Tracks of Africa

Rail

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Travelling in vintage style on a three-night journey aboard Rovos Rail’s impeccably restored train - it will stay with you for a lifetime.

With breathtaking natural wonders, beautiful coastal towns and cities and abundant wildlife, Southern Africa tours have plenty to offer. On this 16-day adventure, we’ll explore South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, discovering iconic Cape Town’s Table Mountain backdrop and stunning Knysna, spending four nights in sumptuous style on board a restored vintage train, and drinking in views of mighty rivers, baobabs and game parks along the way. Journeying north, we’ll spot elephants in Hwange National Park, hippos wallowing in the Chobe River and feel nature’s full force at Victoria Falls.

Important notes

The Zambezi river levels are dependent upon rains further north and can fluctuate between seasons. From April to October the flow of water is generally lower than at other times, yet this in turn generates less spray, giving you a clearer view of Victoria Falls. On this tour in 2025, you’ll say goodbye to your local Titan tour manager for South Africa as you board Rovos Rail. You'll then have the train’s guide on hand before you meet your new local Titan tour manager on arrival in Victoria Falls.

From price

$15,068
Price per person, twin share
Number Of Days
15
Start Location
Cape Town, South Africa
End Location
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Age Range
Avg. 55+
Group Size
1 to 25
Tour Style
Premium
Tour Themes
Rail, Small group
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate

Departure dates

Price per person, twin share
Start End Availability Price
08 Jul 2026 23 Jul 2026 Enquire $15,068
05 Aug 2026 20 Aug 2026 Enquire $15,068
02 Sep 2026 17 Sep 2026 Enquire $15,068
04 Nov 2026 19 Nov 2026 Enquire $15,266

Inclusions

  • 27 meals - 15 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 8 dinners
  • 9 excursions & visits
  • Accommodation - 11 nights in hotels, 4 nights on board the Rovos Rail
  • Drinks with meals aboard Rovos Rail
  • Local Titan tour manager
  • Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa (4 nights) from Pretoria to Victoria Falls
  • Services included
  • Travel in destination by coach
  • Itinerary details

    Day 1 - Cape Town

    Join your tour group at the hotel. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is ideal for getting your bearings and experiencing some of the delicious South African cuisine on offer.

    Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town (5-star)

    Day 2 - Cape Town

    Today we set out for a tour of this exceptionally picturesque city, with its backdrop of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and Devil’s Peak. We take an exhilarating trip by cable car to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting).

    Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town (5-star)

    Today includes…

    Excursions & visits: City tour of Cape Town, including Table Mountain cable car (morning)

    Day 3 - Cape Town

    We have the whole day free to enjoy Cape Town and the surrounding area. You could take an optional excursion to the dramatic Cape Point peninsula or a winelands tour.

    Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town (5-star)

    Day 4 - Arniston

    We drive east towards Hermanus, where we have free time. There’s plenty to see and do here; perhaps wander along the shore and you may be lucky enough to spot whales from July to November. We’ll continue on to Arniston, a pretty fishing and holiday village. This little pocket of tranquillity, characterised by its lime-washed, thatched houses, remains unspoilt. You can look forward to wonderful views of the Indian Ocean from our hotel.

    The Arniston Hotel (4-star)

    Day 5 - Knysna

    We head to pretty Knysna, in the heart of the Garden Route and famous for its stunning blue lagoon. It’s a lovely place to explore at your own pace.

    Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays (4-star)

    Day 6 - Knysna

    Sail across the Knysna Lagoon and journey into the Featherbed Nature Reserve. We stop at magnificent viewpoints and our specialist guide highlights the area’s history, flora and fauna. There’ll be time for an optional guided walk through the coastal forest and fynbos. We return to Knysna later, where the remainder of the day is free.

    Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays (4-star)

    Today includes…

    Excursions & visits: Visit to Featherbed Nature Reserve (morning)

    Day 7 - George - Johannesburg - Pretoria

    We depart for the small town of George and take a flight to Johannesburg. On arrival, we’ll transfer to Pretoria and our hotel.

    Irene Country Lodge, Pretoria (4-star)

    Day 8 - Rovos Rail

    Most of the day is free to explore a little of Pretoria. Later this afternoon, we’ll head to the lovely colonial-style Rovos Rail Station at Capital Park, Pretoria and board Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa. Rediscover the golden age of travel as we begin our spectacular four-night journey all the way to Victoria Falls. Delicious food and wine are a key part of South African holidays and you'll enjoy fine cuisine with wine pairings in the elegant dining car.

    Rovos Rail (4-star)

    Days 9-10 - Day 11 Rovos Rail (Matobo National Park)

    Spend a day at leisure on board. We’ll cross the Tropic of Capricorn and later the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe as we continue heading north. Take advantage of the Observation Car as we wend our way through the countryside, breaking once in a while of course for a refreshing drink from the bar and a sumptuous lunch and dinner. En route to Zimbabwe’s second city and its industrial capital, Bulawayo, we’ll glide through baobab country - wide-trunked trees often used to store water. In the afternoon of day 11, we’ll head out on a visit to Matobo National Park, home to fascinating bushmen caves decorated with rock art. We’ll also visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, the Prime Minister of the Cape Colony in the late-19th-century, though now a divisive figure.

    Rovos Rail (4-star)

    Today includes…

    Excursions & visits: Visit to Matobo National Park (afternoon)

    Day 11 - Rovos Rail (Hwange National Park)

    After traversing one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line (114km) between Gwaai and Dete, and then following the eastern edge of Hwange National Park, we alight after lunch for an exciting game drive. The nation’s largest wildlife area covers 14,650 square kilometres and is home to around 100 species of mammal and 400 species of bird. With over 40,000 elephants, you’re sure to spot one of these majestic creatures from your safari vehicle.

    Rovos Rail (4-star)

    Today includes…

    Excursions & visits: Visit to Hwange National Park (afternoon)

    Day 12 - Victoria Falls - Chobe National Park

    As our home on the tracks makes its final journey, make sure to secure your spot in the Observation Car as it leads the train into the town of Victoria Falls. This is where we say farewell and make our way across the border to Botswana and Chobe National Park. There’ll be opportunities to join an optional magical sunset cruise or game drive before dinner.

    Chobe Bush Lodge (4-star)

    Day 13 - Chobe National Park

    Our morning starts with a game drive in open-sided 4WD vehicles. Late afternoon we embark on a sunset cruise along the Chobe River to spot all the wonderful wildlife that comes to the river at sundown. You may see rare and endemic birds, migratory species and water birds, including the majestic fish eagle.

    Chobe Bush Lodge (4-star)

    Today includes…

    Excursions & visits: Game drive in Chobe National Park (morning)

    Sunset cruise along the Chobe River (afternoon)

    Day 14 - Victoria Falls

    We transfer by road to Zimbabwe and the town of Victoria Falls. Late afternoon we enjoy a cruise on the mighty Zambezi River - sit back and enjoy a refreshing drink in the warm African sun observing the wildlife of the Zambezi. Magical!

    Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (5-star)

    Today includes…

    Excursions & visits: Sunset cruise along the Zambezi River (afternoon)

    Day 15 - Victoria Falls

    Following an introductory talk on David Livingstone, today we visit the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, a wonderful finale to the tour. Nothing can prepare you for the excitement of seeing the beautiful sight that so entranced Livingstone all those years ago.

    Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (5-star)

    Today includes…

    Excursions & visits: Talk on David Livingstone by local expert (afternoon)

    Visit to Victoria Falls National Park (afternoon)

    Day 16 - Victoria Falls

    Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.

    Victoria Falls

    Frequently Asked Questions

    You should choose this tour for the unique opportunity to travel in vintage style aboard the impeccably restored Rovos Rail, offering a lifetime memory of the golden age of travel. This 16-day premium adventure seamlessly combines the luxury of a four-night train journey with the exploration of three different countries—South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe—featuring a blend of breathtaking natural wonders, abundant wildlife, and stunning coastal towns.
    This tour is designed for premium travellers who appreciate luxury, history, and nature. It is particularly well-suited for those who enjoy a sophisticated travel experience, such as fine dining and wine pairings on a vintage train, as well as nature enthusiasts eager to spot elephants in Hwange National Park and witness the power of Victoria Falls.
    The pros include high-end 4 and 5-star accommodations, a luxurious rail experience on the Pride of Africa, and a comprehensive itinerary covering multiple iconic landmarks and wildlife parks. A potential con is that the experience of Victoria Falls can vary by season, as water levels fluctuate between April and October, which may affect the amount of spray you encounter.
    This tour is an excellent option for couples and solo travellers seeking a premium experience. While the provided text does not explicitly mention families, Titan Travel generally offers a variety of styles including solo departures, and the sophisticated nature of the Rovos Rail journey is highly appealing to adults.
    This tour is a fantastic choice for both first-time and experienced visitors to Southern Africa. First-timers will benefit from the expertly managed itinerary covering major highlights like Cape Town and Victoria Falls, while experienced travellers will appreciate the unique, high-end perspective provided by the vintage rail journey.
    The tour is rated as 'Easy to Moderate' in terms of physicality, suggesting it is accessible for many. However, specific details regarding accessibility for those with significant mobility concerns are not provided, so we recommend contacting us for more tailored information.
    This tour offers a balanced blend of all three. It focuses on sightseeing with visits to Table Mountain and Victoria Falls, culture through the vintage rail experience and historical talks on David Livingstone, and adventure via game drives in Hwange and Chobe National Parks.
    The pace of the tour is generally balanced. While it covers a vast distance across three countries, it includes several days of leisure, such as a full free day in Cape Town and relaxed days on board the Rovos Rail, allowing guests to soak in the scenery.
    The itinerary feels thoughtfully paced. By combining efficient travel—such as a flight from George to Johannesburg—with slow, luxurious rail travel and dedicated free time in cities like Cape Town and Pretoria, the tour ensures you can enjoy the highlights without feeling rushed.
    Yes, the tour includes many of the region's most iconic landmarks, including Table Mountain in Cape Town, the Garden Route's Knysna lagoon, the wildlife of Hwange and Chobe National Parks, and the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls.
    Yes, language and logistical needs are well-managed. You will be accompanied by local Titan tour managers for the South Africa and Victoria Falls portions of the trip, and a dedicated train guide will be on hand during your journey on Rovos Rail.
    Disclaimer:
    These FAQs have been generated with the assistance of AI to provide a general overview. They are intended as a starting point only and should be reviewed based on your knowledge, current supplier information and client requirements.
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