Discovery Trains · Escorted rail journey

Rovos Rail : Pretoria - Victoria Falls

5-day luxury Rovos Rail journey, Pretoria to Victoria Falls via Zimbabwe's parks

Rovos Rail : Pretoria - Victoria Falls, a rail journey with Discovery Trains

Discovery Trains runs Rovos Rail: Pretoria to Victoria Falls as a 5-day, 4-night escorted rail journey, with travelers staying aboard Rovos Rail for all four nights. On day 1, the train departs Pretoria's historic station and crosses the rolling Highveld via Warmbaths and Nylstroom. Day 2 crosses the Tropic of Capricorn and the Beitbridge border into Zimbabwe. Day 3 brings an excursion to Matobo National Park, a UNESCO site with granite hills, rock-painting caves, and the grave of Cecil John Rhodes. On day 4, a photo safari with experienced rangers explores Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest game reserve, home to elephants, buffalo, lions, giraffes, zebras and antelope, followed by a gala dinner aboard. The train reaches Victoria Falls station on day 5, ending the journey by mid-morning near the UNESCO World Heritage falls, which stretch nearly 1.7 kilometers. A qualified English-speaking guide leads the excursions. It suits travelers who want a short, all-inclusive introduction to Rovos Rail's luxury travel combined with Zimbabwe's national parks and one of Africa's best-known natural landmarks.

What to know before you look closer

  • Visas are not included, and the train crosses the Beitbridge border into Zimbabwe on day 2, so travelers need their own visa arranged for entry.
  • Arrival and departure transfers, and hotel accommodation before and after the 5-day journey, are not included; travelers need to arrange their own logistics into Pretoria and out of Victoria Falls.
  • Onboard drinks are included except champagne and international sparkling wine, which cost extra.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: À bord du train

    Pretoria

    Embarquement à la gare historique de Pretoria, installation en suite. Le train traverse les paysages vallonnés du Highveld, via Warmbaths et Nylstroom.

    Meals: dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: À bord du train

    À bord du train, vers le Zimbabwe

    Le train franchit le Tropique du Capricorne. Après le déjeuner, passage de la frontière de Beitbridge entre l'Afrique du Sud et le Zimbabwe.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: À bord du train

    Parc National de Matobo

    Passage par Bulawayo, deuxième ville du Zimbabwe, puis excursion au parc national de Matobo (UNESCO) : collines de granit, grottes ornées de peintures rupestres, tombe de Cecil John Rhodes.

    Meals: breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: À bord du train

    Parc National de Hwange

    Safari-photo dans le parc national de Hwange, la plus vaste réserve animalière du Zimbabwe (éléphants, buffles, lions, girafes, zèbres, antilopes), avec des rangers expérimentés. Dîner de gala à bord.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner

  5. Day 5

    Chutes Victoria

    Arrivée en gare de Victoria Falls, classées au patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO, s'étendant sur près de 1,7 km. Fin du voyage vers 10 heures.

    Meals: breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The train departs Pretoria's historic station and crosses the rolling Highveld via Warmbaths and Nylstroom.
  • Day 2The train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn, then the Beitbridge border between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
  • Day 3An excursion to Matobo National Park, a UNESCO site with granite hills, rock-painting caves, and the grave of Cecil John Rhodes.
  • Day 4A photo safari with experienced rangers in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest game reserve, home to elephants, buffalo, lions, giraffes, zebras and antelope, followed by a gala dinner aboard.
  • Day 5Arrival at Victoria Falls station, with the UNESCO World Heritage falls stretching nearly 1.7km.

Included

  • Hébergement à bord du train pour toutes les nuits mentionnées, selon la catégorie de compartiment choisie
  • Tous les repas mentionnés (PDJ, DJ, DI)
  • Toutes les boissons à bord sauf le champagne ou vin pétillant international
  • Les excursions avec un guide qualifié anglophone
  • Les droits d'entrée sur les sites selon l'itinéraire
  • Un service léger de blanchisserie (limité)
  • Les taxes gouvernementales

Not included

  • Les vols internationaux
  • Les visas
  • Les assurances voyage
  • Les transferts arrivée/départ
  • L'hébergement en hôtel avant et après l'itinéraire
  • Les boissons à l'extérieur du train
  • Les pourboires
  • Les dépenses personnelles

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, this all-aboard escorted rail journey travels aboard Rovos Rail from Pretoria to Victoria Falls via Matobo and Hwange national parks, with all four nights spent onboard.
Is it escorted or independent?
It's an escorted rail journey with a qualified English-speaking guide included for the excursions.
What accommodation is provided?
Suite Pullman (about 7m², shower/toilet/sink, double bed or bunk configuration) or Suite Deluxe (about 10m², seating area, private bathroom, three sleeping configurations); a Suite Royal class is also listed for the train.
When does it depart?
15 departures are listed, running most months from June through December 2026 (no October departure is listed).
What is not included?
International flights, visas, travel insurance, arrival and departure transfers, hotel accommodation before and after the trip, drinks outside the train, tips and personal expenses.
How much does it cost?
From €2,990 ($3,423 USD) per person for Suite Pullman, or from €4,290 for Suite Deluxe, about $685 per day.

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