Classic Southern Africa Four-Country Train Journey (12 days)

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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