Itinerary Highlights
- Travel in style aboard Rovos Rail, watching changing landscapes roll by in southern Africa
- Search for elephant, lion and more on expert-led game drives in Hwange National Park
- Feel the thunder of Victoria Falls before exploring forest trails and scenic viewpoints
- Drift along the Chobe River by boat, watching wildlife gather at the water’s edge
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Transfers
Candice Buchan
Travel Specialist
Travel through southern Africa by rail and river on a nine-night journey that links classic train travel with wildlife viewing and time beside one of the world’s great waterfalls.
This itinerary is ideal if you enjoy a slower pace and like to see how landscapes change as you move across a region, with expert guides to help you make sense of the wildlife and places along the way.
Your journey begins aboard the elegant Rovos Rail, travelling north from Johannesburg through South Africa and Zimbabwe towards Botswana. Life on board centres on good food, time to read, watch the scenery pass and enjoy conversations with fellow travellers. Along the way, you cross the Tropic of Capricorn and roll through wide, open country that supports various wildlife species.
In Zimbabwe, you head into Hwange National Park, a vast reserve known for its large elephant population and varied habitats. Guided game drives allow you the chance to look for elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and cheetah, while learning how wildlife survives in this dry environment.
You then spend time beside Victoria Falls, staying at the historic Victoria Falls Hotel, with opportunities to explore the forest and river. The journey then ends on board the Zambezi Queen, cruising the Chobe River along the edge of Chobe National Park. From the water, watch animals come to drink and see daily life unfold along the riverbanks – a calm and fitting ending.
Please note, this is an example tour. To create your own tailor-made itinerary, speak with our Travel Specialists by calling us today.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Fly UK to Johannesburg
Day 2 | Johannesburg – Pretoria
Day 3 | Pretoria – Johannesburg & Rovos Rail Departure
This morning, you'll be transferred to the train station for the start of your Rovos Rail journey, spending the next two days discovering the beauty of South Africa from the comfort of your romantic, wood-panelled Pullman Suite.
The Pullman Suite embodies privacy, comfort and luxury with an en-suite, a fridge filled with drinks of your choice and a cosy sofa seat which transforms into a plush double bed. The train’s observation, lounge and club cars are the ideal place to relax and enjoy the beautiful passing views. Spend your evenings in the opulent dining cart for romantic meals.
Your expedition will take you through the south of Johannesburg and the goldfields of Witwatersrand, alongside the majestic Magaliesberg Mountains and through the scenic Limpopo region, before crossing the border into Zimbabwe.
Day 4 | Johannesburg – Zimbabwe
Day 5 | Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Day 6 | Hwange National Park – Victoria Falls
Day 7 - 8 | Victoria Falls
Over the next two full days, enjoy Victoria Falls with the hotel’s diverse range of activities. For the adventurous, there's white-water rafting in the Zambezi River under the falls, bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge and jet boating in the Batoka Gorge. Or, if you're captivated by the wildlife of Hwange, spend a full day in Chobe National Park and enjoy a night game drive with a bush dinner or a horse trail through the African bush.
Water flows down from Angola to the Victoria Falls, and they can be quite dry coming out of December and January. February is when it starts flowing, being at its fullest in April. May to mid-August is the dry season, with very little rain and clear skies, but temperatures are lower.
At full flow, the Victoria Falls can create a massive spray, soaking you to the bone and making photography difficult, but illustrating the sheer power of the falls. When the water level is low, there's less spray, and it makes for beautiful photographs!
Day 9 | Victoria Falls – Chobe River, Botswana
Day 10 | Chobe River
Day 11 | Departure
Candice Buchan
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
31st Dec 2025
31st Dec 2026
31st Dec 2027
Candice Buchan
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Pricing Notes
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
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