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16-day African Rail Adventure starting at £8,195pp
Our brand-new 16-day African Rail Adventure is the perfect holiday for anyone looking to combine exploration and excitement with the romance of railways.
Step aboard Rovos Rail, ‘the most luxurious train in the world’ and be transported to a bygone era of travel, where ever-changing landscapes unfold beyond the windows of the elegant wood-panelled carriages and where adventure-filled days give way to convivial evenings as the striking of a gong heralds dinner and the sounds of chatter fill the air.
Our two-week odyssey between Pretoria and Victoria Falls traverses South Africa, Mozambique, the Kingdom of eSwatini and Zimbabwe; four unique countries which offer up diverse landscapes, fascinating histories and a plethora of wildlife. See some of Africa’s most celebrated game viewing national parks as we go in search of the Big Five during excellent off-train excursions.
As always, when travelling with Distant Journeys we see all the well-known highlights including Victoria Falls and Kruger and Hwange National Parks. We also explore lesser-known gems such as the Great Zimbabwe Monuments and Matobo National Park. On board Rovos, all meals and selected drinks are included.
Chobe National Park is a relativley short drive from your final stop, Victoria Falls. So why not complete your exploration of Southern African with our three-night Chobe National Park holiday extension? With Africa’s largest elephant population and the Chobe River a focus for wildlife activity it’s the perfect way to end your adventure.
Discover the joy of train travel and join Distant Journeys on this wonderful journey of African exploration.
Your flight will depart from London Heathrow, with complementary regional connections from Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen or Belfast.
In-flight meals and drinks
We land in Johannesburg, where our waiting coach will take us to the delightful Irene Country Lodge, Pretoria. The day is ours to relax in the beautiful surroundings of our hotel.
In-flight meals and drinks
Following breakfast, we transfer to Rovos Rail’s private railway station, with its leather chesterfield sofas and glamorous decor, where we complete our check-in formalities and meet fellow guests for our forthcoming rail adventure. Once onboard settle into our sumptuous accommodation on board Rovos Rail, as our journey on the ‘most luxurious train in the world’ begins. Lunch is served in the dining cars. We travel the eastern line towards Lourenço Marques (Maputo), built between 1893 to 1895. This evening, after donning our finest attire, enjoy exquisite cuisine accompanied by fine South African wines in the elegant surroundings of the dining car before retiring to our cosy suite.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner PLUS selected on-board drinks
Enjoy breakfast in the dining car prior to today’s exploration of the spectacular Panorama Route. Beginning our day at Pilgrim’s Rest, we visit the area where gold was discovered in 1873. Once a lively town full of prospectors, Pilgrim’s Rest has been wonderfully preserved. Next on our route is Bourke’s Luck Potholes, in the Blyde River Canyon. Viewed via bridges and walkways, these wonderful geological cavities were formed by eddy erosion from the Blyde and Treur Rivers. Our lunch stop is in Graskop, where we descend in a viewing lift to the forest, taking in the spectacular views of the gorge as we go. Once in the forest, wooden walkways will guide us along a 600 metretrail. We continue to Nelspruit, where our luxury train will be waiting.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner PLUS selected on-board drinks
Tour Highlight
An exciting day lies ahead with a visit to one of South Africa’s biggest and most well-known safari areas, Kruger National Park. Following an early breakfast, we head into the park for a full day safari. Home to the Big Five – leopard, lion, rhino, buffalo and elephant, we hope to spot these magnificent creatures alongside cheetah, hippo, zebra and a vast array of other mammals, reptiles and birds that can be found in the park. After an exhilarating day on safari, we return to the comfort of our train, where the friendly staff will greet us with a glass of sparkling wine and a refreshing cold towel, and continue our journey to Mozambique. Following dinner, retire to the Lounge Car, with its elegant wing back chairs and comfy sofas, for a nightcap and recall the highlights of the day with your fellow passengers.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner PLUS selected on-board drinks
We awake to find ourselves in Mozambique, on Africa’s east coast. With a heady mix of African, Portuguese and early colonial architecture, Maputo is the country’s capital and a city of contrasts. Enjoy a tour of the city and discover the influences of Maputo’s past as we explore the Catholic churches, Victorian mansions and mosques sitting side by side. We take lunch in Maputo and return to the train later in the afternoon. Enjoy high tea in the comfortable lounge or observation cars as we journey towards the tiny Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland).
Breakfast, lunch and dinner PLUS selected on-board drinks
A day of discovery in the Kingdom of eSwatini (meaning “place of the Swazi”) lies ahead. Our first stop is Swazi Candles, where we have the opportunity to see beautiful candle-making alongside wood carvings, textiles and basketwork from local craftspeople and artists. We continue to Mantenga Cultural Village for an insight into the Swazi way of life and its traditions dating back to the 1800s. This living museum has a number of fascinating traditional artefacts on display. Lunch is taken at Mantenga Lodge before we return to the comfortable surrounds of our waiting train. Take time to relax in the lounge with a refreshing cocktail, or witness the ever-changing landscapes from the observation car as we return to South Africa.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner PLUS selected on-board drinks
We depart early for our game drive in the Kapama Private Game Reserve. Situated in South Africa’s province of Limpopo, and spanning over 15,000 hectares of African bush, over 40 different species of mammals, including the Big Five, and 350 species of bird can be found here, in their natural habitat. We round off our morning with a visit to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. This unique African wildlife facility focuses on conservation and sustainability of rare, vulnerable and threatened species. We return to our train where we spend an afternoon relaxing and enjoying the elegant and atmospheric surroundings onboard one the finest trains in the world.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner PLUS selected on-board drinks
A leisurely day to relax and unwind onboard, as we traverse the Limpopo Province towards Zimbabwe. From the comfort and convenience of the train, we enjoy the beautiful scenery of the province including semi-desert, bush, tropical forests and spectacular mountains.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner PLUS selected on-board drinks
Today, we travel to the Great Zimbabwe Monument, an imposing former city, built between the 11th and 15th century, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We explore the remains of this ancient city as we learn about the history of the Rozwi people who lived here. We return to the train late in the afternoon and continue our journey through Zimbabwe.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner PLUS selected on-board drinks
After a restful night’s sleep and a sumptuous breakfast, we spend our day in Antelope Park – home to many species of animals and birds, as well as the African Lion and Environmental Research Trust (ALERT), which introduces the offspring of lions bred in captivity back into the wild. During our free time, there is a selection of optional activities available including canoeing, bird-watching cruises, game drives and elephant interaction to make our visit here even more memorable. Back on board Rovos, enjoy a cocktail in the lounge as we await the call of the evening gong.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner PLUS selected on-board drinks
Located in southwest Zimbabwe, Matobo National Park is best known for the Matobo Hills, a region of spectacular granite rock formations created around two billion years ago! It is at Matobo Hills that Cecil John Rhodes is buried in a granite tomb overlooking the beautiful Matopos region. His resting place is aptly named ‘World’s View’ and it was personally chosen as he loved the view from the top of the outcrop. The park is also home to many animals including endangered black and white rhinos and birds such as the black eagle. We also visit bushman’s cave to view its impressive rock paintings and carvings.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner PLUS selected on-board drinks
Today’s excursion takes us to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest national park, boasting the highest diversity of mammals of any National Park in Africa – so get your cameras to the ready! Following our full day of game viewing we return to our train for our final night onboard Rovos Rail. Once the traditional evening dinner gong is struck throughout the carriages for the final time, enjoy and reflect on some of the most incredible experiences of the past week and a half, over a wonderful dinner accompanied with fine wines and, of course, new-found friends.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner PLUS selected on-board drinks
Rovos Rail rolls into Victoria Falls Railway Station, bringing an end to our spectacular rail journey. Our waiting guide takes us on a walking tour of Victoria Falls town followed by a visit to the spectacular Victoria Falls. This awe-inspiring natural wonder, made up of five separate waterfalls, spans 1.7km across Zimbabwe and Zambia. We finish our day with a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, where we hopefully catch a glimpse of the crocodiles, hippos and elephants which live along this beautiful river. We spend our final night at the wonderful Ilala Lodge Hotel.
Breakfast and lunch
Following our spectacular journey traversing the African continent aboard the elegant Rovos Rail, we travel to the airport midmorning for our flight to Johannesburg. Our onward flight to London Heathrow departs this evening.
Breakfast, in-flight meals and drinks
Why not extend your Southern African holiday with our magical three-night holiday extension to Chobe National Park.
Our direct British Airways flight from Johannesburg arrives into London this morning and our African Rail Adventure comes to an end. Connecting flights to regional UK airports will connect at London Heathrow.
In-flight meals and drinks
Departure date | Pullman Suite | Deluxe Suite | Availability | Offer |
2023 | ||||
01 November | £7,795 | £10,095 | ON REQUEST | |
2024 | ||||
16 January* | £8,195 | £10,695 | ON REQUEST | |
05 March | SOLD OUT | SOLD OUT | SOLD OUT | SOLD OUT |
* These dates operate in the reverse. Starting in Victoria Falls and finishing in Pretoria. Please click here for the itinerary.
Prices
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin or double room.
Single occupancy supplement
Pullman Suite: £2,595
Deluxe Suite: £3,695
Deposit:
£1,000 per person if travelling in economy class, £1,950 if travelling in World Traveller Plus, £3,750 per person for Club World.
Flight upgrades:
British Airways upgrade to World Traveller Plus from £1,395 per person, or Club World from £3,795 per person.
Visa information
Visas will be required for Mozambique (US$60 per person) and Zimbabwe (US$55 per person single entry, or US$70 per person double entry). Rovos Rail will help you arrange your visa’s whilst on-board. NOTE: If you are planning to take our Chobe National Park holiday extension you will require a double entry visa for Zimbabwe.
For more information on applying for your visa and the associated costs, please refer to our FAQ’s page.
Important information
Our holiday prices are subject to fuel surcharges and the availability of flights in the lowest fare booking class. The correct price will always be confirmed to you before you book, and once you have booked, our Price Promise will guarantee there will be no further increases.
Deluxe Suites are subject to availability at the time of booking.
For full terms and conditions see our terms and conditions page.
Our African Rail Adventure has so much included. Scheduled international flights, overseas transfers, daily breakfast, 11-nights all-inclusive on the luxurious Rovos Rail train and amazing excursions.
All the hotels on our tours to South Africa are carefully selected by our Directors to ensure they meet their high standards. On our African Rail Adventure, you will delight in two excellent hotels in Pretoria and Victoria Falls and enjoy the delights of Rovos Rail, with 11-nights onboard this luxurious train.
ALL HOTELSChobe National Park is renowned for it’s population of elephants and the herds of wildlife that conregate in and around the banks on the Chobe River. Why not extend your African Rail Adventure with our three-night Chobe National Park holiday extension.
3 nights from £1,245pp
Just a one-hour drive from Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park - ‘The Land of the Giants’, is best known as being home to Africa’s largest elephant population. The Chobe River is the focus of wildlife activity, as the heat of…Our African Rail Adventure is a new itinerary with the inaugural departures in late 2023. This page will be updated with reviews as soon as our returning customers are contacted by the independent reviews company Feefo. In the meantime, please feel free to look at the reviews for our other South Africa tours – we’re sure you will be impressed with the service our guests receive and the great reviews they kindly give us!
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Distant Journeys has won 13 awards in the last six years, at the British Travel Awards, and we have been awarded Feefo’s highest Platinum Trusted Rating for customer satisfaction.
Know you are paying the best price for your holiday with our Price Promise. We never offer last minute discounts and we guarantee the earlier you book the better the offer you’ll receive.
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