Rovos Rail: Cape Town to Dar Es Salaam

Itinerary

Cape Town to Dar es Salaam or v.v.

This special three-day safari between Pretoria and Durban departs during the summer months and includes game drives in two varied and unique game reserves, a battlefields tour with a world class historian and a visit to an unusual African ceramics studio. Experience the diversity of the Nambiti Conservancy, a Big Five private bush retreat set on 20 000 acres of malaria-free bushveld in KwaZulu Natal.

It has an incredible biodiversity including savannah, grasslands, thornveld and tall acacia trees. The Sundays River flows through the reserve and has two 40 metre waterfalls with magnificent ravine bush, home to several rare bird species. Situated on an expansive game farm, SpionKop Lodge which adjoins a 11 000 acre nature reserve, is the perfect base for exploring the berg, bush, birds and battlefields of the region. The turn of the century farmhouse has been beautifully restored in Natal colonial style and the converted barn now forms a magnificent dining room that boasts spectacular views. Ardmore Ceramic Art is a story about the Zulu people whose sense of rhythm, colour, dance and song, as well as the spirit of the African imagination, is exerting its influence on the other continents of the world.

• Day 1

  The train departs from Platform 23 Cape Town Station. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining other guests in the midway Lounge car or the Observation carriage at the rear of the train. Lunch will be served in the dining cars. We pass through Worcester on the way to the village of Matjiesfontein. At 15h30 we reach the first of three tunnels which take us through the Hex River Pass. The third tunnel is 13.5kms long so please be careful if you are walking through the train. If you are in your suite you may wish to turn on a light. Guests may disembark at Matjiesfontein for a stroll through this quaint and historic little village. Of special interest is the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages to the right of the Hotel. (For refreshments we recommend the pub in the Lord Milner Hotel. We depart Matjiesfontein. Dinner will be served in the dining cars. Overnight Hutchinson.

• Day 2

  Breakfast will be served in the dining cars until 10h00. Lunch is served in the dining cars. Disembark at Kimberley Station. We proceed by coach/combi for a tour of the city, the “Big Hole” and the Mine Museum. Rejoin the train at Kimberley station. Ten minutes after departing Kimberley there is a shallow lake on the left hand side facing forward. On most occasions there are spectacular flocks of Flamingos (approx. 23 000). Dinner will be served as we pass through Bloemhof and Leeudoringstad en route to Klerksdorp. Overnight Potchefstroom.

• Day 3

  Breakfast will be served in the dining cars until 10h00. The train continues the journey towards Pretoria passing through Krugersdorp, Johannesburg and Germiston. We arrive at Centurion where one or two of our Rovos locomotives will collect us for the leg into Capital Park. Arrive at Rovos Rail Station in Capital Park, Pretoria. All passengers please disembark for your Pretoria City Tour and lunch. Depart Capital Park Station in Pretoria for Zeerust in the North West Province. During dinner the Train Manager will inform you about the game lodge visit planned for the following two days. Train overnights at Zeerust.

• Day 4

  Disembark at Zeerust Station. Guests are transferred to the Madikwe Game Reserve for a two night stay at Tau Game Lodge. Lunch at the lodge. Please note that beverages, phone calls and laundry are for your own account. Water and a limited wine selection will be available during lunch and dinner with the compliments of Rovos Rail. Afternoon game-drive with sundowners en route. Dinner at the lodge.

• Day 5

  Early morning game drive and day at leisure. Tea/ Coffee can be enjoyed before the morning game drive. Tea/coffee will be available during the morning game drive. Breakfast is served at the lodge. Lunch at the Lodge. Afternoon game-drive with sundowners en route. Dinner at the lodge.

• Day 6

  Early morning game drive followed by breakfast. Transfer back to the train at Gaborone. Kindly note that border formalities will take place en route to Botswana prior to arrival at Gaborone. Depart Gaborone. Lunch is served in the dining cars. Dinner is served in the dining cars as we make our way towards Francistown near the Zimbabwe border. Arrive at Plumtree for Border Formalities.

• Day 7

  Train departs Plumtree. Breakfast will be served in the dining cars until 10h00. A lecture will be given during the course of the morning: Please consult your Lecture Sheet for times and venue. Lunch is served in the dining cars. A lecture will be given during the course of the afternoon: Please consult your Lecture Sheet for times and venue.

• Day 8

  Depart from Thompson’s Junction Arrival at Victoria Falls. Disembark from the train at Victoria Falls station with your overnight bag and assemble on the platform before walking down to the Victoria Falls Hotel to register. Your possessions will be safe in your suites. Please ensure that your passports are in your possession, as you will need them to change money or cross the border into Zambia. Lunch and dinner today and breakfast and lunch tomorrow are taken in either the Jungle Junction or the Stanley Room. These meals are included in the overall journey price. All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages consumed off the Train are for your own account. Any meals taken in other venues are also for your own account.

• Day 9

  Day at leisure in the Victoria Falls. Activities at the Victoria Falls: The following activities are for your own account and may be arranged beforehand on the train or at the Victoria Falls Hotel. 1) Tour of the Falls 2) Helicopter or Fixed-wing Flight over the Falls 3) Elephant Back Safaris 4) A Walk with the Lions 5) White-water Rafting & Bungi-jumping Breakfast and lunch today are taken in either the Jungle Junction or the Stanley Room. These meals are included in the overall journey price. All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages consumed off the Train are for your own account. Any meals taken in other venues are also for your own account.

• Day 10

  Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10h00. A day at leisure on the train as we travel through Zambia. The train passes through Kafue. A lecture will be given during the course of the morning: Please consult your Lecture Sheet for times and venue. Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train passes through Lusaka. A lecture will be given during the course of the afternoon: Please consult your Lecture Sheet for times and venue. Dinner is served in the dining cars as we make our way towards Kapiri Mposhi and the start of the TAZARA railway line. Arrive at Kapiri Mposhi. Depart 03h00.

• Day 11

  Breakfast served in the dining cars until 10h00. The train passes through Serenje. A lecture will be given during the course of the morning: Please consult your Lecture Sheet for times and venue. Lunch served in the dining cars. A lecture will be given during the course of the afternoon: Please consult your Lecture Sheet for times and venue. Arrive in Mpika. Dinner is served in the dining cars. Overnight at Kasama.

• Day 12

  Breakfast will be served in the dining cars. Disembark the train at Kasama for a morning excursion to Chisimba Falls. Please note that comfortable clothing and walking shoes, suntan lotion and hats are strongly recommended. Depart from Kasama.

• Day 13

  Breakfast will be served in the dining cars until 10h00. Arrive in Makambako. Depart 10h30. A lecture will be given during the course of the morning: Please consult your Lecture Sheet for times and venue. Lunch is served in the dining cars. A lecture will be given during the course of the afternoon: Please consult your Lecture Sheet for times and venue. Depart from Mlimba. Dinner is served in the dining cars.

• Day 14

  Depart Gwata. Breakfast is served in the dining cars. Arrive in DAR-ES-SALAAM.

• Rovos Rail

  Rovos Rail has two trains of 20 painstakingly restored coaches, half of which date back to the twenties and thirties. Each train can accommodate up to 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites.

  For details on Rovos Rail

• Accommodation

  Royal Suites fill half a carriage at 16 square metres and additionally include full bathrooms with Victorian bath and separate shower.

  Deluxe Suites occupy 11 square metres with three to a carriage and include en-suite bathroom.

  Pullman Suites are seven square metres with five to a carriage and include en-suite bathroom.

* All prices shown are for low season, per person, twin share. Click here to see full Terms & Conditions.