Cape to Dar es Salaam Rovos Rail Tour
15 day The Romance of Rail Tours
The Cape to Dar Rovos Rail Tour is one of the most famous in the world. This epic 15-day train journey travels through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania. The sojourn begins in Cape Town taking guests to the historic village of Matjiesfontein and the diamond town of Kimberley.
The capital city of Pretoria with some short tours is followed by two nights in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Continue through Botswana into Zimbabwe where guests overnight at the Victoria Falls Hotel.
After crossing the mighty Zambezi River, the train joins the Tazara line in Zambia and continues to Chisimba Falls where guests enjoy a bushwalk. The train climbs to the Tanzanian border then descends into the Great Rift Valley negotiating the tunnels, switchbacks and viaducts of the spectacular escarpment. Climbing again, it traverses the Selous Game Reserve – the largest on the continent and a vision of timeless Africa – before the bustling arrival in Dar es Salaam the following day. And top it off with our insider tip: add a beach holiday in Zanzibar to your train tour!
The Cape to Dar es Salaam Rovos Rail Tour is also available in reverse.
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, add-ons etc.). Want to know more about these advantages?
Highlights of the Cape to Dar es Salaam Rovos Rail Tour
- Ride the 5 star Rovos: the most luxurious train in the world
- Cape Town
- Historic Matjiesfontein
- The Big Hole and diamond museum in Kimberley
- Visit Pretoria and the Railway museum
- Game drives and 2 nights Lodge stay in Madikwe Game Reserve
- The mighty Victoria Falls
- Ride the famous Tazara line through Zambia and Tanzania
- Visit Chisimba Falls
- Traverse the Great Rift Valley
- Discover the wild Selous NP, Africa’s largest game reserve
- Extend your journey from Dar es Salaam to exotic Zanzibar
Details of the Cape to Dar es Salaam Rovos Rail Tour
Underneath you can download the itineraries for the 15 day Cape Town to Dar es Salaam Rovos Rail tour and for the Dar es Salaam to Cape Town Rovos Rail tour.
In each itinerary you will find:
- the day to day itineraries for this year and next year
- train specifications,
- full information on the available suites and amenities
- general information about the journey
Note: dates of operation for 2021 are still limited to 25 September and 12 October 2021 departure, but more dates will be planned if more nationalities are allowed to travel to South Africa. Also, more dates are planned in 2022.
Bespoke Zanzibar extension
It’s a short flight to the exotic island of Zanzibar. Explore the narrow alleys of the historic Stone Town, where if feels like time stood still since the sultans ruled this wonderful place. Visit the house from where David Livingstone starting his exploration of Africa. Eat fresh octopus in one of the many excellent restaurants or visit Freddy Mercury’s childhood home.
It’s a world of difference between the hustle and bustle of the old Stone Town and the peace of the empty white sandy beaches. Swim, snorkel or dive in the warm Indian Ocean and see the sun rise over the beach of your exclusive resort. Walk from your suite straight into the ocean or relax in the spa with an Ajurvedic massage. The perfect end, or beginning, for this epic train journey.
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.
Want to know more? Read how it works. On everything we do for you, our Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Statement are fully applicable.
