Is train travel included?

Yes. The package includes three nights in a Pullman Suite aboard Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa from Pretoria toward Victoria Falls, with all meals and drinks included on board.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

It is escorted. You are met and escorted at the airport, and private tours and transfers are included throughout.

What hotels are used?

Luxury hotels in Pretoria, Victoria Falls, and Johannesburg are included, several marked 'or similar' in the itinerary, such as Castello Di Monte and The Victoria Falls Hotel.

What's included onboard Rovos Rail?

All meals and drinks, all off-board experiences, and freshly prepared meals are included during the three nights onboard.

How much walking is involved?

Day 4 includes a game drive at Hwange National Park, and Days 6 to 7 involve walking to vantage points at Victoria Falls and a stroll through the rainforest. No hiking or altitude figures are given.

Railbookers

Luxury Rovos Rail and Victoria Falls

Nine-day luxury Rovos Rail journey from Pretoria to Victoria Falls

Railbookers operates this nine-day, eight-night luxury journey through South Africa and Zimbabwe, centered on three nights in a Pullman Suite aboard Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa. After a first night in Pretoria, the train departs for Zimbabwe, with meals served in the dining cars as it crosses the Tropic of Capricorn and covers one of the world's longest stretches of straight railway, 114 km along the edge of Hwange National Park, with a stop for a game drive. The train journey ends in Victoria Falls, where three nights include a private tour of the Falls, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, and a day at your own pace to revisit vantage points such as Devil's Pool and Knife-Edge Bridge. The trip closes with a night in Johannesburg, taking in stops like the Apartheid Museum and Nelson Mandela Square. Private transfers and escorted arrivals run throughout, suiting travelers who want a fully appointed, guided journey rather than an independent one.

What to know before you look closer

Hotels are marked 'or similar' in the itinerary, for example Castello Di Monte in Pretoria and The Victoria Falls Hotel in Victoria Falls, so your confirmed hotel may differ from the one named.
The Victoria Falls to Johannesburg leg on Day 8 is by flight, not rail.
The package's included-items list references Cape Town and Pretoria for legs that the day-by-day itinerary describes differently, as Victoria Falls and Johannesburg. Confirm the exact routing with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Pretoria
Your Journey Begins in Pretoria
Welcome to South Africa! You will be met at the airport and escorted to your luxury hotel (Castello Di Monte or similar) for a one-night stay.
Day 2railovernight: onboard
Overnight Onboard Rovos Rail
Departing from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria, your journey sets its course towards Zimbabwe. Lunch is served in the dining cars as the train passes through Warmbaths and Nylstroom. Dinner is served on board as the train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn on its way to the Zimbabwean border.
Day 3railovernight: onboard
Overnight Onboard Rovos Rail
Breakfast served in the dining cars until 10:00. The train continues its journey on the BBR railway line via West Nicholson, passing through Bulawayo. A sumptuous dinner awaits en route to Mpopoma.
Day 4railovernight: onboard
Overnight Onboard Rovos Rail
Breakfast and lunch served in the dining cars. The train travels between Gwaai and Dete, covering one of the world's longest stretches of straight railway line - 114 km - along the eastern edge of Hwange Park. At Kennedy Siding, disembark for a game drive at the Hide in Hwange National Park. Dinner en route to Thompsons Junction.
Day 5railovernight: Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
An earlier breakfast this morning as the train departs Thompsons Junction, then comes to an end in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. A private drive will escort you to your luxury hotel (The Victoria Falls Hotel or similar). Relax at your hotel or take a stroll into town.
Day 6overnight: Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
Discover one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World, on a private tour. Experience breathtaking vantage points along the width of the Falls. In the evening, embark on a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River with access to the Signature deck and fully stocked bar.
Day 7overnight: Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
A day at your own pace today - revisiting the grandeur of the Falls from vantage points like Devil's Pool, Knife-Edge Bridge, and Danger Point, a stroll through the rainforest, or a bird's-eye view of the falls.
Day 8overnight: Johannesburg
Johannesburg
You will be escorted to the airport for a short flight to Johannesburg. Following check-in, popular stops in the city include the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Nelson Mandela Square, and Sandton City.
Day 9
Your Journey Ends in Johannesburg
Bid farewell to South Africa as you are escorted to the airport for a flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2The Pride of Africa departs Pretoria's Rovos Rail Station, with lunch served as the train passes through Warmbaths and Nylstroom and dinner served as it crosses the Tropic of Capricorn toward the Zimbabwean border.
Day 4The train covers one of the world's longest stretches of straight railway line, 114 km along the edge of Hwange National Park, with a stop at Kennedy Siding for a game drive at the Hide.
Day 6A private tour of Victoria Falls, one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World, is followed by a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River with access to the Signature deck and bar.
Day 7A day at your own pace revisits the Falls from vantage points including Devil's Pool, Knife-Edge Bridge, and Danger Point, with the option of a stroll through the rainforest or a bird's-eye view.
Day 8Johannesburg stops include the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Nelson Mandela Square, and Sandton City.

Included

1 nights' luxury hotel accommodation including breakfast in Pretoria
3 nights' luxury hotel accommodation including breakfast in Victoria Falls
1 nights' luxury hotel accommodation including breakfast in Johannesburg
3 nights in a Pullman Suite onboard Rovos Rail from Pretoria to Cape Town including: All meals and drinks, All off-board experience, All freshly prepared meals
Private Tour of Victoria Falls
Sunset Zambezi River cruise
Private airport/hotel/station transfers throughout
Flights from Victoria Falls to Pretoria

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes. The package includes three nights in a Pullman Suite aboard Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa from Pretoria toward Victoria Falls, with all meals and drinks included on board.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?: It is escorted. You are met and escorted at the airport, and private tours and transfers are included throughout.
What hotels are used?: Luxury hotels in Pretoria, Victoria Falls, and Johannesburg are included, several marked 'or similar' in the itinerary, such as Castello Di Monte and The Victoria Falls Hotel.
What's included onboard Rovos Rail?: All meals and drinks, all off-board experiences, and freshly prepared meals are included during the three nights onboard.
How much walking is involved?: Day 4 includes a game drive at Hwange National Park, and Days 6 to 7 involve walking to vantage points at Victoria Falls and a stroll through the rainforest. No hiking or altitude figures are given.

Similar journeys

Railbookers