Rovos Rail: Pretoria to Victoria Falls (or v.v.) 26 Mar, 2025

RAIL TOUR / South Africa

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Amazing Experience

Overview

Trip Overview

Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class travel experiences. Step aboard the wood-panelled coaches - classics remodelled and refurbished to mint condition - and enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows. Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a by-gone era, when privileged travellers experienced the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant fashion.

Your two-night three day adventure begins with the departure from Rovos Rail's gracious station in Capital Park Pretoria. This special journey departs in the morning and slowly meanders westwards through Mafikeng into Botswana and then north towards Mahalapye, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn just after Gaberone.

Once the train has passed through the dry reaches of Botswana we arrive at Plumtree in the late afternoon for border formalities with Zimbabwe. We continue in a north-westerly direction passing Bulawayo heading towards Thompson's Junction and Hwange Game Reserve. Journeys end is the incomparable Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River. Please note that depending upon railways capacity this journey could be routed northwards through Beitbridge and Zimbabwe.

Departures
2025: January 8, 15; February 12; March 5, 19, 26; April 9, 16, 23, 30;
May 14, 28; June 11, 27; July 9, 16, 23; August 6, 13, 21; September 3, 10

Highlights

Trip Includes

  • 3 nights deluxe accommodations aboard Rovos Rail in a Pullman Suite*
  • Shared game drive in Hwange National Park (max 7 guests)**
  • Entrance fees
  • South Africa VAT
  • Limited laundry
  • Room service
  • All beverages (excluding International/French champagne)
  • 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

**Please note maximum vehicle capacities are subject to change without prior notice

Trip Excludes

  • Travel insurance
  • International, domestic airfare & airfare taxes
  • Meals and beverages not explicitly listed as included
  • Gratuities
  • Optional excursions
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Visa fees, if applicable

Summary

Terms and Conditions

Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please enquire.

Pretoria

Depart Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car or observation car at the rear of the train. Travel through Warmbaths (Bela-Bela) – so named for its mineral waters – and Nylstroom (Modimolle), christened by the Voortrekkers as the source of the Nile River as the town’s river happened to be north flowing. Pass the edge of the escarpment where the Highveld drops precipitously.

Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Polokwane.
Dress: Formal

Please ensure the Train Manager or Administration Deputy is in possession of your passport.

Meal: Dinner, Lunch

Rovos Rail

The golden age of luxury train travel has been renewed in the heart of the African bush. These beautifully restored trains consist of up to 20 coaches that can be drawn by steam, diesel or electric locomotives operating at various stages of the journey. The sleeping cars as well as the observation and dining cars have been splendidly refurbished in the style of the period but with an eye for modern comfort. The train carries a maximum of 72 passengers who are attended by highly motivated members of staff, and provides a cuisine of superb standard. Rovos Rail offers unique rail safaris through some of the most spectacular scenery in Africa.

Rovos Rail

Breakfast is served in the dining cars. The train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn en route to Louis Trichardt.

Lunch is served in the dining cars. Border formalities with South Africa.

Tea in the lounge and observation cars. The train crosses the Limpopo River en route to Beitbridge for border formalities with Zimbabwe. In Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories, the ‘Elephant’s Child’ departs his family for the “great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever-trees, to find out what the Crocodile has for dinner.”

Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Gwanda.
Dress: Formal

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Rovos Rail

The golden age of luxury train travel has been renewed in the heart of the African bush. These beautifully restored trains consist of up to 20 coaches that can be drawn by steam, diesel or electric locomotives operating at various stages of the journey. The sleeping cars as well as the observation and dining cars have been splendidly refurbished in the style of the period but with an eye for modern comfort. The train carries a maximum of 72 passengers who are attended by highly motivated members of staff, and provides a cuisine of superb standard. Rovos Rail offers unique rail safaris through some of the most spectacular scenery in Africa.

Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:00. The train travels baobab country and ascends to Bulawayo: second city of Zimbabwe, capital of Matabeleland and industrial capital of the country.

Lunch is served in the dining cars.

Transfer (±45 min) to Matobo National Park to see bushmen caves, rock art and the grave of Cecil John Rhodes.

Depart for Sawmills.

Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Rovos Rail

The golden age of luxury train travel has been renewed in the heart of the African bush. These beautifully restored trains consist of up to 20 coaches that can be drawn by steam, diesel or electric locomotives operating at various stages of the journey. The sleeping cars as well as the observation and dining cars have been splendidly refurbished in the style of the period but with an eye for modern comfort. The train carries a maximum of 72 passengers who are attended by highly motivated members of staff, and provides a cuisine of superb standard. Rovos Rail offers unique rail safaris through some of the most spectacular scenery in Africa.

Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. The train travels between Gwaai and Dete along one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114 kilometres – and along the eastern edge of Hwange Park.

Lunch is served in the dining cars.

Enjoy a game drive in Hwange National Park, the nation’s largest wildlife area at 1 462 000ha.

Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Thompsons Junction. Dress: Formal

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Rovos Rail

The golden age of luxury train travel has been renewed in the heart of the African bush. These beautifully restored trains consist of up to 20 coaches that can be drawn by steam, diesel or electric locomotives operating at various stages of the journey. The sleeping cars as well as the observation and dining cars have been splendidly refurbished in the style of the period but with an eye for modern comfort. The train carries a maximum of 72 passengers who are attended by highly motivated members of staff, and provides a cuisine of superb standard. Rovos Rail offers unique rail safaris through some of the most spectacular scenery in Africa.

Please ensure your luggage is ready for collection 15 minutes before departing and that you have your passport.

Breakfast until 09:30. The observation car will be leading the train – a different aspect that our rail enthusiasts enjoy.

Arrive at journey’s end at the incomparable Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Meal: Breakfast

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Tour Map