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Rail Journeys Wildlife Encounters

A Rail Journey to Victoria Falls

Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe

16 nights 4 Departures Available

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A great rail journey through southern Africa, this tour carries you in luxury aboard the Rovos Rail, and includes sumptuously scenic excursions, and safaris in renowned national parks, on its route from Pretoria to Zimbabwe’s iconic Victoria Falls Hotel

Overview

“The journey not the arrival matters” is a much-repeated quote of T.S. Eliot. You may find that each is equally rewarding on this meandering from South Africa to Mozambique, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe; on a journey aboard the prestigious Rovos Rail, to arrive at mystical landscapes, wildlife reserves, and cultural sites. With air-conditioned carriages and an open-air observation deck, the train’s contemporary comforts combine with classic wood-panelled design, to evoke the romance of African exploration in an elegant bygone age. Embarking in Pretoria, arrivals in South Africa include a tour of the scenically spectacular Panorama Route; a safari in the huge Kruger National Park, the Sable River crossing its wilderness miles; and a game drive in the much smaller Kapama Game Reserve, both boasting Africa’s Big Five animals. Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, sees us on the edge of the Indian Ocean, while mountains and valleys await in the Kingdom of Eswatini; and in Zimbabwe, we visit ancient ruins and the astounding landscapes of Matobo Hills; meet the wildlife of Antelope Park and revered Hwange; and conclude the tour with one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls.

Highlights

  • The prestigious Rovos Rail Train
  • Unpack & Explore 4 countries
  • Safari at Kruger and Hwange NP
  • Panorama Route stunning scenery
  • Chobe NP huge elephant herds
  • Optional flight over the falls
A Rail Journey To Victoria Falls Map 2023

Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly to Johannesburg

Fly overnight direct to Johannesburg.

Day 2 - Transfer to Pretoria

On arrival, transfer to Pretoria for overnight stay at the 4-star boutique Hotel Courtyard Arcadia, close to the Kruger Museum (Sep 2024 - The Capital Menlyn Maine Hotel).
(D)

Day 3 - Embark on the Rovos Rail

Embark on the Rovos Rail for 11 nights aboard.
(B, L, D)

Day 4 - Enjoy a tour of the Panorama Route

Enjoy a splendidly scenic tour of the aptly named Panorama Route, focused on the Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon on Earth, its sheer cliffs plunging 800m to the riverbed; and including the old-world village of Pilgrim’s Rest, founded on gold-panning and now a national monument; the iconic ‘Three Rondavels’ trio of rounded mountains; and the breathtaking views from God’s Window, high on the Drakensberg escarpment. Return to the train for the journey to the farming town of Malelane.
(B, L, D)

Day 5 - Explore Kruger National Park on a full day safari

A fabulous full-day safari in Kruger National Park. One of the largest game reserves on the continent, its reputation goes before it, but nothing prepares you for a first Kruger experience, where habitats range from mountains and cliffs to bush and tropical forest, and are home to hundreds of species of mammals and birds, including all of Africa’s Big Five. Depart to cross the border into Mozambique.
(B, L, D)

Day 6 - Discover Maputo city before crossing into Eswatini

Discover the country’s capital and cultural hub, the Indian Ocean port city of Maputo, hemming the Santo Espirito estuary with a mix of modern structures and graceful colonial architecture. Cross into the third of the tour’s four countries, the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). At just 200km long by 120 wide, the diminutive kingdom punches far above its weight, with mountains and savannahs, rain forests and river canyons, thorn bush, grasslands, and wildlife reserves within its landlocked borders. The train overnights at Mpaka.
(B, L, D)

Day 7 - Visit Ezulwini Valley and the local cities of Manzini and Mbabane

Tour to views of the ethereal Ezulwini Valley, known as ‘the Valley of Heaven’, and home to several wildlife sanctuaries; and the Komati River, descending from a plateau to cut through a 900m-deep valley; and visit Manzini, the kingdom’s largest city, and Mbabane, the executive capital, set beside its namesake river. Re-join the train to return to South Africa, overnighting in Limpopo.
(B, L, D)

Day 8 - Explore Kapama Game Reserve on a game drive

Begin the day with a game drive to explore the 15,000 hectares of Kapama Game Reserve. A comparatively small reserve, its pristine bush landscape is nevertheless a Big Five park. Continue with a visit to the Wild Dog and Cheetah Project, dedicated to developing carnivore corridors to connect different ecosystems. Overnight at Louis Trichardt.
(B, L, D)

Day 9 - Enjoy the day at leisure while travelling into Zimbabwe

Relax and enjoy the scenery (and Rovos Rail service) for a full day on-board today, as the train makes its journey north into Zimbabwe, for rural Rutenga.
(B, L, D)

Day 10 - Visit the three enclaves of the Great Zimbabwe ruins

Drive to the Great Zimbabwe ruins of an ancient stone-built city. Founded in the 11th-century, abandoned in the 15th, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its three enclaves (the Hill, the Valley, and the fascinating, fortified Great Enclosure) formed the capital of the Bantu-speaking ancestors of the Shona peoples.
(B, L, D)

Day 11 - Enjoy the day at Antelope Park with optional excursions

Enjoy a full day at Antelope Park private game reserve, where zebra and wildebeest, giraffe and hartebeest share the savannah with 190 species of birds, from vultures to sunbirds and hornbills. Choose from optional activities, bookable locally, which include game drives and a bird-watching cruise. Evening departure for the busy city of Bulawayo.
(B, L, D)

Day 12 - Visit Matobo National Park and the local rock art

Visit Matobo National Park, at the heart of the UNESCO listed Matobo Hills, where wildlife vies for attention with legendary landscapes, strewn with giant boulders and evidence of Stone Age human habitation. Visit the ‘balancing rocks’ which mark the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, and see the rock art in well preserved San-Bushmen caves. Depart for Kennedy Siding for overnight.
(B, L, D)

Day 13 - Spend the day exploring Hwange National Park

A full day of exploration in Hwange National Park. The former royal hunting ground of Matabele King Mzilikazi, it is now the biggest, and arguably best, of Zimbabwe’s game reserves; regarded as one of Africa’s premier conservation areas, and teeming with wildlife including, including the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and famed elephant herds.
(B, L, D)

Day 14 - Disembark at Victoria Falls for a walk and river cruise

The Rovos Rail train reaches the end of its journey at Victoria Falls. Disembark and transfer, for a two-night stay, to the 5-star Victoria Falls Hotel, a member of the prestigious ‘Leading Hotels of the World’, and Zimbabwe’s grandest and oldest luxury hotel. The Falls are more evocatively known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘the smoke that thunders’; their constant spray creates a thriving rainforest, which is buzzing with birds, insects, and small mammals. Enjoy a guided walk of the Falls and a sunset Zambezi River cruise.
(B)

Day 15 - Enjoy a day at leisure with an optional helicopter excursion

A day at leisure to relax in the hotel, its gardens gazing out to the rainbow-spray cloud of the 110m-high Zambezi cataract; or take to the air for a bird’s-eye-view of the spectacular Falls, with an optional helicopter flight (12 minutes, pre-bookable).
(B)

Day 16 - Fly to Johannesburg for your overnight flight home

Transfer to Victoria Falls airport for the flight to Johannesburg and onward overnight flight home; or extend your stay, and add a fifth country to the tour, with three nights in Botswana’s award-winning Chobe National Park, boasting the world’s largest population of elephants, and known as “the land of giants”.
(B)

Day 17 - Arrive home

Arrival at Home.

Notes:

Some walking over rough ground and is sometimes necessary to ‘climb’ into the safari vehicle.

Reviews

Accommodation

Here is a list of the accommodation you can stay in for this tour. Occasionally we use alternative hotels, or have a choice of hotels to choose from which will be detailed when booking.

Courtyard Arcadia Hotel, Pretoria, Namibia, Exterior

Courtyard Arcadia Hotel - Pretoria

A boutique hotel located in Pretoria, within close proximity to the Kruger Museum. Restaurant, bar, outdoor pool, WiFi (free) and 69 air-conditioned rooms with safe and satellite TV.

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Capital Menlyn Maine, Pretoria, South Africa, Pool

The Capital Menlyn Maine Hotel

The Capital Menlyn Maine is situated in the Menlyn Maine green precinct mall in Pretoria offering easy access to restaurants and shops. Restaurant, bar, outdoor pool, gym, spa and WiFi (free). 72 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, minibar, safe and TV.

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Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Lobby & Pool

Victoria Falls Hotel - Victoria Falls

One of the world’s great hotels, known as ‘The Grand Old Lady of the Falls’ and a member of the exclusive ‘Leading Hotels of the World’, this 5-star hotel is steeped in history and tradition. Fine dining and casual restaurants, afternoon teas on the terrace, pool and gardens, a short walk to the falls and WiFi (free). 161 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe and satellite TV.

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Train

Rovos Rail Train, Balcony Carriage at Station

Rovos Rail

The ‘most luxurious train in the world’ the beautifully rebuilt wood panelled Rovos Rail train combines the chance to see magnificent scenery and wildlife with the glamour and excitement of the golden age of leisure travel. The train offers 36 superbly appointed suites, with two types of suites available – Pullman (7sqm) and Deluxe (10sqm) – offering passengers privacy and comfort with double or twin beds and fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. All have en-suites with shower, toilet, basin, tea facilities, safes, air conditioning, linen and amenities and are serviced daily. There is adequate storage and small cupboards with hangers and shelves. The train itself boasts two well-appointed dining cars, bar car, small gift shop, smoking lounge and observation car with an open-air balcony. Maintaining the spirit of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets on board. Passengers will enjoy the formality of fine china and glassware, crisp linen and silver, and while days on board are smart casual, evening attire is more formal. On long journeys you can enjoy themed evenings where guests can dress up accordingly or opt for smart casual. An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for overseeing that every need is catered for and there is an emphasis on fresh local ingredients and traditional dishes are a specialty. Meals are served in one sitting in the dining cars and are complemented by a selection of fine South African wines.

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Optional Extras

Customize your tour by adding optional excursions or extend your journey with our curated add-on extensions.

Optional Excursions

OE Shutterstock Victoria Falls On Helicopter 91693994

Helicopter Flight over Victoria Falls

Get incredible views of Victoria Falls, from multiple angles, that would not be possible at ground level. This 12 mins helicopter tour takes you over the mighty Falls, the Batoka Gorge, the Zambezi River.

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Extension Options

Chobe Safari Lodge, Chobe National Park, Botswana, Elephant

Stay three nights at Chobe Safari Lodge or Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge, on the Chobe River. Chobe National Park, one of Africa's most prolific wildlife areas, is renowned for its elephants, hippos and lions with wildlife often visible from the Chobe River. Includes two game drives, two game cruises and half board.

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Stay Extra Nights...

Add extra nights to your tour at the starting or ending hotel.

- Travel Guides -

You can find out more about the county on the travel guide.

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Dates and prices

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Optional Excursions & Extra Nights
16 nights

From £8895 pp

per person incl flight
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