Luxury train travel is less about reaching the destination than enjoying the journey, and South African private train operator Rovos Rail has been rated as the most luxurious rail experience in the world in a survey by Slingo.

While flying first class might be the most prominent option for luxury travel, journeying by private train can be an even more exclusive affair. Rovos Rail, the South Africa-based privately owned and family-run rail company, has been voted the most luxurious train in the world.

According to a rating by digital gaming company Slingo, Rovos Rail has been voted the top luxury train experience in the world.

Slingo says that Rovos Rail offers the finest private rail experience, scoring a high 9.21 out of 10 for luxury trains.

Established in 1989, Rovos is a highly popular lavish train experience that offers luxury train journeys across Southern Africa, with options to visit even ten different countries on a trip.

Slingo says that this popular luxury train experience is seen in the more than 11,000 posts tagged with Rovos on Instagram.

The statement adds that Rovos is the only train company in the world to offer eight distinct journeys across Southern Africa and a further three alternative journeys on the Shongololo Express.

The statement adds that from their opulent carriages, passengers can witness beautiful rolling scenery, enjoy fine dining and entertainment, and take guided tours to explore the curated stops on their journeys.

Its luxury amenities range from room service on board, dedicated hosts and hostesses assigned to the rooms to royal suites, culinary delights onboard, among others.

The statement adds that at a maximum speed of 60km per hour, each train also has accommodation carriages, dining cars, a lounge car, small gift shop, smoking lounge and observation car with open-air balcony.

Guests can shop on board or at the private station at the gift shop, which showcases mostly South African merchandise.