A Message from Felica,

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I’m writing you to invite you to come Experience South Africa with the group this year.

November is the start of the Summer Season and we're planning on having a wonderful adventure in South Africa. No Visa required. No Yellowfever shots required.

Check the CDC if you're one of the people that like to get recommended vaccinations.

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The currency for this trip is the RAND (South Africa does not accept USD). Last year while there one of our drivers asked what a five dollar bill was. Someone had given it to him as a tip and he didn't want it because he could not use it. He gave it to me, so please be respectful and use their currency.

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If you pay by credit card make sure to use one with "No Foreign Transaction Fees". 

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You will also need the South African Plug Adapter.

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We'll visit Johannesburg and Cape Town visiting the places Nelson Mandela lived and the prison that held him for most of his life. In Soweto, we'll go to the KlipTown Youth Program. I'll let you know at a later date about donations for the kids.

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We'll enjoy a stay in the Pilanesberg National Park where we'll have a Game Drive.

Also while at the park you can take a shuttle to the Sun City Resort and Casino.

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We'll be taking the elegant Blue Train where Dinner is an elegant affair.

Gentlemen are requested to at least wear a jacket/waistcoat. 

Guests enjoy post-dinner drinks, cognacs and Cuban cigars in the Club Car

before retiring to bed. 

 

​BLUE TRAIN PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION 

All-inclusive rates: With the exception of Caviar, French Champagne and external telephone calls, everything on-board is included in the rate.

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Beds: The beds fold out of the panel concealing the seats under it. Should guests require their bed to be made during the day, please ring for a Butler.

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Butlers: Each coach has a Butler whose pleasure it will be to ensure that guests enjoy a memorable experience. Butlers are available 24-hours a day for the duration of the journey.

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Wheelchair/Special Needs: The Blue Train is not fully wheelchair friendly but it has a customised wheelchair on-board which has been specifically designed to negotiate the train’s corridors. A butler will be on hand to assist guests should they require.

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Drinking water: Bottled water is supplied in suite. The butler will provide more water on request.

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Electricity: The electricity supply on-board is 220 volts. Lights switches are located at the door and the bedside table.

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First Aid: Trained first aid personnel are on-board at all times. In the event of an emergency, doctors can be contacted at the various stations en-route.

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Gifts for travellers: Post their Blue Train overnight journey, guests receive Blue Train-branded gifts and a certificate that ‘authenticates’ their experience and ‘certifies’ them as The Blue Train “Ambassadors”. The Blue Train gifts are also for sale in the Boutique Shop should guests wish to purchase them for family and loved ones back home.

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Gratuities: To show appreciation at the end of the journey, guests may leave a gratuity in the box located in the Club Car. Gratuities are shared amongst The Blue Train personnel on-board.

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Laundry: A limited on-board laundry and valet service is available and is included in the rate. Please contact a Butler for assistance.

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Local vendors/In-bound destination management companies DMCs: For peace of mind, it is advisable for international tour operators/travel agents to use local vendors/DMCs who will do their ground handling and ensure that clients are taken care of whilst away in a foreign country.

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Child Policy: Children 5 years and younger sharing a suite with their parents travel free-of-charge (maximum of two children per suite). Children between 6 and 11 years old occupy a separate suite and pay 50% of the adult rate per person sharing. Should a child between 6 and 11 years old occupy a suite as a single occupant, they pay 50% of the adult rate – including the supplement. Children 12 years and older pay the full adult rate per person sharing and will be accommodated in a separate suite. Please contact us for the full child policy terms & conditions.

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Lounge Car: The Lounge Car is designed as a meeting place for pre-lunch, dinner drinks and afternoontea, and is a no smoking area, while 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.

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Room service: Room service is available free of charge, except for the specialty menu.

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Luggage: It is advisable to pack an overnight case for the journey, as only a limited amount of luggage can be stored in suite. Butlers will store additional luggage in the Luggage Car. Although great care will be taken, it is recommended that luggage be insured.

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Safes: Safes are provided in all suites. While every precaution is taken, The Blue Train cannot be held liable for loss of valuable items left unattended in suites.

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Special dietary requirements: Kindly specify any special dietary requirements at the time of booking. The Blue Train is happy to accommodate all culinary requests.

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Time: South Africa is +2 hours GMT (summer time).

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Complimentary Services: With the exception of Caviar, French Champagne and external telephone calls, everything on-board The Blue Train is included in the all-inclusive rate.

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Guest amenities: Guest amenities are provided in the bathroom of the suite.

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Check in/out Times: For the Cape Town and Pretoria routes, check-in is at 10h00 (two hours before departure) and guests can relax to a live performance and enjoy gourmet canapes, pre-departure snacks and drinks. The train departs from both Cape Town and Pretoria at 12h00 and travels over two nights arriving at 18h00 for both Cape Town and Pretoria stations.

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Off-Train Excursions: The Southbound and the Northbound off-the-train excursions are at the Kimberley Diamond Mine Museum, the largest man-made hole on the planet. Off the train excursions are weather & time permitting.

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

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Distances: The distance between Cape Town and Pretoria is 1600km (994 miles) under one thousand miles and The Blue Train journeys over two nights. The Pretoria to Cape Town or Cape Town to Pretoria experiences are packaged as one way journeys.