17 Days Rovos Rail from Dar Es Salaam to Cape Town
Experience the extravagant elegance of rail travel on the most luxurious train in the world.
Rovos Rail's unique train safaris through the heart of Africa combine some of the most
magnificent scenery with the glamour and excitement of the golden age of rail travel. Since its
establishment in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class
travel experiences.
Step aboard the wood-panelled coaches - classics remodelled and refurbished to mint condition
- and enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury as some of the most varied scenery imaginable
unfolds beyond the windows. Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a bygone era, when
privileged travellers experienced the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant
fashion.
Pride of Africa links some of Africa's greatest destinations from Cape Town, at the tip of Africa,
to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, from scenic splendours as diverse as the game reserves of
Mpumalanga to the Victoria Falls, from the desert landscapes in Namibia and the stark beauty
of the Karoo to the lush cane fields of KwaZulu-Natal and the magnificent Garden Route along
the Cape south coast.
Day 1
Flight to Tanzania
D
Arrive in the evening at your quiet first class hotel in Dar Es Saalam where you are
welcomed by your Lernidee Tour guide.
Day 2
Dar Es Salaam
B/D
You will take a guided sightseeing tour and explore the bustling centre of Dar Es
Salaam with its mix of modern skyscrapers and old colonial buildings. In the afternoon
you can take a guided trip to Bagamoyo. Once an important port for the slave and
ivory trade and the capital of German East Africa, the Arab, Indian and European
colonial influences of the past can still be found today in the unique monuments and
memorials.
Day 3
Welcome aboard Rovos Rail
B/L/D
Today your grand journey through Southern Africa begins, when your train rolls out of
the large modern Chinese-looking TaZaRa train station of Dar Es Salaam. Settle
comfortably into your luxurious suite compartment and enjoy the amazing landscapes
unfold. Comfortably watch different game while you travel through Africa’s largest
game preserve Selous, named after the famous 19th century hunter Frederic Selous.
At the train station of Kisaki you can also often view Massai warriors in their precious
garments. At evening, expect a delicious 3-course dinner in the marvellous train
restaurant.
Day 4 / Day 5
From Rift Valley to Zambia
B/L/D
The railway line rises steadily uphill until your train reaches the volcanic mountain
chain of Mbeya. Your train will take you on a breathtaking route through one of the
most interesting geological regions of the world: through Rift Valley into Zambia. The
Great Rift Valley is one huge crevice that runs from Jordan through the Red Sea to
East Africa. The trains winds along steep slopes, passes through 23 tunnels and over
countless bridges. In the morning you will reach the border to Zambia at Tunduma and
travel through Northern Zambia’s vast uninhabited bush land plateau at an altitude of
about 1,300 meters. Due to the dry, moderate climate Zambia is often referred to as
the “air-conditioned state”. In the afternoon your Private Train reaches Kasama, where
you will get off in order to visit the Chisimba Falls.
Day 6 / Day 7
On Livingstone’s footsteps through Zambia
B/L/D
Passing the dense Miomba forests your journey continues to Kanona. You will
follow the footsteps of the great African explorer David Livingstone who lost his
heart here to Africa. Literally speaking, because his loyal servants Sussi and
Chuma buried Livingstone’s most important muscle in 1873 in this area. In Kapiri
Mposhi the train switches from the TaZaRa line to the old colonial train tracks that
were intended to be extended until Cairo. It was only in the 70’s that Chinese
engineers built the TaZaRa line in order to connect the landlocked Zambia to ports
on the East coast. It is an irony of history: The major railway project of the
Imperialist Rhodes was continued by communist China. Via the capitol Lusaka
and the Kafue River your train will reach on the next day the fertile BatokaPlateau.
Day 8
Elephant Herds in the Chobe-National Park
B/L/D
In the morning you will reach Livingstone, until 1935 capitol of Northern Rhodesia.
After a short, curvy ride another highlight of the journey awaits you: the drive over
the spectacular Victoria-Falls Bridge connecting Zambia with Zimbabwe. The train
will stop for an outing over the approximately 120 m deep gorge of the Zambesi,
with the rising water vapor of the water falls as a picturesque backdrop. After
settling the border formalities, your train gently rolls into the small train station of
Victoria Falls. After a two hour bus ride you will cross the border of Botswana,
where you will reside at an idyllic first class lodge situated on the Chobe River. At
sunset you will take a boat ride along the river on whose shores elephants,
hippos, antelopes and many water birds gather in the cooler evening hours.
Day 9
The smoke and Thunder
B/L/D
Today you should get up early: in open vehicles you will enjoy a game drive
through the game-rich Chobe-National Park. You will then enjoy the view during
brunch on the terrace of the lodge before you return by bus to Victoria Falls. After
a light lunch in the traditional Victoria-Falls Hotel you will be able to make a walk
to the Victoria Falls. On a small path through the rain forest you will get to the
edge of a washout, where the noise of the roaring spray of the Zambezi will reach
you. In the afternoon you will view the traditional dances of the Shangaan from the
train station in Victoria Falls and then continue your train journey.
Day 10
Through Matabele Land into the Kalahari
B/L/D
You will pass by Bulawayo, capitol of the Matabele province. Not far from the here
Cecil Rhodes’ grave can be found. An on-board lecture will be devoted to his life.
In the afternoon you will reach the border of Botswana. The border formalities will
be comfortably taken care of on the train. Your journey will take you now past the
Tropic of Capricorn into the wide plains of the Kalahari.
Day 11 / Day 13 On Safari
B/L/D
In the late morning your train will reach Gabarone, capitol of Botswana. For two
days you will be off the train now and pass the near South-African border by bus.
In the afternoon you will have your first game drive in open vehicles in the malariafree Madikwe game reserve. South Africa’s fourth largest game reserve covers
76,000 hectares of game-rich bush and grass plains and due to its location it is
secluded from the usual routes given by insider tips in South Africa. You will stay
for 2 nights in a luxurious safari lodge. Meanwhile, your large luggage will remain
under safekeeping in your private train suite.
The 12th day of your journey will be at your disposal for wildlife observation. Your
experienced ranger will share his knowledge with you about the habits of the wild
animals and their tracks through the bush. With a little luck you will see lions,
elephants, rhinos and perhaps even the rare leopard. Madikwe became famous
thanks to Operation Phoenix which was successfully completed in 1997. As part
of the world’s largest resettlement of wild animals, nearly 10,000 animals found
new homes in Madikwe and thus they gave the region its original animal
abundance. On the 13th day you will drive per bus to the small town of Zeerust,
where your friendly train staff will welcome you back on board of Rovos Rail.
Day 14
Under steam to Pretoria
B/L/D
Before entering Pretoria’s stylish Rovos train station Capital Park reflecting the
charm of the 30’s your train will be pulled on the last kilometres by an original,
lavishly restored steam locomotive. At Capital Park you can, in addition to other
historical locomotives, admire the heart of Rovos Rail: The workshop, in which the
fine dark green salon and sleeping cars emerge from extensive manual work on
the old, disused train cars. Afterwards a sightseeing tour of Pretoria will conclude
your day including visits of the Union buildings and the residential house of Paul
Kruger, the former president of the Transvaal Republic.
Day 15
A Diamond is forever
B/L/D
Before your arrival in Kimberley you will witness a real wonder of nature: tens of
thousands of flamingos will appear like a giant pink band on the banks of a small
lake. Shortly before noon your private train will reach the historical train station of
Kimberley, the city of diamonds. At the end of the 19th century, the town
experienced a real diamond rush, from which the diamond empire of De Beers
emerged, led today by the Oppenheimers and founded by Cecil Rhodes. You can
view the famous Big Hole, once the largest diamond mind in the world and visit
the lovingly restored original buildings of Kimberley’s Belle Époque. In the
afternoon your train will depart for the last great leg of the journey into the Cape
lands. Enjoy your farewell dinner while on board of your rolling first-class hotel the
sun dips the fascinating Karoo half-desert into red evening light.
Day 16
Cape Town
B/L/D
In the morning your train will reach the small Victorian village of Matjiesfontein
where you will have time to visit the railway museum and the venerable Lord
Milner Hotel. After your train has passed the Hexriver Mountains you will now see
green wine lands. Now it’s also your last opportunity to try one of the magnificent
wines aboard your private train. In the late afternoon you will reach the final
destination of your voyage: Cape town. Now it’s time to say good-bye to your train
crew before you are escorted to your First-Class hotel at the famous Waterfront.
Before the farewell dinner you will make a sun-downer trip to Signal Hill where you
will find a spectacular view of the city’s sea of lights.
Day 17
Farewell to Africa
B
The morning is at your disposal to explore the city on your own. We recommend a
cable car ride up Table Mountain or a visit to the fantastic botanical gardens of
Kirstenbosch. In the afternoon you will be escorted to the airport, where your tour
guide will bid farewell to you. This concludes an unforgettable African journey !
Compartment Category I (4-Bed Cabin)
Compartment Category II (Standard Plus)
Compartment Category III (Nostalgic Comfort)
Compartment Category IV (Bolshoi)
Compartment Category V (Bolshoi Platinum)
Transsiberian Date / Rate 2011/2012
Tsar`s Gold From Moscow to Beijing
Moscow to Beijing 2011 :-
16 Aug – 31 Aug
09 Sep – 24 Sep
Moscow to Beijing 2012 :-
15 May – 30 May
12 Jun – 27 Jun
10 Jul – 25 Jul
07 Aug – 22 Aug
28 Aug – 12 Sep
04 Sep – 19 Sep
Compartment Category I
(Standard 4 berth Compartment)
Rm 26,000
Supplement if the Compartment use by 3 person.
Supplement per person.
Rm 2,835
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Compartment Category II
(Standard 2 berth Compartment)
Rm 31,600
Supplement per person.
Rm 5,500
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Compartment Category III (Nostalgic Comfort)
(Standard 2 berth Compartment)
Rm 38,200
Supplement per person.
Rm 12,780
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Compartment Category IV (Bolshoi)
(Standard 2 berth Compartment)
Rm 51,200
Supplement per person.
Rm 19,800
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Compartment Category V (Bolshoi Platinum)
(Standard 2 berth Compartment)
Rm 59,300
Supplement per person.
Rm 20,600
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------High Season Sur Charge for Jul , Aug , Sep
Rm 750