Discover the immense beauty of Africa from a totally different and exclusive perspective by securing your seat on an Orient Express-style train…  

Leave the hustle and bustle of the modern world behind and explore Africa in luxury and style with Rovos Rail. 

Their luxury train journeys offer guests the glamour of old-world exploration, combined with new perspectives on extraordinary landscapes and – of course – comfort beyond your wildest dreams. 

Along the journey, you will have the opportunity to go on memorable cultural, historical and safari excursions famous in each of the areas of exploration. 

The train is outfitted with delightfully opulent fixtures and luxuriously comfortable features. It has an accommodation carriage, dining cars, a lounge car, a smoking lounge and an observation car with an open-air balcony that is brimming with old-world class. 

Some incredible Rovos Rail expeditions…

The Victoria Falls Route: Discover the Land of Mystery and Legend

Depart from the Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria, South Africa, to spend up to 4 nights on the rails.  From the station, travel north through Warmbaths and Nylstroomm, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn and the Limpopo River to head towards Matabeleland city in Zimbabwe. 

A great highlight of the trip includes stopping for dinner with a direct view of the falls from the Victoria Falls Bridge! 

Other noteworthy excursions include taking a game drive in Matobo National Park to view the magnificent wildlife, as well as the bushmen caves, rock art and dramatic granite hills of the World Heritage Site, and traversing Hwange National Park with its rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary. 

The Namibia Route: Tall Dunes, Great Canyons and Flourishing Culture

From the train’s base camp in Pretoria, guests will take an extraordinary 9 – 11 night trip all the way to Walvis Bay and beyond. 

The first stop is Kimberley, the centre of the historic diamond rush. From there, the route proceeds through the Northern Cape of South Africa to the Fish River Canyon. In the next leg, you will move across the untamed Kalahari Desert, to Windhoek, and end your journey by travelling through the Namib to Swakopmund and Walvis Bay – an unforgettable end to a remarkable journey.

Highlights of this route include viewing the world’s second largest canyon – the Fish River Canyon – and taking a short flight to Sossusvlei, a stunning pan in the Namib Desert, for an overnight stay, followed by a night in the game-rich Etosha National Park, and visiting the Cheetah Conservation Project.

The Cape Town Route: From the Capital to the Cape of Storms

Explore South Africa like never before by taking in the landscape during a 3 night train trip from Pretoria to Cape Town. 

Through the grasslands of the Highveld to the scenic Great Karoo and then onto the Winelands and the Mother City of South Africa, this route is perfect for anyone keen on variety. 

Highlights of this trip include visiting the historical village of Matjiesfontein and the impressive museum found there, as well as the world’s largest man-made excavation, the Big Hole in Kimberley, Table Mountain in Cape Town, and the vineyards and courses of South Africa’s internationally renowned wineries and golf destinations. 

The Dar Es Salaam Route: The Belt of Safari Excellence 

Say au revoir to modern life for 15 nights and discover a world of unimaginable discoveries, awe-inspiring views and exciting adventures when you book the Dar Es Salaam route. 

Start in Cape Town, home to South Africa’s most iconic landmark and one of the seven wonders of the world – Table Mountain – to travel north, passing the historic diamond town of Matjiesfontein, Pretoria, and stopping off at the Madikwe Game Reserve for spectacular wildlife experiences. 

For the second leg of the trip, make your way through Botswana and into Zimbabwe, crossing the great Zambezi River and making a stop at Victoria Falls. 

After this, the route ventures towards Chishimba Falls and climbs up towards the Tanzanian border to descend upon the Great Rift Valley and then onto the largest game reserve in Africa, Nyerere (formerly Selous), to complete the journey in Dar es Salaam, one of Tanzania’s biggest cities.

Highlights of this route include traversing both the edge of the Kalahari Basin and the Karoo, great desserts home to curious creatures and distinctive landscapes, visiting and exploring Victoria Falls, and wildlife viewing in the Madikwe Reserve, which hosts around 100 mammal and over 300 migrant bird species.

The Trail of Two Oceans Route – From Beautiful Coast to Beautiful Coast

Take a 15 night voyage from the Tanzanian capital of Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean to journey past Nyerere (aka Selous) Game Reserve, the largest game reserve in Africa. From there, enjoy a fly-in safari in South Luangwa National Park, home to the walking safari, and take a tour of Lubumbashi, the second largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. End your trip by taking walking tours and adventuring through Lobito, situated on the Atlantic Coast. 

The Copper Trail Route – Journey into the Heart of Southern Africa

Traverse Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola when signing up to ride this route. Highlights include visiting the Victoria Falls and taking a sunset cruise towards Kafue River, visiting Lusaka’s elephant sanctuary, taking a fly-in safari in South Luangwa National Park and learning about Angola’s recent history on walking tours of Lobito. 

The Durban Route – From City to Sea

Start your 2 night expedition in Pretoria and make your way to the coast. Along your journey, enjoy taking game drives at the Nambiti Conservancy, a Big Five private retreat, learning a bit of history about South Africa and delighting in Ardmore’s unusual African ceramics.   

The Golf Route – A Sportsman’s Dream

Take a 9 night journey from Pretoria into the northeastern reaches of South Africa for game viewing and match setting. Travel across the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, visit Spionkop, traverse the Valley of a Thousand Hills, and view game in the many parks along the way, including one of the country’s oldest reserves, Hluhluwe. End your journey in Sun City for some golfing, game viewing, flyfishing and whisky savouring. 

The African Collage Route – A Perfect Mosaic of the South African Experience 

Spend up to 12 nights winding your way from Pretoria to Cape Town and enjoying extraordinary excursions on the way. Highlights of this route include a game drive through Kruger Park, a Durban city and Durban Botanical Gardens tour, a boat cruise on the Knysna Lagoon, walking through the Cango Caves and golfing the African Collage courses.

The Southern Cross Route – A Wildlife Enthusiast’s Dream

Embark on the magical 11 night journey from Pretoria to the Victoria Falls and enjoy making the most of the exciting activities on offer. Tour Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, as well as the Kingdom of eSwatini, visit the Great Zimbabwe Monument, and view striking game at Kapama, Matobo National Park, Hwange and on a sunset cruise along the mighty Zambezi River. 

The African Trilogy Route – The Latest Addition

New and coming to guests in 2024, this 14 night route will allow you to view the best of South Africa and Namibia from the comfort of your luxury cabin. The journey begins in Pretoria and cuts across South Africa, making its way to the world-famous Kruger Park, Durban Botanical Gardens, and the Drakensberg Mountains, before heading north into Namibia, up to Walvis Bay and into the vast and still Namib Desert.  

Ready to discover Africa like never before?

Contact us to get started.