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Summary

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Great Rovos Rail Journey From Victoria Falls To The Cape

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Duration

13 Days

Starts In

Victoria Falls

Route

Victoria Falls , Hwange National Park, Pretoria, Kimberley, Cape Town

From the thundering spray of Victoria Falls to the foot of Table Mountain, this thirteen-day journey combines two nights at the legendary Victoria Falls Hotel, the timeless luxury of Rovos Rail, a two-night stay in Pretoria, and a final two nights in Cape Town into one of the most complete Southern African experiences imaginable. The train travels through Hwange's wildlife-rich plains, crosses baobab country and the Tropic of Capricorn, visits Kimberley's diamond heritage, pauses in Victorian Matjiesfontein, and descends the escarpment into the winelands — all at the unhurried pace that only rail travel can provide. On board, impeccable cuisine, beautifully appointed private suites, and the timeless elegance of Rovos Rail make every mile between destinations as rewarding as the destinations themselves.

RAIL JOURNEY 13 Days / 12 Nights Aboard Rovos Rail Luxury Train from Victoria Falls to Cape Town, featuring Hwange National Park, Pretoria, Kimberley, Matjiesfontein and Cape Town. Includes private arrival & departure transfers, your choice of luxury cabin accommodations, room service, all meals, local beer, wine and soft drinks, onboard lectures and guided excursions as indicated in the itinerary.

Includes

Accommodations as per itinerary
Meals as per itinerary; breakfast (B), lunch (L), dinner (D)
Sightseeing: per itinerary
Train tickets as per the itinerary
Special onboard entertainment per itinerary
Keytours 24-hour emergency assistance
Private arrival and departure transfers as per itinerary

Excludes

Items of a personal nature
All other items not mentioned as included
Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
Gratuities for drivers, guides, and escorts

Itinerary

Day
1

Day 1: Arrival at Victoria Falls

Your journey begins with a transfer from Victoria Falls or Livingstone Airport to the legendary Victoria Falls Hotel — one of Africa's great colonial-era properties, set just moments from the thundering edge of Mosi-oa-Tunya. Check in, settle into the hotel's gracious atmosphere, and allow the distant roar of the falls to begin its work. The day is entirely yours: explore the hotel's beautiful gardens, arrange a tour of the falls, or simply absorb the extraordinary energy of one of the world's most celebrated destinations. Tours and additional activities can be arranged on request, and the hotel's service and setting ensure that even a day at leisure here feels richly rewarding.

Day
2

Day 2: Victoria Falls

A second full day at the Victoria Falls Hotel invites deeper exploration of this extraordinary destination. The falls themselves — the mighty Zambezi plunging 108 meters over a 1.6-kilometre precipice, the spray rising in permanent clouds above the gorge — reward multiple visits as the light shifts through the day. As evening approaches, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi provides the perfect counterpoint to the falls' overwhelming drama: hippos surfacing in the shallows, crocodiles watching from the banks, and the last golden light catching the spray as drinks are served on the water. It is an evening of quiet, irreplaceable magic.

Day
3

Day 3: Departing Victoria Falls

A final day at leisure in Victoria Falls — time for one last walk to the falls, a morning activity, or simply a slow breakfast on the hotel terrace before the afternoon transfer to Victoria Falls Station. By early evening, Rovos Rail departs southward toward Hwange, the bush settling into its twilight rhythms around the carriages as the formal dining car glows warmly ahead. The suite, the observation car, the lounge — all waiting exactly as imagined — and the magnificent days of rail travel stretching ahead as Zimbabwe's extraordinary interior darkens beautifully beyond the windows.

Day
4

Day 4: Hwange National Park

The day opens with an early game drive at The Hide in Hwange National Park — Zimbabwe's largest wildlife area and home to one of Africa's greatest elephant populations — as the dawn light floods the bush and animals gather at the waterholes with extraordinary frequency. Back on board, the train travels the legendary 114-kilometre straight between Dete and Gwaai, one of the longest unbroken stretches of railway line on earth, the flat immensity of Hwange's eastern boundary stretching in every direction. Meals are served throughout the day as the journey continues its southward arc, the Zimbabwean interior giving way to the border ahead.

Day
5

Day 5: Into South Africa

Border formalities mark the crossing back into South Africa as Zimbabwe's ancient baobab country recedes behind the train and the Tropic of Capricorn is crossed — that quietly momentous geographical threshold best marked with something celebratory in hand. The broad grassland plains of the Highveld take over as the afternoon deepens, the landscape opening into the vast golden interior that defines this part of Southern Africa so completely. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and a formal dinner are served as Pretoria draws steadily closer, an overnight on board carrying guests gently toward the city and the next chapter of this remarkable journey.

Day
6

Day 6: Pretoria

The train arrives at Rovos Rail's magnificent private station in Pretoria late morning, and guests transfer to Capital Menlyn Maine for a two-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The remainder of the day is entirely at leisure — or for those with energy and curiosity, a tour of Pretoria awaits. Sometimes called Jacaranda City for the thousands of jacaranda trees that line its streets and erupt into purple bloom each spring, Pretoria is a city of genuine character, history, and beauty that rewards unhurried exploration. Two nights here provide a welcome pause before the journey's final, magnificent chapter begins.

Day
7

Day 7: Pretoria

A full day to explore Pretoria at leisure or with a guided city tour — the Union Buildings, Church Square, the National Zoological Gardens, and the city's celebrated jacaranda-lined avenues all within easy reach. Lunch is included for those joining the tour, the afternoon free to explore independently or simply rest ahead of tomorrow's departure. It is a day of gentle transition — the rhythm of the train not yet resumed, the anticipation of the Cape not yet fully formed — a pause between two extraordinary halves of a journey that has already delivered so much and still has remarkable things in store.

Day
8

Day 8: Back on Board from Pretoria

A morning transfer to Rovos Rail's private station marks the resumption of the journey as the train departs late morning across the historic goldfields of the Witwatersrand — a landscape that speaks of extraordinary human ambition and the making of a nation. Settle back into your suite, rediscover the lounge and observation car, and let the familiar, beloved rhythm of the rails reassert itself. Lunch, afternoon tea, and a formal dinner mark the day's unhurried cadence as the South African interior opens up southward and the Cape — still days away but already filling the imagination — begins its long, slow, irresistible approach.

Day
9

Day 9: Kimberley

After breakfast, the train arrives in Kimberley for one of the journey's most compelling historical detours — a guided tour of the Diamond Mine Museum and the legendary Big Hole, the largest hand-dug excavation on earth, brings vividly to life the story of the diamond rush that founded this city in 1871 and shaped a nation's destiny. Back on board, the afternoon belongs to the Karoo: that vast, ancient semi-desert of haunting beauty and geological drama, once the bed of an enormous inland sea. Lunch, afternoon tea, and a formal dinner are served as the ochre silence of this extraordinary landscape stretches endlessly in every direction.

Day
10

Day 10: Matjiesfontein & The Escarpment

A mid-morning stop at Matjiesfontein invites a delightful stroll through one of South Africa's most perfectly preserved Victorian villages — the platform museum and fascinating collection of historic cars beside the Lord Milner Hotel well worth exploring at a leisurely pace. Back on board, the train reaches the first of four mountain tunnels as the escarpment begins its dramatic descent, the longest tunnel stretching 13.5 kilometers through the mountain. The train drops some 750 meters through the spectacular scenery before the landscape softens and greens into the celebrated winelands of the Western Cape, the vineyards and mountain ranges creating a scene of quite extraordinary beauty as the Cape draws near.

Day
11

Day 11: Arrival in Cape Town & St James Manor

The train arrives at Cape Town Station late morning — journey's end for the rails, and the beginning of the final chapter. Guests transfer to St James Manor for a two-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis, the property's position along the False Bay coastline offering one of the most beautiful arrivals imaginable. Table Mountain dominates the skyline, the Atlantic light is extraordinary, and the sense of having travelled a very long way from Victoria Falls is both humbling and deeply satisfying. The remainder of the day is entirely at leisure — time to settle in, take a first walk along the shore, and simply savor the remarkable city that has been waiting at the end of this journey.

Day
12

Day 12: Cape Town

A full day to explore one of the world's most celebrated cities at whatever pace suits. Table Mountain and its cable car, the V&A Waterfront, the colorful streets of the Bo-Kaap, the Cape Peninsula's dramatic coastal drive, the winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek — all within easy reach and all richly rewarding. Cape Town's extraordinary combination of natural beauty, cultural depth, and world-class food and wine makes it one of those rare cities that rewards both the structured itinerary and the aimless wander in equal measure. A final dinner this evening — wherever the city leads — brings a thirteen-day journey of remarkable scope and beauty to its fond, unhurried close.

Day
13

Day 13: Departure

After a final breakfast at St James Manor, a transfer to Cape Town International Airport brings this extraordinary journey to its close. From the thundering edge of Victoria Falls to the foot of Table Mountain, from the wildlife-rich plains of Hwange to the ancient silence of the Karoo and the celebrated winelands of the Western Cape, this has been Southern Africa experienced in its fullest, most generous expression. Whatever lies ahead, the memories of thirteen remarkable days will prove extraordinarily persistent — the very best kind of travel, taken at exactly the right pace.

Dates & Prices

15 of Jan, 2027

Friday

16 of Jan, 2027

Saturday

17 of Jan, 2027

Sunday

18 of Jan, 2027

Monday

19 of Jan, 2027

Tuesday

20 of Jan, 2027

Wednesday

21 of Jan, 2027

Thursday

22 of Jan, 2027

Friday

23 of Jan, 2027

Saturday

24 of Jan, 2027

Sunday

25 of Jan, 2027

Monday

26 of Jan, 2027

Tuesday

27 of Jan, 2027

Wednesday

28 of Jan, 2027

Thursday

29 of Jan, 2027

Friday

30 of Jan, 2027

Saturday

31 of Jan, 2027

Sunday

1 of Feb, 2027

Monday

2 of Feb, 2027

Tuesday

3 of Feb, 2027

Wednesday

4 of Feb, 2027

Thursday

5 of Feb, 2027

Friday

26 of Feb, 2027

Friday

5 of Mar, 2027

Friday

26 of Mar, 2027

Friday

9 of Apr, 2027

Friday

21 of May, 2027

Friday

3 of Sep, 2027

Friday

8 of Oct, 2027

Friday

22 of Oct, 2027

Friday

5 of Nov, 2027

Friday

19 of Nov, 2027

Friday

31 of Mar, 2028

Friday

26 of May, 2028

Friday

Frequently Asked Questions

What destinations are included in the Great Rovos Rail Journey from Victoria Falls to the Cape?

The Great Rovos Rail Journey from Victoria Falls to the Cape includes several stunning destinations: Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Pretoria, Kimberley, and Cape Town. This itinerary offers a diverse experience, combining natural wonders, wildlife, and cultural exploration over 13 days.

How many nights will I spend in each location on this itinerary?

On this itinerary, you will spend: - 2 nights at the Victoria Falls Hotel in Victoria Falls, - 1 night on Rovos Rail traveling to Hwange National Park, - 2 nights in Pretoria, - 1 night on Rovos Rail traveling to Kimberley, - 1 night on Rovos Rail traveling to Matjiesfontein, - 2 nights at St James Manor in Cape Town. This provides a balanced mix of luxury train travel and time at each destination.

What meals and services are included in this package?

The Great Rovos Rail Journey includes a comprehensive range of services: - Accommodations as per itinerary, - All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the journey, - Local beer, wine, and soft drinks, - Private arrival and departure transfers, - Sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary, - Train tickets, - Special onboard entertainment, - 24-hour emergency assistance from Keytours. However, personal expenses and gratuities are not included.

Are there opportunities for customization in this tour?

Yes, this package offers customization options. You can choose from various luxury cabin accommodations, arrange additional tours or activities at each destination, and select specific experiences based on your interests. Keytours Vacations can assist you in tailoring your itinerary to ensure it meets your preferences.

How do travelers move between destinations on this itinerary?

Travelers move between destinations primarily aboard the Rovos Rail luxury train, which provides a unique and leisurely travel experience. Transfers between the airport, hotels, and train stations are included as private services, ensuring a smooth transition throughout the journey.

Is this itinerary suitable for families and first-time visitors?

Yes, this itinerary is well-suited for families and first-time visitors. It combines adventure, wildlife experiences, and cultural exploration, making it appealing to a wide range of travelers. The pace of the journey allows for both guided excursions and leisure time, accommodating various interests and activity levels.

What should I know about gratuities and personal expenses on this tour?

Gratuities for drivers, guides, and escorts are not included in the Great Rovos Rail Journey package. Travelers should budget for these additional expenses, as well as any personal items or activities not mentioned in the itinerary. It's advisable to review your final itinerary for specific recommendations regarding gratuities.

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Include Flights?

Yes

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