Rovos Rail Archives - Tales from Africa Travel

Pretoria to Victoria Falls Rovos Rail Tour

Henko Wentholt — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 10:57:29 +0000

Victoria Falls
Traveling by train through Africa
Observatory car
Observatory balcony
Double deluxe cabin
Twin deluxe cabin
Dining car one
Dining car two
Safari in Hwange
The Smoke that Thunders
Victoria Falls
Extend your journey from Cape Town

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

Download the Pretoria to Vic Falls itinerary

Download the Vic Falls to Pretoria itinerary

Download the Cape Town to Vic Falls v.v. itinerary

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.

BOOK WITH US

The post Pretoria to Victoria Falls Rovos Rail Tour appeared first on Tales from Africa Travel.

Cape to Dar Rovos Rail Tour

Henko Wentholt — Sat, 01 May 2021 17:41:00 +0000

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.

Download the Cape to Dar itinerary

Download the Dar to Cape itinerary

Map of the tour

Rovos Rail or Shongololo Express?

Bespoke private experiences

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.

BOOK WITH US

The post Cape to Dar Rovos Rail Tour appeared first on Tales from Africa Travel.

African Collage Rovos Rail Tour

Henko Wentholt — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 08:43:00 +0000

African Collage Rovos Rail Tour

10/11 day Romance of Rail Tour

This panoramic 10-day sojourn winds its way from Pretoria to Cape Town and includes a golfing and non-golfing itinerary. It is a true African Collage of the best experiences in South Africa on the exclusive, luxurious Rovos Rail – the most luxurious train in the world.

After a game drive in Kruger Park, you travel through Swaziland to Hluhluwe for game viewing and along the coast to Durban for a city tour. Traverse the Valley of a Thousand Hills to Spionkop Lodge, the perfect base for exploring the mountains, bush, birds and battlefields of the region. Continue to Port Elizabeth for a game drive at Addo Elephant Park. Then travel on to Oudtshoorn for an ostrich-farm visit followed by an impressive descent through the Outeniqua Mountains to George. After visiting the natural paradise of Knysna, the train traverses the spectacular Garden Route to the Winelands and Cape mountains before this magnificent expedition ends in Cape Town.

This tour is also available in reverse as a Cape Town to Pretoria 11 days tour and then includes one night extra in eSwatini.

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 African Collage Rovos Rail

Ride the 5 star Rovos: the most luxurious train in the world
Golfing and non-golfing itineraries available
Addo Elephant Park game drive
Cape Town
Journey through the Cape Winelands
Play the African Collage courses
Drakensberg Mountains
Durban tour
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park game drive
Traverse the Karoo
Boat cruise on the Knysna lagoon
Kruger Park game drive
Mantenga Cultural Village visit
Oudtshoorn ostrich farm tour
Traverse the Outeniqua Mountains
Pretoria
Hear the historic tale of Spionkop
Spionkop Reserve game drive
Trundle through the Valley of a 1000 Hills

Details of the African Collage Rovos Rail

Underneath you can download the itineraries for the 10 day Pretoria to Cape Town tour and for the 11 day Cape Town to Pretoria tour. On both tours there is a program each day for those that want to golf and those that want to do it as a leisure 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
specified information about the golfing courses. Dependent on availability are these: Leopard Creek/White River/Mbombela, Nkonyeni, Durban Country Club/Beachwood/Zimbali, Champagne Sports Resort, Humewood, Fancourt and Ernie Els Oubaai

Note: dates of operation for 2021 are still limited to 8 November 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.

Download Pretoria to Cape Town itinerary 10 days

Download Cape Town to Pretoria itinerary 11 days

Map of the tour

Rovos Rail or Shongololo Express?

Dress code on Rovos Rail is smart casual during the day, formal in the evening. On the Shongololo Express the dress code is more informal and smart casual in the evening.

Bespoke private experiences

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.

BOOK WITH US

The post African Collage Rovos Rail Tour appeared first on Tales from Africa Travel.