Options for Travelling Within Africa

Once you reach Africa for your safari vacation, you have many options at your disposal for travelling around the continent. Some of them are cheap, some are comfortable, some are quick, some are convenient, and some are very safe. Few offer all five.

You must decide your own priorities when trying to arrange transportation within the country you arrive at. The following are some of the options you may have for travelling on your African safari tour along with their respective pros and cons.

Train

Riding by train is one of the few options that can check off most of the needed boxes. In most areas, it’s quick, incredibly cheap, often borderline luxurious, and definitely safe. The only issue is that it may not be convenient since train service is limited to the number of rails available.

Going between common destinations like Pretoria and Cape Town is a perfect fit for travelling across southern Africa by train. But when you need to travel north to areas with less-developed infrastructure, things can literally get a bit more rickety. Therefore, make sure to research the reputation of the rail service you intend to use to ensure you will get the level of service you expect.

Charter Bus

Charter bus services like Baz Bus are perfectly oriented towards tourists and backpackers. They offer direct service to common destinations, including trips between Johannesburg and major cities like Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. Tickets offer convenient hop-on, hop-off service, including unlimited rides within a set time period.

The only issue is that longer trips can get fairly steep, above $150, and that few of these trips bring you to game reserves and parks. Nevertheless, a charter bus is a great alternative to flying or trains.

Minivan Taxis

If you want a true African experience and plenty of harrowing moments, then a minivan taxi is for you.

Be warned that drivers pack in far more people than the official number of seats, and they also tend to drive as fast as possible, even when it may not be the safest decision. They also tend to wait around until the van is packed full, so if you do want to enjoy a cheap but thrilling adventure, try to find a van already near-full to avoid waiting an hour or more to depart.

Public Bus

Public bus routes in South Africa and other countries are much safer and more comfortable than you would expect. They also happen to be quite lively, so expect to make plenty of new friends and hear some interesting conversations.

Bus stops within certain neighborhoods of big cities may be less than comforting, though, so be wary of where you get on and off. Also, research the bus service in the particular country you visit to make sure it is safe and can provide the needed level of service.

Renting a Car

Driving in certain areas, like along the Garden Route, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But you do not usually want to drive around cities like Johannesburg on your own since traffic laws can be more fast and loose than you may be accustomed to.

Prices for renting cars can also vary according to your duration or the amount of miles you intend to travel, so weigh the freedom of driving yourself against the cost and the stress of navigating certain areas on your own.

Plane

Flying within Africa can be quite cheap, but make sure you end up close to your destination. For instance, you may be able to find flights from Cape Town to Gaborone for cheaper than the price of renting a car, but you will still be many miles from Chobe National Park or the Moremi Game Reserve. Weigh the total cost of your trip when flying, and you could end out still finding a deal.

Using an African Safari Tour Package

Of course, the most simple way to ensure all of your travel needs are met within a reasonable budget is to book your trip through a safari travel service like Roho Ya Chui. We plan the optimal transportation option for you to make your trip memorable and safe while still getting you where you want to go at a reasonable time and price.

Take a look at our various safari tour packages to see how convenient it is to allow a service like ours to make all the hard decisions for you, and then book your trip soon!

Jill Liphart for Roho Ya Chui

 

Best African Train Safaris and the Most Memorable Journeys by Rail

Travelling through Africa by train is a magical way to experience its scenic beauty in comfort. Some of the continent’s historic rail lines have been carefully restored and lovingly maintained for over a century, while a few brand-new high-speed rail lines have begun offering service just recently. Both ends of the spectrum offer a convenient and enjoyable way to travel between major cities and across the more iconic landscapes the continent offers.

Include a journey by rail on your African safari vacation to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It can fit well within your travel plans by making your journey as exciting as the destination.

The following are some of Africa’s most notable or famous rail lines to consider booking a ticket on as part of your safari trip.

The Blue Train

The crown jewel of Africa’s historic rail lines, South Africa’s “Blue Train” began service in 1923 as a way to transport luxury businessmen and travellers from steam ship ports in Cape Town to Pretoria.

Each trip covers just under 1,000 miles over the course of 27 hours, including a stop in the either the Karoo town of Matjiesfontein or Kimberly, a historic diamond mining town in the Northern Cape province. Sleeper compartments offer the luxury of a five-star hotel, and tickets to the train include gourmet meals and complimentary drinks genuinely fit for royalty. Indeed, passengers on the Blue Train have included kings, princes, diplomats and celebrities.

All of this luxury comes at a steep price — around $1,600 for a one-way ticket. Those who balk at that fare can instead opt for a journey on the Shosholoza Meyl train, which costs about a tenth as much for a two or four-berth sleeper compartment, although meals in the restaurant car cost extra. The Shosholoza Meyl offers a scenic voyage across South Africa’s Karoo region and the Cape winelands.

Jambo Kenya Deluxe

Once a luxurious rail line, Kenya’s Jambo Kenya Deluxe is now beginning to show its age. Nevertheless, your leisurely journey from the port city of Mombasa to Nairobi only costs about $60 for a first-class ticket, which includes a hot breakfast and a three-course dinner.

Those seeking more modern comfort can find it on the Madaraka Express, which just began service this past month. This extremely modern Chinese-built rail line provides high-speed service from Mombasa to Nairobi while crossing through Tsavo National Park, allowing passengers to catch a glimpse at elephants, antelopes and other majestic wildlife along their journey.

Desert Express

The Desert Express in Namibia is a sumptuous rail line offering service for travellers from Namibia’s capital of Windhoek to the coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. Options for travel range from direct trips to a seven day excursion across Namibia, encompassing a safari in Etosha Park, a yacht cruise in Walvis Bay, game drives and scenic train rides in comfortable cars across the Namib Desert.

Other Well-Known Lines

• Rovos Rail’s Prince of Africa provides service from Cape Town through Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania in a 14 luxury journey.
• Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) offers two trains, the Kilimanjaro and the Mukuba Express both travelling from New Kapiri-Mposhi in Zambia to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. The two day journey is slow and not-quite luxurious but perfect for those looking to authentically experience Africa.
• The Zimbabwe Rail travels between Victoria Falls and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in 1950s-era British-built cars that still bear the now-defunct Rhodesia Railway’s “RR” logos.

Include a Train Ride on Your African Safari Vacation

You can explore your options for including a scenic journey by rail on your safari tour when you look at our Africa safari vacation packages now. You can also contact us directly for a custom safari tour package that includes a ride on the rail of your choice along with a curated itinerary of the best activities offered in your preferred area of travel.

Jill Liphart for Roho Ya Chui