Rovos Rail to/from Victoria Falls – Embark on a romantic adventure of a bygone era on one of the most luxurious trains in the world, Rovos Rail. The 1400 km journey begins with the train’s departure from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria or if doing the journey reverse; from Victoria Falls Station.
Victoria Falls offers travelers many recreational opportunities including cruises, whitewater rafting as well as superb game viewing, and photo safaris. Depending upon railway capacity, this tour could be routed through Botswana. This is one of the most exciting ways to travel through northern South Africa to Zimbabwe; with pre and post-tours available. Or start in Durban or Cape Town and travel all the way to Victoria Falls.
A short clip of the luxury rail journey to Victoria Falls on Rovos Rail
Guests have the option of choosing the 3 or the 4 night journey. The 4 night includes a stop at a local village and a chance to explore the game and prolific bird life of a 1000-ha ranch.
Both journeys stop at Hwange National Park, which covers 1 462 000 hectares making it Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife area. It contains a variety of animals and bird species but is well-known for its prolific lion population.
3 night Rovos Rail Pretoria to Victoria Falls Journey Itinerary ↓
Day 1
10 am: Depart Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travelers in the lounge car or observation car at the rear of the train.
1 pm: Lunch is in the dining cars. Travel north through Warmbaths (Bela-Bela); so named for its mineral waters, and Nylstroom; christened by the Voortrekkers as the source of the Nile River as the town’s river happened to be north-flowing. Pass along the edge of the escarpment where the Highveld drops precipitously.
Rovos Rail traveling through the North West Province
4.30 pm: Afternoon Tea is in the lounge and observation cars. The train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn.
7.30 pm: Dinner is in the dining cars. The train crosses the Limpopo River to Beitbridge.
Day 2
7 am: Breakfast is in the dining cars until 10 am. The train travels through ‘baobab country’.
1 pm: Lunch is available in the dining cars. Travel towards Bulawayo.
4.30 pm: Afternoon Tea is in the lounge and observation cars. The train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn.
7.30 pm: Dinner is in the dining cars en route to Mpopoma.
Day 3
7 am: Breakfast is in the dining cars until 10 am.
1 pm: Lunch is available in the dining cars. The train travels between Gwaai and Dete; along one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line; of 114 kilometers and along the eastern edge of Hwange National Park; a rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary.
3 pm: Enjoy a game drive at The Hide in Hwange National Park.
7.30 pm: Dinner is in the dining cars en route to Thompsons Junction for the night.
Day 4
7 am: Breakfast in the dining cars until 9.30 am.
10 am: Arrive at the journey’s end at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
4 night Rovos Rail Pretoria to Victoria Falls Itinerary ↓
Add an extra night onto your luxury rail journey and enjoy a game drive at The Ranch Conservancy and a visit to the village of Gwanda.
Day 1
6 pm: Depart Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travelers in the lounge car or observation car at the rear of the train.
1 pm: Lunch is available in the dining cars. Travel north through Warmbaths (Bela-Bela); so named for its mineral waters, and Nylstroom; 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.
8 pm: Dinner is in the dining cars en route to Naboomspruit.
Day 2
7 am: Breakfast is in the dining cars. The train departs for Polokwane.
9 am: Transfer to The Ranch Conservancy; featuring over 25 antelope species and over 250 bird species. Explore the game and prolific birdlife; including white and tawny lions, spotted hyenas, buffalo, golden wildebeest, Roan antelope, sable antelope, and black impala; followed by lunch.
1 pm: Return (30 mins) to the train. The train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn en route to Louis Trichardt.
4.30 pm: Afternoon Tea is in the lounge and observation cars. Border formalities with South Africa.
7.30 pm: Dinner is in the dining cars. The train crosses the Limpopo River en route to Beitbridge.
Day 3
7 am: Breakfast is in the dining cars until 10 am.
1 pm: Lunch is in the dining cars.
4.30 pm: Afternoon Tea is in the lounge and observation cars. The train stops at Gwanda where guests have an opportunity to stroll through the village.
6 pm: Depart for Bulawayo which is the second city of Zimbabwe, the capital of Matabeleland, and the industrial capital of the country.
7.30 pm: Dinner is in the dining cars en route to Mpopoma.
Day 4
7 am: Breakfast in the dining cars until 10 am.
1 pm: Lunch is available in the dining cars. The train travels between Gwaai and Dete. This 114 kilometer stretch of straight railway line is one of the world’s longest; and runs along the eastern edge of Hwange National Park; a rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary.
3 pm: Enjoy a game drive at The Hide in Hwange National Park.
7.30 pm: Dinner is in the dining cars en route to Thompsons Junction for the night.
Day 5
7 am: Breakfast in the dining cars until 9.30 am.
10 am: Arrive at the journey’s end at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Depending upon railway capacity, this journey could be routed through Botswana (as depicted above).
Dress Code
Days onboard are smart casual – Neat, conventional yet relatively informal in style combining casual and formal clothing pieces. Evening attire is more formal – For gentlemen, a jacket and tie is a minimum requirement while for ladies we suggest cocktail / evening dresses or suits.
Rovos Rail from Pretoria to Victoria Falls Rates (or vice versa)
The 3 and 4 night journey are the same price.
1st October 2023 until 30th September 2024 – per person sharing: Pullman Suite: R44 300 Deluxe Suite: R66 000 Royal Suite: R86 600
1st October 2024 until 30th September 2025 – per person sharing: Pullman Suite: R48 000 Deluxe Suite: R72 000 Royal Suite: R94 000
The Single Supplement is +50% on all the suite types and on all journeys.
Departure Dates
Pretoria to Victoria Falls Rovos Rail Departure Dates ↓
Rovos Rail Pretoria – Victoria Falls
3 nights Departure Dates
4 nights Departure Dates
July 2024
N/A
10, 17, 24, 31
August 2024
22
7, 14, 28
September 2024
19, 26
4, 11
October 2024
10, 17, 31
2, 23
November 2024
N/A
6, 13, 20, 27
December 2024
N/A
23
January 2025
23
8, 15
February 2025
6, 20, 27
12
March 2025
13
5, 19, 26
April 2025
3
9, 16, 23, 30
May 2025
N/A
14, 28
June 2025
N/A
11, 27*
July 2025
N/A
9, 16, 23
August 2025
28
6, 13, 20
September 2025
18, 25
3, 10
Victoria Falls to Pretoria Rovos Rail Departure Dates ↓
Rovos Rail Victoria Falls – Pretoria
3 nights Departure Dates
4 nights Departure Dates
July 2024
28
14,21
August 2024
18
4,11,25
September 2024
8,15,22,29
1
October 2024
6, 13, 20, 27
N/A
November 2024
3
10, 24
December 2024
N/A
1, 27
January 2025
19
12, 26
February 2025
9, 16, 23
N/A
March 2025
2, 9, 16, 23, 25*
30
April 2025
6, 22*
13, 20, 27
May 2025
N/A
4, 18
June 2025
17*
1, 15
July 2025
N/A
13, 20, 27
August 2025
5*, 31
10, 17, 24
September 2025
7, 14, 16*, 21, 28
N/A
Cape Town or Durban to Victoria Falls Rates (or vice versa)
Victoria Falls to Cape Town (8 Nights):
Cape Town to Victoria Falls Itinerary is the 3 night Rovos Rail Victoria Falls Journey; plus 2 nights Pretoria Sheraton and also the 3 nights Rovos Rail Cape Town Journey.
1st October 2023 until 30th September 2024 – per person sharing: Pullman Suite: R74 860 Deluxe Suite: R109 915 Royal Suite: R145 160
1st October 2024 until 30th September 2025 – per person sharing: Pullman Suite: R81 225 Deluxe Suite: R119 700 Royal Suite: R157 700
Durban to Victoria Falls (6 Nights) or Victoria Falls to Durban (7 Nights):
The Durban to or from Victoria Falls is either 6 or 7 nights with 2 nights on Rovos Rail Durban Safari + 1 or 2 nights at Pretoria Sheraton plus the 3 nights Rovos Rail Victoria Falls Journey (or reverse). The 4 night Victoria Falls itinerary is only available for Victoria Falls to Durban with 1 night at Sheraton
The 6 and 7 night journey are the same price.
1st October 2023 until 30th September 2024 – per person sharing: Pullman Suite: R71 725 Deluxe Suite: R106 875 Royal Suite: R142 120
1st October 2024 until 30th September 2025 – per person sharing: Pullman Suite: R77 900 Deluxe Suite: R116 375 Royal Suite: R153 900
All Rates Include: Accommodation; all meals; all beverages; room service; limited laundry; excursions with a qualified guide(where applicable); entrance fees as per itinerary; government tax.
All Rates Exclude: International/French Champagne; gratuities; personal expenses; visas; travel insurance; pre and post tour transfers, accommodation, and flights.
All our Zimbabwe Safaris and Tours ↓
We are still working on this and have many more Zimbabwe Tours available if you get in touch with us.
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