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Africa by train: the five most beautiful routes on the continent

2023-04-16T05:19:15.114Z


OUR SELECTION - From Ethiopia to Madagascar, here are five trains, five routes, five different ways to take your time in Africa.


The train is more trendy than ever.

Driven by the evolution of ecological awareness and the current of “slow travel” which encourages people to take their time when travelling, locomotives and their carriages make people dream again.

And this dream transforms these steel monsters, sometimes rickety, into a promise of authenticity or sometimes into the quintessence of luxury.

The African continent, benefiting from only a few lines often stemming from its colonial past, is not left out either.

From the tired wagons of Madagascar to the elegant cars that cross the plains of the Kalahari, here are five trains, five routes, five different ways to take your time in Africa.

Read alsoFive very good reasons to go to South Africa this summer

The Fianatransoa / East Coast, Malagasy immersion

The train stops at Manampatrana, southeast of the capital.

CFE

We are in Madagascar, on the highlands south of the capital Antananarivo, in Fianarantsoa.

The small station could be in the Austrian mountains, as the atmosphere is mountainous there.

But we are in this city known for the presence of its artists and artisans.

A red locomotive painfully drags a few green wagons, followed by the inevitable freight wagons.

It is 7 am and the train is racing for a 164 km journey that it will cover in almost six hours.

17 stations will be crossed, with their share of local passengers and street vendors.

The mountainous landscapes will give way to the jungle, before glimpsing the Indian Ocean and the town of Manakara.

If some tourists take it with the ambition of reaching the Pangalanes canal (known for its endemic fauna), local life occupies this world in motion.

Families, merchants, a few acrobats hanging from open doors.

This train journey is a wonderful opportunity to discover one of the many faces of the Red Island.

Count the equivalent of 18 € for this journey.

Practical information on fce-madagascar.com/

Read alsoEight natural wonders of Madagascar

From Addis Ababa to Djibouti, the origins of African railways

This railway was built by France at the end of the 19th century.

ZACHARIAS ABUBEKER

This is one of the continent's mythical routes, built, not without difficulty, at the end of the 19th century by France in order to open up the Ethiopian empire under the reign of Menelik II.

Ethiopia, the only independent country on the continent, needs access to the sea. France, which reigns over Djibouti, can take advantage of such a railway line.

Today, this long journey of nearly 800 km crosses the south-east of the country, the Awash National Park, to arrive in Dire Dawa, the starting point of an incursion into the mythical city of Harrar which hosted Rimbaud. or Henri de Monfreid.

Then the old train crosses the Valley of Wonders, a fabulous mineral desert but also a symbol of the khat route, before arriving in Djibouti.

What remains of this railway adventure are stations where the railway workers still speak French between two games of petanque.

Unfortunately today not recommended for travelers by the Quai d'Orsay, this train, on one track, still circulates and transports populations, traffic and some memories of a mythical route that refuses reasonable people.

Watch in replay the special issue of

Trains like no other

dedicated to this unique journey

The Madaraka Express, from Nairobi to Mombasa

A railway line as old as the British Empire in Africa, the Madaraka Express was marked by tragedy and accidents.

But since 2017 after very long works and heavy investments, this magnificent train, with carriages as modern and comfortable as "coral" trains, has become a real travel option in Kenya.

Nairobi Railway Station is adjacent to Kenyatta International Airport.

In a few hours (4h30 exactly), this train heads for the Indian Ocean after stopping in the town of Voi.

The traveler will take the opportunity to stay at the lodge with the evocative name of Finch Hatton.

Then he will set off again to cross the giant Tsavo National Park before finally arriving in Mombasa.

This train, so reliable and fast (120 km/h at top speed), continues to expand with the extension of its line which will cross Nairobi National Park before reaching the lake region and its town of Nakuru.

One day soon, Kenya will offer the first high-speed safari in Africa.

Nothing could be simpler than booking your ticket online from Nairobi to Nakuru to take the train as soon as you get off the plane: metickets.krc.co.ke/

Read alsoA more eco-responsible safari in Africa is possible!

Her Majesty the Rovos Rail, Cape Town to Dar es Salaam

A trip aboard the Rovos is one of those that marks a life.

(here, Brak River Garden.) Rovos Rail / Photo press

This brief inventory could not fail to mention the Rovos Rail, the equivalent of the European Orient Express and the most prestigious route on the continent.

This train is the railway version of the most luxurious lodges in South Africa, taking up all the decorative codes of the trains of the 1920s. Thick carpet, soft music, tasty cuisine: a trip aboard the Rovos is one of those that mark a lifetime .

Even more if you can afford to make this unique journey: Cape Town, Kimberley (the origin of diamond mining in South Africa), Pretoria.

We then enter Zimbabwe, we go along the Hwange National Park before arriving at Victoria Falls.

We cross Zambia and its verdant reserves, the south of Tanzania before reaching the banks of the

Fifteen days are needed to travel this route and from 14,000 euros per person in a double cabin.

An exceptional journey in an exceptional train, ideal for those who like boredom and contemplation.

Reservation on request via this link: rovos.com/

The Blue Train, the other beautiful South African train

A Blue Train Luxury Suite.

Blue Train / Photo press

South Africa loves beautiful trains.

Among these, the Blue Train travels the lines of the country, but its most beautiful route remains the one that leads it from Pretoria to Kruger National Park.

We climb into the opulent wagons with slightly old-fashioned decor.

Less luxurious and mythical than the Rovos, the precious wood of the cabins and lounges makes a strong impression.

We leave the station of Pretoria, direction the East and the province of Mpumalanga.

The overcrowded Gauteng plateau disappears in favor of the hilly province.

The valleys become hills and then the hills become mountains.

The vegetation is dense and tropical.

Numbi Station is looming and the 4X4 takes over from the train.

After a night in the bush, return by train to Pretoria.

A break of 3 days and two nights to treat yourself to a timeless safari.

Book your ticket including the trip but also the safari with one night on board, one night in a lodge and all inclusive.

bluetrain.co.za/

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2023-04-16

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