Rovos Rail: Pretoria to Victoria Falls 4 Nights/5 Days - Pullman

Combining some of the most magnificent scenery with the glamour and excitement of the golden age of rail travel, Rovos Rail will delight the most discerning traveller. With discreet and friendly service, five-star cuisine and a selection of South Africa’s finest wines, Rovos Rail harks back to a simpler, more elegant era – encompassing the timeless grace and high romance of African exploration. Trains depart regularly from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria for Cape Town, Durban and Victoria Falls with longer journeys operated on an annual basis. These include two golf itineraries, of nine days, each with delightful programmes for non-golfers. There is another nine-day safari to Swakopmund as well as the two-week adventure to Dar es Salaam.

Day 1: Depart Rovos Rail Station
18h00 Depart Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car or observation car at the rear of the train. Travel through Warmbaths (Bela-Bela) – so named for its mineral waters – and Nylstroom (Modimolle), christened by the Voortrekkers as the source of the Nile River as the town’s river happened to be north flowing. Pass the edge of the escarpment where the Highveld drops precipitously.
20h00 Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Polokwane. Dress: Formal Please ensure the Train Manager or Administration Deputy is in possession of your passport.
Day 2: At leisure on board
07h00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars. The train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn en route to Louis Trichardt.
13h00 Lunch is served in the dining cars. Border formalities with South Africa.
16h30 Tea in the lounge and observation cars. The train crosses the Limpopo River en route to Beitbridge for border formalities with Zimbabwe. In Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories, the ‘Elephant’s Child’ departs his family for the “great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever-trees, to find out what the Crocodile has for dinner.”
19h30 Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Gwanda. Dress: Formal
Day 3: Off Board Excursion
06h00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:00. The train travels baobab country and ascends to Bulawayo: second city of Zimbabwe, capital of Matabeleland and industrial capital of the country.
12h00 Lunch is served in the dining cars.
13h30 Transfer (±45 min) to Matobo National Park for a game drive. Visit bushmen caves and the grave of Cecil John Rhodes.
18h00 Depart for Sawmills.
19h30 Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal.
Day 4: Off Board Excursion
07h00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. The train travels between Gwaai and Dete along one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114 kilometres – and along the eastern edge of Hwange Park.
13h00 Lunch is served in the dining cars.
15h00 Enjoy a game drive in Hwange National Park, the nation’s largest wildlife area at 1 462 000ha.
19h30 Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Thompsons Junction. Dress: Formal.
Day 5: Please ensure your luggage is ready for collection 15 minutes before departing and that you have your passport.
07h00 Breakfast until 09:30. The observation car will be leading the train – a different aspect that our rail enthusiasts enjoy.
10h00 Arrive at journey’s end at the incomparable Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.