The Blue Train: Pretoria to Kruger National Park

Highlights

Guests enjoy a sunrise game drive in open safari vehicles, followed by a bush breakfast at an exclusive location inside the park, offering a true safari adventure

Guests are treated to a luxurious dining experience on The Blue Train, including a five-course gourmet lunch served on both days, and a sumptuous dinner with two seating options

After the sunset game drive, guests experience a boma dinner at Nkambeni Safari Camp, enhanced by an interactive cultural performance from a renowned local group

3 days

From

AUD 6,855

per person, twin share

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All services are subject to availability.

Overview

Kruger National Park, sprawling across 19,633 square kilometers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, boasts remarkable biodiversity and is home to Africa's Big Five. The Blue Train offers an exclusive journey through this wildlife haven, allowing guests to witness unique flora and fauna. En-route, guests enjoy an off-train excursion for a sunrise game drive and bush breakfast within the park, weather permitting, ensuring an unforgettable South African holiday experience.

Inclusions

2 nights accommodation onboard The Blue Train

All meals and beverages – excluding caviar and French champagne

24-hour Butler service onboard

Off-train excursions

Itinerary

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Day 1 Pretoria

Departure in 2026 - Guests begin their journey with check-in at Irene Country Lodge, Autograph Collection, where pre-departure beverages and canapés are served. Shuttles transport guests to Irene Station, with boarding commencing. Upon arrival, personal Butlers welcome guests and escort them to their suites.

Departure in 2027 - Check-in begins at 10:00 am at The Blue Train Station Lounge, Pretoria Station, where guests can enjoy pre-departure beverages and canapés. Boarding starts around 12:15 pm, with butlers escorting guests to their suites and providing a brief orientation. The Blue Train is scheduled to depart from Pretoria Station at approximately 1:00 pm.

A luxurious five-course gourmet lunch is served in the Dining Car from 1:30pm to 3:30pm, followed by High Tea at 4:00pm in the non-smoking Lounge Car. Guests are invited to enjoy pre-dinner drinks in any of the lounges and can refresh themselves before dinner. Two sittings for dinner are held and after the meal, guests can unwind with post-dinner drinks, cognacs and Cuban cigars in the Club Car before retiring to their suites for the night.

Overnight stay aboard The Blue Train.

Please dress accordingly for excursions: mornings can be cool then warm up considerably; afternoons can be warm then cool down considerably. Warm clothing, comfortable shoes, hats and sun protection are advised. Rain capes are available. Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed. Dress code for duration of the trip is smart casual or safari wear.

Lunch, Dinner

The Blue Train Lounging Area

Day 2 Numbi Train Station

On Day 2, The Blue Train arrives at Numbi Train Station early in the morning, where guests are transferred to open safari vehicles for a thrilling sunrise game drive, guided by professional tour guides. After the game drive, guests will enjoy a bush breakfast at a private, unfenced location within the Kruger National Park. Following breakfast, the return journey to Numbi Gate takes a different route, allowing guests to experience more of the Kruger area.

A gourmet five-course lunch is served on board the train before guests are transferred back to Numbi Gate for a sunset game drive on the Nkambeni concession. This vast area, covering around 11,400 hectares, lies between the main entrances of Numbi and Phabeni gates and stretches past Shabeni Koppie near Pretoriuskop camp. In the evening, guests are taken to Nkambeni Safari Camp for a spectacular boma dinner, complete with an interactive cultural experience by a locally acclaimed group.

After dinner, guests are transferred back to the Blue Train, where they can enjoy post-dinner drinks, cognacs, and Cuban cigars in the Club Car before retiring to their Suites for the night.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lions spotted at Kruger National Park

Day 3 Pretoria

From 06:30am to 09:30am, breakfast is served in the Dining Car on a first-come, first-served basis. The Blue Train arrives at Pretoria Station at 10:00am, where butlers will escort guests to the Arrival Lounge. This marks the end of a memorable journey. Please note that all departure and arrival times are subject to change.

Breakfast

Accommodation

The Blue Train

Upgrade available

Your De Luxe Suite will forever alter your definition of what style and class entail.

De Luxe Suites measure 8m2 of space and offer twin beds or double beds with either a three-quarter sized bath or a shower in each suite.

From your elegant and relaxing lounge during the day, it transforms into a subtly-lit bedroom of indulgence during the night, bedecked with goose-down and 100 per cent percale-cotton bedding, from your individually-controlled air-conditioning system, under-floor heating, opulent marble and gold-fitted bathroom, its scented bath salts and plush monogrammed towels, to the electronic entertainment options on offer.

Please note: The De Luxe coaches each have four suites. One of these suites contains a double bed and a ¾ size bath tub with handheld shower, while the others have twin beds with showers.

Suite configurations are subject to availability. Suite layouts may differ from images.

Room Upgrades

Luxury Suite

Luxury suites are the premier suites and measure 10.26m2 of space and offer twin beds or double beds with either a full-sized bath or a shower in each suite. The same suite is also a lounge area by day and is converted into a comfortable bedroom during the night.

Suite configurations are subject to availability. Suite layouts may differ from images.

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Additional information

The Blue Train is happy to accommodate culinary requests that are supplied with adequate notice. Please specify any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
Guests are requested to check-in at least two hours prior to departure. Guests will be kept captivated and entertained with a live performance by a saxophonist while they indulge in gourmet canapes, pre-departure snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Please dress accordingly for excursions: mornings can be cool then warm up considerably; afternoons can be warm then cool down considerably. Warm clothing, comfortable shoes, hats and sun protection are advised.
Rain capes are available. Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.
Dinner is an elegant affair – Gentleman are requested to at least wear a jacket/waistcoat and elegant evening wear for ladies.
Please note: caviar, french champagne, external phone calls and gratuities are excluded from the price.

2026 Departure: 25 - 27 June, 2026
2027 Departure: 24 - 26 June, 2027

Excluded

International airfares and taxes
Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified
Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
Meals other than as specified in the holiday package
Caviar and French champagne not incuded
Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.)
Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
Or any other travel expense that has not been included in holiday package

FAQs

What is included in the price?

With the exception of Caviar, French champagne and external telephone calls, everything onboard is included in the rate.

Can someone with mobility limitations travel on the Blue Train?

Should you or your guests have any special requirements or mobility issues, please do let us know ahead of your luxury train journey. The Blue Train is not completely wheelchair friendly, but it has a customised wheelchair onboard which has been specifically designed to negotiate the train’s corridors. A butler will be on hand to assist guests should they require. Wheelchair users or those with restricted mobility are asked to contact us directly - we would be delighted to discuss personal arrangements and respond to any further questions you may have.

Are children permitted onboard?

Children 5 years and younger sharing a suite with their parents travel free of charge (maximum of two children per suite). Please contact us for the full child policy terms & conditions.

Does the train have Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi is available in all suites and is complimentary to all guests.

Can the Blue Train accommodate special dietary preferences?

Special diets can be accommodated by our Chef. Please be sure to tell us in advance of any allergies, food-related or not. We will do our best to cater for special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, Kosher, Halal etc. Kindly specify any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Is there a dress code when onboard the Blue Train?

In keeping with tradition, dinner on-board The Blue Train is an elegant affair. Elegant evening wear for ladies, and gentleman are required to wear at least a jacket or waistcoat or traditional attire. During the day dress code is smart casual.

Can I smoke onboard?

The Lounge Car is designed as a meeting place for pre-lunch, dinner drinks and afternoon tea, and is a no-smoking area. The Club car is ideal for post-dinner Cognac or Cuban cigars. The bar opens as soon as the train commences its journey and closes when the last guest departs.

Do I need to check-in prior to arrival?

Check-in takes place at our VIP lounges two hours prior to departure – where guests can relax to a live performance and enjoy gourmet canapes, pre-departure snacks and drinks

Are there luggage restrictions?

It is advisable to pack an overnight case for the journey, as only a limited amount of luggage can be stored in your suite. Butlers will store additional luggage in the Luggage Car. Although great care will be taken, it is recommended that luggage be insured. Please ensure any medication is kept with you when travelling.

Will I need travel insurance?

As with all holidays and trips abroad, we strongly recommend that you have travel insurance. Please consult with our agents at time of booking and we can assist you with this.

The Blue Train: Pretoria to Kruger National Park

South Africa

From AUD 6,855pp

4.9 stars, 79 reviews

From AUD 6,855pp

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