Southern Africa Safari and Train Adventure: From Cape Town to Victoria Falls

16 days
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Small Group Tour
Explore Southern Africa in the romantic style of the past on this safari-and-train adventure. Start your journey by experiencing Cape Town's complex history and dramatic natural beauty. Then board Rovos Rail for an evocative train trek to Victoria Falls, making stops along the way to search for magnificent wildlife. In Zimbabwe, witness elephants and Cape buf...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Journey from Cape Town to Victoria Falls on Rovos Rail, a luxurious private train recalling the romance of Victorian era railroad travel.
    • Encounter African wildlife during boat excursions on the Zambezi River and safari game drives in national parks and on a private reserve.
    • Explore Robben Island, where political prisoners like Nelson Mandela were held during Apartheid, in the company of a former inmate.

What's this trip about?

    Explore Southern Africa in the romantic style of the past on this safari-and-train adventure. Start your journey by experiencing Cape Town's complex history and dramatic natural beauty. Then board Rovos Rail for an evocative train trek to Victoria Falls, making stops along the way to search for magnificent wildlife. In Zimbabwe, witness elephants and Cape buffalo quenching their thirst from the Zambezi River and follow in the footsteps of Dr. Livingstone to marvel at Victoria Falls.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityJohannesburg
End CityBotswana

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Safari
  • 50 Plus
  • Train & Rail Journeys
  • Education / Learning
  • National Parks

Destinations

Activities

  • Educational/ Learning
  • Game Drive
  • Nature
  • Safari
  • Trains & Rail
  • Wildlife Viewing

Trip includes

    • 13 nights of accommodations
    • 36 meals: 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 11 dinners
    • 11 Expert-led lectures
    • 12 Field trips
    • 1 Hands-on experiences
    • 1 Flights during the program
    • Visas: 1(out of 1 required)

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Departures    
    

In Transit Overnight: Depart on an overnight flight to Cape Town, South Africa via Johannesburg.

Day 2: Arrive Cape Town 

Dinner: Due to late evening arrivals in Cape Town, dinner is not included this evening. For anyone arriving earlier in the day, there are a variety of local restaurants within walking distance from the hotel.

Evening: Arrive Johannesburg from your international...

Day 3: Robben Island / Cape Winelands     
     

Breakfast: At the hotel. Orientation session and group introductions.

Morning: You are transferred to the V&A Waterfront to board the Robben Island ferry. Robben Island, just seven miles off the Cape Town coast, was for nearly 400 years a place of ban...

Day 4: Table Mountain / Cape Peninsula / Boulders Beach      
     

Note: At the Cape of Good Hope, you have the option of walking up steep steps to get to the lighthouse at the very top; however, great views can be enjoyed without climbing the steps. At Boulders Beach, the coach must park in a parking lot that requires about a ...

Day 5: Board the Rovos Rail / Matjiesfontein     

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to the Cape Town Station where you receive a welcome and safety briefing from the Rovos Rail staff before boarding the train and settling into your suite for an 11:00am departure. Watch the beautiful scenery change fro...

Day 6: Kimberley & Diamond Mine  
         

Breakfast: Breakfast is served between 7:00-10:00am each morning.

Morning: In preparation for this afternoon's excursion, your group leader gives a lecture on Kimberley and diamond mining. Enjoy the ever-changing scenery of the South African countrysi...

Day 7: Pretoria   
  

Breakfast: On the train.

Morning: Your group leader gives a lecture on the significant colonial influences in the early development of South Africa.

Lunch: Packed lunch provided.

Afternoon: The train arrives at the Capital Park Station in Preto...

Day 8: Re-board the Rovos Rail / Overview of Botswana         
  

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to the Capital Park Station and re-board the Rovos Rail for a 9:30am departure.

Lunch: On the train.

Afternoon: As the train travels through the goldfields of South Africa, heading towards Mafikeng, yo...

Day 9: Travel through Botswana 

Breakfast: On the train.

Morning: The train passes by Botswana's capital city of Gaborone and then meanders through the countryside heading towards the border with Zimbabwe.

Lunch: On the train.

Afternoon: As the train continues its journey throug...

Day 10: Hwange National Park    

Breakfast: On the train.

Morning: Enjoy the scenery as the train travels through the Zimbabwean countryside, passing by Bulawayo before heading north towards Hwange National Park on one of Africa's longest stretches of straight railway line, running for 114 km ...

Day 11: Victoria Falls / David Livingstone's Explorations

Note: In order to see all viewpoints at the Falls, approximate length of walk is two miles. It is possible to walk less and see some, but not all, viewpoints. Paths may be slick from mist, but are mostly flat.

Breakfast: On the train.

Morning: The train ...

Day 12: Local Village Visit / Safari  
       

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: After breakfast transfer to Intabayengwe Village, a nearby traditional village. Here you have the chance to meet members of the community and see how they live. You help the local women prepare a traditional meal and se...

Day 13: Safari Activities / Birds  

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: Morning game drive in the lodge's private reserve.

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: Your group leader gives a lecture on the varied birdlife in the area. Following tea, you embark on a game viewing boat cruise on t...

Day 14: Chobe National Park, Botswana  
    

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: A short transfer takes you over the border into Botswana and Chobe National Park, where you head out on a game drive within the park. Chobe National Park remains one of Africa’s prime game-viewing areas. Here one finds all...

Day 15: Departure  
         

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: You have the morning free to pack before the group is transferred to the Victoria Falls airport for the flight to Johannesburg.

Afternoon: Board the early-afternoon commercial flight to Johannesburg. Upon arriv...

Day 16: Arrivals       

Morning: Early morning arrivals back in the USA and Canada.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $7,499
Price per day$469
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
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Meals Included

36 meals: 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 11 dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
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