Rovos Rail: Victoria Falls to Pretoria

• International/French Champagne and any off-train beverages
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Pre- and post- tour accommodation
• Flights and transfers

• Rovos Rail is predominantly an adult evironment, however it does accommodate children. Parents please ensure children respect the elegant, adult nature of the onboard environment.
• Children between 0-2 years old are not permitted to travel, and it is not recommended for children under 13 years.
• There are no child-minding facilities or activities available for children on board.
• A maximum of two guests can share per suite/cabin. For 1 guest only, a single supplement of 50% applies, please request a quote.
• Should there be a child under the age of 5, he/she will be allowed to share with two adults (in a Deluxe Suite only).
• However, should there be a child/children over the age of 5, they will need their own suite/cabin. Should parents not feel comfortable with this option, one of the parents could then share with each of the children.
• Children 3 - 9 years will be charged 75% of the per adult sharing rate. 
• Children 10 years and older will be charged the full rate.

Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly worldclass travel experiences. Bespoke train safaris through the heart of Africa combine magnificent scenery with the glamour and excitement of the golden age of leisure travel. This adventure begins with the train’s departure from Rovos Rail Station in Victoria Falls, on the mighty Zambezi River. Should you wish to stay a while before departing, the area surrounding Victoria Falls offers travellers many recreational opportunities including cruises, whitewater rafting as well as superb game viewing and photo safaris. The journey comes to an end at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria on the morning of the fourth day. 

Each Rovos Rail train has accommodation carriages, dining cars (±42 seats), a lounge car (±26 seats), small gift shop, smoking lounge (±11 seats) and observation car (±32 seats) with open-air balcony. Maintaining the spirit of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets on board. The dining cars are made up of two-seaters and four-seaters where guests eat together or individually. The lounge and observation cars – with their big picture windows, sofas and booths – make for great mingling areas or quiet corners to while away the days.

Many passengers enjoy the formality of fine china and glassware, crisp linen and silver, and dress accordingly. Days on board are smart casual while evening attire is more formal. An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for overseeing the very important task of ensuring guests’ every need is catered for. There’s an accent on fresh local ingredients and traditional dishes are a specialty. Meals are served in one sitting only in the dining cars and are complemented by a selection of fine South African wines. The bar menu is comprehensive although special items such as French Champagne would need to be requested in advance.

The wood-panelled sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. The suites accommodate one or two passengers with the option of double or twin beds. All have tea facilities, safes, air conditioning, linen and amenities and are serviced daily. There is adequate storage and small cupboards with hangers and shelves. 

Pullman Suites (±7m2) have an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. During the day the suite is set up with a comfortable couch that can be converted into a few sleeping options.

Deluxe Suites (±10m2) have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin.

A highlight for guests is a visit to the private station headquarters in Capital Park, Pretoria, where over 400 employees work assiduously to ensure the locomotives and trains are maintained to the highest standard. This is the busy hub of a provisioning operation that is world-class in terms of efficiency and attention to detail. The tour will show you the nuts and bolts of the company. There is also a museum showing a historical collection of train paraphernalia. Should you wish to enjoy this activity, it is suggested that you arrive two hours prior to departure.

About the Journey: Victoria Falls to Pretoria

Day 1: Victoria Falls

• 17h00 - Depart from Victoria Falls Station, Zimbabwe (times may vary, please always check your confirmation final documentation). Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car or observation car at the rear of the train.
• 19h30 - Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Malindi for overnight. Dress: Formal. Please ensure the Train Manager or Administration Deputy is in possession of your passport.

Day 2: Hwange National Park

• 05h00 - A continental breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
• 06h00 - Enjoy a game drive at The Hide in Hwange National Park.
• 12h00 - Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train travels between Dete and Gwaai along one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114 kilometres – and passes Bulawayo: second city of Zimbabwe, capital of Matabeleland and industrial capital of the country.
• 16h30 - Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. The train travels baobab country.
• 19h30 - Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to the border at Beitbridge. Dress: Formal

Day 3: At Leisure on Board

• 07h00 - Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10h00. The train crosses the Limpopo River to Musina. 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.”
• 13h00 - Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn. 
• 16h30 - Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. Travel 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
• 19h30 - Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Pyramid for overnight. Dress: Formal

Day 4: Pretoria

• Please ensure that your luggage is ready for collection at 09:45 and that you have your passport.
• 07h00 - Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09h30.
• 10h00 - Arrive at journey’s end at Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria.