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Rovos Rail - Dar Es Salaam to Cape Town

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You are viewing the 2025 itinerary. Select your departure year
20252026
22 days From £16,485 per person
Independent

2025 Tour code: RDI25

About the tour

Experience the golden age of travel aboard Rovos Rail, one of the most luxurious trains in the world, on this once-in-a-lifetime, epic journey. Beginning in Dar Es Salaam, you'll travel through the incredible landscapes of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Pretoria, and Cape Town, where you'll visit the iconic Table Mountain. Experience game drives and the epic Victoria falls, and travel in sophisticated style on this indulgent tour.

This tour also operates in reverse between Cape Town and Dar es Salaam on selected dates.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Rovos Rail
Rovos Rail
Journey aboard the luxurious Rovos Rail.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
Visit the impressive Victoria Falls.
Game Drives
Game Drives
Experience a game drive.
Table Mountain
Table Mountain
Explore Table Mountain
Zambezi River
Zambezi River
Take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.

What’s included

Personalise your holiday

Outbound Travel

Day 1- UK to Tanzania

Your very special journey begins today when you take your flight from London. You'll fly to Doha in Qatar and then on from Doha to Dar Es Salaam.

Dar Es Salaam

Day 2 - Arrive Dar Es Salaam

Dar Es Salaam

You'll arrive in Dar Es Salaam today, where you'll be transferred to your hotel, our handpicked 5* hotel, on a B&B basis.

This afternoon is yours to savour the charm of this historical city, once the capital of Tanzania. Consider a delightful visit to Coco Beach, a haven where you can unwind, relish the gentle sea breeze, and soak in the splendid views of the Indian Ocean. If you prefer the lively pulse of local life, explore the vibrant markets or delve into the rich cultural tapestry at one of the many exceptional museums. The choices are as diverse as the city itself, promising an enriching and enjoyable experience.

Hotels

Rovos Rail

Day 3 – Rovos Rail

Rovos Rail

This morning you'll be transferred from your hotel to Tazara railway station where you'll board the majestic Rovos Rail, one of the most luxurious trains in the world. From the moment you step onboard you'll feel the relaxing atmosphere and the opulence of this iconic train. Get to know your luxury cabin better, and join your fellow passengers in the observation car as you begin your journey.

Lunch is served onboard in the dining car as you travel towards Selous. Enjoy afternoon tea in the lounge car, where you can sink into soft sofas and watch the scenery drift by. A formal dinner is served this evening in the dining car, after which you can relax for your first night onboard.

Selous Game Reserve

Day 4 – Selous Game Reserve

Selous Game Reserve

An early breakfast is served in the dining car this morning, before it's time to visit the largest game reserve in Africa. After a few hours enjoying Selous Game Reserve, lunch is served back onboard the train as you travel on to the Udzungwa Mountains, a dramatic area of incredible scenery. Enjoy tea in the observation car this afternoon as you travel through tunnels and over viaducts. A formal dinner is served this evening and after you can relax with a drink in the bar car.

Rift Valley

Day 5 – The Rift Valley

Rift Valley

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast onboard this morning before arriving at Makambako, where you'll take a tour of the town. Lunch is served back onboard the train as you pass Baobab Forests and travel up the Rift Valley, enjoying more of the breathtaking scenery of this area. Your formal dinner is served in the dining car this evening, after which you can cosy up in your cabin with a good book, or continue to watch the landscape go by.

Zambia

Day 6 - Zambia and the Chisimba Falls

Zambia

Take your time over breakfast this morning as you cross the border into Zambia. The train travels along the Tazara railway line while you enjoy lunch in the dining car. After lunch you'll visit Chisimba Falls, a series of three waterfalls, where you can watch the falls from various vantage points, including from the base of the falls. A themed dinner is served in the dining car this evening, and you can carry on the party in the bar car afterwards.

Day at leisure

Day 7 – Relax on board

Day at leisure

Today you have a leisure day onboard the train, as you continue to travel along on your adventure. Following lunch in the dining car, the train is turned at Kapiri Mposhi, a spectacle that's worth watching from the train. Enjoy afternoon tea in the lounge car and relax in the observation car as the stunning landscapes pass by. A formal dinner is served this evening, after which you can mingle with your fellow passengers and enjoy a cocktail or two.

Lusaka

Day 8 – Lusaka and the Kafue Railway Bridge

Lusaka

Enjoy a second relaxing day onboard the train today, as you disembark Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. After breakfast you'll cross over the Kafue Railway Bridge, a spectacular feat of engineering. As you enjoy lunch in the dining car you'll travel on to Zimbabwe. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge car and the observation car, as you watch the scenery go by. A formal dinner is served in the dining car, and you can relax in your cabin for the evening or spend time in the bar car.

Zambezi River

Day 9 – Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River

Zambezi River

As you enjoy your leisurely breakfast this morning you'll travel over the Victoria Falls Bridge and you'll enter Zimbabwe. When you arrive at Victoria Falls you'll leave the train, with an overnight bag, and walk over to the Victoria Falls Hotel. Following a brief welcome at the hotel you'll leave for your sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Dinner is served back at the Victoria Falls Hotel, where you will spend the night tonight.

Victoria Falls

Day 10 - Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

Following your relaxed breakfast in the hotel's restaurant you can enjoy a free day at Victoria Falls today. Once seen, never forgotten, Victoria Falls has the largest body of falling water in the world and is spectacular to witness. The thundering sound of the plunging water is matched only by the haze of spray that dominates the air. Lunch is served back in the hotel's restaurant, after which you'll have more free time before leaving the hotels and boarding the train once again. Dinner is served back onboard the train.

Kalahari Basin

Day 11 – The Kalahari Basin

Kalahari Basin

Enjoy your breakfast in the dining car this morning as you cross the border into Botswana. Lunch is served in the dining car as you cross the Tropic of Capricorn. Relax in the observation car and watch the altering landscapes as you cross the Kalahari basin. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge cars where you can curl up with a good book as this area of semi desert drifts by. Your formal dinner is served in the dining car this evening, after which you can enjoy a drink in the bar car or continue to watch the landscapes go by.

Madikwi Lodge

Day 12 – Madikwi Lodge

Madikwi Lodge

Have your overnight bag ready, as after breakfast this morning you'll transfer from the train to a lodge in Madikwi for a two night stay. Lunch is served on arrival at the lodge and after lunch you'll experience a game drive in this big five wildlife reserve. The game drive lasts around three hours, after which you'll transfer back to the lodge for dinner and to relax in your new surroundings.

Big Five Game Drive

Day 13 – Morning Big Five Game Drive

Big Five Game Drive

The early bird catches the worm and on your early morning game drive this morning you stand a better chance of seeing more of the area's wildlife than those who head out later in the day. Following your three hour game drive you'll enjoy breakfast back at the lodge, after which you can take a nap or relax with a book. Lunch is served at the lodge, and following an afternoon tea you can take another game drive to see anything you didn't spot this morning. Dinner is served in the restaurant at the lodge.

Big Five Game Drive and Rovos Rail

Day 14 – Morning Big Five Game Drive and Rovos rail

Big Five Game Drive and Rovos Rail

This morning you can head out for another early morning game drive, lasting around two hours, before you make your way back to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast you'll leave the lodge and be transferred back to the train. Lunch is served in the dining car and you can take some time after, relaxing in the observation car and taking afternoon tea in the lounge car. A formal dinner is served in the dining car, after which you can get an early night or enjoy a dink in the bar car.

Pretoria

Day 15 – The Goldfields & Pretoria

Pretoria

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning as you travel through the Goldfields. After breakfast you'll leave the train in Pretoria, where you can take a city tour. Lunch is served on the platform of the Rovos Rail Station today, after which you can tour the station. You'll return to the train in the afternoon and take afternoon tea in the lounge car. Dinner is served this evening in the dining car. Relax with a drink in the bar car this evening or cosy up in your cabin for the night.

Kimberley

Day 16 - Kimberley Diamond Mine & The Big Hole

Kimberley

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast this morning as you arrive at Kimberley, the capital of the Northern Cape. After breakfast take a tour of Kimberley's Diamond Mine Museum and The Big Hole. Lunch is served back onboard the train, as you travel on to the Karoo. Once an inland sea and now a semi desert area, the Karoo provides a fascinating landscape to witness drifting by your window. Your formal dinner is served in the dining car this evening. Linger in the observation car to watch the scenery, or sip a cocktail or two in the bar car.

Matjiesfontein

Day 17 - Matjiesfontein

Matjiesfontein

Following your relaxed breakfast onboard this morning you'll arrive at Matjeisfontein, where you can take a walk through the historic village and visit the museum on the platform, which has a collection of vintage cars and railway carriages. Back onboard the train you'll travel through a series of four tunnels and down through the Hex River Valley. Relax with afternoon tea in the lounge car and prepare for your 1920s themed dinner in the dining car this evening. Carry on the party atmosphere in the bar car after dinner with a drink or two.

Arrive in Cape Town

Day 18 – Arrive Cape Town

Arrive in Cape Town

Your journey aboard the iconic Rovos Rail comes to an end today when you disembark the train after breakfast. Take your memories with you when you arrive at Cape Town and get ready for further adventures in the Mother City. On arrival in Cape Town you'll be transferred to your chosen hotel. Choose between our handpicked 5* hotels, on a B&B basis.

Hotels

Cape Town

Day 19 – Cape Town

Cape Town

Enjoy a free day in Cape Town today to explore the city at your own pace. Cape Town is an interesting and visually stunning city, as there are breathtaking views wherever you look, making it a great city for a walk. If you want to get closer to those amazing views, you can hike the mountains, including Table Mountain, and get amongst them. It's a great place to grab a coffee, and there are some cute coffee shops and stalls to discover, and watch the locals go by. You can choose to visit a brewery or just take a wander and sample some of the excellent street food on offer. Or, choose one of our optional excursions, available at a supplement.

Optional Excursions

Explore Cape Town Further

Day 20 – Cape Town

Explore Cape Town Further

Enjoy a second free day in Cape Town and get to know the city better. Visit a museum or an art gallery and discover the culture and history of the city. Head to the beach for some relaxation and fun enjoying the coastline. Sunbathe, swim, and have a go at water sports. Go shopping for souvenirs, or take a hike in the mountains, and visit one of the city's food markets to sample some local dishes. Or, choose one of our optional excursions, which are bookable at a supplement.

Optional Excursions

Inbound Travel

Days 21 & 22 - Cape Town to the UK

Your incredible adventure comes to its end today when you're transferred from your hotel to the airport in Cape Town, for your overnight flight.

Take your memories home as you land in the UK today, memories to last a lifetime, from your epic African journey.

Additional information

Visa requirements
Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

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