Cape Town To Dar Es Salaam
Safari Information
- Departure; Scheduled departure dates
- Duration; 17 Days / 16 Nights
- Lodging; Aboard Rovos Rail
- Group Size; Minimum 1
- Note: Travel insurance is compulsory for all safaris
Rovos Rail Cape Town to Dar es Salaam Rail Safari
Embark on an unforgettable adventure aboard the Rovos Rail Cape Town to Dar es Salaam Rail Safari, a luxury train journey that redefines travel across Africa. This epic 15-day voyage takes you through some of the continent's most breathtaking landscapes, offering an exquisite blend of opulence, wildlife encounters, and cultural richness. From the iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town to the bustling heart of Dar es Salaam, this rail safari is a celebration of Africa's diverse beauty.
Every moment on the Rovos Rail is a symphony of elegance and comfort. The train's meticulously restored vintage carriages offer plush suites, gourmet dining, and world-class service, ensuring that no detail is overlooked. Along the way, travelers enjoy curated excursions, including a visit to the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls and safaris in world-renowned parks. Each stop is a gateway to thrilling adventure, blending history, wildlife, and exclusivity for an experience like no other.
Stepping onto the Rovos Rail is more than boarding a train; it’s an invitation to relive the golden age of travel where the sights, sounds, and tastes of Africa take center stage. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, the Rovos Rail Cape Town to Dar es Salaam Rail Safari is a luxurious odyssey you will cherish forever.
Day 1: Cape Town to the Hex River Valley
- 09:30: Depart from Cape Town Station. The train travels through the scenic Winelands and the Hex River Valley.
- 13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars as you climb the escarpment toward the Great Karoo.
- 19:30: Dinner is served as the train traverses toward Worcester.
- Dress: Formal
Day 2: Matjiesfontein to the Karoo
- 08:00: Disembark at Matjiesfontein for an opportunity to stroll through this historic Victorian village founded in 1890.
- 13:00: Lunch is served as the train travels across the vast semi-desert of the Karoo.
- 19:30: Dinner is served en route to Kimberley.
- Dress: Formal
Day 3: Kimberley Diamond Mine
- 09:00: Enjoy a tour of Kimberley, visiting the Diamond Mine Museum and the "Big Hole," the world’s largest man-made excavation.
- 12:30: Lunch is served as the train travels through the Highveld toward the administrative capital.
- 19:30: Dinner is served. The train stables overnight at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria.
- Dress: Formal
Day 4: Pretoria and the Magaliesberg
- 09:00: Tour the city of Pretoria and the private Rovos Rail locomotive workshops at Capital Park.
- 13:00: A special lunch is served on the station platform (weather permitting).
- 15:00: Depart Pretoria and travel through the Magaliesberg mountains toward the border.
- Dress: Formal
Day 5: Madikwe Game Reserve (Lodge Stay)
- 11:00: Disembark at Zeerust and transfer to a luxury lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve for a two-night stay.
- 15:30: Afternoon game drive in this malaria-free, Big Five reserve bordering Botswana.
- 19:00: Dinner at the Tau Game Lodge.
- Dress: Casual
Day 6: Madikwe Game Safari
- 06:00: Early morning game drive to track lion, leopard, and the rare African wild dog.
- 15:30: Afternoon game drive followed by a traditional boma dinner at the lodge.
- Dress: Casual
Day 7: Botswana Transit
- 10:30: Transfer from the lodge to rejoin the train at Gaborone, Botswana.
- 13:00: Lunch is served as the train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn.
- 19:30: Dinner is served as you travel through the Kalahari Basin toward the Zimbabwe border.
- Dress: Formal
Day 8: At Leisure / Zimbabwe
- All Day: A day of leisure on board. Enjoy lectures from the on-board historian as the train travels along the straightest stretch of rail in Africa (114km) bordering Hwange National Park.
- 19:30: Dinner is served as the train travels toward Victoria Falls.
- Dress: Formal
Day 9: Victoria Falls (Hotel Stay)
- 12:00: Arrive at the incomparable Victoria Falls. Transfer to the historic Victoria Falls Hotel for an overnight stay.
- 16:00: Embark on a Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River with sundowners and canapés.
- 19:30: Dinner at the hotel’s Livingstone Room.
- Dress: Smart Casual
Day 10: Victoria Falls to Zambia
- Morning: Morning at leisure in Victoria Falls for optional activities like the "Flight of Angels" helicopter tour or a guided walk of the falls.
- 15:00: Rejoin the train and cross the Victoria Falls Bridge into Zambia.
- 19:30: Dinner is served as the train travels toward the Kafue River.
- Dress: Formal
Day 11: Through Zambia to Lusaka
- All Day: Leisure on board with lectures. The train traverses the industrial heart of Zambia and passes through the capital, Lusaka.
- 19:30: Dinner is served as the train heads toward the Kapiri Mposhi siding.
- Dress: "Africa" Theme or Smart Casual
Day 12: The Tazara Line
- Morning: The train joins the Tazara Railway line, a feat of engineering spanning remote landscapes.
- 16:30: Afternoon tea in the observation car as the train climbs the Muchinga escarpment.
- 19:30: Dinner is served en route to Kasama.
- Dress: Formal
Day 13: Chisimba Falls
- 08:00: Disembark at Kasama for an excursion to Chisimba Falls, featuring a bush walk to the rock pools at the base of the falls.
- 13:00: Lunch is served as the train climbs toward the Tanzanian border at Tunduma.
- 19:30: Dinner is served as the train enters the Rift Valley.
- Dress: Formal
Day 14: The Great Rift Valley
- All Day: A spectacular day of railroading. The train negotiates tunnels, switchbacks, and viaducts as it descends the escarpment into the Rift Valley.
- 16:30: Tea is served as you pass the Udzungwa Mountains.
- Dress: Formal
Day 15: Makambako and the Pass
- 09:00: Arrive in Makambako for an optional stroll through the local market (time permitting).
- 13:00: Lunch is served as the train descends the spectacular pass toward Mlimba.
- 19:30: Dinner is served as the train moves toward the Selous boundary.
- Dress: Formal
Day 16: Nyerere National Park (Selous)
- 10:00: Enjoy a game drive in Nyerere National Park (Selous), the largest animal reserve in Africa, known for its wild dog and hippo populations.
- 19:30: Final dinner is served as the train travels toward the Gwata siding.
- Dress: "1920s" Theme or Smart Casual
Day 17: Arrival in Dar es Salaam
- 07:00: Final breakfast on board as the train travels east toward the coast.
- 11:00: Arrive at the journey's end at Tazara Railway Station in Dar es Salaam.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ITINERARY ALSO RUN IN REVERSE
Rates form part of a safari itinerary
- Cape Town to Dar es Salaam Rates
- Per person sharing
- Rates are in South African Rands
- *Rates may vary according to season
- Accommodation
- All meals
- All local alcoholic and other beverages
- 24-hour full room service
- Bar facilities
- Limited laundry service
- Excursions accompanied by a qualified tour guide (where applicable)
- Entrance fees to places of interest, per itinerary
- Government tax
- Visas
- Items of a personal nature
- Flights (domestic and international)
- Staff gratuities
- French Champagne
- Memorabilia purchases
- Off train costs and purchases
- Fully comprehensive travel insurance
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