Discover the vast, unspoiled beauty of Africa on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Take the Rovos Rail to Zimbabwe from South Africa, a beautiful and authentically refurbished train which recaptures the romance of a bygone era. The journey continues with two nights at the legendary Victoria Falls, one of the world’s great natural wonders.
Our Rovos Rail packages has been crafted with knowledge and insight, showcasing just a few of the experiences you can enjoy while travelling through Zimbabwe. It is merely an example, and any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Chat with one of our Destination Specialists, who will be able to help you to customise the ideal getaway itinerary that you will cherish for years to come.
Recommended arriving by 08h00 for an introduction to the beautifully appointed station and to enjoy refreshments with a briefing before you board the train. Settle into your suite and enjoy the ambiance of the train recapturing the Golden Age of Travel. The train departs at 09h30 from the Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria with a steam locomotive before switching over to diesel or electric locomotives (the use of steam has become increasingly difficult over the years as more and more water and coaling facilities have been scrapped). Lunch is served in the dining cars as the train travels north through Bela-Bela (meaning the pot that boils) and Modimolle (previously Nylstroom), christened by the Voortrekkers as the source of the Nile River as the town’s river happened to be north flowing. The train then passes the edge of the escarpment and crosses the Tropic of Capricorn en route to the South Africa/Zimbabwe border at Beitbridge.
Stay: Rovos Rail
Room: Pullman suite
Meals: Lunch, dinner, breakfast & a selection of drinks
After formalities have been finalized at Beitbridge (customs clearance will be done by your host – you don't need to leave the train), continue through the beautiful landscape to Bulawayo, the second-largest city in Zimbabwe. The overnight stop is at Mpopoma Train Yard, situated outside Bulawayo.
Stay: Rovos Rail
Room: Pullman suite
Meals: Lunch, dinner, breakfast & a selection of drinks
Breakfast is served as the train departs Mpopoma. Enjoy lunch while traveling along the eastern edge of Hwange Park along one of Africa's most extended stretches of straight railway lines – 114 kilometers. Arrive at Kennedy Siding (which is a railroad siding) from where you will continue for a game drive at The Hide, a private concession in Hwange National Park in search of predators and prey alike. Continue to Thompsons' Junction for the overnight stop.
Stay: Rovos Rail
Room: Pullman suite
Meals: Lunch, dinner, breakfast & a selection of drinks
After breakfast continues from Thompsons Junction to Victoria Falls Station where your journey ends around 10h00. Meet and greet your driver for your transfer to your hotel. Afternoon transfer to the Zambezi River for your Sundowner Cruise. Enjoy the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, and elephants as well as many different bird species. The Sundowner cruise includes local drinks and some tasty snacks to enjoy while watching the sunset in one of the most beautiful scenes in Africa.
Stay: Ilala Lodge
Room: Deluxe room
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast enjoys a guided tour of Victoria Falls - a truly awe-inspiring experience. Be accompanied through the rainforest by a qualified guide who will give you a brief history of the Falls as well as be detailing the flora, fauna, bird & wildlife, and other points of interest. Stroll along the forested paths along the network of trails leading to 16 different viewpoints, all dazzling you with stunning and impressive scenes of this powerful and enormous curtain of water before enjoying lunch at the Lookout Café. Perched on the edge of the Batoka Gorge; this open-air cafe offers spectacular views of the gorge and Zambezi River.
For the ultimate view of the Falls, you can take a helicopter or a micro-light flight as an optional activity (for your account).
Lunch at Lookout Café - A la Carte menu with a choice of 1 starter, 1 main & 1 dessert (included).
Stay: Ilala Lodge
Room: Deluxe room
Meals: Breakfast
After a little time to explore in the morning, you’ll be transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your onwards flight home.
End of service
Rovos Rail routes and departures are fixed; however, the Victoria Falls section of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Please speak to one of our Destination Specialists, who will work with you to custom create the ideal itinerary with your preferred dates.
Please note: Departure dates for the Rovos Rail are specific:
5, 19, 26 March 2026
2, 16 April 2026
1 July 2026
27 August 2026
17, 24 September 2026
Our rates will be available shortly. For urgent quotes, please reach out to one of our Travel Experts.
Zimbabwe’s largest national park (over 14,600 km²), Hwange is a vast expanse of Kalahari sandveld, dry acacia scrub and grasslands in the west of the country. It is famed for its huge “super-herds” of elephants – over 40,000 roam the park – and is one of Africa’s strongholds for endangered African wild dogs. Visitors can encounter a great variety of wildlife including large lion prides, buffalo herds, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas and 400+ bird species, often congregating at Hwange’s many waterholes during the dry season.
Speak to our travel experts to start planning your tailor-made safari or tour.
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