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Wendy Wu Tours · Classic Cruise & Tour

Ultimate Africa: Ocean, Rail & Safari

26-day cruise and luxury train through southern Africa, Mauritius to Victoria Falls

Illustration of Ultimate Africa: Ocean, Rail & Safari

Wendy Wu Tours operates this 26-day combination of ocean cruise and luxury train travel spanning six African countries. The journey begins with three nights in Mauritius, includes a 12-night cruise aboard the Azamara Onward from Port Louis to Cape Town, and culminates in a four-night adventure on the Rovos Rail from Pretoria to Victoria Falls. Along the way, travelers disembark for guided sightseeing in cities (Pretoria, Cape Town, Victoria Falls), game drives in Matobo and Hwange National Parks in Zimbabwe, and a river-based safari in Chobe National Park in Botswana. The itinerary balances structured activities such as tours of Victoria Falls and Table Mountain with unstructured time aboard ship and train. All accommodation, meals, English-speaking guides, entrance fees, and domestic transfers are included. This tour suits travelers seeking luxury, those returning to rail travel for a landmark journey, and photographers drawn to diverse landscapes and wildlife across southern Africa.

What to know before you look closer

  • International flights are not included in the from-price; the USD 18,050 is land-only and air fares must be booked separately.
  • The tour involves extended time at sea (Days 7, 9, 10, 13, 15) with limited shore excursions; these days are designed for relaxation aboard the Azamara Onward.
  • Maximum group size is 28 travelers, which may limit the intimacy of sightseeing and game drives on some days.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Fly to Mauritius

    Fly overnight to Mauritius.

  2. Day 2overnight: Mauritius

    Arrive in Mauritius

    On arrival, met and transferred to your all-inclusive hotel; the rest of the day is yours to relax or start exploring.

  3. Day 3overnight: Mauritius

    Explore Mauritius

    Private tour of the southwestern corner of the island: Grand Bassin, Black River Gorges National Park, Alexandra Falls, Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark, a rum distillery tour, and the Curious Corner of Chamarel.

  4. Day 4overnight: Mauritius

    Mauritius at leisure

    Relax at your hotel or explore the local area.

  5. Day 5overnight: Azamara Onward (cruise)

    Board the Azamara Onward

    Transferred to Port Louis to board the Azamara Onward.

  6. Day 6overnight: Azamara Onward (cruise)

    Cruise - Reunion

    Dock at Pointe des Galets, Réunion, a French-governed island of mountains, waterfalls and beaches.

  7. Day 7overnight: Azamara Onward (cruise)

    Cruise - At Sea

    Explore the ship's facilities and entertainment.

  8. Day 8overnight: Azamara Onward (cruise)

    Cruise - Madagascar

    Port at Taolagnaro on Madagascar's southeast coast.

  9. Day 9overnight: Azamara Onward (cruise)

    Cruise - At Sea

    Relax by the pool, indulge in a spa treatment or explore onboard activities.

  10. Day 10overnight: Azamara Onward (cruise)

    Cruise - At Sea

    A further day at sea aboard the Azamara Onward.

  11. Day 11overnight: Azamara Onward (cruise)

    Cruise - Richards Bay

    Welcome to South Africa; port at the coastal town of Richards Bay on the Eastern Cape.

  12. Day 12overnight: Azamara Onward (cruise)

    Cruise - Durban

    Golden beaches and mountain views in the Indian Ocean city of Durban.

  13. Day 13overnight: Azamara Onward (cruise)

    Cruise - At Sea

    Further explore the options aboard the Azamara Onward.

  14. Day 14overnight: Azamara Onward (cruise)

    Cruise - Port Elizabeth

    Port at Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), home to beautiful beaches and dense elephant populations in the surrounding wilderness.

  15. Day 15overnight: Azamara Onward (cruise)

    Cruise - At Sea

    A final day at sea before Cape Town.

  16. Day 16overnight: Azamara Onward (cruise)

    Cruise - Cape Town

    Visit Greenmarket Square, the Castle of Good Hope, Company Gardens and Bo-Kaap; ascend Table Mountain by cableway; dinner at Gold Restaurant (14-course taste safari with African entertainment). Return to the Azamara Onward.

  17. Day 17overnight: Pretoria

    Arrive Cape Town

    Disembark the Azamara Onward; explore the Cape Peninsula via Chapman's Peak and visit the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Fly to Johannesburg and transfer to Pretoria.

  18. Day 18railovernight: Rovos Rail (train)

    All Aboard Rovos Rail

    Explore Pretoria - the Union Buildings, Voortrekker Monument, Paul Kruger House Museum and Church Square. Board the Rovos Rail at its Pretoria station in the afternoon, settling into your suite; elegant dinner in the dining car.

  19. Day 19railovernight: Rovos Rail (train)

    Rovos - At leisure

    Cross the Tropic of Capricorn and Limpopo River, enjoying the amenities of the Rovos Rail as the landscape passes by.

  20. Day 20railovernight: Rovos Rail (train)

    Rovos - Matobo National Park

    Pass through Zimbabwe's baobab country and Bulawayo; leave the train for a game drive in Matobo National Park (black and white rhinos, black eagles, rock art, Cecil Rhodes' grave).

  21. Day 21railovernight: Rovos Rail (train)

    Rovos - Hwange National Park

    Breakfast as the train travels between Gwaai and Dete along Hwange National Park; afternoon game drive in Hwange.

  22. Day 22railovernight: Chobe National Park

    Arrive in Victoria Falls

    Disembark the Rovos Rail at Victoria Falls; transfer into Botswana to your lodge. Sunset cruise on the Chobe River.

  23. Day 23overnight: Chobe National Park

    Chobe National Park

    Morning game drive in Chobe National Park; return to the lodge for lunch, then a late-afternoon game drive.

  24. Day 24overnight: Victoria Falls

    Zambezi Cruise

    Final Chobe game drive, then transfer back to Victoria Falls for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.

  25. Day 25overnight: Victoria Falls

    Victoria Falls

    Guided tour of Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya); afternoon at leisure before a farewell dinner in a riverside restaurant.

  26. Day 26

    Depart Victoria Falls

    Depart Victoria Falls, arriving home the same or the following day.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Private tour of southwestern Mauritius includes Grand Bassin, Black River Gorges National Park, Alexandra Falls, and the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark.
  • Day 16In Cape Town, ascend Table Mountain by cableway and dine at Gold Restaurant for a 14-course taste safari with African entertainment before returning to the Azamara Onward.
  • Day 18Board Rovos Rail at Pretoria station in the afternoon after touring the Union Buildings, Voortrekker Monument, Paul Kruger House Museum, and Church Square; settle into your suite for an elegant dinner in the dining car.
  • Day 20Leave the train for a game drive in Matobo National Park to see black and white rhinos, black eagles, rock art, and Cecil Rhodes' grave.
  • Day 25Guided tour of Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya) followed by a farewell dinner in a riverside restaurant.

Included

  • 12-night cruise on board Azamara
  • Meals as stated (refer to itinerary)
  • Domestic transportation
  • Touring with English-speaking guides & entrance fees
  • All accommodation

Not included

  • International flights (land only price)
  • Visa
  • Early check-in and late check-out (available at additional cost)

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included in this tour?
The tour includes a 12-night cruise on the Azamara Onward from Port Louis (Mauritius) to Cape Town, and a four-night journey on the Rovos Rail (Suite class) from Pretoria to Victoria Falls via Bulawayo and Hwange National Park.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes, Wendy Wu Tours provides touring with English-speaking guides and arranges all transfers, accommodation, meals, and entrance fees. Sightseeing at most stops is guided, though some days (such as Days 2 and 4 in Mauritius, Days 7, 9, 10, 13, 15 at sea, and Days 19 at leisure aboard the train) are unstructured.
What is included in the price?
The from-price of USD 18,050 covers all accommodation (Mauritius hotel, Azamara Onward cruise, Rovos Rail suite, Chobe and Victoria Falls lodges), meals as stated in the itinerary, domestic transportation, touring with English-speaking guides, and entrance fees. International flights are not included.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
The tour is rated Physical Rating 1: walking, some steps and time on your feet. A reasonable level of fitness is required. The itinerary includes city walking tours, game drives, and shore excursions, but no strenuous hikes.
What countries does the tour visit?
The tour visits Mauritius, Réunion, Madagascar, South Africa (Richards Bay, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town), Zimbabwe (Bulawayo, Matobo National Park, Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls), and Botswana (Chobe National Park).
How long is the tour?
The tour is 26 days and 25 nights from departure until arrival home.

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