Your Route
Victoria Falls → Hwange → Bulawayo → Beitbridge → Limpopo → Pretoria
The southbound run begins where most people would happily end a holiday, on the terrace of the Victoria Falls Hotel with the spray rising in the distance. Three nights later the train draws into a private station in Pretoria, and in between there is a dawn game drive in Hwange, the Limpopo crossing and a great deal of very good dinner.
Rovos Rail run this route in both directions, and the southbound version has one clear advantage: the Hwange game drive happens at six in the morning rather than in the afternoon, which is when the park is at its best. Continental breakfast is served at five, the vehicles leave at six, and the light on the waterholes at that hour is worth losing the sleep for.
The journey leaves Victoria Falls Station at five in the afternoon on the first day, so there is a full final day at the falls before you board. Dinner is served as the train runs to Kennedy, and by the following morning you are on the edge of Hwange National Park, having travelled the famous 114 kilometre straight between Dete and Gwaai overnight.
From Hwange the line runs south through baobab country, skirts Bulawayo, and crosses into South Africa at Beitbridge and Musina. The Limpopo valley on the third day is semi-arid and strange, the river itself often little more than sand, and the Soutpansberg mountains that follow form part of the UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere Reserve.
The train arrives at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria at ten on the fourth morning. If you want to see how the vintage coaches are rebuilt, delay your pick-up by about ninety minutes and take the station tour and museum visit. It is one of the more genuinely interesting hours available anywhere in Pretoria.
Boarding at Victoria Falls for the southbound run to Pretoria
Journey Highlights
A Dawn Game Drive in Hwange
Continental breakfast at five, vehicles at six. The southbound itinerary catches Hwange National Park in the first hours of light, which is when elephant, lion and buffalo are most active around the waterholes.
A Full Last Day at the Falls
The train does not leave until five in the afternoon, so there is time for a helicopter flight over the gorge, a morning at the falls themselves or a last lunch at Jungle Junction before you board.
The Long Straight by Night
The 114 kilometre straight between Dete and Gwaai is covered overnight on this direction, which means waking up already on the edge of Hwange with the game drive an hour away.
The Limpopo and the Soutpansberg
South of the border the train crosses the semi-arid Limpopo valley and passes through the Soutpansberg mountains, part of the UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere Reserve and one of the most biodiverse corners of South Africa.
The Observation Car
The rear coach has an open balcony and about 32 seats under cover. On a southbound run through the bushveld it is where most of the day happens, particularly with a gin and tonic that is already paid for.
Capital Park Station and Museum
The journey ends at Rovos Rail's own station in Pretoria. The workshops there rebuild vintage coaches from bare frames, and the walking tour and museum are open to arriving guests who delay their pick-up.
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, which leaves the whole day free for the falls, a flight over the gorge or a cruise on the upper Zambezi.
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.
All meals and beverages on board from dinner. One night on board.
Hwange at First Light
Continental breakfast is served at five and the game drive leaves at six. Hwange National Park covers 1.46 million hectares and is Zimbabwe's largest wildlife area, with an elephant population among the largest on the continent, along with lion, buffalo, giraffe and sable antelope.
Back on board, lunch is served as the train travels the 114 kilometre straight between Dete and Gwaai, one of the longest straight stretches of railway line in the world, running along the eastern edge of the park.
Afternoon tea is taken as the train moves into baobab country, and in the evening it skirts Bulawayo, capital of Matabeleland and the industrial capital of Zimbabwe.
Game drive in Hwange National Park with a qualified guide, entrance fees, all meals and beverages. One night on board.
The southbound itinerary puts the Hwange game drive at six in the morning, when the park is at its best
The Limpopo Crossing
The train crosses the semi-arid Limpopo River valley and the border between Beitbridge in Zimbabwe and Musina in South Africa. Border formalities are handled on board.
After lunch the line crosses the Tropic of Capricorn and runs through the varied landscapes of the Limpopo Province, passing through the Soutpansberg mountains, which form part of the UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere Reserve.
Afternoon tea, then dinner in the dining cars as the train travels towards Pyramid. This is the last night on board and the last formal dinner.
All meals and beverages on board. Border formalities handled by the train staff. 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 it is a rare chance to see the work up close.
Breakfast on board. Onward transfers and Pretoria or Johannesburg hotels can be arranged by us.
Rovos Rail Station at Capital Park, Pretoria, where the coaches are rebuilt by hand
What Is Included
All Accommodation
Three 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 game drive in Hwange National Park with a qualified ranger, and the excursions set out in the itinerary, with 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 |
|---|---|
| October | 3*, 4, 10*, 11, 18, 25 |
| November | 1 |
| December | 1 |
2027 Departures
| Month | Departure dates |
|---|---|
| January | 17, 19, 24, 26, 31 |
| February | 7, 14, 21, 28 |
| March | 2, 7, 14, 21, 28 |
| April | 4, 11, 18 |
| May | 23 |
| June | 27 |
| July | 10*, 24* |
| August | 14*, 22, 29 |
| September | 5, 12, 14*, 19 |
| October | 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 |
| November | 7, 14, 21, 28 |
2028 Departures
| Month | Departure dates |
|---|---|
| January | 16, 30 |
| February | 1, 20, 22 |
| March | 5, 14, 19 |
| April | 2, 23, 25 |
| May | 7, 28 |
| June | 11, 25 |
| July | 9, 23, 24, 25 |
| August | 4, 27 |
| September | 5, 17 |
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.