12
daysClassic Southern Africa Four-Country Train Journey
Costing tip: When comparing with other companies, remember most of them only show the low season rate. How pricing works >
What to Expect on This Safari
This popular itinerary can be customised to match your budget and travel dates by adding/removing a few days or selecting different lodges
day
1
All aboard
Train travel is always a great way to experience a country as it enables one to slow down the pace of life and really take in all the scenery on offer. Rovos Rail really gives this great opportunity.
Once you have arrived in Johannesburg you have the choice of being collected either from your hotel or from the airport. After which you will be taken on a full day tour of Pretoria, Johannesburg or Soweto. All three destinations will enable you to experience South Africa's diverse history.
Mid-afternoon you will be taken to the Rovos Rail train station in Pretoria where you will board the Shongololo Express for your 12-day journey which will take you all the way to Zimbabwe.
Accommodation includes bed, breakfast, and dinner.
Meals: All meals, drinks and activities
Transport: Included
__768x346-wide.jpg)
day
2
Panorama Tour
After breakfast, you will be taken on a full day tour of the Panorama Route, which includes, Bourke's Luck Potholes and God's Window. All the destinations which make up the route offer breathtaking views of mountains, waterfalls, forests, and canyons. Not to mention the small town of Pilgrim's Rest which seems to be stuck in the gold mining era of South Africa.
Once you are back on the train you will get the opportunity to relax in your cabin before dinner. Whilst watching the landscape slide by as the train makes its way to Malelane.
Meals: All meals, drinks and activities
Transport: Included
day
3
Wildlife viewing
A game drive takes you into the southern area of the world famous Kruger Park (open-air vehicles optional).
Later in the afternoon, once you are back on board, the train makes its way to Mozambique.
Meals: All meals, drinks and activities
Transport: Included
day
4
Maputo
An interesting day getting to know the city of Maputo.
Originally known as Lourenco Marques, Maputo is the capitol of Mozambique, and is also known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean for the reason that it is situated near the shorline. The arrival of travelers and traders from Africa, Asia and Europe has made the city a diverse and interesting metropolis. If you are able to, we highly recommend you try their peri-peri prawns for lunch (own cost). Peri-peri is a spicy Portuguese influenced sauce made from hot African chili pepper.
Afternoon tea on board the train is an option, while the border formalities are dealt with, and then it's onto Mpaka in Swaziland.
Meals: All meals, drinks and activities
Transport: Included
day
5
Swazi culture
Vehicles will collect you from Mpaka and take you to visit Mbabane, which is the capitol of Swaziland. Then you will travel onto Manzini, which is the second largest city in Swaziland. You will then visit Ngwenya Glass making village which is considered to be one of Swaziland's top tourist destinations.
Ngwenya Glass is a factory that makes glassware from 100% recycled glass. The small group of Swazi craftsmen and women have mastered the art of turning a simple piece of glass into interpretations of Africa's birds and animals. They make lovely gifts for you to take home to family and friends
In the late afternoon, after clearing the border formalities, the train starts the journey north to the Klaserie.
Meals: All meals, drinks and activities
Transport: Included
day
6
Cheetah's and Wild Dogs
There is a game drive which will take you into the wilds of Kapama Game Reserve, where you need to keep a keen eye open for the Big Five of the African Bush.
A life changing outing is to visit the Wild Dogs and Cheetah breeding Project for which you will get the oppurtunity of experiencing.
Meals: All meals, drinks and activities
Transport: Included
day
7
Country crossings
The next day will be spent on board the train as it winds its way to Zimbabwe. Once you are through customs and immigration, the train will make its way to Rutenga, where it will spend the night.
Meals: All meals, drinks and activities
Transport: Included
day
8
Great Zimbabwe Ruins
Your off-board excursion is to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins.
The Great Zimbabwe Ruins is an anciet deserted city which was once been the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe.
One of the most prominent features are the walls that make up this forgotten destination, some of which are the remnants of walls which used to roughly five meters high and constructed without mortar.
After which you will return to the train at Bannockburn, where you will spend the night onboard.
Meals: All meals, drinks and activities
Transport: Included
day
9
Antelope Park
A full day will be spent at Antelope Park
Optional extras include canoeing, game drives, game viewing with elevated views from riding on horseback, elephant riding, bird-watching, cruises and walking with lions.
Once you have returned to the train it will depart for Bulawayo.
Meals: All meals, drinks and activities
Transport: Included
day
10
A Day in the Past
Matobos National Park is where you will spend your time today. Then you will be a visit to Cecil John Rhodes's grave as well as bushmen caves.
Then you will visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes (an iconic Southern African colonialist) as well as having the oppurtunity of visiting historical bushmen caves, which you can also find out more about their famous rock which is deemed to be a record of early homosapien existence.
Meals: All meals, drinks and activities
Transport: Included
day
11
Hwange National Park
It's an early start to the morning with a game drive into Hwange National Park to witness some of the amazing wildlife on offer.
Thompson's Junction is where the train will stop for the evening.
Meals: All meals, drinks and activities
Transport: Included
day
12
Smoke that Thunders
You'll arrive in Victoria Falls early the following morning. After breakfast, you will be collected and transferred either to the airport or to your prior arrangements.
End of Journey
Related Articles
Three autumn getaways in the Western Cape
Autumn in South Africa starts around the end of March to the end of May. This is a magical time of year in the Western Cape, with the weather turning from very warm to pleasant with cooler evenings. This marks the start of the low season in… read more
Why you need travel insurance in 2018
You’ve finally booked that dream safari in Africa and as you touch down at your destination, you’re filled with trepidation, wonder and excitement for the trip of a lifetime. The sights and sounds of a foreign country can be… read more
Tips for those wishing to visit Africa for the first time
There are many negative associations about venturing to Africa for the first time. People from Europe or North America usually opt for other less controversial destinations in Asia or their own continents. However, a lot of these… read more
Five remote places to see game in Africa
Game parks during certain times of year can become inundated with tourists itching to get a glimpse of the Big Five or a herd of migrating wildebeest. With that said there are still a host of areas which ensure the true frontier experience… read more