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 Cape Town and travel all the way to Victoria Falls.
From 2022, guests have the option of choosing the 3-night journey or the new 4-night journey; which includes a stop at a local village and a chance to explore the game and prolific birdlife of a 1000ha 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.
A short clip of the luxury rail journey to Victoria Falls on Rovos Rail
3-night Rovos Rail Pretoria to Victoria Falls Itinerary
3 night Pretoria to Victoria Falls 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.
4 night Pretoria to Victoria Falls Itinerary
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 hyena, 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, 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.
The above itineraries can be done in reverse; starting in Victoria Falls and ending either in Pretoria or adding on the Rovos Rail Cape Town journey or Durban journey too. See rates below.
Rovos Rail to Victoria Falls Map
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)
3 and 4-night journey rates per person sharing: 1st October 2021 until 30th September 2022: Pullman Suite: R36 500 Deluxe Suite: R55 000 Royal Suite: R72 500
1st October 2022 until 30th September 2023: Pullman Suite: R39 600 Deluxe Suite: R59 600 Royal Suite: R78 600
The Single Supplement is +50% on all the suite types and on all journeys.
Rovos Rail from Cape Town or Durban to Victoria Falls Rates (or vice versa)
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.
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
Durban to Victoria Falls (6 Nights) or Victoria Falls to Durban (7 Nights) or Victoria Falls to Cape Town (8 Nights):
1st October 2021 until 30th September 2022: Pullman Suite: R59 850 Deluxe Suite: R89 775 Royal Suite: R119 700
Durban to Victoria Falls (6 Nights) or Victoria Falls to Durban (7 Nights):
1st October 2022 until 30th September 2023: Pullman Suite: R64 885 Deluxe Suite: R97 280 Royal Suite: R129 770
Victoria Falls to Cape Town (8 Nights):
1st October 2022 until 30th September 2023: Pullman Suite: R67 735 Deluxe Suite: R100 130 Royal Suite: R132 620
Departure Dates
Pretoria to Victoria Falls Rovos Rail Departure Dates
Rovos Rail Pretoria to Victoria Falls Departure Dates
Rovos Rail Pretoria – Victoria Falls
3 nights Departure Dates
4 nights Departure Dates
June 2022
N/A
8th, 29th
July 2022
N/A
13th, 27th
August 2022
N/A
10th, 17th, 24th, 31st
September 2022
15th, 29th
7th, 21st
October 2022
6th, 13th, 20th
26th
November 2022
3rd, 10th
16th,23rd
December 2022
N/A
21st
January 2023
26th
4th, 11th, 18th
February 2023
2nd, 9th, 23rd
15th
March 2023
2nd, 16th
8th, 22nd, 29th
April 2023
6th, 13th
19th, 26th
May 2023
N/A
3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st
June 2023
N/A
7th, 14th, 28th
July 2023
N/A
5th, 19th, 26th
August 2023
N/A
9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
September 2023
N/A
6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
Victoria Falls to Pretoria Rovos Rail Departure Dates
Rovos Rail Victoria Falls – Pretoria
Rovos Rail Victoria Falls – Pretoria
3 nights Departure Dates
4 nights Departure Dates
June 2022
N/A
12th, 23rd*
July 2022
N/A
17th, 31st
August 2022
21st, 28th
11th,14th
September 2022
4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
N/A
October 2022
2nd, 9th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 30th
N/A
November 2022
6th, 13th, 27th
20th
December 2022
N/A
25th
January 2023
22nd, 29th
8th,15th
February 2023
5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
N/A
March 2023
5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
N/A
April 2023
9th
2nd, 16th, 23rd, 30th
May 2023
N/A
7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
June 2023
N/A
4th, 11th, 18th, 22nd*
July 2023
N/A
9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
August 2023
6th
13th, 20th, 27th
September 2023
3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
N/A
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. Rates Exclude: International/French Champagne; gratuities; personal expenses; visas; travel insurance; pre and post-tour transfers, accommodation, and flights.
Places to stay in Victoria Falls (pre-Rovos Rail or post-Rovos Rail)
