Rail

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Romantic rail journeys offer supremely luxurious travel.

Romantic rail journeys in South Africa

Matjiesfontein Village Station in the Great Karoo is a must-see for those on romantic rail journeys through South Africa, and the experience will never disappoint.

Magaliesburg Express

Climb aboard the Magaliesburg Express and relive the golden age of steam train travel on a nostalgic and relaxing trip through the countryside.

A Sandstone Estates' loco, eastern Free State.

Sandstone Estates' steam trains

There’s a farm in the eastern Free State where steam trains on narrow-gauge tracks keep the culture of the old locomotive alive and running.

The Shongololo Express

Very little beats the thrill of a 16-day Shongololo Express trip, either through the South African heartland, up to Namibia or to the Victoria Falls.

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The Premier Classe Train

The routes available through the Premier Classe rail tours are Johannesburg to Cape Town, Johannesburg to Durban both return journeys

The Southern Line Rail Route

You are spoilt for choice on the Southern Line. Do you make a full day of it in Kalk Bay or do you add Simon’s Town and Cape Point to the itinerary?

Rovos Rail

Rovos Rail is arguably the most luxurious train ride in the world, all old-world elegance and charm combined with the highest modern service standards.

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The Apple Express creates a stir wherever it goes

The Apple Express steam train, Eastern Cape

There are a number of historic train journeys on offer

The Historic Banana Express [that used to run along the Hibiscus Coast]

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Top 10

Natural attractions in the Free State

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

This spectacular national park is located in the scenic north east of the Free State province. The ochre and gold sandstone cliffs gave this park its name and the area is rich in San rock...
Vredefort Dome

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is the oldest and largest meteorite impact site in the world – and a must-see natural phenomenon. The area is popular with hikers and...
Gariep Dam Nature Reserve

The largest nature reserve in the province, this nature reserve is situated along the Gariep Dam and the Orange River and is home to a wealth of animal, plant and bird-life
Tussen Die Riviere Nature Reserve

Tussen Die Riviere Nature Reserve is situated in the southern Free State between the Caledon and the Orange Rivers – 2 of South Africa’s mightiest watercourses. It’s hard to find a more evocative...
Free State National Botanical Garden

Located on the outskirts of Bloemfontein the Free State National Botanical Garden has over 400 species of plants from the region including the vibrant red-hot pokers and wild dagga plants for which...
Sterkfontein Dam

The Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve is a water wonder in the Eastern Free State, offering wildlife, birding, windsurfing and flyfishing with a magnificent view over the Drakensberg.
Moolmanshoek Private Game Reserve

Moolmanshoek is situated in the eastern Free State near Ficksburg, and is renowned for more than 230 species of birds as well as zebra, blesbuck and other plains game species.
The Franklin Game Reserve

The Franklin Game Reserve in Bloemfontein is one of only 2 reserves in the world situated in a city (the other is in Hong Kong). For those who love nature, Hamilton Park on the reserve's west slope...
Willem Pretorius Game Reserve

Situated in the heart of The Free State – the reserve covers over 12000 hectares with the Allemanskraal Dam as a central feature. Excellent game viewing and birding on offer.
The Maluti Mountains

The spectacular Maluti Mountains form the border between the Free State and the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Pony-trekking with local communities is a popular past-time in these rugged...