Rail journeys, made for you
South Africa
About Rail journeys
Classic sleeper trains linking Pretoria, the Cape and beyond.
Rail journeys is in South Africa. Our designers can tell you how it fits into a wider journey.
Experiences
Experiences picked by our Rail journeys specialists
Cape Town
mountain, ocean and great food
Sabi Sands
leopards up close
The Winelands
historic estates and fine dining
A word from one of our experts
“We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada…”
We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…
Where to stay in Rail journeys
Lodges, camps and hotels our designers return to.
Shongololo Express
Shongololo Express is a journey on the water in Rail journeys, South Africa.
Discover moreWhy plan with us
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Designed around you
Every itinerary starts from a conversation, not a brochure, and is shaped by your pace, interests and budget.
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Specialists who have been there
Our designers plan the places they know first-hand, down to the right room and the best guide.
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Travel that gives back
We favour stays and guides that support local people, wildlife and the places you visit.
Trip inspiration
Ideas to start from; every one is changed to suit you.
A Luxury Rail Journey Through Africa
From exciting Cape Town to an incredible Sabi Sands safari to wine tasting in the Winelands, this thorough and exclusive trip takes in the amazing highlights o…
Explore tripDiscover more of South Africa
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Cape Town
Nestled in the embrace of the iconic Table Mountain and the lively V&A Waterfront, Cape Town is a breathtaking destination where city l…
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Drakensberg Mountains
Now affectionately known as ‘the Berg’, Drakensberg, meaning ‘Dragon Mountains’, magically encapsulates the escarpm…
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Durban
Durban is another of South Africa’s great seaside cities, with the added feature of enjoying a warm sub-tropical climate all year round. A…
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Eastern Cape
Once a region side-stepped by most travellers in favour of the Garden Route and Big Game Country of the north, South Africa’s Eastern Cape…
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Elephant Coast
Wetlands, reefs and beaches in the north-east.
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Garden Route
This exquisitely pretty, pleasant and popular strip of South Africa’s Western Cape and coastline is a nature lover’s paradise and a horticu…
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Johannesburg
South Africa‘s ‘Big Apple’, this city is one of the world’s largest urban areas and South Africa’s commercial and economic hub. It has also…
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Kalahari
The Kalahari, at 350,000m², spreads itself over most of Botswana, the east of Namibia and the north of South Africa. Derived from the Tswan…
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Kruger
Founded in 1898 and covering over 7,500 square miles (19,500 square kilometres) of land, Kruger National Park is both the oldest and larges…
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KwaZulu-Natal
Known as the ‘Kingdom of the Zulu’, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s most north-easterly coastal province, quite literally has it all. With it…
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Limpopo
“The Great North”, South Africa’s northernmost province of Limpopo justifies its nickname with some of the most magnificently scenic and co…
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Madikwe
The Madikwe Game Reserve, bordering the Kalahari Desert and Botswana in South Africa’s north west corner, is one of the country’s lesser kn…
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Northern Kruger
The Makuleke is northernmost section of the Kruger National Park. It is something of an open secret among safari aficionados, a diverse and…
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Phinda
In the northern corner of the KwaZulu Natal’s eastern coast, the Phinda Private Game Reserve is a small and exclusive gem of conservation-b…
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Pretoria
Located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, this handsome city is one of South Africa‘s three capital cities. Pretoria is made up of…
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Sabi Sands
Widely regarded as Africa’s premier game reserve, Sabi Sands is world renowned for the abundance of game (particularly leopards). A luxury…
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The Battlefields
Historic sites brought to life by expert storytellers.
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Western Cape mountains
The Western Cape’s mountainous interior adds yet another string to South Africa’s bow of extraordinary experiences. Sweeping from the north…
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Whale Coast
As you might imagine, the marine life of the Whale Coast is the main draw of the area, but you can’t help but credit them for picking such…
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Winelands
Just a short drive from Cape Town one enters the verdant, rolling hills of South Africa’s wine country. Home to fantastic wine and some of…
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Meet your Africa team
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Angela Thomas
Client Experience Manager for Africa
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Charlie Cottar
Travel Designer
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Chloe Ainscow
Travel designer
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David Drayton
Travel Designer
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Ellie Smith
Travel Designer
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Emily Wallington
Senior Travel Designer
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Jacob Maahs
Senior Travel Designer
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Jamey Lowis
Senior Travel Designer
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Jess Thompson
Travel Designer
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Jody van Merode
Senior Travel Designer
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Kamogelo Dolo
Africa concierge
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Kit Wong
Senior Travel Designer
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Robynne Trueman
Africa Concierge
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Sara Bellemore
Travel Designer
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Tor Saner
Senior Travel Designer
When to visit Rail journeys
Africa is vast, so the best time depends on where you go. Broadly, the dry months from June to October are prime safari time in the east and south, while the coasts and islands shine in between.
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Cape summer
November - March
Warm and dry in the Cape; green in the safari areas.
Safari dry season
May - September
Thinner bush and easier game viewing.
The best time to visit Rail journeys
South Africa travel guides
A South Africa Family Accommodation Guide
Make your family trip to South Africa unforgettable with stays at historic estates, malaria-free safari lodges and expansive private villas in the country’s to…
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Where to Go on Safari in South Africa
South Africa, with its vast, wildlife-rich landscapes, is one of our favourite places to go on safari. In this guide you'll find invaluable insights on destina…
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The Best Places to Visit in South Africa
Discover our favourite South African destinations with safaris in Sabi Sands, city tours of Cape Town, whale watching on the Whale Coast and vineyard visits in…
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The 15 Most Romantic Safari Lodges in South Africa for Couples
Choose from hilltop lodges, atmospheric tented camps, luxurious villas and much more...
Read more
Ask our experts
When is the best time to visit Rail journeys?
The favourite months are March to May and September to November. Each season has something to offer, so tell us when you can travel.
How long should I spend in Rail journeys?
Two or three nights suit most trips; longer if you want a slower pace or more time outdoors.
What can I combine Rail journeys with?
It pairs well with Cape Town, Drakensberg Mountains and Durban, elsewhere in South Africa.
Don't take our word for it
“We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada…”
We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…
“heavenly honeymoon”
My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…
“Jacada Travel has been outstanding”
We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…
Rail journeys in motion
A short film from our travels. Add a video link to this section to play it here.
Your trip, your story
Every itinerary starts with a conversation and is shaped around you.
A dedicated team looks after the details before, during and after your trip.