CAPE TOWN TO/FROM PRETORIA – 3 NIGHTS

This meander is a perfect illustration of South Africa as a world in one country. Travel the grasslands of the gold-rich Highveld to the haunting barrenness of the Great Karoo; trundle through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic winelands of the Cape. Journey’s end is Cape Town, the Mother City of South Africa. Highlights of the route include a visit to the historic village of Matjiesfontein, an authentically preserved Victorian Village founded as a refreshment stop in 1890, which also boasts an impressive museum on the platform. Another stop is made in Kimberley to visit the Diamond Mine Museum and the world’s largest man-made excavation, the Big Hole.

 PRETORIA TO/FROM DURBAN – 2 NIGHTS

This safari between Pretoria and Durban departs during the summer months and includes game drives, a battlefield tale with a world-class historian and a look at unusual African ceramics.

Experience the Nambiti Conservancy – a Big Five private retreat set on 20 000 acres of malaria-free bushveld.

Visit this charming centre in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands before travelling the Valley of a Thousand Hills to Durban.

PRETORIA TO/FROM VICTORIA FALLS – 3/4 NIGHTS

Depart from the Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. Travel north through Warmbaths and Nylstroom. Cross the Tropic of Capricorn and Limpopo River towards Bulawayo, second city of Zimbabwe. Enjoy a game drive (4-night journey only) in Matobo National Park, with bushmen caves, rock art and dramatic granite hills. It is also the site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave atop the summit of Malindidzimu. Travel along one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line,114 km before traversing Hwange National Park, where a game drive excursion is enjoyed. Arrive at Victoria Falls. Depending upon railway capacity, this journey could be routed through Botswana.

NAMIBIA SAFARI – 9 NIGHTS

This journey takes the train from the savannahs of the Highveld to the Atlantic in the west. Departing from Pretoria, the first stop is Kimberley, centre of one of the world’s famous diamond rushes where there is an opportunity to savour the 1870s atmosphere of the mining village. The train traverses the stark vistas of the Northern Cape to the Fish River Canyon – second in size to the Grand Canyon – and Garas Park with its quiver-tree forest. Guests continue across the untamed beauty of the Kalahari Desert to a cheetah conservation project and a stop in Namibia’s capital for a tour; Windhoek is a lively, cosmopolitan city with a strong German flavour. Then it’s a short flight to Sossusvlei, a stunning pan in the Namib Desert, for an overnight stay followed by a night in the game-rich Etosha National Park. On the last morning, the train travels the Namib to the perfectly preserved 19th-century German Hansa town of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay – an unforgettable end to a remarkable journey.

GOLF SAFARI 1 – 10 DAYS

This safari travels the northeastern reaches of South Africa and will entertain the most discerning golfers and non-playing guests. Travel from Pretoria to Sun City* in the hills of the Pilanesberg for game viewing. Cross the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains to Spionkop*, the perfect base for exploring the mountains, bush, birds and battlefields. Traverse the scenic Valley of a Thousand Hills to Durban* for a tour of the city and botanical gardens. The game viewing continues at Hluhluwe in Zululand, and the world-famous Kruger Park in Malelane*. See Dullstoom’s arts and crafts and visit the Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Centre. The journey ends in Pretoria.

*Course selection is dependent on availability: Sun City Gary Player/Lost City, Champagne Sports Resort, Durban Country Club/Beachwood, Royal Swazi and Highland Gate.

GOLF SAFARI 2: AFRICAN COLLAGE – 9/10 NIGHTS

This panoramic sojourn winds its way from Pretoria to Cape Town and includes a golfing and non-golfing itinerary. After a game drive in Kruger Park* guests travel through eSwatini to Hluhluwe for game viewing and along the coast to Durban*. Traverse the Valley of a Thousand Hills to Spionkop Lodge*, the perfect base for exploring the mountains, bush, birds and battlefields of the region. Continue to Port Elizabeth* for a game drive at Addo Elephant Park then on to Oudtshoorn for an ostrich-farm visit followed by an impressive descent through the Outeniqua Mountains to George*. After visiting the natural paradise of Knysna*, the train traverses the spectacular Garden Route to the winelands and Cape mountains before this expedition ends in Cape Town.

*Courses dependent on availability: Leopard Creek/White River/Mbombela, Nkonyeni, Durban Country Club/Beachwood/Zimbali, Champagne Sports Resort, Humewood, Fancourt and Ernie Els Oubaai.

 TRAIL OF TWO OCEANS – 15 DAYS

This voyage sets off from the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam (a city familiar to Rovos Rail as it has been running its Cape to Dar trip there since 1993), and includes a game visit in the Selous Reserve, a fly-in two-night safari in the South Luangwa National Park (Zambia) and a city tour of Lubumbashi (DRC). Thereafter it joins the Benguela line for short walking tours detailing Angola’s recent history with journey’s end in Lobito. Available in reverse.

In July 2019, Rovos Rail set off on this new 15-day expedition traversing Tanzania, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola. It was the first time in history that a passenger train travelled the famous east-to-west copper trail on this route. The trip was a great success. 

PRETORIA TO DAR ES SALAAM – 15 DAYS

This epic train journey travels through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania and is one of the most famous in the world. The sojourn begins in Cape Town taking guests to the historic village of Matjiesfontein, the diamond town of Kimberley and the capital city of Pretoria for short tours followed by two nights in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Continue through Botswana into Zimbabwe where guests overnight at the Victoria Falls Hotel. After crossing the mighty Zambezi River, the train joins the Tazara line in Zambia and continues to Chisimba Falls where guests enjoy a bush walk. The train climbs to the Tanzanian border then descends into the Great Rift Valley negotiating the tunnels, switchbacks and viaducts of the spectacular escarpment. Climbing again, it traverses the Selous Game Reserve and a vision of timeless Africa, before the bustling arrival in Dar es Salaam.

COPPER TRAIL – 15 DAYS 

In July 2022, Rovos Rail will set off on this new expedition traversing Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola. Travel across the mighty Zambezi from the incomparable Victoria Falls towards Kafue River for a sunset cruise. After a visit to Lusaka’s elephant sanctuary where teams rescue and rehabilitate orphaned elephants, fly into South Luangwa National Park (Zambia) for a three-night safari. With its western and northwestern edge bounded by the Muchinga Escarpment and the southern border lined with the meandering Luangwa River, there is no shortage of dramatic and fascinating topography in this beautiful game-rich park. Enjoy a tour of Lubumbashi (DRC) then join the historical copper trail for short walking tours detailing Angola’s recent history with journey’s end in Lobito. Available in reverse.