Rovos Rail · 4 days · 3 nights
Pretoria to Cape Town
Pretoria · Kimberley · Matjiesfontein · Cape Town
Rovos Rail · 15 days, 14 nights
Copper Trail: Lobito to Victoria Falls
Fourteen nights from Angola's Atlantic coast to Victoria Falls along the Benguela line, with a three-night safari in South Luangwa.
- LobitoDay 1
- HuamboDay 2
- KuitoDay 3
- LuenaDay 4
- LuauDay 4
- KolweziDay 7
- LubumbashiDay 8
- NdolaDay 9
- South LuangwaDay 9
- LusakaDay 13
- Kafue RiverDay 13
- ChomaDay 14
- LivingstoneDay 15
- Victoria FallsDay 15
Train stopExcursion by road
Duration15 days
Nights14
RouteLobito → Victoria Falls
Places visited14
From, per personUS$18,200
Overview
This expedition follows the historic Benguela Railway from Lobito across Angola's central plateau to the copper belt of the Democratic Republic of Congo, then into Zambia. Guests fly to South Luangwa National Park for a three-night safari, visit Lusaka's elephant sanctuary, cruise the Kafue River and end by crossing the Victoria Falls Bridge.
- The Benguela Railway across Angola
- Tours of Huambo, Kuito and Luena
- Visit to a copper mine at Kolwezi
- Drive through Lubumbashi
- Three nights of game drives in South Luangwa
- Lusaka elephant sanctuary and a Kafue River sunset cruise
- Choma Museum and Crafts Centre
Day by day
Day 1LobitoOn board
The train departs Lobito on Angola's Atlantic coast. Settle in as it travels through Benguela province and into Huambo province.
Meals: Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 2HuamboOn board
Tour Huambo, Angola's second-largest city and one of the old kingdoms of the central plateau, before continuing to Kuito.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 3KuitoOn board
Stroll through Kuito, built in the historic heart of the Ovimbundu kingdom, then travel on towards Luena.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 4LuenaOn board
A walking tour of Luena introduces Angola's recent history. The train then follows the Cassai River, where you may see local fishermen at work, towards Luau on the border.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 5At leisure on boardOn board
Border formalities take place in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the day is spent on board heading for Malonga and Kasaji. Tonight is an Africa-themed evening, or smart casual.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 6At leisure on boardOn board
Another relaxed day as the train passes Mungulunga and Mutshatsha on its way to Kolwezi.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 7Copper mineOn board
Disembark at Kolwezi to visit a copper mine in an area holding some of the world's largest copper and cobalt resources, then continue towards Tenke.
Meals: Breakfast · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 8LubumbashiOn board
After lunch, enjoy a drive through the city of Lubumbashi before the train heads for the Zambian border at Sakania.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 9South Luangwa National ParkSouth Luangwa camp
Cross into Zambia at Ndola and fly by charter to South Luangwa National Park. Lunch is served at camp, followed by an afternoon game drive in the Luangwa Valley.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 10South Luangwa National ParkSouth Luangwa camp
A full safari day: an early game drive of about three hours, brunch and time at leisure, then high tea and an afternoon game drive.
Meals: Breakfast · Brunch · High tea · Dinner
Day 11South Luangwa National ParkSouth Luangwa camp
Another day of morning and afternoon game drives in this dramatic, game-rich valley, with brunch and free time in between.
Meals: Breakfast · Brunch · High tea · Dinner
Day 12South Luangwa to NdolaOn board
After breakfast and a final morning game drive, fly back to Ndola and rejoin the train for lunch as it heads towards Kapiri Mposhi.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 13Elephant sanctuary & Kafue RiverOn board
Visit Lusaka's elephant sanctuary, where orphaned elephants are rescued and prepared for return to the wild. Later, disembark for a sunset cruise on the Kafue River with drinks included.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 14ChomaOn board
Cross the long Kafue railway bridge, then take a short walk to the Choma Museum and Crafts Centre, which showcases the heritage of the Tonga people. Tonight is a roaring-twenties themed evening, or smart casual.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 15Victoria Falls
After breakfast and border formalities at Livingstone, the train crosses the Victoria Falls Bridge into Zimbabwe and the journey ends at Victoria Falls Station.
Meals: Breakfast
Where you spend each night
- Night 1On board
- Night 2On board
- Night 3On board
- Night 4On board
- Night 5On board
- Night 6On board
- Night 7On board
- Night 8On board
- Night 9South Luangwa camp
- Night 10South Luangwa camp
- Night 11South Luangwa camp
- Night 12On board
- Night 13On board
- Night 14On board
The map is schematic. Dashed lines are excursions by road.
Most spacious
Royal Suite
2 per carriage · ±16 m²
- Takes up half a carriage
- Private lounge area
- Victorian bath plus separate shower
- Double or split twin beds
- Minibar, safe and air conditioning
Mid-size
Deluxe Suite
3 per carriage · ±10 m²
- Own small lounge area
- En-suite shower, toilet and basin
- Double or split twin beds
- Writing desk, fridge and tea facilities
Long journeys
Pullman Gold Suite
5 per carriage · ±7 m²
- Lengthways twin beds set as sofas by day
- Converts to a lengthways double
- En-suite shower, toilet and basin
- Fold-up writing desk
Short journeys
Pullman Suite
5 per carriage · ±7 m²
- Comfortable sofa-seat by day
- Side-by-side double or upper and lower bunks at night
- En-suite shower, toilet and basin
- Safe, small fridge and air conditioning
Suite configurations depend on availability, and some Royal and Deluxe suites have a room divider.
- Accommodation on board
- All meals
- All beverages
- Room service
- Limited laundry
- Excursions with a qualified guide where applicable
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
- On-board historian, hairstylist and doctor
- Government tax
- Flights to and from South Luangwa
- Overnight bag
- Off-train stays: meals, standard bar drinks, game activities, laundry, park fees
- Deposit
- 25% of the total at booking
- Final payment
- 65 days before departure
Dates and prices
Live availability. Choose a cabin type, then select Book Now to reserve online, or Join waitlist on sold-out dates.
Pullman Suite
July 22, 2027
US$ 18,200.00 pp dbl
July 22, 2027
US$ 26,400.00 pp sgl
Deluxe Suite
July 22, 2027
US$ 24,000.00 pp dbl
July 22, 2027
US$ 34,700.00 pp sgl
Royal Suite
July 22, 2027
US$ 31,500.00 pp dbl
Join the waitlist
This departure is currently sold out. Leave your details and we will contact you the moment a cabin becomes available.
Questions about this journey
Which countries does the Copper Trail cross?
It travels through Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Visas for all four must be arranged before travel.
How long is the safari in South Luangwa?
Guests spend three nights at camps in South Luangwa National Park, with morning and afternoon game drives. The charter flights to and from Ndola are included.
What is the Benguela Railway?
It is the historic line that runs inland from Lobito on Angola's Atlantic coast across the central plateau towards the copper belt. The first days of this journey follow it, with tours of Huambo, Kuito and Luena.
Is there a copper mine visit?
Yes. At Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, guests visit a copper mine in one of the world's richest copper and cobalt regions.
Does the journey run in the other direction?
Yes, the operator also runs Victoria Falls to Lobito with the same core highlights, including South Luangwa and the elephant sanctuary.
How do I check dates and fares?
Live dates and fares are shown on this page, and our reservations team can help on (866) 484-7882.
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