Suggested Holiday Itinerary
Summary Of The Route and Costs
Covering 3 countries in 13 nights, this trip is rich in experiences. It's a luxury adventure that will let you feast your eyes upon world-class cities, thundering waterfalls and incredible wildlife.
Beginning in Cape Town, a spectacular city with an incredible backdrop, you'll spend 4 nights here exploring the Mother City before flying up to Johannesburg and spending one night in Pretoria in an elegant 5* guest house with a unique Italian/Tuscan style feel.
You will then be transferred to Pretoria's Rovos Rail Station where you board the iconic Rovos Rail for 3 nights of pure indulgence as you head into Zimbabwe. Enjoy a game drive in Hwangwe National Park, Zimbabwe's largest Park and home to a large elephant population as well as an outstanding array of other wildlife, including lion, zebra, buffalo, hyena, antelope, giraffe, wild dog, cheetah, rhino and leopard. The Park is also home to some 400 recorded bird species.
The train rolls into Victoria Falls Railway Station, where you will stay in the distinguished hotel fondly known as ‘the grand old lady of the Falls' - the Victoria Falls Hotel. The sheer noise of the Falls as they cascade over the edge into the deep gorge is deafening, and the misty clouds of spray, occasionally broken by rainbows, are visible from over 30 km away - hence it's local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, "The smoke that thunders".
Finally, you'll travel across the border into Botswana for a 3 night safari at Ngoma Safari Lodge, which commands awe-inspiring views over the Chobe River and floodplains. Due to its location in the quieter Chobe Forest Reserve, the lodge offers a range of activites, including game walks with a professional guide, night drives on the concession, boat cruises on the Chobe River, and full day safaris comprising a drive in the Chobe National Park, a cruise and a picnic lunch. Visits to the local village may also be arranged.
Summary Of The Itinerary
Holiday Title: From Cape Town to Victoria Falls with Rovos Rail
Countries Visited: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana
Arrive into Cape Town Airport. Collect your luggage, then make your way into the Arrivals Hall, where you will meet your driver. You will then be transferred to your hotel.
Nestled at the foot of the majestic Table Mountain and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town is consistently voted among the top cities in the world to visit. It is no surprise therefore that this wonderful city is one of the highlights of a holiday to South Africa. The Table Bay Hotel is a luxury 5* hotel situated in the heart of the vibrant V&A Waterfront, with views of Table Mountain and the sea.
Cape Town
You will be collected and transferred to Cape Town Airport, arriving in time to check in for your flight to Johannesburg.
Airlink 4Z902 (Economy Class): Fly from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) departing at 09:20 to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), arriving at 11:25
Collect your luggage, then make your way into the Arrivals Hall where your driver will meet you. You will then be transferred to Pretoria for an overnight stay.
At Castello di Monte it is easy to believe that you had found paradise. The Tuscan style estate portrays pure luxury and elegance and offers spectacular views of the hills in and around the capital city. The landscaped gardens with mature olive trees and lavender bushes give an Italian flavour to the African landscape. You will hardly notice that you are in the middle of a bustling city.
Pretoria
You will be transferred to the Rovos Rail Station this morning, arriving in time to check in for your journey by train to Zimbabwe.
Depart the Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria at 10:00 for your 3 night journey. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car or observation car at the rear of the train.
The train winds its way north through Warmbaths, 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. The train also passes the edge of the escarpment where the Highveld drops precipitously. During the day, lunch is served at 13:00 in the dining cars, and at 16:30, tea is served in the lounge car or observation car at the rear of the train. Dinner is then served at 19:30. The train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn en-route to the Zimbabwean border.
After formalities at Beitbridge the next morning, the train travel towards Bulawayo, the industrial capital of the country. Guests can enjoy another full day of leisure on the train, interspersed with breakfast (served from 07:00 until 10:00 in the dining cars); lunch at 13:00; and afternoon tea at 16:30 in the lounge car or the observation car. While the train is then en-route to Mpopoma, dinner is served in the dining cars at 19:30.
Breakfast is served from 07:00 until 10:00 in the dining cars. At 13:00, lunch is served while the train travels between Gwaai and Dete along of the of world's longest stretches of railway line - 114 km - and along the eastern edge of Hwange Park. At 15:00, guests disembark at Kennedy Siding, and enjoy a game drive at The Hide in Hwange National Park. Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest National Park and offers unrivalled elephant sightings, particularly in the dry season. Guests then return to the train and the journey continues. Dinner is served in the dining cars at 19:30.
Breakfast is served in the dining cars from 07:00 until 09:30. The train arrives into Victoria Falls Rail Station at 10:00.
You will be met at the railway station and assisted to carry your luggage the short distance (5 minutes) to the Victoria Falls Hotel. For more than 110 years The Victoria Falls Hotel has been a luxury icon in Africa. This 5* classic hotel commands a prime location with dramatic views of the gorges of the Falls themselves. A private path leads to the Falls, an idyllic 10 minute walk away.
Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe
This afternoon you will be collected for your afternoon sundowner cruise on the mighty Zambezi River. Relax with a sundowner and snacks as you gaze out onto the banks of the river, and have your camera ready to capture one of the most amazing sunsets in Africa.
Today enjoy a full tour of the Falls from both the Zambia and Zimbabwe side. A knowledgeable guide will take you on an unforgettable experience through the Victoria Falls rainforest, a journey that not only affords a view of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World but provides a great deal of interesting facts about the geology, wildlife and history of Africa's most famous landmark.
This morning, you will be transferred to the border post between Zimbabwe and Botswana, where you will complete the border formalities and cross into Botswana. You may be required to change vehicles at the border, and if so, please be prepared to carry your bags a short distance between vehicles. You will then be transferred onto Kasane Airport.
Here, you will be met by a representative from Ngoma Safari Lodge and transferred to the lodge.
Ngoma Safari Lodge is situated within the Chobe Forest Reserve bordering the western edge of Chobe National Park and overlooking the Chobe River. This property is located near the Ngoma Gate for entry to the Chobe Riverfront. Very few lodges are located on this end of the Park and few people utilize this entry point, creating a more remote and exclusive experience than at the properties around Kasane. Although outside the Park, the lodge is located in a bush setting where wildlife frequently passes through. Both walking and night drives are permitted and activities include game walks on the concession which are escorted by a professional guide, cruising on the Chobe River and game drives within the Chobe National Park.
Chobe National Park
After a morning activity (time permitting) you will be transferred back to Kasane, where you will check in for your onward flight.
Example Cost
Holiday Title: From Cape Town to Victoria Falls with Rovos Rail
Holiday Destination: Holiday to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana for 13 nights
Passengers: 2 Adults
Example Cost for 2 Adults: * per person sharing.
*Excludes international flights from your home country - please ask us if you would like us to include these for you.
All monies paid by UK customers for the air package holiday shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 10245.
When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong.
Interactive Map
From Cape Town to Victoria Falls with Rovos Rail.
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