Africa by Rail with Hilary Barry | Rovos Charter

On arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met and transferred to the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa.

Enjoy breakfast, then the group will be transferred to the exclusive Rovos station in Pretoria where we will enjoy a museum visit followed by welcome reception.

As we depart from the Rovos station in Pretoria, you may choose to freshen up before joining your fellow travellers in the lounge and observation cars where we will enjoy tea. Dinner will be served in the dining cars en route to Witbank.

Today we enjoy the day on board travelling to Nelspruit.

The train journeys along the eastern route towards the rugged eMalahleni coal-mining region and Middelburg, renowned as the “stainless steel hub of Africa”. The Dutch railway construction firm, NZASM, constructed the eastern route linking Pretoria to Lourenço Marques (now Maputo) from 1893 to 1895.

Enjoy an early breakfast today before a Full Day game viewing in Kruger National Park with lunch. Keep your binoculars at the ready as you search for the Big Five, along with a plethora of other fascinating creatures that call Kruger home. Marvel at graceful giraffes grazing in the distance, watch as herds of elephants gather at watering holes, and listen to the haunting calls of lions echoing through the bush.

Today go in search of the big five in Kapama Game Reserve on a game drive accompanied by knowledgeable guides. Traverse the reserve's diverse terrain, from open savannahs to dense bushveld, as you track elusive leopards, watch towering elephants roam freely, and marvel at the grace of antelopes bounding across the plains.

Delve into the world of conservation at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. Learning about their breeding programs, rehabilitation initiatives, and efforts to combat poaching. Witness up-close encounters with rare and vulnerable species, fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of wildlife preservation.

Limpopo Province is located in the far north of South Africa and shares borders with three neighbouring countries: Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. For this reason, the province is also known as the gateway to other African countries and also shares provincial borders with Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Northwest. The Limpopo landscape varies from one area to the other from tropical forests, bush and shrubs to semi-desert areas with small trees and bushes and mountains to flat land.

After breakfast transfer to the Great Zimbabwe Monument for a tour with lunch.

Travel through attractive granite hill country to the Great Zimbabwe Monument, a hugely impressive monument and world UNESCO Heritage Site, situated on the southeastern edge of the central plateau and the largest precolonial monument south of the Egyptian pyramids. A celebrated achievement of the African people and a place where magical fables such as the story of King Solomon’s Mines find their origins amongst the ruins of an ancient city built by the Rozwi people. Discover how these ancient people lived and mined gold and silver, which were ultimately taken out of Africa by Arabic and Portuguese traders.

Enjoy breakfast and Lunch aboard before an afternoon game drive in Hwange National Park. As you venture into the park's vast expanse, keep your eyes peeled for sightings of Hwange's iconic residents, including massive elephant herds, graceful giraffes, elusive leopards, and an array of antelope species. With the expertise of experienced guides, uncover the park's hidden treasures and gain a deeper appreciation for its diverse ecosystems.

After breakfast arrive Victoria Falls Station. Check out of train and meet for a walking tour the falls.

The Victoria Falls is one of nature’s great revelations on a par with the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest and an erupting volcano. It is believed that there have existed no less than seven different Victoria Falls over the past two million years. These cascades correspond to the lower gorges of the Zambezi. 

Afterwards you will be transferred to your hotel to enjoy lunch and some time at leisure. You will have time for an optional scenic helicopter over the falls - the best way to appreciate the grandness of the falls!

Later in the afternoon, you will be collected for a private sunset cruise. Time to enjoy your new friends, the beautiful African sunset with canapes and drinks.

Enjoy some time at leisure until its time to say goodbye to your new friends and transfer to the airport for your flight back to Johannesburg.

You may choose to extend your trip to visit the neigbouring counties of Botswana and Zambia, which both offer exceptional opportunities for wildlife safaris. Botswana's Chobe National Park is famous for its large elephant herds, diverse birdlife, and predator sightings. The Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta is another wildlife paradise. Zambia's South Luangwa National Park is renowned for its walking safaris, allowing visitors to experience the bush up close.