Tanzania Suggested Itinerary - This luxury train safari (Cape Town to/from Dar es Salaam) is on one of the world’s most luxurious trains, Rovos Rail.
This epic 15-day train journey travels through Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa and is one of the most famous in the world. The sojourns begins in Dar es Salaam and travels into the Selous Game Reserve – the largest on the continent and a vision of timeless Africa. Descending into the Rift Valley negotiating the tunnels, switchbacks and viaducts of the spectacular escarpment, the train makes its way to Chisimba Falls in Zambia where guests enjoy a bush walk. Leaving the Tazara line, the train crosses the mighty Zambezi River into Zimbabwe where guests overnight at the Victoria Falls Hotel.
Continue south through Botswana to Madikwe Game Reserve for two nights before crossing the border into South Africa. Guests enjoy tours of Pretoria, the diamond town of Kimberley and the historic village of Matjiesfontein before travelling the winelands to journey’s end in Cape Town. Available in reverse.
Continue south through Botswana to Madikwe Game Reserve for two nights before crossing the border into South Africa. Guests enjoy tours of Pretoria, the diamond town of Kimberley and the historic village of Matjiesfontein before travelling the winelands to journey’s end in Cape Town. Available in reverse.
* Please note that depending upon the railway’s capacity this journey could be routed northwards through Beitbridge and Zimbabwe.
We are also able to offer optional Pre and Post Rovos Rail tours so you have one company arranging all your travels making your journey far less stressful. Send us an email so we can customize your This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to meet your requirements.
2018 Rovos Rail Journey Rates:
Pullman Suite: US$12 450 (Single Supplement: US$5 530)
Deluxe Suite: US$16 500 (Single Supplement: US$7 150)
Royal Suite: US$21 550 (Single Supplement: On request)Deluxe Suite: US$16 500 (Single Supplement: US$7 150)
2019 Rovos Rail Journey Rates:
Pullman Suite: US$12 820 (Single Supplement: US$5 695)
Deluxe Suite: US$16 995 (Single Supplement: US$7 385)
Royal Suite: US$22 190 (Single Supplement: On request)Deluxe Suite: US$16 995 (Single Supplement: US$7 385)
Cape Town to Dar es Salaam Dates:
13th - 27th January 2018,
24th February - 10th March 2018
30th June - 14th July 2018
18th August -1st September 2018,
29th September - 13th October 2018,
24th February - 10th March 2018
30th June - 14th July 2018
18th August -1st September 2018,
29th September - 13th October 2018,
23rd February - 9th March 2019,
29th June - 13th July 2019,
17th - 31st August 2019,
28th September - 12th October 2019
29th June - 13th July 2019,
17th - 31st August 2019,
28th September - 12th October 2019
Dar es Salaam to Cape Town Dates:
30th January -13th February 2018,
13th -27th March 2018,
17th - 31st July 2018,
4th - 18th September 2018,
16th - 30th October 2018,
13th -27th March 2018,
17th - 31st July 2018,
4th - 18th September 2018,
16th - 30th October 2018,
24th January - 7 February 2019,
12th - 26th March 2019,
16th - 30th July 2019,
3rd - 17th September 2019,
15th - 29th October 2019.
12th - 26th March 2019,
16th - 30th July 2019,
3rd - 17th September 2019,
15th - 29th October 2019.
Rovos Rail Journey price is per person sharing and includes accommodation, meals and excursions during the train journey, as well as alcoholic beverages whilst on board the train.
Rovos Rail luxury train Cape Town to Dar es Salaam itinerary:
Day 1: Cape Town
Depart Cape Town Station aboard Rovos Rail, The Pride of Africa this morning (around 11am).
Depart Cape Town Station aboard Rovos Rail, The Pride of Africa this morning (around 11am).
Once you are on-board, and as the train departs, head out to the open air compartment on the train to say your goodbye's to the city of Cape Town and the magnificent Table Mountain.
Enjoy lunch on the train before arriving at Matjiesfontein at around 6pm. Explore this historic Victorian village at leisure, before dinner and overnight on the train.
Day 2: Kimberley
The train travels inland while you get to admire the scenery while relaxing and enjoying your breakfast and lunch on board. At around 2pm, you will arrive in Kimberley and enjoy a tour to the Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum. Return to train for dinner and overnight while traversing the semi-desert of the Karoo.
The train travels inland while you get to admire the scenery while relaxing and enjoying your breakfast and lunch on board. At around 2pm, you will arrive in Kimberley and enjoy a tour to the Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum. Return to train for dinner and overnight while traversing the semi-desert of the Karoo.
Day 3: Pretoria
On arrival at Rovos Rail's Pretoria station, Capital Park, at about 10am, you will enjoy a Station tour (admire the locomotives and carriages of the train), a delicious platform lunch and then head out on a city tour of Pretoria.
On arrival at Rovos Rail's Pretoria station, Capital Park, at about 10am, you will enjoy a Station tour (admire the locomotives and carriages of the train), a delicious platform lunch and then head out on a city tour of Pretoria.
The train will depart Pretoria at around 6pm and you will indulge in a delightful dinner on board the train.
Day 4 & 5: Tau Game Lodge
Arrive at Zeerust around 11am and transfer to the five-star Tau Game Lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve for a full-board two-night stay at this luxury malaria-free safari lodge (or similar).
Your stay includes all your meals and 2 game drives per day. There is an onsite spa for your indulgence.
Tau Game Lodge:
Thirty luxury chalets are spread out in U-formation on either side of the lodge, offering excellent views of animals approaching the waterhole from the opposite bank. The lodge has a 5 star rating and chalets are equipped with both air-conditioning and ceiling fans, mini-bars, tea and coffee facilities. Each chalet has its own wooden deck, which allows one to experience the bush in privacy and is equipped with an en-suite bathroom and open-air shower.
Madikwe Game Reserve boasts year-round game viewing and is one of the few reserves where one can view a wide variety of fauna. Breeding herds of Elephant, White and Black Rhino, Lion, Cheetah, Spotted and Brown Hyena, Buffalo, Leopard, Zebra and the endangered Wild Dog. Various Antelope species include Impala, Springbok, Kudu, Waterbuck, Eland, Blesbok, Nyala and Sable. Wildebeest, Giraffe, Ostrich and Warthog, together with an array of small mammals, are amongst the magnificent animals that roam in the reserve. Madikwe is also home to a bird population of over 250 different species.
Your last early morning game drive in the Madikwe Game Reserve and then transfer to the train in Botswana passing through border formalities. Travel north from Gaborone and cross the Tropic of Capricorn en route to the Zimbabwean border.
Day 7: Zimbabwe
Traverse Zimbabwe along the edge of Hwange National Park. Today is a day at leisure with interesting lectures by a historian - giving you an insight to the lives of Cecil Rhodes, David Livingstone and more plus learn about the spectacular Victoria Falls and all the adventures that have taken place over the years.
Traverse Zimbabwe along the edge of Hwange National Park. Today is a day at leisure with interesting lectures by a historian - giving you an insight to the lives of Cecil Rhodes, David Livingstone and more plus learn about the spectacular Victoria Falls and all the adventures that have taken place over the years.
Day 8: Victoria Falls
Arrive Victoria Falls and check in to the legendary 'Grand Old Lady', the Victoria Falls Hotel.
Arrive Victoria Falls and check in to the legendary 'Grand Old Lady', the Victoria Falls Hotel.
Activities can be arranged for you but we would recommend strolling down to the Falls (or getting a transfer) so you can enjoy this sight this afternoon or enjoying the afternoon tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel (which is THE place for afternoon tea in Victoria Falls!). Later on, you will embark on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
The Victoria Falls Hotel was constructed by the British in 1904 when the Cape to Cairo railway line was being built - it certainly has a lot of history and has hosted all sorts of royalty and dignitaries.
Day 9: Victoria Falls
Day at leisure. Optional activities include tour of the Falls, round of golf, helicopter tour of the Falls and so much more.
Day at leisure. Optional activities include tour of the Falls, round of golf, helicopter tour of the Falls and so much more.
Depart Victoria Falls around 4pm and cross the famous bridge to Livingstone, Zambia.
Day 10 & 11: On board
Travel to Kapiri Mposhi via the Kafue Bridge and Lusaka in a northeasterly direction. Relax on this luxury train at your leisure with optional lectures on-board by the historian.
Travel to Kapiri Mposhi via the Kafue Bridge and Lusaka in a northeasterly direction. Relax on this luxury train at your leisure with optional lectures on-board by the historian.
Arrive in Kasama (Zambia) at around 8am where you will disembark for a morning excursion to the magical Chisimba Falls.
The train climbs the escarpment to the Tanzanian border and the highland valley of Mbeya – the ‘Scotland of Africa’.
Day 13: Selous Game Reserve
Time permitting, take a stroll around the town of Makambako, Tanzanian Southern Highlands. Descend the spectacular pass into the Rift Valley along the Udzungwa Mountains and enter the Selous Game Reserve. Lectures are also offered on board by the historian.
Time permitting, take a stroll around the town of Makambako, Tanzanian Southern Highlands. Descend the spectacular pass into the Rift Valley along the Udzungwa Mountains and enter the Selous Game Reserve. Lectures are also offered on board by the historian.
Day 14: Selous Game Reserve
Game drive in Selous Game Reserve, the largest game reserve in Africa (time permitting). Travel towards Gwata for an overnight stop.
Game drive in Selous Game Reserve, the largest game reserve in Africa (time permitting). Travel towards Gwata for an overnight stop.
Day 15: Dar es Salaam
Travel eastwards to Dar es Salaam (approximately 10am).
Travel eastwards to Dar es Salaam (approximately 10am).
Please note: Due to rough track and delays, the train often arrives late into Dar es Salaam. It is best to schedule an overnight in Dar es Salaam before flying out.
This itinerary is reversed for Dar to Cape Town journey.
Accommodation on board Rovos Rail:
All the suites offer passengers the opportunity to travel in privacy, comfort and luxury, with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. The wood paneled rebuilt sleeper coaches, remodeled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort. In the en-suite bathrooms, original fittings combine with the modern technology of hot showers, hair dryers and shaver plugs. All are equipped with a writing surface and a personal safe for valuables. There is also a bar fridge filled with beverages of the passengers’ choice and room service is available 24 hours a day.
All the suites offer passengers the opportunity to travel in privacy, comfort and luxury, with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. The wood paneled rebuilt sleeper coaches, remodeled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort. In the en-suite bathrooms, original fittings combine with the modern technology of hot showers, hair dryers and shaver plugs. All are equipped with a writing surface and a personal safe for valuables. There is also a bar fridge filled with beverages of the passengers’ choice and room service is available 24 hours a day.
The Pullman Suites (±7 sq metres/±76 sq feet) are equipped with a comfortable sofa-seat during the day with a conversion to double or twin beds (bunk) for the evening, and also have an en-suite bathroom with shower. These are ideal for single travelers due to their size.
The Deluxe Suites (±10 sq metres/±118 sq feet) accommodate two passengers in either twin or double beds and have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower.
The Royal Suites, each of which take up half a carriage, are spacious and elegant measuring ±16 sq metres in size. Each has its own private lounge area and full bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower. The epitome of luxury with handsome wood panelling and period Edwardian features, the air-conditioned suites accommodate two people offering the option of side-by-side twin or spacious double beds.
Notes for the Rovos Rail luxury train journeys:
A Medical Practitioner, Hair Stylist & Historian accompany the train at various stages.
Visas to be purchased and paid for prior to departure for Africa.
Please check with the relevant embassies for visa requirements.
Passengers are requested to have yellow fever inoculations before commencing the journey.
Trip cancellation insurance is strongly advised.
Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.
A Medical Practitioner, Hair Stylist & Historian accompany the train at various stages.
Visas to be purchased and paid for prior to departure for Africa.
Please check with the relevant embassies for visa requirements.
Passengers are requested to have yellow fever inoculations before commencing the journey.
Trip cancellation insurance is strongly advised.
Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.
Email us for more information and itinerary for your This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or any other This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. now.