Please check in at least one hour before departure. If you wish to visit the museum or take a site tour at Rovos Rail Station, we recommend arriving two hours prior. Depart from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria, where guests can freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge cars. The train travels along the eastern line, passing through the harsh eMalahleni coal-mining area and Middelburg, the “stainless steel capital of Africa.” This historic route was constructed by the Dutch railway company NZASM between 1893 and 1895, linking Pretoria to Lourenço Marques (Maputo).

Your choice of cabin

Lunch, Afternoon Tea and Dinner

Embark on a full-day tour of historical areas including Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and Graskop, with lunch included. At Graskop, guests can opt to visit the Graskop Viewing Lift (own account), which descends 51 meters down the gorge into the forest below. A 600-meter trail with wooden walkways and suspension bridges offers an immersive experience through the indigenous forest, complete with an interactive exhibit.

Return to the train in Mbombela (140km) before departing for Malelane. Dinner is served in the dining cars (formal dress required). Pilgrim’s Rest, a living museum and National Monument, was once a bustling gold rush town, while Bourke’s Luck Potholes showcase unique river-formed cylindrical cavities, and the Blyde River Canyon offers breathtaking viewpoints.

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All meals

Enjoy a full day of game viewing in the famous Kruger National Park, with lunch served during the excursion. The park spans 2 million hectares and is home to an unrivalled diversity of life, including 336 species of trees, 49 species of fish, and a variety of mammals, including the Big Five.

After the game drive, tea is served in the lounge and observation cars as the train departs for Maputo, Mozambique. Border formalities take place before dinner is served in the dining cars (formal dress required).

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All meals

Embark on a city tour of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, with lunch included. The city offers a fascinating mix of cultures, with architecture blending African, Portuguese, and early Colonial styles, from old Catholic churches to mosques and Victorian mansions.

After the tour, tea is served in the lounge and observation cars as the train travels to Mpaka, eSwatini.

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All meals

Disembark at Mpaka and transfer to Swazi Candles, where guests can interact with artisans creating beautiful candles and browse wood carvings, textiles, and basketwork. Continue to Mantenga Cultural Village for a tour and lunch at Mantenga Lodge, a living museum that showcases traditional Swazi life from the 1800s.

Return to the train and depart for Hoedspruit, with border formalities taking place. The Kingdom of eSwatini, a landlocked country with two capital cities, is known for its rich heritage and stunning mountainous landscapes.

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All meals

Start the day with a thrilling game drive in Kapama Game Reserve, home to over 40 mammal species, including the Big Five, and around 350 bird species. Afterward, visit the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, dedicated to the conservation of rare and threatened species through breeding, rehabilitation, and anti-poaching efforts.

Return to the train for lunch before departing for Tzaneen and Louis Trichardt. Kapama’s rich wildlife and the centre’s holistic conservation approach make for an unforgettable experience.

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All meals

Spend the day on board as the train travels through the scenic Limpopo Province en route to Rutenga in Zimbabwe.

Limpopo, South Africa’s northernmost province, offers a diverse landscape from tropical forests and mountains to semi-desert areas, and is a cultural melting pot, with five distinct regions home to a variety of ethnic groups living in harmony.

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All meals

Transfer to the Great Zimbabwe Monument for a fascinating tour with lunch. This impressive site, the largest precolonial monument south of the Egyptian pyramids, was built by the Rozwi people and is steeped in history and myth, including the legendary tales of King Solomon’s Mines.

Rejoin the train at Oreti Siding and depart for Gweru. The monument, located in the granite hill country, offers a glimpse into ancient African civilization, where gold and silver were mined long before being traded by Arabic and Portuguese

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All meals

Spend a full day at Antelope Park, with lunch included, and enjoy optional activities such as canoeing, game drives, horseback game viewing, elephant interaction, and bird-watching cruises. The park is home to the world-renowned African Lion and Environmental Research Trust (ALERT), a pioneering lion rehabilitation program working to ethically reintroduce captive-bred lions back into the wild.

Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars before departing for Bulawayo. Set in 3000 acres of open savannah, Antelope Park offers a unique experience for eco-tourists and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

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All meals

Enjoy a full-day tour of Matobo National Park, including lunch. Visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes at the summit of Malindidzimu, the “hill of benevolent spirits,” and explore the bushmen caves with their ancient rock art.

Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars before departing for Kennedy. Matobo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its dramatic granite hills and rich cultural history, including the burial site of Ndebele King Mzilikazi.

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All meals

Spend the day enjoying game viewing in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife area, known for its diverse animal and bird species, particularly its prolific lion population. The park spans over 1.4 million hectares, offering an unforgettable safari experience.

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All meals

Arrive at Victoria Falls Station and check out of the train, storing your luggage onboard. Take a walking tour of the village and Victoria Falls, with lunch provided, and meet at the Victoria Falls Hotel for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.

The station, first reached by railway in 1904, is surrounded by charming colonial architecture, bougainvillea, and palm trees, offering a tranquil oasis. Victoria Falls, one of the world’s natural wonders, has been evolving for two million years and stands as one of the most breathtaking sites on earth.

Breakfast, Lunch

The Pullman Golds, mostly used on the long journeys, accommodate one or two passengers in double or split twin beds and have an en-suite with shower, toilet and basin.

The Split Twin is the preferable setup between the Split Twin and Double Lengthways and will be illustrated at check-in. A dedicated host/ess is always available and services the suites daily.

The wood-panelled sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort with fittings and facilities of the highest standard.

Deluxe Suites accommodate one or two passengers in double or twin beds and have their own lounge area and en-suite with shower, toilet and basin. A dedicated host/ess is always available and services the suites daily.

The wood-panelled sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort with fittings and facilities of the highest standard.

The Royal Suites each take up half a carriage with their own private lounge area and en-suite with Victorian bath, separate shower, toilet and basin. They accommodate one or two passengers in double or split twin beds. A dedicated host/ess is always available and services the suites daily.