touch. It's a trip built for two people who want to mark something, whether that's an anniversary, a birthday, or simply the decision to give themselves ten uninterrupted days together. 

Ready to Book? 
Your unforgettable rail and safari adventure to South Africa is just a call or email away. You're in excellent hands with our dedicated travel experts who are always ready to assist with any questions about destinations, accommodation, or experiences, ensuring every detail comes together to make your holiday truly unforgettable. 

Call: 0208 423 3000 
Email: holidays@somak.co.uk 
Quote Reference: 82598 
Travel period: 1 – 30 November 2026 
Call for other travel dates 

T&C: No Tourist tax applies in South Africa. T&C's Prices are fluid and subject to availability. Price based on 2 adults sharing based on a departure date of 22 November 2026. Prices are correct at time of posting 02/09/2026.