Day 1: Rovos Rail – Pretoria to South Africa / Zimbabwe border
Recommended arriving by 08h00 for an introduction to the beautifully appointed station and to enjoy refreshments with a briefing before you board the train. Settle into your suite and enjoy the ambiance of the train recapturing the Golden Age of Travel. The train departs at 09h30 from the Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria with a steam locomotive before switching over to diesel or electric locomotives (the use of steam has become increasingly difficult over the years as more and more water and coaling facilities have been scrapped). Lunch is served in the dining cars as the train travels north through Bela-Bela (meaning the pot that boils) and Modimolle (previously Nylstroom), christened by the Voortrekkers as the source of the Nile River as the town’s river happened to be north flowing. The train then passes the edge of the escarpment and crosses the Tropic of Capricorn en route to the South Africa/Zimbabwe border at Beitbridge.
Stay: Rovos Rail (Pullman suite)
Meals: Lunch, dinner, breakfast & a selection of drinks
Day 2: Rovos Rail – En-route to Victoria Falls
After formalities have been finalized at Beitbridge (customs clearance will be done by your host – you don’t need to leave the train), continue through the beautiful landscape to Bulawayo, the second-largest city in Zimbabwe. The overnight stop is at Mpopoma Train Yard, situated outside Bulawayo.
Stay: Rovos Rail (Pullman suite)
Meals: Lunch, dinner, breakfast & a selection of drinks
Day 3: Rovos Rail – En-route to Victoria Falls
Breakfast is served as the train departs Mpopoma. Enjoy lunch while traveling along the eastern edge of Hwange Park along one of Africa’s most extended stretches of straight railway lines – 114 kilometers. Arrive at Kennedy Siding (which is a railroad siding) from where you will continue for a game drive at The Hide, a private concession in Hwange National Park in search of predators and prey alike. Continue to Thompsons’ Junction for the overnight stop.
Stay: Rovos Rail (Pullman suite).
Meals: Lunch, dinner, breakfast & a selection of drinks
Day 4: Rovos Rail / Victoria Falls
After breakfast continues from Thompsons Junction to Victoria Falls Station where your journey ends around 10h00. Meet and greet your driver for your transfer to your hotel. Afternoon transfer to the Zambezi River for your Sundowner Cruise. Enjoy the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, and elephants as well as many different bird species. The Sundowner cruise includes local drinks and some tasty snacks to enjoy while watching the sunset in one of the most beautiful scenes in Africa.
Stay: Ilala Lodge (Deluxe room).
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Victoria Falls
After breakfast enjoys a guided tour of Victoria Falls – a truly awe-inspiring experience. Be accompanied through the rainforest by a qualified guide who will give you a brief history of the Falls as well as be detailing the flora, fauna, bird & wildlife, and other points of interest. Stroll along the forested paths along the network of trails leading to 16 different viewpoints, all dazzling you with stunning and impressive scenes of this powerful and enormous curtain of water before enjoying lunch at the Lookout Café. Perched on the edge of the Batoka Gorge; this open-air cafe offers spectacular views of the gorge and Zambezi River.
For the ultimate view of the Falls, you can take a helicopter or a micro-light flight as an optional activity (for your account).
Lunch at Lookout Café – A la Carte menu with a choice of 1 starter, 1 main & 1 dessert (included).
Stay: Ilala Lodge (Deluxe room)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Victoria Falls Airport / Johannesburg
After a little time to explore in the morning, you’ll be transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your onwards flight home with Airlink or with Fastjet, departing 13h00, arriving at 14h50.
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