Rovos Rail - Cape Town to Dar es Salaam (vv)

This 14-day journey is one of the most famous train trips in the world taking you through South Africa with stops in Kimberley, Pretoria and the Kruger National Park, and on to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. After crossing the Zambezi River you will travel north eastwards through Zambia and continue the climb towards the Zambian/Tanzanian border, almost the midpoint between Africa’s two Great Rift Valley lakes. On the last day the train passes through Selous Game Reserve (Tanzania), the largest in Africa before arriving in the bustle of Dar es Salaam.

Day	Region	Accommodation
1	Cape Town	Rovos Rail
2	Kimberley	Rovos Rail
3	Pretoria	Rovos Rail
4	Zeerust	Tau Game Lodge
5	Zeerust	Tau Game Lodge
6	Botswana border	Rovos Rail
7	Zimbabwe border	Rovos Rail
8	Victoria Falls	Victoria Falls Hotel
9	Zambia border	Rovos Rail
10	Zambia	Rovos Rail
11	Zambia	Rovos Rail
12	Tanzania border	Rovos Rail
13	Makambako	Rovos Rail
14	Dar es Salaam	Departure

Please note: Rovos Rail operates in the opposite direction

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This 14-day journey is one of the most famous train trips in the world taking you through South Africa with stops in Kimberley, Pretoria and the Kruger National Park, and on to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. After crossing the Zambezi River you will travel north eastwards through Zambia and continue the climb towards the Zambian/Tanzanian border, almost the midpoint between Africa’s two Great Rift Valley lakes. On the last day the train passes through Selous Game Reserve (Tanzania), the largest in Africa before arriving in the bustle of Dar es Salaam.

Day 1: Cape Town - Matjiesfontein

Depart Cape Town Station aboard Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa this morning. Upon boarding, you might want to head straight to the open-air deck and wave goodbye to Cape Town and spectacular Table Mountain. Or, settle in to your private and spacious compartment and unpack. Before you know it, a hostess is chiming you to a fabulous luncheon with beautiful South African wines paired with delicious food. Arrive Matjiesfontein for a stop this evening; explore this tiny Victorian village and poke around its museums and stretch your legs, before dinner and overnight on the train. (LD)

Day 2: Matjiesfontein - Kimberley

Breakfast and lunch on board before afternoon arrival in Kimberley. Visit Big Hole and Diamond Museum. Return to train for dinner and overnight. (BLD)

Day 3: Kimberley - Pretoria

Arrive Pretoria this afternoon. A light lunch is followed by a city tour. Enjoy visiting Capital Park, which is Rovos Rail's lovely headquarters filled with locomotives, carriages and lots of pet animals. Dinner and overnight on the train. (BLD)

Day 4: Pretoria - Zeerust

Arrive in Zeerust and leave your train "home" today. (IRT and Rovos supply small bags for taking just what you need with you. Leave your main suitcases safely on the train.) Drive an hour by motorcoach to the Tau Game Lodge and enjoy a two-night stay on a full board basis at the five-star lodge. You'll probably spot animals galore just on the way from the entrance of the game reserve to the lodge. This afternoon, enjoy lunch followed by a game drive. Cocktails as you watch the sunset is a tradition you'll grow to love. Then head back to the lodge for dinner and overnight. (BLD)

Day 5: Zeerust

Optional early morning game drive, evening game drive or other activities. Overnight at lodge. If you wish to opt out make a spa appointment. Luxuriate in your giant bathtub or your outdoor shower. Sip a drink and watch the waterhole by the lodge. There's always giraffe, elephant, lion, wildebeest seeking water there. (BLD)

Day 6: Zeerust - Gabarone, Botswana

Early morning game drive. By this time, you might have seen all the "Big Five" from lions to leopard and everything in between. Check-out and be transferred by motorcoach to Gabarone, Botswana. Here, go through border formalities before heading to the train. (BLD)

Day 7: Gabarone, Botswana – Greater Zimbabwe

After border formalities, travel through Zimbabwe, with lectures by a historian in the morning and afternoon. Don't miss the lectures! Learn about Cecil Rhodes, about Victoria Falls, David Livingstone and more. (BLD)

Day 8: Greater Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls

Arrive Victoria Falls this morning. Walk from the train to the "Grand Lady" Victoria Falls Hotel a short way down the path. The train staff transfers your small luggage. Enjoy lunch at "Jungle Junction," named after an early train station there, but now is a lovely open-air dining area with delicious, fresh food. You've got plenty of time for a hike, a nap, or just gazing at the miracle before you. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Keep your eyes open for hippos. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (BLD)

Day 9: Victoria Falls – Zambian border

Day at leisure. Optional activities include tour of the Falls, round of golf, helicopter tour of the Falls, more. (These are optional and require US$ cash.) Depart Victoria Falls late afternoon and complete border formalities for entry to Zambia. (BD)

Day 10: Zambian borber - Lusaka

Pass through Lusaka, Zambia. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board with lectures in the morning and afternoon. As you pass into Zambia, you will notice many small villages of circular thatched huts. When the children hear the train, they dash to wave, thrilled to see the train. (BLD)

Day 11: Zambia

Day at leisure as the train continues through Zambia. All meals on board, with morning and afternoon lectures. Look for villages, animals, Baobab trees. (BLD)

Day 12: Zambia - Kasama – Tanzanian border

Disembark in Kasama for an excursion to Chisimba Falls. There's a path for travelers of all walking abilities to admire this national park. The Rovos Staff sets up a bar for refreshments. Afternoon arrival at Nakonde/Tunduma for Zambian/Tanzanian border control. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board. (BLD)

Day 13: Tanzanian border - Makambako

Arrive Makambako. Descend spectacular pass to Mlimba. Much of the day, descend over gorges and through tunnels. It's a spectacular day of railroading. (BLD)

Day 14: Makambako - Kiduna - Dar es Salaam

Arrive Kiduna and continue journey to Dar es Salaam. Breakfast on board before morning arrival (scheduled for 10am). It's advisable to not arrange your departure flights until late afternoon or evening. (BL)

Departures	Twin	Single
Pullman	$9,795	$13,760	Enquire Now
Deluxe	$12,895	$18,295	Enquire Now
Royal	$17,495	$n/a	Enquire Now

Inclusions:

• Thirteen nights accommodation
• All meals and excursions during the train journey
• Alcoholic beverages whilst on board the train
• Excursions as specified in the itinerary

Departures

12 – 25 Mar 12 ex Dar es Salaam
16 - 29 Jun 12 ex Cape Town
16 – 29 Jul 12 ex Dar es Salaam
30 Jun – 13 Jul 12 ex Cape Town
29 Sep – 12 Oct 12 ex Dar es Salaam
15 – 28 Oct 12 ex Cape Town

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