Is train travel included in the price?

Yes. The price includes nine nights aboard the African Explorer, plus three nights in safari lodges and a lodge near Johannesburg. All meals, game drives, and excursions listed in the itinerary are included.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

It is fully escorted. A permanent German-speaking head guide leads the entire group from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg. A German-speaking local guide accompanies each group of up to 23 guests. A German-speaking doctor travels on board.

What trains are used?

The African Explorer is the single train for this journey. Cabins come in two categories: Elephant and Leopard. Elephant cabins start at CHF 9,290 per person, double occupancy; Leopard cabins at CHF 11,240.

How much walking and physical activity is involved?

Most days include game drives by open safari vehicle, city walking tours, and bus excursions. The Panorama Route drive features mountain scenery. No strenuous hiking is described in the itinerary.

When does the journey run?

Departures are scheduled for June, August, and September 2026. Each journey lasts 16 days, ending in Johannesburg.

What is not included in the price?

International flights from Switzerland, gratuities, personal expenses, drinks and meals not on the itinerary, cancellation costs, and travel insurance are not included. Helicopter flights over Victoria Falls can be booked locally.

railtour suisse · Luxury train journey

From the Indian Ocean to the Victoria Falls

Luxury train journey through four African countries from Victoria Falls to Pretoria

Railtour Suisse's From the Indian Ocean to the Victoria Falls is a 16-day luxury train journey through South Africa, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and Mozambique, beginning at Victoria Falls and ending in Pretoria. Guests spend nine nights aboard the African Explorer, a dedicated luxury train with a lounge car, open viewing platform, and sleeping cabins in two comfort tiers. The itinerary balances train travel with three nights in safari lodges and includes game drives in Hwange and Kruger National Parks, visits to Great Zimbabwe and Matobo National Park, city tours in Bulawayo, Maputo, and Pretoria, and a day trip through Eswatini. A permanent German-speaking guide leads the entire journey, with groups capped at 23 per local guide, and a doctor travels on board. The trip suits luxury seekers, repeat rail travellers, photographers, and history enthusiasts drawn to Africa's wildlife, ancient ruins, and dramatic landscapes.

What to know before you look closer

The single supplement is steep: a single Elephant cabin costs CHF 14,385 compared to CHF 9,290 per person for double occupancy, a markup of over 55 percent.
Day 1 is a flight from Switzerland; the package price does not include international airfare. If you book without flights, your journey starts on day 2 at the group hotel.
Three hotels are listed generically as 'Safari lodge' and 'Lodge'; confirm the specific properties with Railtour Suisse before booking.
Departures are limited: only June, August, and September 2026 are listed.

Day by day

Day 1
Flight to South Africa
Evening departure from Switzerland for South Africa.
Day 2overnight: Safari lodge near Victoria Falls (Victoria Falls Hotel if Leopard cabin)
Arrival at the Zambezi
Arrival in Victoria Falls in the early afternoon. You will be greeted by your tour guide at the airport and then transferred to your safari lodge. If you have booked this trip without flights, your journey begins on day 2 with your arrival at the group hotel. In the afternoon you will explore the Zambezi from the boat. Welcome dinner: Braai with African specialities around a crackling campfire.
Day 3railovernight: Aboard the train
Victoria Falls
After breakfast, you will have time to marvel at the Victoria Falls. From numerous vantage points, you can see the 1.7 km long edge of the falls, where the thundering waters of the Zambezi River rush down. A short walk takes you to the Victoria Falls Hotel, from whose terrace you can enjoy the view across to the Victoria Falls Bridge. If you wish, you can book on the spot a helicopter flight over the falls. In the afternoon, the train crew will welcome you on board.
Day 4railovernight: Aboard the train
Hwange National Park
After breakfast, you set off on your morning game drive. Known for its large herds of elephant and buffalo, Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe's largest game reserve. With a bit of luck, you may encounter rare wild dogs as well as elephants, giraffes and lions. After a lunch break, the train continues to Bulawayo.
Day 5railovernight: Aboard the train
Bulawayo and Matabo National Park
A tour of Bulawayo awaits you in the morning. Alternatively, you can visit the Natural History Museum or the National Railway Museum. Afterwards, you will head to Matobo National Park. Here you will visit the grave of the British conqueror and politician Cecil Rhodes. You will be expected on board for dinner.
Day 6railovernight: Aboard the train
Great Zimbabwe
The destination of today's excursion by bus is the ruins of Great Zimbabwe. The largest pre-colonial structure in Africa south of the Egyptian pyramids is over 1'000 years old. In Rutenga you board your train.
Day 7overnight: Aboard the train
South Africa's Northeast
On its way through the Limpopo Province, the African Explorer passes through the Soutpansberg region and the land of the rain queen Modjadji. Sample the popular dried meat at a biltong tasting.
Day 8railovernight: Aboard the train
In the Makalali sanctuary
In the morning you leave your train for a game drive in the Makalali Conservation Area. Numerous animals, including the famous Big Five, have been brought here as part of an animal relocation program. Today's bush brunch is a special experience before the crew welcomes you back on board.
Day 9railovernight: Safari lodge (Drakensberg/Kruger area)
In the Drakensberg
Today you travel by bus to the mountain world of the Panorama Route. Afterwards, you will go on a game drive in the world-famous Kruger National Park. In the afternoon you leave the park and drive to your safari lodge, where you will spend the night. In the meantime, your large luggage remains safe and sound in the train compartment. A dinner under the African starry sky awaits you as a stylish finale.
Day 10railovernight: Aboard the train
Kruger National Park
A full-day safari awaits you in the morning: you drive through the Kruger Park in an open safari vehicle. After lunch, you continue the safari. You will reach your train in the late afternoon.
Day 11railovernight: Aboard the train
Maputo
Your train has reached Maputo overnight. You explore the Mozambican capital on a city tour. A lunch of freshly caught fish and seafood awaits you on the waterfront. Your train continues its journey in the late afternoon.
Day 12railovernight: Aboard the train
Little Kingdom of Eswatini
From Mpaka, you set off on a day trip by bus to Eswatini. After 50 years of independence, the former Swaziland was renamed Eswatini by its king. The journey takes you through the picturesque Ezulwini Valley via the capital Mbabane to Piggs Peak, surrounded by beautiful hilly country. You can look for souvenirs for your loved ones at one of the lively markets. Your special train will be waiting for you in Kaapmuiden in the early evening. Enjoy dinner on board as your train rolls towards Pretoria.
Day 13railovernight: Aboard the train
African Explorer
Today you can enjoy the comforts of your special train. The open viewing platform of the cozy lounge car offers you an unobstructed view of the wilderness, a paradise for photographers and nature lovers! Listen to the on-board lectures by your tour guide, devote yourself to your on-board reading or have stimulating conversations with your fellow passengers. You can relax in the bar car with a cool Windhoek Lager.
Day 14railovernight: Lodge near Johannesburg (Pretoria)
Pretoria
After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to your beloved train crew. On a city tour, you will explore the capital of South Africa, Pretoria. Nelson Mandela was sworn in here in 1994 as the first black president of his country and greets visitors as a larger-than-life sculpture. You spend the night in a lodge that welcomes you with extensive, lush green gardens. A farewell dinner awaits you in the evening.
Day 15
Farewell to Africa
Relax at your lodge in the morning. In the late afternoon, say goodbye to your tour guide and fly to Switzerland.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3Walk to the Victoria Falls Hotel terrace to view the 1.7 km edge of Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi plunges below.
Day 4Morning game drive in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest reserve, where you may see herds of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and lions.
Day 6Bus excursion to the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, the largest pre-colonial structure in Africa south of the Egyptian pyramids.
Day 10Full-day safari in an open vehicle through Kruger National Park, searching for the Big Five and other wildlife.
Day 11Arrive in Maputo, Mozambique's capital, and enjoy a city tour followed by lunch of fresh fish and seafood on the waterfront.

Included

Travel on the special train "African Explorer" including 9 nights in the booked sleeping compartment
1 overnight stay in a stylish safari lodge near the Victoria Falls (when booking the Leopard compartment category: 1 overnight stay in the legendary Victoria Falls Hotel)
1 overnight stay in a safari lodge at the gateway to the Kruger National Park
1 overnight stay in a lodge near Johannesburg
Meals as per itinerary (F=breakfast, M=lunch, A=dinner)
Specialty meals, braai barbeques and biltong tasting
Permanent German-speaking head tour guide from Victoria Falls and to Johannesburg
German-speaking tour guide for max. 23 guests each from Victoria Falls and to Johannesburg
German-speaking doctor on board
Visit to the Victoria Falls
Game drives by bus in Hwange and Kruger National Park
Excursion to Matobo National Park with a visit to Cecil Rhodes' grave and Bushman rock paintings
City tour in Bulawayo with a visit to the Natural History Museum and the Railway Museum
Visit to the ruins of Great Zimbabwe
Day trip by bus through Eswatini
City tour in Maputo with lunch on the waterfront promenade
Drive on the Panorama Route by bus with Blyde River Canyon and God's Window
City tour in Pretoria
Visit to the private Makalali Conservancy
Excursions and transfers in air-conditioned buses
Porter service from/to Victoria Falls/Johannesburg airports
Entertaining short lectures on board
Specially compiled guidebook for this trip, Southern Africa Travel Guide

Not included

Arrival and departure
Gratuities and personal expenses
Drinks and meals not mentioned
Cancellation costs and travel insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?: Yes. The price includes nine nights aboard the African Explorer, plus three nights in safari lodges and a lodge near Johannesburg. All meals, game drives, and excursions listed in the itinerary are included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?: It is fully escorted. A permanent German-speaking head guide leads the entire group from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg. A German-speaking local guide accompanies each group of up to 23 guests. A German-speaking doctor travels on board.
What trains are used?: The African Explorer is the single train for this journey. Cabins come in two categories: Elephant and Leopard. Elephant cabins start at CHF 9,290 per person, double occupancy; Leopard cabins at CHF 11,240.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?: Most days include game drives by open safari vehicle, city walking tours, and bus excursions. The Panorama Route drive features mountain scenery. No strenuous hiking is described in the itinerary.
When does the journey run?: Departures are scheduled for June, August, and September 2026. Each journey lasts 16 days, ending in Johannesburg.
What is not included in the price?: International flights from Switzerland, gratuities, personal expenses, drinks and meals not on the itinerary, cancellation costs, and travel insurance are not included. Helicopter flights over Victoria Falls can be booked locally.