Once in a lifetime on a luxury train through Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.
"The Luxury of the Slow Lane!" is the motto of this decelerating journey through Africa. Wide savannahs, flat and endless to the horizon, green bush landscapes with magnificent acacias, metropolises and the mighty Victoria Falls glide leisurely past your large panoramic train window. Here and there you spot impalas, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes... You put your hand on the glass, almost as if you could touch the scenery out there with your hands, which flickers past you like a film. The train stops. You are in another world. You step out of the comfortable luxury train of the 20th century and into the wilderness. Listen to the strange sounds, smell unfamiliar odours and hold your breath - there is a lion in the savannah, proud and magnificent like Simba, the Lion King. Back on the train, you can hardly forget the thought of the Big Five and the adventurous game drive - until another force of nature appears before you. Even from a distance, you can sense something special, because despite the blue sky, a wall of cloud sticks close to the ground in front of you. It is the spray cloud of Africa's largest waterfalls, the Victoria Falls, which can be seen for kilometres: Mosi oa Tunya, "the smoke that thunders" they are called here. Sundowner cruises on the Zambezi, exciting safaris in game reserves rich in wildlife, culinary delights at the highest level and Cape Town, probably the most beautiful city on the continent, are unique highlights of this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
030 / 69 80 21 91
bischoff@select-luxury.travel
"This unique train journey through Africa is guaranteed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Enjoy the nostalgic, luxurious Rovos Rail on the decelerating journey through breathtaking landscapes. You will feel like you are travelling back in time to the golden age. The wealth of yesteryear is combined with the luxury standards of today."
Flight to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania
You fly from Germany to Dar es Salaam in the morning, where you land in the evening. After you have completed your immigration formalities, you will be driven to your hotel in a private transfer.
1 overnight stay at the 4★ Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel, superior room incl. breakfast – Details about the hotel
Dar es Salaam - Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania
Enjoy breakfast and a relaxing morning. You will then be driven to Dar es Salaam railway station in a private car. Your great train journey through Africa begins here at 12:00 noon.
Your comfortable suite is already waiting for you and you will be warmly welcomed on board the train with a welcome cocktail. In the observation car you can enjoy the view of the landscape in comfort and undisturbed. Observe how the barren and sandy coastal environment changes into a tropical jungle scenario and look forward to the afternoon when you reach the Selous Game Reserve - still a real insider tip!
The 55,000 square kilometre protected park is one of the largest and most animal-rich game reserves and the largest controlled game reserve in the whole of Africa. Look closely, maybe you will see wild animals nearby? With a bit of luck, you might spot elephants, hippos, crocodiles, African wild dogs and numerous other animal species in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Great cuisine in three courses awaits you in the evening in the chic restaurant carriage.
11 nights in a Rovos Rail, Pullman Suite incl. full board & selected drinks – Details about the Rovos Rail
Safari in the Selous Game Reserve - Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania
In the morning, you will go on an extensive game drive with off-road vehicles through the huge Selous Game Reserve. Experience special safari moments and enjoy the African wildlife up close, because there is no better way to start a journey through Africa.
You can take afternoon tea in the panoramic carriage and get to know the Udzungwa Mountains, travelling by train directly through the huge green mountain range. During dinner in the charming dining car, you can enjoy the view of the route to Mlimba.
Overnight stay on board
Great Rift Valley in Tanzania
Through the inaccessible south of Tanzania, you will travel to the world's most geologically interesting region via the Rift Valley to Zambia. On this fourth day, you will pass the Great African Rift Valley. This gigantic fissure in the earth stretches from Jordan through the Red Sea to East Africa. You can take a close look at this impressive natural spectacle during your train journey. The train travels through many tunnels and over around 300 bridges and winds its way along various slopes.
The town of Makambako invites you to take a walk in the morning. You can also listen to exciting talks about the surrounding area in the morning and afternoon in the cosy lounge wagon.
Overnight stay on board
Great Rift Valley in Tanzania - Zambia
Very close to the abyss, the train winds its way along the steep slopes, perhaps taking the breath away for a moment from some guests who are not entirely free from vertigo. Once again, exciting landscapes are on your itinerary today and with over 20 tunnels and numerous bridges, there are plenty of special photo opportunities.
Today you cross the border between Tanzania and Zambia. At Nakonde, you enter the former Northern Rhodesia. If you would like to find out more about the area, you can join us in the lounge in the morning and afternoon for lectures on the region.
A special excursion is also on the agenda for the afternoon: From Kasama, you drive to the Chisimba waterfalls on the Lwonde River, 30 kilometres away.
Overnight stay on board
Zambia
Today you can simply relax in front of beautiful landscapes. Spend the day reading a good book in the saloon carriage, for example, before enjoying the beautiful sunset from here. The comforts of the train await you.
Overnight stay on board
Zambia
After breakfast, a spectacular view awaits you: the train crosses the 477 metre long Kafue Bridge. The steel girder bridge has 13 spans of 33 metres each on concrete pillars.
In the afternoon, you will cross the Zambian capital Lusaka. Discover the metropolis from the train and be introduced to the upcoming programme with lectures beforehand and in the afternoon.
Overnight stay on board.
Livingstone in Zambia - Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
Arrival in Livingstone, which was the capital of what was then Northern Rhodesia until 1935. Here you complete the immigration formalities and then another highlight of your journey awaits you, the drive over the spectacular Victoria Falls Bridge, which connects Zambia with Zimbabwe. When it was completed in 1905, it was considered the highest bridge in the world. The train stops for an exit over the 120 metre deep gorge of the Zambezi River, with the rising steam of the Victoria Falls as a picturesque backdrop! In Victoria Falls, you take a walk on small paths through the rainforest to the edge of the falls, where the thundering spray rushes down. Arriving at the railway station in Victoria Falls, you make a short stop on your train journey. On arrival, you check into the legendary, traditional Victoria Falls Hotel, from where you have a wonderful view of the Zambezi and the spray of the waterfalls, which were named after the Scottish missionary and African traveller David Livingstone in 1855. Lunch awaits you at the hotel in the Jungle Junction Restaurant.
In the late afternoon, enjoy a romantic sundowner boat trip across the mighty Zambezi River together with other guests. Watch as the sky is bathed in bright sunset colours, while the light refracts in the spray of the world's largest waterfall and draws magical rainbows in the air. Keep an eye out for hippos, antelopes and water birds that gather on the riverbanks in the cooler evening hours.
1 overnight stay at the 4.5★ Victoria Falls Hotel, Deluxe Room incl. breakfast – Details about the hotel
Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
The morning is at your leisure. Take a guided tour along the edge of the huge waterfalls, an elephant safari, a tour to the lions or, if you like, take a helicopter flight over the impressive Victoria Falls (exclusive, bookable on site). After lunch at the Jungle Junction Restaurant, you will be transferred to the railway station. The train is seen off in the afternoon with traditional Shangaan dances at the Victoria Falls railway station. At 17:00 you continue your luxurious train journey with Rovos Rail. Today you will travel past the large Hwange National Park to the border with Botswana.
Overnight stay on board.
Botswana - Tropic of Capricorn - Gaborone
You cross the border into Botswana by train. Shortly before you reach the Botswana capital of Gaborone, you pass the Tropic of Capricorn.
Overnight stay on board.
Gaborone - Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa
Your train arrives in Gabarone, the capital of Botswana, in the morning. The bus takes you across the nearby border to South Africa. Welcome to South Africa. Just over the border lies the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve. This diverse reserve of riverine areas and savannah is home to numerous wild animals such as elephants, giraffes, lions, rhinos, zebras, leopards and rare wild dogs. Today you will go in search of these wild beauties yourself when you set off on a game drive in an open off-road vehicle in the afternoon. Madikwe is South Africa's fourth largest game reserve and is one of the country's insider tips.
You will break your train journey here for two nights, which you will spend at Tau Game Lodge. Please pack a small bag for two nights for this excursion. Your large luggage will remain safely stored in your suite.
2 nights in the Tau Game Lodge, chalet incl. full board – Details about the lodge
Madikwe Game Reserve
In an open off-road vehicle, you drive through the huge reserve early in the morning. Listen to the diverse soundscape of the wilderness and keep your eyes open: Elephants, lions and co. roam through the undergrowth - can you spot one or even all of the Big Five?
After an extensive lunch break, you set off on an afternoon safari. Do you have any questions about the flora and fauna? Your local ranger will be happy to answer them.
Madikwe Game Reserve - Pretoria
The next safari in an open off-road vehicle starts early in the morning. You are there when the wilderness awakens and discover the huge, rare and fascinating animal species before breakfast.
After breakfast, check out of the lodge. The journey then takes you to the small town of Zeerust, where you board the Rovos Rail again and set off in the direction of Pretoria.
Overnight stay on board.
Pretoria: Capital Park
You reach Pretoria in the morning. During a city tour, you will explore the formal capital of South Africa and see the Union Buildings, the seat of the South African government, and the home of Paul Kruger, the president of the former Transvaal Republic. A visit to the Capital Park Rovos railway station, whose charm is reminiscent of the 1930s, is outstanding. Here you will discover and see the original, restored steam locomotives and finally the heart of Rovos Rail, the workshop. Here, old, disused carriages are restored by hand into the elegant dark green saloon and sleeper carriages. In the afternoon, take the train south towards Kimberley.
Overnight stay on board.
Kimberley and drive through the Karoo
Just before you reach Kimberley's historic railway station in the morning, keep an eye out on the right-hand side of the train: in a shallow lake just before the town, you can see thousands of pink flamingos on the banks, an extraordinary and beautiful sight.
Get off the train in Kimberley to visit the mining museum with its lovingly restored original buildings and explore the largest man-made crater, the Big Hole. Diamonds totalling almost 15 million carats were found here by 1914. Kimberley was the centre of the diamond rush at the end of the 19th century, from which today's diamond empire De Beers emerged.
Continue your train journey around midday and set off on your last major stage in the Cape country. Enjoy your farewell evening under the motto "1920" on board your rolling luxury hotel, the Rovos Rail, while the sun bathes the flat, barren and yet fascinating Karoo semi-desert of the impressive high plateaus in red evening light and the sky turns magnificent shades of red and purple.
Overnight stay on board.
Matjiesfontein - Cape Town
In the morning you reach Matjiesfontein, a small Victorian town. If you wish, you can explore the former spa town with its small Victorian village centre. Two highlights that you visit are the traditional Lord Milner Hotel, where celebrities such as Edgar Wallace and Cecil Rhodes once resided, and the museum, where you can admire chic vintage cars.
Back on the train, the final chapter of your luxury train journey begins. Enjoy a final lunch on board and let yourself be enchanted by the passing scenery once again, as you now head into the hilly, lush green Cape Winelands. South Africa's winegrowers have managed to achieve a recognised international reputation for good quality and some of the world's best wines are produced here. You can also savour them on board the Rovos Rail on this unique journey. At around 6 pm, the Rovos Rail finally reaches the destination of its long journey: Cape Town. Welcome to the Cape! Now it's time to say goodbye to the charming crew that you have come to love and to the new friends you have made on the journey.
You can either extend your stay in a luxury hotel on the waterfront or fly back to Germany in the evening. The choice is yours. The private transfer with your own chauffeur is waiting for you at platform 24.
Arrival in Germany in the morning.
Included in your trip:
Would you like more experiences that you will never forget? We offer you the following two additional programmes especially for this trip.
Barefoot beach luxury on the spice island with a rich history.
Enjoy a first-class holiday experience without compromise and an unforgettable barefoot luxury feeling. Immerse yourself in the tropical colour panorama of the turquoise of the shimmering water and the radiant white of the sandy beach. White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa 5★ is the perfect place to switch off, relax and enjoy.
Extend your trip with a stay in Cape Town or the wine region around South Africa's second capital.
In Cape Town - Experience The Silo Hotel, which sets a new standard for luxury hotel accommodation in Cape Town. The Silo was built in the grain lift of the historic grain silo complex on six floors above the Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa). Zeitz MOCAA houses Africa's largest collection of contemporary African art.
Another new benchmark for luxury accommodation can be found in Franschhoek at La Residence. This noble hotel is surrounded by majestic vineyards and orchards, a spectacular mountain backdrop and an atmosphere of absolute tranquillity.
In the wood-panelled carriages of Rovos Rail, travellers experience the romantic atmosphere of a bygone era in the perfect luxury of the modern age. The lovingly restored Rovos Rail luxury train travels through fascinating landscapes, the panoramas of which you can marvel at from the Observation Car with its huge window front and open-air balcony. Maximum comfort, attentive and charming service and the finest five-star gourmet cuisine are guaranteed. Up to 72 passengers can travel comfortably together in 36 suites furnished to the highest standards and discover Africa from the rails. In order not to disturb the ambience of the bygone era, there are no televisions or radios on board the train. The use of mobile phones, laptops and all other devices that could disrupt the passengers' train experience is only permitted in the privacy of the suites.
Suites
Enjoy the privacy of your elegantly designed suite and watch the lush landscapes of the African south pass by from your double or twin bed. Each suite has its own bathroom with shower or bathtub.
Pullman Suite
The seven square metre Pullman Suite has a comfortable sofa during the day, which converts into a double bed or two single beds in the evening. In your wood-panelled suite you will find a bathroom with shower and various amenities for a comfortable stay.
Deluxe Suite
The ten square metre deluxe suite comfortably accommodates two people. Your suite has a double or twin beds, a lounge area and a bathroom with shower. A safe and 24-hour room service as well as other comfortable furnishings are at your disposal.
Royal Suite
The elegant Royal Suite measures a full 16 square metres and therefore offers plenty of space to relax. Your suite has its own lounge area and a bathroom with a Victorian bathtub and separate shower. You can choose between two single beds and one large double bed. The amenities in your suite include air conditioning, 24-hour room service and a safe.
Gastronomy
Breakfast, lunch and a formal dinner are served at set times in the Victorian-style dining car. The meals are lovingly prepared to a high standard using fresh ingredients and are accompanied by excellent wines. Local dishes such as game are among the specialities. If you have any other requests, the helpful team of chefs will be happy to fulfil them. There is a viewing carriage with 32 seats at the end of the train. In the cosy lounge you can enjoy cocktails or aperitifs in good company.
Special features
Dress code: The dress code during the day is smart casual. Evening wear is formal, for men this means at least a jacket and tie. A cocktail or evening dress or a trouser suit is recommended for ladies.
Probably the most English hotel in the African south, it impresses its guests with the highest level of comfort and a lush, evergreen garden oasis. A visit to this five-star hotel is like travelling back in time, combining English tradition with the exciting history of Africa. From the terrace you have a marvellous view of the Victoria Falls Bridge and the gorge.
Room
In the main area of the hotel you will find your air-conditioned Central Deluxe Room, which immediately invites you to relax with its traditional Edwardian style. Soft fabrics and warm colours reflect the warmth and beauty of Zimbabwe. From your room you have a magnificent view of the English Garden or the Victoria Falls Bridge and Batoka Gorge.
Gastronomy
At the Victoria Fall Hotel you can look forward to a wide selection of the finest gastronomic offerings. First-class, internationally trained chefs create exquisite dishes for you in a luxurious ambience. The delicious dishes are complemented by the finest wines and liqueurs.
Wellness
In the beauty spa, you can pamper yourself with numerous treatments ranging from Swedish massages, aroma and facial therapies to manicures and pedicures. The hotel's wellness facilities also include a pool.
Tau Game Lodge is located in the north-west of South Africa in the Madikwe Game Reserve, the fourth largest game reserve in the country. The luxurious safari lodge is the ideal starting point for a Big Five game safari through the malaria-free game reserve. Here, 27 of the largest animal species live amidst an impressive landscape of open grassland, vast bushland plains, termite mounds and dramatic rock formations.
Room
From your chalet you have an excellent view of the wild animals at the waterhole. Your thatched accommodation is arranged in a U-shape on both sides of the lodge alongside 29 other chalets. Each chalet has a private wooden deck, an en-suite bathroom, an open-air shower, air conditioning and a ceiling fan.
Activities
Animal lovers will get their money's worth at this lodge. Go on game drives in safari vehicles and bush walks and observe the wild animals in their natural habitat. A professional guide accompanies you on these tours and explains everything you need to know about the flora and fauna in the Madikwe Game Reserve.
Wellness
Deep in the most beautiful bush you will find an idyllic oasis of peace and relaxation. Indulge in rejuvenating and revitalising spa treatments at Tau Game Lodge's luxurious spa.
At the Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam, urban life awaits you in a cosmopolitan ambience. The luxury hotel is located in the heart of the business district and is therefore close to the beaches, a lively fish market and various craft markets, boutiques and restaurants. Not far from the hustle and bustle of the city, you will find a garden oasis in the hotel that invites you to relax.
Superior room
At 33 square metres, your superior room with a view of the garden and golf course offers plenty of space to relax. The amenities in your room include air conditioning, 24-hour room service and a minibar.
Gastronomy
In Dar es Salaam, you will experience a gastronomic variety ranging from freshly caught fish to Indian and African specialities. In the restaurants and bars of the luxury hotel, you will experience creative gourmet cuisine with distinctive flavours.
Wellness
Enjoy soothing treatments at the Maisha Spa, swim laps in the hotel's own pool and relax in the lush tropical garden.
German nationals require a valid passport, which must be valid for another 6 months when leaving Cape Town. Visas are required for entry into Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe and are issued on arrival. Germans do not require a visa to enter South Africa as long as the trip is a short-term, tourist stay. When entering the country, you will receive a visitor's visa for the duration of your trip.
No compulsory vaccinations are required for direct entry from Germany. The Federal Foreign Office recommends checking the standard vaccinations according to the current vaccination calendar of the Robert Koch Institute and completing them if necessary.
The climate in Zambia is alternately humid and tropical. There are three distinct seasons. The cool dry season from May to August has average daily temperatures between 15 and 28 degrees. The hot dry season is in September and October with average temperatures between 24 and 32 degrees. The hot and humid rainy season lasts from December to April in the south and from October to April in the north, with temperatures between 27 and 38 degrees.
The climate in Zimbabwe is subtropical to tropical. The summer is humid and sometimes humid. Winter is predominantly dry and the temperatures are pleasant. April to August is the dry season with temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees.
South Africa's climate is divided into three climate zones: The west coast has dry, warm summers, cool, wet winters and a rainy season between June and September. On the east coast, the weather is warm and humid. The interior is drier, with the rainy season lasting from October to April.
Important note:
This trip is partially suitable for travellers with reduced mobility, depending on their impairment.
Please contact us for detailed advice and handling of flights, transfers and accommodation.
Thank you for your interest in our holidays. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Alternatively, you can call us directly at + 49 30 69 80 21 90.
Please fill in all fields marked with an * carefully. Many thanks in advance!
030 / 69 80 21 91
bischoff@select-luxury.travel
"This unique train journey through Africa is guaranteed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Enjoy the nostalgic, luxurious Rovos Rail on the decelerating journey through breathtaking landscapes. You will feel like you are travelling back in time to the golden age. The wealth of yesteryear is combined with the luxury standards of today."
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