Victoria Falls to Pretoria (Rovos Rail)
A leisurely sojourn aboard one of the most luxurious trains through South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Your 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.
Day 1
Arrive Johannesburg, South Africa
On arrival in Johannesburg, you are met by an A&S representative and transferred to your hotel for the night.
Day 2
Johannesburg / Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
After breakfast, you are transferred back to the airport for the flight to Victoria Falls, where you are met on arrival for the transfer to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3
Victoria Falls
This morning, take a trip to the Falls, locally known as “Mosi Oa Tunya” – “The Smoke That Thunders”. These are among the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The Zambezi River, which is more than a mile wide at this point, plunges noisily down a series of basalt gorges and raises a glistening mist that can be seen more than 12 miles away. In the afternoon, you may choose to take the optional ‘Flight of Angels’ helicopter ride for a breathtaking view of the Falls. When David Livingstone first set eyes on the Falls, he could not resist declaring that this is “a sight so wonderful that angels must have gazed down on it in flight”. This evening, you may also enjoy a Sundowner Cruise as you glide lazily along the Zambezi River.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4
Victoria Falls / Rovos Rail
This morning you are transferred to the train station to board the Rovos Rail, one of the world’s most luxurious train, departing at 10:00 AM. Lunch and Dinner will be served in the dining car as the train continues to wind along its journey towards Pretoria.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Rovos Rail
Enjoy the day on board this beautiful train as it makes its way to Lobatse. Later this evening, you arrive at Mafikeng for border formalities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Rovos Rail / Pretoria, South Africa
Early this morning, the train departs Mafikeng for the final leg of the journey. Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board before stopping for a short time at the Pyramid where the Rovos steam engines take over the haulage of the train for the remainder of the trip. Arrive into Pretoria’s Capital Park station at around 5:00 PM where you are met by an A&S representative and transferred to your hotel for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7
Pretoria / Johannesburg / Pretoria
Enjoy a half-day tour to Johannesburg and the Apartheid Museum, the first of its kind which illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid. The Museum sets out by means of blown-up photographs, artefacts, newspaper clippings, and film footage, to portray graphically the apartheid story. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8
Pretoria / Johannesburg / Pretoria
Enjoy a half-day tour of Johannesburg and experience the cultural diversity of the City of Gold. Johannesburg is the major international gateway to South Africa, and is a vibrant and dynamic city. Your tour may include a visit to Soweto, a township with a turbulent history as well as a tour of Gold Reef City, Johannesburg’s favorite theme park that brims with activities including thrill rides along with a reconstruction of an old mining town complete with train station and stores from a bygone era.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9
Pretoria / Johannesburg / Depart
Today you are transferred to the international airport in Johannesburg to board your homebound flight.
Meals: Breakfast
- Meet and greet on arrival at Airport.
- Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner).
- Entrance fees where applicable.
- Tours as indicated in the itinerary.
- Professional English-speaking guide/driver guide.
- Transfers
- Travel Protection is offered on all packages at an additional cost.
