Journey on the Blue Train
A Window to the Soul of Africa
The Blue Train is known for being one of the most luxurious trains in the world. On-board guests are required to look the part – silver-service dinner requires ties and suit jackets for men and elegant evening wear for women. Guests are assigned a personal butler, there to attend to their every need. Without giving too much of the surprise away yet, we can tell you that a journey on The Blue Train is truly remarkable. Where else can you expect champagne offered with almost everything? Whether it be with breakfast, lunch, dinner or late nights in the cigar lounge. From the first step onto the train you feel as if you are in a scene from a movie, immediately you feel like royalty. Even so, at this point you have no idea that the next 31 hours from Pretoria to Cape Town aboard the luxurious train are going to be magnificent as they will be.
Image: Train Safaris
boarding the train
It’s best we explain the experience right from where it begins.
It starts with a red carpet which greets you at the Pretoria Departure Station. We were met by friendly concierge staff who happily took our luggage before we made our way to the Blue Train VIP lounge. The lounge offers an array of pre-departure drinks and welcome snacks for all guests to enjoy whilst listening to the melodies of a live saxophone player. Finally, the time had come and we were led by a staff member to the train platform, where the legendary Blue Train awaited. Excitement erupted as we were shown to our cabins to settle in and unpack before the train departed and dinner was served.
Surroundings
While aboard the train, guests can enjoy uniquely African sights as the train eases around the mesmerizing mountain ranges scattered all along the route, along with sightings of wildlife grazing on the grasslands and flamingos in lakes and soaring through the skies above. For the first time in a really long time, rather than spending some quality time in my books, I found myself gazing out the windows for the surprise of what I might spot next. With so much to see while being at leisure, The Blue Train is the absolute perfect idea for travellers looking to get away from the busy sightseeing and safari itinerary.
On the second on the train, the train makes a 4-hour stop in Kimberly at the ‘Big Hole’ Museum. This museum documents the history of diamond mining in South Africa. Aside from it being a great excursion centred around diamonds in South Africa and history, it also provides you with an opportunity to stretch your legs!
food & drinks
If you’re a lover of food (who isn’t?) you’ll be happy to know that there is by no means a shortage of it on the Blue Train with breakfast, lunch, afternoon high tea, and dinner being provided. Naturally, all meals are multi-course. The superb cuisine is also accompanied by drinks and an open bar that consists of almost anything you could think of. Dining on a high-class train is quite the experience as guests can gaze out of the panoramic windows, watching the scenery flit by while eating remarkably delicious meals. The food gives tribute to the culture of South Africa with wonderful local cuisine being showcased.
public areas
With many areas aboard the train to explore, it is not likely that boredom will be a problem on this trip. Aside from sleeping cabins, there is the Club Car, Dining Car, Non-Smoking Car, Observation Car and Conference Car where travellers can converge. Guests have the opportunity to enjoy panoramic views as the train travels through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery South Africa has to offer. For those not yet feeling their beds calling them after dinner, the Club Car is the perfect place to head to for a few more drinks, social time and, if you fancy, a choice of Cuban cigars.
The magic of a journey on the Blue Train will never fail impress. With top-level service delivery, excellent staff and unexpected sightings around every turn the Blue Train is one we will not be forgetting for a long time to come!
