Pretoria to Victoria Falls Rovos Rail Tour
3 or 4 day City and Bush Break
If you ever dreamt about a romantic railway journey, the Pretoria to Victoria Falls Rovos Rail tour certainly fits the bill. This short City and Bush Break takes you on board the most luxurious train in the world. You’ll travel in style from the buzzle of Pretoria to the thunder of the Smoke that Thunders, the mighty Victoria Falls. In between you’ll experience train travel like it was in the 1920’s, some of the most spectacular landscapes of Africa and the thrill of a safari.
This spectacular train journey is also available in reverse, or you can add the fascinating train journey from Cape Town to Pretoria.
The adventure begins
This adventure begins with the train’s departure from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. 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 and cross the Tropic of Capricorn towards Bulawayo, second city of Zimbabwe, capital of Matabeleland and industrial capital of the country. Travel along one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114km – before traversing Hwange National Park, a rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary where a game drive excursion is enjoyed. Arrive at the incomparable Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River where this sojourn ends. The surrounding areas offer travellers many recreational opportunities including cruises, whitewater rafting as well as superb game viewing and photo safaris.
Choose your favourite option
This City and Bush Break is also available in reverse. Depending upon railway capacity, this journey could be routed through Botswana. You have the option of choosing the 3-night journey or the new 4-night journey, which includes a local village stop and a chance to explore the game and prolific birdlife of a 1000ha ranch. On selected dates you also have the option extend your train journey and take the train all the way from Cape Town to Victoria Falls. See the different itineraries below for all the details.
If you want to spend more time in Victoria Falls we can book your hotel and activities – not a standard hotel, but exactly what and how you want it.
The advantage of booking Rovos Rail with us
If you book this tour with Tales from Africa Travel, you are guaranteed the same rates as when booking direct. You also get our additional services like a personal consultant, all carbon offsetting of your journey and full bespoke services from airport to airport (transfers, extra nights, return flights, add-ons etc.). Want to know more about these advantages?
Highlights of the Pretoria to Victoria Falls Rovos Rail Tour
- Ride the 5 star Rovos: the most luxurious train in the world
- Choose between a 3 night or 4 night option
- Perfect as a short City and Bush Break
- Visit Pretoria and the Railway museum
- Cross the Tropic of Capricorn
- Bulawayo
- Travel along one of the longest stretches of straight railway
- Safari in Big Five Hwange National Park
- The mighty Victoria Falls
- Bespoke optional extension and activities in Victoria Falls
- Extend your journey from Cape Town to Pretoria with the Rovos Rail and also get:
- Cape Town
- two extra nights on the Rovos train
- one or two luxury hotel nights in Pretoria between the two railway journeys
- Historic Matjiesfontein
Details of the Pretoria to Victoria Falls Rovos Rail Tour
Underneath you can download the itineraries for the 4 or 5 day Pretoria to Victoria Falls and vice versa Rovos Rail Tours.
In each itinerary you will find:
- the day to day itineraries
- train specifications,
- full information on the available suites and amenities
- general information about the journey
Note: find here the dates planned until September 2022 and for October 2022 and 2023
Map of the tour
Rovos Rail or Shongololo Express?
Though both are luxurious, there is a clear difference between the Rovos Rail and the Shongololo Express. The Rovos Rail is more luxurious and the journey is focused on the train ride experience, intermingled with visits and excursions. The cabins are larger than on the Shongololo Express and the amenities are on a 5 star level. All meals and local baverages are included. If you like pampering and luxury, this is the train for you.
With the Shongololo Express the primary focus is on the off-train experiences and excursions, whilst the train ride is an important secondary focus. The cabins are smaller in size and the amenities are on a 4 star level. Meals on the train are included, other meals and all beverages not. If you are more adventurous minded, this is the train for you.
Bespoke private experiences
Use our unique tours and experiences as a source of inspiration for your exclusive holiday. Tell us what you like and what you don’t like in this tour, or any particular tour that speaks to you. Or let us know in general what experiences you would like to have. Based on what you tell us we’ll make a bespoke, unique tour for you. We’ll keep adjusting the itinerary, accommodations and way of travel until you have YOUR perfect holiday. Your exclusive experience of a lifetime.
This is experiential travel at its best. Nothing is set in stone, all can be combined, adjusted, changed to make your own bespoke holiday! Here are some more ideas to inspire you.
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