Rovos Rail Africa's Cape to Dar (16 Days)

Overview
Rail travel is one of the most luxurious and comfortable ways to explore the continent. With a private, spacious suite to call your own, you can spend your days reading or socializing in the elegant lounge cars while Southern Africa’s breathtaking and diverse landscapes unfold before you. By night, the soothing rhythm of the train on the tracks ensures a restful sleep. This 16-day journey aboard Rovos Rail invites you to experience the pinnacle of rail travel, traversing a remarkable route from Cape Town, South Africa, to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in unparalleled style and comfort.

Beginning in the scenic beauty of Cape Town at the foot of Table Mountain, your journey takes you through the enigmatic Karoo, with stops at the historic towns of Matjiesfontein and Kimberley. The train then winds its way to the Highveld, pausing in Pretoria before you embark on a two-day Big 5 safari at the prestigious Tau Game Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve.

As the journey continues, traverse Botswana and Zimbabwe on your way to the iconic Victoria Falls, where you’ll spend two days exploring this awe-inspiring Natural Wonder of the World. Crossing the Zambezi River into Zambia, you’ll visit the enchanting Chishimba Falls while the train makes its way through the country toward Tanzania. Descend the breathtaking passes into the Great Rift Valley and traverse the vast Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), concluding your journey at the tropical East African coast in Dar es Salaam, the aptly named “City of Peace.”

Highlights & Activities
What’s included in this itinerary:

• Journey aboard the world’s most luxurious train
• Visit the historic towns of Matjiesfontein and Kimberley
• Enjoy game drives in the Big 5 Madikwe Game Reserve
• Marvel at the wonder of Victoria Falls
• Explore Chishimba Falls in Zambia
• Admire the dramatic scenery of the Great Rift Valley
• Traverse the expansive Nyerere National Park in Tanzania

Day 1-4: Traverse South Africa by Rail

Your journey begins mid-morning as the train departs Cape Town Station, heading northward through breathtaking mountain landscapes. Emerging into the vast, arid plains of the Karoo, your first stop is the historic railway station at Matjiesfontein. Here, you’ll enjoy an enchanting village tour of this preserved Victorian-era gem, steeped in old-world charm.

Continuing onward, the next destination is Kimberley, a town renowned for its diamond mining legacy. In the 1800s, miners created the largest hand-dug excavation in the world—The Big Hole—in search of glittering gemstones. A visit to the Diamond Museum offers an intriguing glimpse into the fervor and upheaval of the diamond rush before you return to the train to resume your journey.

As the train leaves the Karoo behind, it ventures into the savannah-like Highveld, arriving in Pretoria, South Africa’s executive capital. Famous for its purple-flowering jacaranda trees, Pretoria is a multicultural city with a rich history. Enjoy a tour of the Rovos Station, including a delightful lunch at the platform dining room, before exploring Pretoria’s sights on a guided city tour.

Aboard Rovos Rail’s “Pride of Africa,” indulge in fine dining, unwind in the serene viewing car at the rear of the train, or retreat to the tranquility of your private cabin. The attentive staff are on hand to ensure every moment of your journey is as comfortable and luxurious as possible.

Day 5-6: A Big 5 Safari | 2 Nights

Arriving at Zeerust Station in South Africa’s North West province, you will be greeted by a safari vehicle and whisked away on an exhilarating game drive to the luxurious Tau Lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Once there, enjoy a delectable lunch before settling into your suite. From the comfort of your private space, take in stunning views of the waterhole teeming with wildlife as you prepare for your afternoon game drive.

Madikwe Game Reserve, the fourth largest in South Africa, boasts a rich array of bird and animal life within its picturesque landscapes. This is prime territory for spotting the iconic Big 5, alongside other fascinating species, including the critically endangered African wild dog. Watching these elusive predators in their natural habitat is a thrilling highlight of any safari. Known for their extraordinary social dynamics and hunting prowess, African wild dogs are remarkable to observe. Using a combination of speed and teamwork, they bring down prey efficiently, feeding silently and in strict order—ensuring their young are cared for first. Once finished, they quickly depart to avoid confrontation with scavengers.

Your guide will choose a scenic spot for a break, presenting a hamper of chilled drinks and gourmet canapés. As the sun dips below the horizon, casting the bush in golden hues, relish the magical ambiance: the earthy scents, the ethereal light, and the symphony of birds preparing to roost. Toast to the wonder of the African wilderness as you watch your first sunset in the bush.

As night falls and the stars begin to blanket the sky, return to the lodge. On the journey back, your guide expertly wields a spotlight to uncover the secrets of the nocturnal world. Watch intently as the glowing eyes of genets, porcupines, civets, and hyenas come into view, illuminating the mysteries of the African night.

Day 7-8: Admire the Ever-Changing Landscapes

Begin your day with an early morning game drive, bidding farewell to the majestic wilderness of Madikwe as you leave Tau Lodge. A scenic journey takes you across the Botswana border, where you rejoin the Rovos Rail train and continue your expedition.

As the train ventures into Botswana, the landscape unfolds into the vast, sun-drenched plains of the Kalahari Desert. Beneath the immense sky, the golden expanse seems endless, offering a captivating view as the train makes its way toward Zimbabwe.

Crossing into Zimbabwe, your journey heads north, passing along the edge of the renowned Hwange National Park. From your window, take in the quintessential African scenery, punctuated by elegant acacia trees and the occasional sighting of a giraffe ambling across the horizon.

Onboard, enhance your experience with a series of insightful lectures delivered by the resident historian. These presentations delve into the rich and complex history of the region, adding a deeper understanding to the breathtaking landscapes rolling by outside.

Day 9: The Smoke That Thunders | 1 Night

As the golden afternoon light bathes the Zambezi River, your adventure begins with a serene boat cruise across its vast expanse. Gliding along the water, you’ll marvel at the rich tapestry of life surrounding you. The forested banks hum with vibrant birdlife, punctuated by the iconic call of a fish eagle. In the river’s deeper channels, hippos chortle and splash, while you scan the shorelines for animals quenching their thirst. If fortune smiles upon you, a herd of elephants crossing the river may provide an unforgettable spectacle.

Victoria Falls, aptly named the ‘Adventure Capital of Africa,’ offers a dizzying array of activities. Thrill-seekers can take on white-water rafting, bungee jumping, or zip-lining. For a more tranquil experience, sunset cruises on the Zambezi River are an enchanting way to unwind. For unparalleled views, adventurous spirits may opt for a microlight flight—the aptly named ‘Flight of the Angels’—or a helicopter ride that offers a dramatic aerial perspective of the falls. If visiting during the right season, the daring can even swim in Devil’s Pool, perched at the edge of this awe-inspiring cascade.

Exploring Victoria Falls up close is an awe-inspiring experience. Wander along a network of paths through the rainforest, perpetually nourished by the misty spray. Feel the ground tremble beneath your feet as torrents of water roar into the gorge below. A towering plume of mist rises high into the sky, visible from miles away, earning the falls their evocative local name, Mosi-a-Tunya, or ‘The Smoke that Thunders.’

Day 10-15: The Wild Stretch Aboard Rovos Once More

Your adventure resumes as the train crosses the mighty Zambezi River, offering a breathtaking view of the gorge downstream from Victoria Falls—a perspective considered one of the most spectacular seen from any train in the world. The journey continues northward into Zambia, where the scenic landscape unfolds as you traverse toward the Kafue River crossing and then onwards past the bustling capital of Lusaka to Kapiri Mposhi.

As the train rolls northeast through Zambia’s vast expanse, the onboard historian provides captivating insights into the region’s rich and diverse history, enriching your understanding of the landscapes gliding by.

Reaching the town of Kasama, you disembark to visit the enchanting Chishimba Falls. This natural wonder comprises three cascading waterfalls: Mutumena Falls, Kaela Rapids, and Chishimba Falls itself. Revered by the local Bemba people as a sacred site, the falls are believed to be home to the spirit of Chishimba, residing in a cave beneath the rushing water. A walk into this spiritual sanctuary, behind the curtain of the falls, is a serene and contemplative experience. Here, the atmosphere is marked by reverence, where no words of malice, curses, or ill intent may be uttered.

The journey continues into Tanzania, climbing the escarpment into the verdant highlands of Mbeya, aptly named the ‘Scotland of Africa’ for its lush, rolling landscapes.

Reaching Makambako in the morning, you step off the train to explore this lively and vibrant town. After stretching your legs, the train embarks on a dramatic descent into the Great Rift Valley. This leg of the journey is marked by a series of engineering marvels: tunnels, switchbacks, and winding passes through the majestic Udzungwa Mountains.

As the train levels out, it traverses the Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), one of Africa’s largest and most pristine wildlife reserves. Keep an eye on the expansive views from your window for glimpses of the park’s abundant wildlife.

You spend two unforgettable days exploring Nyerere National Park, a vast and untouched wilderness that is four times the size of the Serengeti. Here, you may encounter a diverse array of wildlife, including rare and majestic species such as rhinos and sable antelope, making this a fitting conclusion to the journey’s adventurous highlights.