Is train travel included?

Yes. The package includes four 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 en suite facilities are included during the four nights onboard.

What stops does the train make en route?

The itinerary lists Polokwane Nature Reserve, the Tropic of Capricorn, Beitbridge, baobab country, Gwanda village, Bulawayo, and the edge of Hwange National Park.

How much walking or activity is involved?

Day 5 includes a game drive at Hwange National Park, and Days 7 to 8 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 Adventure

Ten-day luxury Rovos Rail adventure from Pretoria to Victoria Falls

Railbookers operates this ten-day, nine-night luxury journey through South Africa and Zimbabwe, centered on four nights in a Pullman Suite aboard Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa. After a first night in Pretoria, the train sets off, stopping at Polokwane Nature Reserve before crossing the Tropic of Capricorn and the Limpopo River into Beitbridge. Day 4 passes through baobab country with a stop in Gwanda to explore the village's culture, continuing to Bulawayo, and Day 5 traverses a 114-kilometer straight stretch of railway along Hwange National Park before a game drive at the Hide. 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. The trip closes with a night in Johannesburg, taking in stops like the Apartheid Museum. Private transfers and escorted arrivals run throughout, suiting travelers who want a longer, more immersive version of the Rovos Rail journey to Victoria Falls.

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 9 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
Embark on a journey of luxury and exploration today as you board the Rovos Rail in Pretoria. Settle into the exquisite surroundings of the train and meet fellow travelers. Indulge in a delightful dinner, elegantly served in the dining cars.
Day 3railovernight: onboard
Overnight Onboard Rovos Rail
Start your day with breakfast as the train sets off from Pretoria. En route to Polokwane, visit Polokwane Nature Reserve. After lunch, the train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn, heading towards Louis Trichardt. Complete border formalities with South Africa and cross the Limpopo River into Beitbridge for the night.
Day 4railovernight: onboard
Overnight Onboard Rovos Rail
Indulge in a leisurely breakfast while traveling through the enchanting baobab country. After lunch, a stop at Gwanda lets you explore the village's vibrant culture. Depart for Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city and industrial hub, then on to Mpopoma for the night.
Day 5railovernight: onboard
Overnight Onboard Rovos Rail
Relish breakfast and traverse the 114-kilometer straight railway line between Gwaai and Dete. Marvel at Hwange National Park's beauty from the train. After lunch, experience a thrilling game drive at the Hide within the park. The train continues to Thompsons Junction for the night.
Day 6railovernight: 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).
Day 7overnight: 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 8overnight: 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 9overnight: 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 10
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 3The train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn en route to Louis Trichardt, then completes border formalities and crosses the Limpopo River into Beitbridge for the night, after a stop at Polokwane Nature Reserve.
Day 4Breakfast passes through baobab country, with a stop in Gwanda to explore the village's culture before the train continues to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city, and on to Mpopoma.
Day 5The train traverses the 114-kilometer straight railway line between Gwaai and Dete along Hwange National Park, followed by a game drive at the Hide within the park.
Day 7A 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 8A 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.

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
4 nights in a Pullman Suite onboard Rovos Rail from Pretoria to Cape Town including: All meals and drinks, All off-board experience, En suite facilities
Private Tour of Victoria Falls
Sunset Zambezi River cruise
Private airport/hotel/station transfers throughout
Flight from Victoria Falls to Pretoria

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes. The package includes four 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 en suite facilities are included during the four nights onboard.
What stops does the train make en route?: The itinerary lists Polokwane Nature Reserve, the Tropic of Capricorn, Beitbridge, baobab country, Gwanda village, Bulawayo, and the edge of Hwange National Park.
How much walking or activity is involved?: Day 5 includes a game drive at Hwange National Park, and Days 7 to 8 involve walking to vantage points at Victoria Falls and a stroll through the rainforest. No hiking or altitude figures are given.

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Railbookers