Rovos Rail 'Pride of Africa'

Flight to Tansania

Flight to Tanzania (departure the evening before if necessary). On arrival at Dar Es Salaam airport, your tour guide will greet you and accompany you to your comfortable hotel, a quiet oasis in the hustle and bustle of the big city. (A)

Dar es Salaam

Those who wish can take part in an excursion to Bagamoyo (incl. lunch). Once an important port for the slave and ivory trade and the capital of German East Africa, the Arab, Indian and European influences of the past are still immortalised in the architecture here today. There is evidence of early Islam as well as Christian missionary work. In the evening, welcome dinner at the hotel with introduction of the tour guide team. (FA)

Welcome on bord of Rovos Rail

On the way to the train station, you will explore the bustling centre of Dar Es Salaam, whose port is the second largest in East Africa. Your long train journey across southern Africa begins at midday at the TaZaRa railway station, built in the modern Chinese style. Make yourself at home in your comfortable compartment suite or enjoy an aperitif in the observation car as the landscape changes from the sandy coastal plain to denser tropical forest. A three-course dinner awaits you in the elegant restaurant car. (FMA)

Nyerere National Park

Your journey becomes a true train safari when you pass the Nyerere National Park, formerly known as the Selous Game Reserve. You go on an extensive game drive with open off-road vehicles directly from the tracks. The railway line runs steadily uphill on the way to the barely accessible south of Tanzania. (FLA)

Rift Valley

The route continues past volcanic mountain ranges and baobab forests through the Rift Valley. Your train winds along steep slopes, travels through 23 tunnels and passes countless bridges. During a stop in Makambako, you can look around the local market. (FMA)

The north of Zambia

You reach the border at Tunduma and pass through the vast, almost uninhabited bushland in the north of Zambia. The next destination is Kasama, where an excursion to the Chisimba Falls of the Luombe River awaits you. (FMA)

In Livingstone's footsteps through Zambia

The journey continues through vast miombo woodlands to Kanona. In Kapiri Mposhi, your train switches from the TaZaRa line to the old colonial railway line. (FMA)

From Lusaka to the Zambesi

After a stop at the railway station in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, your train crosses the almost 500 metre long railway bridge over the Kafue River, then crosses the fertile Batoka Plateau. (FMA)

The smoke that thunders: Victoria Falls

Your train stops for an exit over the 120 m deep gorge of the Zambezi River, with the rising steam of Victoria Falls as backdrop. In Victoria Falls, walk through the rainforest to the edge of the falls. From Victoria Falls, a two-hour bus journey across the border into Botswana to a safari lodge on the Chobe River, or, at an extra charge, the traditional Victoria Falls Hotel. (FLA/ FMA)

Chobe National Park

On another safari by boat, experience the game-rich Chobe National Park waking up. Afterwards travel back to Victoria Falls by bus (or, for Victoria Falls Hotel guests, morning at leisure with an optional scenic helicopter flight). The train leaves Victoria Falls railway station with traditional Shangaan dances. (FMA)

Through the Matabele country into the Kalahari

You pass Bulawayo, the capital of Matabele Province, then reach the border with Botswana; formalities are completed on board. The journey continues across the Tropic of Capricorn to the vast plains of the Rand Kalahari. (FMA)

Madikwe Game Reserve

After the train arrives in Gaborone, you cross by bus into South Africa. In the afternoon, a first safari in open vehicles awaits in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, where you stay in a safari lodge for two nights (large luggage remains on the train). (FMA)

On safari

A full day for extensive game viewing, with lions, elephants, rhinos, wild dogs and perhaps the rare leopard. The afternoon safari ends with a sundowner stop in the wilderness. (FMA)

Through the Highveld

After breakfast at the lodge, travel by bus to Zeerust, where the train crew welcomes you back on board. Through the South African Highveld towards the gold mines of the Witwatersrand. (FMA)

Pretoria

A short drive through Pretoria, seeing the Union Buildings, then at the Rovos Capital Park railway station you can view the restored steam locomotives and the Rovos workshop where the carriages are made by hand. (FMA)

City of diamonds

Kimberley experienced a diamond rush in the late 19th century; visit the restored original buildings and the Big Hole. The train then sets off on its last major leg to Cape Town through the Karoo semi-desert. (FMA)

From the Karoo to the wine country

Arrive in the small Victorian town of Matjiesfontein, with time to visit the historic Lord Milner Hotel. After the tunnels of the Hex River Mountains, you reach the wine country. (FMA)

Cape Town

Your train reaches Cape Town. Say goodbye to your crew before a city tour, then move into your room in the deluxe hotel near the Waterfront. (FA)

Farewell to Africa

Morning free to explore the city and shop for souvenirs, with the option of a cable car ride up Table Mountain (own responsibility). Return to Switzerland overnight. Optional individual or after-programme extension in Cape Town. (F)

Arrivée en Suisse