17D16N Rovos Rail Cape Town to Dar es Salaam
From the Cape winelands to the Indian Ocean, the Cape Town to Dar es Salaam journey is among Rovos Rail’s most ambitious rail adventures. Over sixteen nights, travel through five countries and an extraordinary range of landscapes, with excursions that include Kimberley, Pretoria, a two-night stay in Madikwe Game Reserve, Victoria Falls and Chisimba Falls. Enjoy the vintage glamour of Rovos Rail alongside the contrasting rhythms of South and East Africa.
Journey Highlights
- Travel across South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania
- Visit Matjiesfontein, Kimberley and Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria
- Enjoy a two-night lodge stay and game drives at Madikwe Game Reserve
- Experience a Victoria Falls Hotel overnight and Zambezi sunset cruise
- Travel the TAZARA line and enjoy a weather-permitting drive in Nyerere National Park
Good to know
- Suite availability: Departure dates are published Sedunia Travel departures matched to at least one available cabin in the 30 October 2026 Rovos Rail inventory report. Cabin availability must be reconfirmed when a booking is requested.
- Prices: Per person sharing, one way, in MYR. Additional services beyond the listed inclusions are excluded.
- 2027 departures: July 3 · October 9
- 2028 departures: January 10 · February 28 · July 3 · October 9
- Check-in: Two hours before the 11:00 departure, at the Rovos Rail Lounge, 1 Adderley Street, Cape Town.
- Arrival: 11:00 at TAZARA Station, Julius K. Nyerere Road, Dar es Salaam.
- Off-train stays: Madikwe is a two-night lodge stay and Victoria Falls Hotel a one-night stay. Day 10 in Victoria Falls is leisure time, not an included Falls walking tour.
- Subject to conditions: The Nyerere National Park game drive is weather permitting; the Makambako walk is optional and time permitting.
- Border crossings: Check entry requirements for South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania.
- Reservations: A provisional supplier reservation may be held for up to 14 days, subject to availability. Rovos Rail requests a 25% deposit and full payment 60 days before departure for individual bookings.
- Cancellation insurance: Cancellation insurance is compulsory. Sedunia Travel booking and cancellation terms may differ from the supplier terms and will be advised at quotation stage.
- Passports and visas: Passports should carry at least five blank visa pages and remain valid for six months beyond the return-home date. Required visas must be arranged in advance.
- Times: Rovos Rail itineraries and times are approximate. Avoid same-day time-sensitive onward connections.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Cape Town | Boarding Rovos Rail
Check in at the Rovos Rail Lounge before the 11:00 departure. Travel through the Western Cape winelands and towards the escarpment, enjoying lunch, afternoon tea and dinner aboard the train. An onboard lecture programme is offered during the journey.
Day 2 Matjiesfontein | Victorian-Era Village
Disembark for a stroll in historic Matjiesfontein, including railway heritage displays. Rejoin the train and cross the sweeping, semi-desert landscapes of the Karoo towards Kimberley.
Day 3 Kimberley | Diamond Mining Heritage
Visit the Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole in Kimberley. The train later continues towards Union, with meals and afternoon tea served on board.
Day 4 Pretoria | Rovos Rail Heritage
Transfer to Pretoria for a city tour and lunch at Rovos Rail Station, followed by a tour of the station and museum. Return to the train and continue west towards Zeerust.
Day 5 Madikwe | Safari Lodge Arrival
Leave the train for a two-night stay at a lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve. After lunch and check-in, enjoy a scheduled afternoon game drive, followed by dinner at the lodge.
Day 6 Madikwe | Wildlife and Wilderness
Explore Madikwe on early morning and afternoon game drives, with breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodge. The reserve is known for its diverse habitats and Big Five wildlife.
Day 7 Madikwe to Botswana | Return to the Train
Enjoy a final early game drive before returning to the train at Gaborone. Complete South Africa–Botswana border procedures and continue across the edge of the Kalahari Basin.
Day 8 Across Botswana | Rail Day
Spend the day on board as the train crosses into Zimbabwe and continues along the eastern edge of Hwange National Park. Meals and afternoon tea are served on the train.
Day 9 Victoria Falls | Hotel and Zambezi Cruise
Arrive at Victoria Falls and stay overnight at Victoria Falls Hotel. Enjoy lunch at Jungle Junction, a scheduled sunset cruise on the Zambezi River and dinner in the hotel’s Livingstone Room.
Day 10 Victoria Falls | Leisure and Return to Rail
Enjoy the morning at leisure in Victoria Falls; optional sightseeing can be arranged separately. After lunch at the hotel, rejoin the train and cross the Victoria Falls Bridge into Zambia.
Day 11 Zambia | Kafue Railway Bridge
Enjoy a relaxed rail day as the train crosses the Kafue Railway Bridge and passes Lusaka. Spend time in the lounges, dining cars or observation car.
Day 12 TAZARA Railway | Remote Landscapes
Follow the celebrated TAZARA line through remote areas of Zambia towards Kasama. Enjoy the leisurely rhythm of life on board and an Africa-themed or smart-casual dinner.
Day 13 Chisimba Falls | Border into Tanzania
Visit Chisimba Falls for viewpoints and a possible walk down towards the rock pools. Rejoin the train as it ascends towards the Zambia–Tanzania border.
Day 14 Tanzania | Rift Valley and Highland Scenery
Journey through the Rift Valley landscapes, baobab forests and Southern Highlands of Tanzania towards Makambako, enjoying meals and afternoon tea on board.
Day 15 Makambako | Udzungwa Escarpment
An optional stroll in Makambako may take place if time permits. The train then continues through the Udzungwa Mountains, with striking railway curves, bridges and tunnels along the escarpment.
Day 16 Nyerere National Park | Game Drive
Enjoy a scheduled game drive in Nyerere National Park, weather permitting, before returning to the train for the final evening on board.
Day 17 Dar es Salaam | Journey’s End
Enjoy breakfast on board and arrive at TAZARA Station in Dar es Salaam at approximately 11:00. The sixteen-night Rovos Rail journey concludes here.
What's included
Included
- Sixteen nights of overall programme accommodation, including Rovos Rail suite accommodation and scheduled off-train stays in Madikwe and Victoria Falls
- Meals and included beverages on board, room service and limited laundry
- Scheduled guided excursions, game drives and associated entrance fees
- Lodge and hotel meals, guided excursions and selected beverages as specified by Rovos Rail
- Onboard doctor, historian and lecture programme
- Overnight bag for off-train stays and applicable government taxes
Not included
- International flights, pre- or post-tour accommodation and transfers
- Visas, travel insurance, gratuities and personal expenses
- International sparkling wine and beverages outside the included selection
- Off-train drinks and additional meals not included in the Rovos itinerary
- Optional activities at Victoria Falls and Makambako beyond the supplier programme
Prices & dates
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Your hotels
Pullman Suite
★★★★★
Rovos Rail
Deluxe Suite
★★★★★
Rovos Rail
Royal Suite
★★★★★
Rovos Rail
Safari lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve (2 nights, off-train)
South Africa Madikwe Game Reserve
Victoria Falls Hotel (1 night, off-train)
★★★★★
Zimbabwe Victoria Falls
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