Rovos Rail · 4 days · 3 nights
Pretoria to Cape Town
Pretoria · Kimberley · Matjiesfontein · Cape Town
Rovos Rail · 17 days, 16 nights
Dar es Salaam to Cape Town
A 16-night epic from the Indian Ocean to the Cape across Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.
- Dar es SalaamDay 1
- Nyerere National ParkDay 2
- MakambakoDay 3
- MbeyaDay 3
- TundumaDay 4
- Kundalila FallsDay 5
- Kapiri MposhiDay 5
- LusakaDay 6
- LivingstoneDay 8
- Victoria FallsDay 8
- FrancistownDay 10
- Madikwe Game ReserveDay 11
- ZeerustDay 13
- PretoriaDay 14
- KimberleyDay 15
- MatjiesfonteinDay 16
- Cape TownDay 17
Train stopExcursion by road
Duration17 days
Nights16
RouteDar es Salaam → Cape Town
Places visited17
From, per personUS$16,500
Overview
One of the world's great rail journeys, this expedition leaves Dar es Salaam on the Tazara line, crossing Nyerere National Park, the Udzungwa escarpment and the Rift Valley into Zambia. After a night at the Victoria Falls Hotel and two nights in Madikwe Game Reserve, it tours Pretoria, Kimberley and Matjiesfontein before ending in Cape Town.
- Game viewing from the train in Nyerere National Park
- Switchbacks, viaducts and tunnels of the Udzungwa escarpment
- Kundalila Falls on the Muchinga Escarpment
- Night at the Victoria Falls Hotel and a Zambezi sunset cruise
- Two nights in a Madikwe safari lodge
- Pretoria city tour, Kimberley's Big Hole and Matjiesfontein
- Lectures by an on-board historian
Day by day
Day 1Dar es SalaamOn board
Check in at a hotel in central Dar es Salaam and transfer to Tazara Station. For the first three days the observation car leads the train, a treat for rail enthusiasts, as it crosses the fertile lands of Tanzania. The historian's lectures begin in the lounge car.
Meals: Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 2Nyerere National ParkOn board
Time permitting, look out for game as the train crosses Nyerere National Park, the largest in Africa. In the afternoon it heads for the jungled Udzungwa Mountains, negotiating the switchbacks, viaducts and tunnels of the escarpment.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 3MakambakoOn board
Time permitting, take an optional stroll through Makambako before the train sets off again. It crosses the Rift Valley and baobab forests towards Mbeya and the Zambian border.
Meals: Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 4At leisure on boardOn board
After border formalities at Tunduma and Nakonde, settle in for a day on the Tazara line, an engineering feat that passes through remote territory. Tonight is an Africa-themed evening, or smart casual.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 5Kundalila FallsOn board
Visit Kundalila Falls, where the Kaombe River tumbles off the Muchinga Escarpment into a lush natural pool. You can hike the steep trail to the base for photos or a swim. The train is turned at New Kapiri Mposhi overnight.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 6At leisure on boardOn board
A day on board heading for Lusaka, Zambia's capital, where there may be an excursion if time allows. Book any Victoria Falls activities with the historian before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 7At leisure on boardOn board
The train crosses the 477-metre Kafue Railway Bridge and continues south towards Livingstone.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 8Victoria FallsVictoria Falls Hotel
Cross the Victoria Falls Bridge into Zimbabwe and walk across to the Victoria Falls Hotel with an overnight bag. After a welcome on the lawn and lunch, join a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, then dine at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 9Victoria FallsOn board
A day at leisure in Victoria Falls, with breakfast and lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon the train departs and runs along one of the world's longest straight stretches of railway beside Hwange National Park.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 10At leisure on boardOn board
After crossing from Zimbabwe into Botswana, the train runs along the eastern edge of the Kalahari Basin towards Mahalapye.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 11Madikwe Game ReserveMadikwe lodge
Cross the Tropic of Capricorn, then transfer about 90 minutes to a lodge in Madikwe for two nights, clearing the South African border en route. Lunch is served on arrival, followed by afternoon tea and a game drive.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 12Madikwe Game ReserveMadikwe lodge
A full safari day with an early-morning game drive, breakfast at the lodge, then afternoon tea and another game drive before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 13Madikwe Game ReserveOn board
After a final early game drive and breakfast, transfer to rejoin the train at Zeerust. Lunch is served on board as the train travels on.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 14PretoriaOn board
Transfer about 90 minutes into Pretoria for a city tour, followed by lunch on the platform of the train's station and a walking tour of the station and locomotive workshops. Return to the train, which heads for Bloemfontein.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 15KimberleyOn board
The train crosses the Karoo in the morning. After lunch, enjoy a tour of Kimberley's Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 16MatjiesfonteinOn board
Step off at Matjiesfontein to stroll through the historic village and its platform museum. Tonight is a roaring-twenties themed evening, or smart casual.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 17Cape Town
Trundle through the Cape winelands over breakfast and lunch before arriving at Cape Town Station.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch
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 8Victoria Falls Hotel
- Night 9On board
- Night 10On board
- Night 11Madikwe lodge
- Night 12Madikwe lodge
- Night 13On board
- Night 14On board
- Night 15On board
- Night 16On 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 on board
- Room service
- Limited laundry
- Overnight bag
- Guided excursions where applicable
- Preselected local wines, beers and soft drinks on excursions
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
- On-board doctor and historian with lectures
- Government tax
- Off-train stays: meals, guided excursions and preselected local wines, beers and soft drinks
- 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.
Royal Suite
October 25, 2026
US$ 28,600.00 pp dbl
October 25, 2026
US$ 28,600.00 pp sgl
Deluxe Suite
October 25, 2026
US$ 21,800.00 pp dbl
October 25, 2026
US$ 21,800.00 pp sgl
Pullman Suite
October 25, 2026
US$ 16,500.00 pp dbl
October 25, 2026
US$ 16,500.00 pp sgl
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
How long is the Dar es Salaam to Cape Town journey?
The operator runs it as 16 nights and 17 days, covering about 5,800 km. Thirteen nights are on board, two in a Madikwe safari lodge and one at the Victoria Falls Hotel.
Which countries does it cross?
It travels through Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. There are several border crossings, so the train manager holds your passport at key points.
Where do I check in?
Check-in is at a hotel in central Dar es Salaam, followed by a short transfer to Tazara Station for departure.
What happens at Victoria Falls?
You spend a night at the Victoria Falls Hotel, with a sunset cruise on the Zambezi and dinner at the hotel. The next day is at leisure until the train departs in the afternoon.
Is there an expert on board?
Yes. A historian gives lectures in the lounge car throughout the journey, and a doctor travels with the train.
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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