12-Day Rovos Rail Pretoria to Victoria Falls Safari

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Itinerary

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Day 1: Pretoria

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On the first day, you'll arrive in Pretoria and board the luxurious Rovos Rail, where you'll settle into your accommodations. As the train begins its journey towards the Drakensberg Mountains, you'll be treated to a welcome dinner, setting the tone for the adventure ahead.

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Day 2: Drakensberg Mountains & Panorama Route

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On the second day, you'll travel through the breathtaking Drakensberg Mountains, soaking in the stunning landscapes. In the afternoon, you'll embark on an excursion along the Panorama Route, where you'll visit iconic landmarks such as God's Window and Blyde River Canyon, offering spectacular views and unforgettable photo opportunities.

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Day 3: Kruger National Park

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On the third day, you'll disembark for an exhilarating full day of game viewing in Kruger National Park, one of Africa's premier wildlife reserves. After a day of spotting the Big Five and other incredible wildlife, you'll return to the train in the evening for a delightful dinner as the journey continues overnight.

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Day 4: Maputo, Mozambique

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Breakfast is served in the dining cars, followed by a city tour of Maputo, Mozambique, where lunch is provided. The afternoon includes tea in the lounge and observation cars as the journey continues to Mpaka, eSwatini, with border formalities taking place. Dinner, served in the dining cars with a formal dress code, complements the day. Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, is a city of contrasts with a vibrant mix of cultures and architecture that blends African, Portuguese, and early Colonial influences.

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Day 5: Kingdom of Eswatini

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Begin your day with breakfast in the dining cars, after which passengers disembark at Mpaka for a 90-minute transfer to Swazi Candles and Mantenga Cultural Village. Lunch is enjoyed at Mantenga Lodge before returning to the train for the journey to Hoedspruit, with border formalities along the way. Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars, and the day concludes with a formal dinner in the dining cars. The Kingdom of eSwatini, a small, mountainous country, is unique with two capital cities and a rich cultural heritage. The visit to Mantenga Cultural Village offers insights into the traditional Swazi lifestyle of the 1800s, while Swazi Candles showcases local artisans at work.

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Day 6: Kapama Private Game Reserve

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A continental breakfast is served in the dining cars until 05:30, followed by a game drive in Kapama Game Reserve and a visit to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. After returning to the train for lunch, the journey continues through Tzaneen and Louis Trichardt, with tea in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner, themed "Africa" or smart casual, is served in the dining cars. Kapama Private Game Reserve, located in Limpopo, is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including the Big Five, while the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre is dedicated to the conservation of rare and vulnerable species.

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Day 7: Great Zimbabwe Monument

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Travel to Rutenga in Zimbabwe. Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00, followed by lunch, tea, and dinner in the dining cars, with a formal dress code. Limpopo Province, the northernmost province of South Africa, is known as the gateway to other African countries and is home to a diverse landscape and cultural heritage.

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Day 8: Antelope Park

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After breakfast in the dining cars, passengers transfer to the Great Zimbabwe Monument for a tour with lunch. The train is rejoined at Oreti Siding before departing for Gweru. Dinner is served in the dining cars, with a formal dress code. The Great Zimbabwe Monument, a monumental pre-colonial site, is the largest of its kind south of the Egyptian pyramids and a celebrated achievement of African civilization.

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Day 9: Matobo National Park

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This day features a full day at Antelope Park, with breakfast in the dining cars and lunch provided. Optional activities include canoeing, game drives, horseback game viewing, and elephant interaction. Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars, and the day concludes with a formal dinner in the dining cars as the train departs for Bulawayo. Antelope Park is a unique game reserve and home to the ALERT lion rehabilitation program, a significant conservation initiative.

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Day 10: Hwange National Park

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Prepare for a full-day tour of Matobo National Park after breakfast in the dining cars. The tour includes a visit to Cecil John Rhodes' grave and Bushmen caves with rock art. Lunch is provided, followed by tea in the lounge and observation cars as the train departs for Kennedy. Dinner is served in the dining cars with a formal dress code. Matobo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its dramatic granite hills and is the burial site of Cecil John Rhodes.

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Day 11: Victoria Falls

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Passengers enjoy breakfast in the dining cars before embarking on a full day of game viewing in Hwange National Park with a packed lunch. The day concludes with tea in the lounge and observation cars, dinner in the dining cars with a 1920s theme or smart casual dress code, and the train's departure for Thompson’s Junction. Hwange National Park, located in northwest Zimbabwe, is the nation's largest wildlife area and is renowned for its lion population.

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Day 12: Departure

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This day marks the end of the journey, with breakfast in the dining cars until 09:30. The train arrives at Victoria Falls Station, where passengers check out and store their luggage before a walking tour of the village and the falls with lunch. The tour concludes with a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River before transferring back to the Victoria Falls Hotel. Victoria Falls is one of nature’s great wonders, comparable to the Grand Canyon and Mount Everest, with a rich history and ever-changing landscape.

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