Your Route
Victoria Falls → Hwange → Bulawayo → Matobo → Beitbridge → Limpopo → Pretoria
Two excursions, four nights, and the whole of southern Africa's north country in between. This is the fullest version of the Victoria Falls route, taking the game drive in Hwange at first light and the granite hills of Matobo the following morning, before the long run south across the Limpopo.
The southbound four night train leaves Victoria Falls at five in the afternoon, so the last day at the falls is yours. Dinner is served as the train runs to Kennedy, and the following morning starts early: continental breakfast at five, game drive vehicles at six, and Hwange National Park in the best light it gets.
Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest wildlife area at 1.46 million hectares, with an elephant population among the biggest in Africa. After the drive the train covers the 114 kilometre straight between Dete and Gwaai, one of the longest straight stretches of railway anywhere, and moves into baobab country.
The third morning brings Matobo. A road transfer of about an hour from the line near Bulawayo reaches a landscape of balancing granite boulders and whaleback domes, weathered out of rock two thousand million years old. The caves hold San paintings, the hills hold black eagles, and on the summit of Malindidzimu, the hill of benevolent spirits, Cecil John Rhodes is buried under a brass plate set into the granite.
From there the train runs south, crossing into South Africa at Beitbridge and Musina, over the Limpopo and the Tropic of Capricorn and through the Soutpansberg mountains, to arrive at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria at ten on the fifth morning.
The train at Victoria Falls before the southbound departure
Journey Highlights
A Dawn Game Drive in Hwange
Continental breakfast at five and vehicles at six. The southbound itinerary catches Hwange in the first hours of light, when elephant, lion and buffalo are most active around the pumped waterholes.
Matobo National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site of balancing granite domes and whaleback hills that have been occupied by people since the early Stone Age. San rock art survives in the caves, and Cecil John Rhodes is buried on the summit of Malindidzimu, the hill of benevolent spirits.
The Grave of Cecil John Rhodes
Rhodes asked to be buried at what he called World's View, on the summit of Malindidzimu in the Matobo hills. The grave is cut into the granite and ringed by boulders, with a view that runs to the horizon in every direction.
One Hundred and Fourteen Kilometres of Straight Track
Between Dete and Gwaai the line runs dead straight for 114 kilometres along the eastern edge of Hwange National Park, best watched from the open balcony at the back of the observation car.
The Limpopo and the Soutpansberg
South of the border the train crosses the semi-arid Limpopo valley and the Tropic of Capricorn, and passes through the Soutpansberg mountains, part of the UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere Reserve.
A Full Last Day at the Falls
The train does not leave until five in the afternoon, which leaves time for a helicopter flight over the gorge, a morning at the falls or a last lunch on the terrace of the Victoria Falls Hotel.
Day by Day
Departure from Victoria Falls
Check in at least an hour before departure at the Victoria Falls Hotel on Mallet Drive. The train leaves Victoria Falls Station at five in the afternoon, so the whole day is free for the falls or an activity.
Dinner is served in the dining cars as the train runs to Kennedy. Dress is formal. Hand your passport to the Train Manager or Guest Services Manager, who will handle the border formalities later in the journey.
Dinner and all beverages on board. One night on board.
Hwange at First Light
Continental breakfast at five, game drive at six. Hwange National Park covers 1.46 million hectares and is Zimbabwe's largest wildlife area, holding one of the largest elephant populations on the continent along with lion, buffalo, giraffe and sable antelope.
Lunch is served on the return as the train travels the 114 kilometre straight between Dete and Gwaai, along the eastern edge of the park. Afternoon tea is taken as the line moves into baobab country.
Dinner is served in the dining cars and the second night is spent on board.
Game drive in Hwange National Park with a qualified guide, entrance fees, all meals and beverages. One night on board.
The dawn game drive in Hwange, with vehicles leaving at six in the morning
Matobo National Park
Breakfast is served from six, and at eight guests transfer by road, about an hour, to Matobo National Park near Bulawayo.
Matobo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of granite domes, castle kopjes and balancing boulders, weathered out of some of the oldest exposed rock on earth. People have lived here since the early Stone Age and the caves hold one of the densest concentrations of San rock art anywhere in the world. The park also has one of the highest concentrations of black eagles on the planet.
The excursion takes in the summit of Malindidzimu, the hill of benevolent spirits, where Cecil John Rhodes is buried. Lunch is served back on board as the train travels through baobab country towards Beitbridge, where border formalities take place.
Guided visit to Matobo National Park with transfers and entrance fees, all meals and beverages. One night on board.
Across the Limpopo
A day at leisure on board. The train crosses the semi-arid Limpopo River valley, the great grey-green greasy Limpopo of Kipling's Just So Stories, all set about with fever trees.
After lunch the line crosses the Tropic of Capricorn and runs through the varied landscapes of the Limpopo Province, passing through the Soutpansberg mountains, part of the UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere Reserve.
Afternoon tea in the observation car, then the last formal dinner as the train travels towards Pyramid.
All meals and beverages on board. One night on board.
Arrival at Rovos Rail Station
Breakfast is served until half past nine. Have your luggage ready fifteen minutes before arrival and your passport to hand.
The train arrives at Rovos Rail Station on Transnet Avenue in Pretoria at ten in the morning. If you would like to join the station tour and visit the museum, delay your pick-up by about ninety minutes. The workshops here rebuild the vintage coaches the train runs on, and the tour is well worth the extra hour and a half.
Breakfast on board. Onward transfers and Pretoria or Johannesburg hotels can be arranged by us.
Journey's end at Rovos Rail Station, Capital Park, Pretoria
What Is Included
All Accommodation
Four nights on board in your chosen suite, each with an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, a safe and a dedicated host or hostess.
All Meals
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner throughout, served in the wood-panelled dining cars. Dinner is a formal affair and the kitchen works from fresh South African produce.
All Beverages On Board
A curated selection of local and international wine, beer, cider, spirits, liqueurs, mixers, soft drinks and a cocktail menu. International sparkling wine may be pre-ordered at extra cost.
Guided Excursions
A guided visit to Matobo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a game drive in Hwange National Park, both with qualified guides, including transfers and entrance fees.
Room Service and Laundry
Twenty-four hour room service and a limited laundry service, both included in the fare. Each suite has a dedicated host or hostess who services it daily.
Entrance Fees and Taxes
Entrance fees as set out in the itinerary, preselected local wines, beers and soft drinks on excursions, and government tax.
Not included: all other beverages, international sparkling wine, gratuities, personal expenses, visas, travel insurance, and pre and post tour transfers, accommodation and flights.
Fares and Departures
We price every journey in sterling once your dates and suite are confirmed. The table below shows the suite category guide prices, but these are subject to fluid pricing and currency fluctuations. Call or email us for a confirmed sterling price.
| Suite | Per person sharing |
|---|---|
| Royal Suite | from £6,480 | /tr>
| Deluxe Suite | from £4,965 |
| Pullman Suite | from £3,475 |
Fares are per person, one way, and include everything listed above. Single occupancy carries a supplement. Please call for a confirmed sterling price for your chosen departure.
2026 Departures
| Month | Departure dates |
|---|---|
| November | 8, 15, 22, 29 |
| December | 27 |
2027 Departures
| Month | Departure dates |
|---|---|
| January | 10 |
| March | 6, 23* |
| April | 25* |
| May | 2, 9, 16, 30 |
| June | 13 |
| July | 18, 25 |
| August | 1, 8*, 15, 26* |
| September | 26 |
| December | 2, 26 |
2028 Departures
| Month | Departure dates |
|---|---|
| January | 9, 23 |
| February | 6, 13, 27 |
| March | 12, 26 |
| April | 9, 16 |
| May | 14, 21 |
| June | 18 |
| July | 16, 30 |
| August | 6, 13, 20 |
| September | 3, 10, 24 |
Departure dates are taken from Rovos Rail's published 2026 to 2028 schedules and are subject to change. Dates marked with an asterisk are sold in Pullman Gold, Deluxe and Royal Suites only. Please confirm your chosen date with us before booking flights.