Incredible South Africa with Rovos Luxury Train and Victoria Falls
Johannesburg, 3 safaris in a Private Game Reserve, Pretoria, 3 nights aboard Rovos Luxury Train, Cape Town and Victoria Falls.
Overview
| Style | Small Group TourTravel with a small, intimate group of no more than 16 likeminded travelers (and often much fewer), escorted by an English speaking guide and/or tour manager for some or all of your journey. (Some exceptions, including special promotional packages, may accommodate up to 30.) More of these packages
Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout |
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| Departures | May – September 2025 | Group Size | 6 travelers max |
| Themes | Grand Tours, Nature & Wildlife, Rail Journeys | ||
| Activity Level | Recreational | ||
| What to Expect | This moderately-paced, partially escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. This tour also includes long scenic drives between destinations, sometimes on bumpy unpaved roads and may have limited rest stops. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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For those seeking a truly upscale travel adventure, we offer Incredible South Africa! From Johannesburg’s metropolis to a safari in a private game reserve, to old-style charm on board the Rovos Rail luxury train to the mother city of Cape Town. Enjoy the excitement of dawn and dusk game drives in search of the Big Five, and enjoy a break for morning coffee or an afternoon sundowner drink, in the bush. Then, relax as your train moves through the beautiful countryside heading south, stopping at Kimberly to visit the Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum. In Cape Town, beauty is all around dominated by the majestic Table Mountain, where you can sample great food and some of the best wine in the world. Continue to Zimbabwe where you will tour the majestic Victoria Falls. All the while, travel in a small group of no more than 6, and stay in 5-star, luxury hotels and game lodges. Treat yourself to South Africa in style!
Package includes
- Flights
- Train
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights New York including taxes & fees
- All intra-flights & ground transportation
- 16 nights in deluxe hotels and deluxe suite on board Rovos Rail
- 33 meals: 16 lavish breakfasts, 6 lunches, 11 dinners
- Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees
- Wine with Welcome and Farewell Dinners, sundowner local drinks on game safari, all drinks on board Rovos Rail
- Professional English-speaking tour guides
Optional add-ons
- Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation.
- Half-day Cape Wineland's Tour
- Full-day Chobe National Park, Botswana
Why you'll love it
- Get up close and personal with African wildlife on 3 game drives at a private game reserve.
- Journey luxuriously through South Africa’s stunning countryside aboard Rovos Rail, among the world’s most deluxe rail experiences.
- Learn about the history of South African diamond mining with stops at the Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole.
- Enjoy a Panorama Route Tour with views of the Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Lisbon Falls and God’s Window.
- Visit a diamond-cutting factory and learn about the history of diamonds and gold in South Africa.
- Ascend by cable car to the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town's most striking landmark.
- Travel through the South African winelands and learn about the wine-making process while enjoying tastings and cellar tours.
- Surround yourself with the thunderous roar of the powerful water and the constant mist rising above as you stand in the presence of the majestic Victoria Falls.
- Set sail on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, keeping an eye out for surrounding wildlife.
Itinerary at a Glance
- 1 Depart USA
- 2 Arrive Johannesburg
- 3 Johannesburg
- 4 Private Game Reserve
- 5 Private Game Reserve
- Optional Excursion: AM Bush Walk
- 6 Panorama Route to White River
- 7 White River to Pretoria
- 8 Rovos Rail
- 9 Rovos Rail
- 10 Rovos Rail
- 11 Cape Town
- 12 Cape Town
- 13 Cape Town
- Optional Excursion: Half-day Cape Wineland's Tour, $150
- 14 Cape Town & Victoria Falls
- 15 Victoria Falls
- 16 Victoria Falls
- Optional Excursion: Chobe National Park, Botswana, $210
- 17 Victoria Falls
- 18 Depart Victoria Falls
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Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Depart USA
- Depart New York on your overnight flight to Johannesburg, South Africa
Day 2 Arrive Johannesburg
- Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to your hotel
- Spend the remainder of the day at leisure
- Enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers
54 on Bath or similar Dinner
Full Day ItineraryWelcome to South Africa. After completing customs and immigration formalities, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
Join your fellow travelers tonight for a welcome dinner.
Day 3 Johannesburg
- Enjoy a full-day Johannesburg Journey to Freedom tour
- Spend the evening at leisure
54 on Bath or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, learn more about South Africa's turbulent past and its unwavering hope for the future on a fascinating tour to Soweto (short for Southwestern Township), a sprawling metropolis on the outskirts of Johannesburg. Your tour will give you a close-up look at daily life in this bustling neighborhood, the largest black urban settlement in Africa and the center of political campaigns aimed at overthrowing the apartheid state. Highlights of the Soweto tour include a visit to the Kiptown open-air museum, the former residence of Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela, the Hector Peterson memorial for the victims of the civil unrest in the 1970s, and a drive by the ultramodern Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
Later, visit the Apartheid Museum. The Apartheid Museum, the first of its kind, illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid. An architectural consortium comprising several leading architectural firms conceptualized the design of the building on a seven-hectare stand. The museum is a superb example of design, space, and landscape, offering the international community a unique South African experience.
Afterward, return to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.Day 4 Private Game Reserve
- Transfer to the airport for your flight to the South African bush
- Enjoy an afternoon game drive
Kapama River Lodge, Becks Safari Lodge or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, depart for the Johannesburg airport for your short flight to the South African bush. Surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Greater Kruger National Park, this exclusive lodge boasts world-class amenities and unrivaled wildlife encounters close to some of the most iconic wildlife on the planet. Enjoy an afternoon game drive led by a professional and an assistant guide on the same vehicle.
There are hundreds of other species of animals to spot, so the early morning and evening game drives are the best way to start and end the day. With approximately 350 bird species recorded on the reserve, bird enthusiasts are also spoilt for choice.
This afternoon, embark on your first game drive in search of the illustrious "Big 5." This evening, enjoy dinner at the camp.Note: August 9, 2024 departure will stay at Becks Safari Lodge.
Day 5 Private Game Reserve
- Enjoy a morning game drive
- Spend the remainder of the day at leisure
- Embark on an exciting afternoon game drive
Kapama River Lodge, Becks Safari Lodge or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, wake up early and depart in an open vehicle for the morning game drive, searching for the Big 5, antelope, and other animals. When applicable, your experienced rangers and trackers may invite you out of the vehicle to see tracks and examine certain plants. After an exhilarating hunt for tracks to see the animals' activities at night, return to the camp for breakfast.
The remainder of the day is spent at leisure until it's time for the afternoon game drive, which extends into the evening to view seldom-seen nocturnal animals. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Note: August 9, 2024 departure will stay at Becks Safari Lodge.
Optional Excursion: AM Bush WalkThe Kapama River Lodge offers a Bush Walk in lieu of the game drive. This is subject to availability, done in very small groups, and is for those who are physically fit and comfortable walking long distances. When you arrive at the lodge, you will meet with the guides, who assess all potential participants' fitness levels to ensure everyone's safety. If the bush walk is not for you, you will be included in the early morning game drive.
Note: If you are interested, please let us know at the time of booking.
Day 6 Panorama Route to White River
- Enjoy a morning game drive
- Embark on a Panorama Route Tour with views of the Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Lisbon Falls, and God’s Window
Oliver's Restaurant & Lodge or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, wake up early and depart in an open vehicle for the morning game drive, searching for the Big 5, antelope, and other animals. Return to the camp for breakfast.
Then, depart for White River via the Panorama route. Today's adventure, you will marvel at the geological formations known today as The Three Rondavels, Bourke's Luck Potholes, cylindrical rock sculptures formed by years of water erosion, Lisbon Falls, and God's Window.
Later, check into your hotel and enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers.
Day 7 White River to Pretoria
- Transfer to the airport for your short flight to Johannesburg
- Transfer to your hotel near Pretoria
Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryEnjoy a lovely breakfast at Oliver's. Then, transfer to the airport for your short flight to Johannesburg. Later, check in to your hotel and enjoy the amenities, followed by dinner with your fellow travelers.
Day 8 Rovos Rail
- Transfer to Rovos Rail station in Pretoria for a champagne reception and board Rovos Rail
Rovos Rail Luxury Train or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, transfer to the private Rovos Rail station in Pretoria. Enjoy a champagne reception in the elegant lounge of the old Pretoria rail station before boarding the Rovos Rail, the most luxurious train in the world. This lavishly appointed train has historic coaches driven by a steam locomotive, serves high tea in the lounge and observation cars, and has five-course formal dinners in the dining car. Travel through the grasslands of the gold-rich Highveld to the haunting barrenness of the Great Karoo; trundle through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic wine lands of the Cape.
Day 9 Rovos Rail
- Arrive in Kimberley and enjoy sightseeing of The Big Hole
- Visit the Diamond Mine Museum
Rovos Rail Luxury Train or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter a lavish breakfast in the dining car, arrive in Kimberley, where the ambiance transports you in time to explore the history of South African diamond mining. Here, you will explore what is known as the Big Hole, the most extensive artificial excavation in the world. Visit the Diamond Mine Museum, an open-air experience that whisks you away on a journey to the diamond rush. Discover how diamonds transform from a rough cut to the beauty of a multi-faceted diamond.
Enjoy various bars and snack shops nestled amongst the spectacular town of Kimberley.
Return to the train for lunch and your onward journey, relaxing in the observation car for tea and a formal dinner in the dining car.
Day 10 Rovos Rail
- Join an optional 5km walk from Whitehill Siding into Matjiesfontein
- Visit the historical village of Matjiesfontein
Rovos Rail Luxury Train or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryThe train travels through the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region once an enormous inland sea. Over millions of years, the volcanic matter was ground down and deposited as silt upon the seabed to form what geologists call the Karoo system. Have the option to disembark the train at Whitehill Siding and walk the 5km into Matjiesfontein accompanied by a Rovos staff member. Or you are welcome to leave at Matjiesfontein and stroll through the historic village. We suggest you visit the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages to the right of the Lord Milner Hotel. Re-board the train for your scenic journey toward Camp Town.
Enjoy lunch and dinner on the train.
Day 11 Cape Town
- Arrive to Cape Town
- Enjoy a tour of Cape Town, including Table Mountain
- Visit a diamond-cutting factory and learn about the history of diamonds and gold
Queen Victoria Hotel or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryAfter a lavish breakfast in the dining car, arrive mid-morning in Cape Town, a beautiful jewel nestled between stunning Table Mountain and a dramatic coastline.
Enjoy a panoramic city tour of Cape Town, showcasing this vibrant city's scenic and historical highlights. Wind your way past the picturesque suburbs of Camps Bay and Clifton route to the central business district. Sense the depth of history as you drive past Parliament Buildings, City Hall, the Slave Lodge, and the Castle of Good Hope, built initially as a maritime replenishment station and now the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa! Learn more about the history of the Bo-Kaap and its people as we move up the cobblestoned hills to the Malay Quarter and marvel at the ice-cream colors of the quaint Bo-Kaap homes.
Then, visit a diamond-cutting factory and witness a professional diamond cutter create magnificent stones. After learning more about the history of diamonds and gold in South Africa, make your way to Table Mountain and, weather permitting, travel by cable car to the top of the mountain, Cape Town's most striking landmark and one of the world's New Seven Wonders of Nature.Later, check into your hotel.
Note: Table Mountain Cableway will shut down for annual maintenance from July, 15 – September 1, 2024. It will re-open, weather permitting, on September 2, 2024. If Table Mountain Cableway is closed, we will visit Signal Hill instead.
Day 12 Cape Town
- Enjoy a full-day Cape Point tour
- Visit Boulders Beach, home to the famous penguin colony
- Stop at a local winery and indulge in a wine tasting
Queen Victoria Hotel or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryToday, enjoy a full-day tour of Cape Point. Journey along Millionaires Paradise, admiring the glamorous homes of Clifton Beach and Camps Bay. Then, travel towards the charming coastal town and working harbor of Hout Bay. Marvel at the breathtaking views and rugged landscape as you wind along the legendary Chapman's Peak Drive toward the Cape of Good Hope Section of Table Mountain National Park. After, witness the fascinating penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Continue to the historical naval port of Simon's Town and experience the wilder side of this exquisite Cape coastline. End the tour with a stop at the Groot Constantia winery for an exquisite wine tasting.
Day 13 Cape Town
- Enjoy a day at leisure in Cape Town, or join an optional tour to the Cape Winelands
- This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers
Queen Victoria Hotel Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryEnjoy today at leisure to explore Cape Town on your own, or join an optional tour to the Cape Winelands. Later this evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.
Optional Excursion: Half-day Cape Wineland's Tour, $150Today, enjoy a glorious excursion to the Cape Winelands. Take a leisurely drive to get acquainted with the beauty of this world-renowned region before venturing into the wine-making process in a fascinating cellar tour. Learn about the production of wine, from grape to goblet, and, of course, enjoy tastings of the iconic wines.
Day 14 Cape Town & Victoria Falls
- Transfer to the airport for your flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
- Arrive in Victoria Falls, meet your local guide, and transfer to your hotel
- Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure
- Enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers
The Palm River Hotel or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. This evening, enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers.
Day 15 Victoria Falls
- Join a guided tour of the falls
- Embark on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River
The Palm River Hotel or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, enjoy a guided tour of the falls. You'll soon discover why this UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of the greatest natural wonders—and the world's largest curtain of falling water! Located at the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls consists of numerous falls separated by islands in the river below. The Zambezi River spills more than 2 million gallons of water per second over the Bakota Gorge, creating multiple rainbows and an awe-inspiring display of raw power unrivaled by other natural wonders. The tremendous roar of the water and the ever-present cloud of spray give the falls their local moniker, "Smoke that Thunders."
Later, experience the glorious falls from an up-close vantage point as you set sail on a sunset dinner cruise on the Zambezi River. Enjoy snacks while looking for hippos, monkeys, elephants, and crocodiles that frequent the waters and the surrounding areas. After sunset, enjoy a 4-course Mediterranean-style dinner.
Day 16 Victoria Falls
- Spend a full day at leisure
- Or, join a recommended optional tour to Chobe National Park in Botswana
The Palm River Hotel or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryEnjoy a full day at leisure to explore this magnificent natural wonder on your own. Wander along the well-marked trails through the rainforest that wind up to and around the falls. The trails allow for excellent picture-taking from various vantage points (be sure to protect your camera if it's not waterproof). A wide range of optional excursions are available locally, including game drives, walking safaris, bungee jumping, and more. We recommend the full-day tour of Chobe National Park in Botswana.
Optional Excursion: Chobe National Park, Botswana, $210Take advantage of an optional full-day excursion to the Chobe National Park in Botswana, renowned for its large elephant population. Begin the day with a safari boat cruise on the Chobe River. Afterward, enjoy lunch at the Chobe Game Lodge, and end the day with an afternoon game drive in an open vehicle.
Note: This excursion requires a passport and a double-entry Zimbabwe visa. Minimum of 2 passengers is required.
Full Day ItineraryEnjoy your last day in Victoria Falls at your leisure. Relax and enjoy the hotel facilities, or join optional tours that can be purchased locally.
Day 18 Depart Victoria Falls
- Transfer to the airport for your flight home
- Your amazing journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA tomorrow morning
Breakfast
Hotels
Situated in the leafy Johannesburg suburb of Rosebank, the 54 on Bath hotel offers a signature blend of luxury and style. 54 on Bath is conveniently located within easy reach of Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City, Melrose Arch, as well as the Gautrain rapid rail system. 54 on Bath features an outdoor terrace with a sparkling pool. Enjoy an alfresco snack or relax with a cold drink as you take in the African sunset and surrounding views. For those who like to work up a sweat to start the day right, or wind down after a day of exploring, stop by the Rosebank Fitness Club with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.
Located right on a Private Game Reserve Camp, experience the luxurious feel of the modern-styled Kapama River Lodge. This five-star accommodation is nearby the Greater National Kruger Park with wraparound views of the African bush, enhancing the sense of tranquility at this exclusive safari lodge.
Nestled among White River Country Estate, along the Panorama Route, Oliver's Restaurant & Lodge provides a tranquil stay for guests as they experience the marriage of Austrian flair and African hospitality.
Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel is located in a lush suburb of Pretoria East just 30 minutes drive from OR Tambo and Rovos Rail Capital Park Station. This privately-owned, luxury boutique hotel is surrounded by beautiful, tranquil gardens. With its fountains, grand entrance flanked by two sweeping staircases, plush public areas, and nine individually decorated guestrooms with whimsical names, Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel strives to give discerning guests an exceptional experience from arrival to departure.
Since its establishment in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class travel experiences. With discreet and friendly service, five-star cuisine and a selection of South Africa’s finest wines, Rovos Rail harks back to a simpler, more elegant era encompassing the timeless grace and high romance of African exploration. The Observation Car which has a spacious open-air balcony and seats 32 passengers, is positioned at the rear of the train while at the center of the train there is, when numbers dictate, a non-smoking Lounge Car that seats 26 passengers in comfort. There is also a small, discreet Gift Shop. In maintaining the spirit of travel of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets on board. The use of mobile phones, laptops and essentially anything that has the ability to disturb other passengers is confined to the privacy of your suites. Smoking is only allowed in the privacy of your smoking suite and in the Club Lounge, located next to the Observation Car and seats 11. Dress Code: Many of the passengers aboard enjoy the formality of fine china and glassware, crisp linen and silver, and dress accordingly. Evening attire is formal – for the gentlemen a jacket and tie is a minimum requirement while for ladies we suggest cocktail/evening dresses or suits. During the day, dress is smart casual and cool, comfortable clothes, shoes and hats are recommended for the excursions, especially in the game reserves where it can get very hot. Please include warm clothing for cold mornings and evenings.
The Queen Victoria Hotel is set in a quiet, historic precinct near the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, close to the heart of Cape Town, and easy access to the airport. The hotel’s regal ambiance is felt throughout the property, from its triple-volume foyer with a dramatic spiral staircase and glass lift, crystal chandeliers, and marble finishes.
The luxurious Palm River Hotel is ideally located along the banks of the Zambezi River, upstream from Africa's natural world wonder, the majestic Victoria Falls. The Palm River Hotel's design was inspired by Queenslander architectural style, incorporating distinct timber frame, pitched roof, elevated structures, corrugated iron, decorative timber work, and carefully designed with warm subtropical climate in mind. The unique Victorian to Contemporary style hotel is surrounded by by indigenous flora and fauna, offering a relaxing, elegant, and inviting atmosphere.
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
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