Dar es Salaam Journey


This epic 14-day journey travels through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania and is one of the most famous train journeys in the world. Starting in Cape Town, this magnificent sojourn will take guests through the historic village of Matjiesfontein, the diamond town of Kimberley and the capital city of Pretoria, then for a two-night stay at the Madikwe Game Reserve. The train then passes through Botswana into Zimbabwe where guests overnight at the Victoria Falls Hotel. After crossing the mighty Zambezi River, the train travels northeast through Zambia where guests can enjoy a bush walk at Chisimba Falls. The train continues the climb towards the Zambian/Tanzanian border, almost the midpoint between Africa’s two Great Rift Valley lakes. Descend into the Rift Valley itself and witness spectacular scenery as the train negotiates the tunnels, switchbacks and viaducts of the escarpment. Early on the last day, the train passes through the Selous Game Reserve – the largest on the continent and a vision of timeless Africa – shortly before the bustling arrival in Dar es Salaam. * Please note that depending upon the railway’s capacity this journey could be routed northwards through Beitbridge and Zimbabwe.

This journey is available in reverse. See next tab and Downloads below for details.

Cape Town - Dar es Salaam

Day1

Depart Cape Town Station at 11h00 on the Pride of Africa. Arrive in Matjiesfontein at 18h00 and explore the quaint village. Dinner and overnight on the train. (Breakfast 07h00-10h00 • Lunch 13h00 • High Tea 16h00 • Dinner 19h30)

Day2

Arrive in Kimberley at 14h00 for a tour of the Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum.
After departing at 16h00, the train passes a shallow lake with tremendous flocks of Lesser Flamingos.

Day3

Arrive in Pretoria at 11h30 and enjoy a lunch at Rovos Rail Station followed by a city tour.
Depart at 18h00 for Zeerust.

Day4

At 11h00, disembark the train at Zeerust for a full-board two-night stay at five-star Tau Lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Enjoy an afternoon game drive. Overnight at the lodge.

Day5

Enjoy an early morning game drive, afternoon game drive and other guest activities. Overnight at the lodge.

Day6

Early morning game drive followed by breakfast.
Transfer to the train at with border formalities en route to Gaborone, Botswana. Depart at 12h00.

Day7

After border formalities, travel through Zimbabwe with lectures provided by the on-board historian.

Day8

Arrive at the Victoria Falls and transfer to the hotel where lunch is served.
Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River from 16h00 followed by dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day9

Day at leisure for activities such as a tour the Falls, a golf game, a helicopter ride, walk with lions, river rafting, etc.
Transfer to the station and depart at 16h00 for Zimbabwe/Zambia border formalities.

Day10

Pass through Lusaka during lunch. Day at leisure on the train with lectures by the on-board historian.

Day11

Pass through Serenje and Mpika en route to Kasama.
Day at leisure on the train with lectures by the on-board historian.

Day12

After breakfast, disembark at Kasama for a bush walk at Chisimba Falls.
Return to the train for lunch and head towards Tunduma for border formailities.

Day13

Disembark Makambako in the morning and descend the spectacular pass to Mlimba.
Travel through the impressive Selous Reserve. Day at leisure on the train with lectures by the on-board historian.

Day14

Arrive at Tazara Station in Dar es Salaam at 10h00.

This journey is available in reverse. See previous tab and Downloads below for details.

Dar es Salaam - Cape Town

Day1

Depart Tazara Station in Dar es Salaam at 12h00. Afternoon at leisure.
(Breakfast 07h00-10h00 • Lunch 13h00 • High Tea 16h00 • Dinner 19h30)

Day2

Travel through the Selous Game Reserve. Arrive at Makambako at 14h00.
Day at leisure on the train.

Day3

Arrive in Tunduma/Nakonde for Tanzanian/Zambian border formalities.
Arrive in Kasama after lunch for a bush walk at Chisimba Falls.

Day4

Pass through Serenje. Day at leisure on the train with lectures by the on-board historian.

Day5

Pass through Lusaka then Kafue and Choma at 12h30.
Day at leisure on the train with lectures by the on-board historian.

Day6

Arrive Livingstone/Victoria Falls for Zambia/Zimbabwe border formalities at 12h00. Transfer to the Victoria Falls Hotel.
Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River from 16h00 followed by dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day7

Day at leisure for activities such as a tour the Falls, a golf game, a helicopter ride, a walk with the lions, river rafting, etc.
Transfer to the station and depart at 16h00 for border formalities.

Day8

Bypass Bulawayo en route to the border at Plumtree. Day at leisure on the train.

Day9

Arrive in Gaborone at 10h00 and transfer, with border formalities en route, to five-star Tau Lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve for a full-board two-night stay. Enjoy an afternoon game drive. Overnight at the lodge.

Day10

Enjoy an early morning game drive, afternoon game drive and other guest activities. Overnight at the lodge.

Day11

Early morning game drive followed by breakfast.
Transfer to the train and depart Zeerust on the Pride of Africa, travelling via the Magaliesberg to Pretoria.

Day12

Arrive in Pretoria at 10h00 and enjoy a lunch at Rovos Rail Station followed by a city tour.
Depart at 15h00 for Cape Town.

Day13

Before arriving at Kimberley at 09h45, the train passes a shallow lake with tremendous flocks of Lesser Flamingos.
Upon arrival, tour the Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum.

Day14

Arrive in Matjiesfontein at 08h30 and explore the quaint village.
Arrive at journey’s end in Cape Town Station at 18h00.

  • Cape Town
  • Matjiesfontein
  • Klein and Great Karoo
  • Kimberley Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum
  • Drakensberg Mountains
  • Pretoria – Jacaranda City
  • Game lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve
  • Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania
  • Victoria Falls
  • Zambezi River sunset cruise
  • Chisimba Falls in Zambia
  • Great Rift Valley
  • Selous Game Reserve
  • Dar es Salaam
1 Oct 2011 – 30 Sep 2012 Pullman Suites Deluxe Suites Royal Suites
CT – DAR ES SALAAM
Available in reverse
US$9 800 (*US$3 960) US$ 12 900 (*US$5 400) US$17 500 (*on request)
Train tour price per person sharing includes accommodation, meals and excursions, as well as alcoholic beverages whilst on the train. *Single supplement
Pullman Suites
Pullman Suites
Deluxe Suites
Deluxe Suites
Royal Suites
Royal Suites

DATES REGULAR TRIPS 1 OCTOBER 2011 – 20 SEPTEMBER 2012
Dates are specific. Please reconfirm with reservations@rovos.co.za. See Downloads below for further dates.
DESTINATION PTA – CT CT – PTA PTA – VF VF – PTA PTA – DBN DBN – PTA
OCT 2011 5,7,14,19,28 8,10,17,22,24,31 13,27 2,16,30 7,21 10,24
NOV 2011 4,11,18,25 7,12,14,21,28 10,24 13,27 4,18 7,21
DEC 2011 2,9,16,23,28,30 5,12,19,26,31 22 25 n/a n/a
JAN 2012 6,13,20,27 2,9,23,30 5,19 8,22 27 30
FEB 2012 3,10,17,22,24 6,13,15,20,27 2,16 5,19 10,24 13,27
MAR 2012 2,7,9,16,30 5,10,12,19,26 1,15,29 4,18 9,23 12,26
APR 2012 6,13,20,27 2,9,16,23,30 12,26 1,15,29 6,20 9,23
MAY 2012 4,11,18,25 7,14,21,28 10,24 13,27 n/a n/a
JUN 2012 1,8,15,22,27,29 4,11,18,25 n/a n/a n/a n/a
JUL 2012 6,13,20 2,9,16,23,30 26 29 n/a n/a
AUG 2012 3,8,10,17,24,31 6,13,20,27 9,23 12,26 31 n/a
SEP 2012 14,21,26,28 3,10,17,24 6,20 9,23 14,28 3,17
DATES ANNUAL TRIPS 2012
Dates are specific. Please reconfirm with reservations@rovos.co.za. See Downloads below for further dates.
CT – DAR DAR – CT Golf Safari Namibia PTA – SWA Namibia SWA – PTA Collage Golf PTA-CT Collage Golf CT-PTA
16 – 29 Jan 12 – 25 Mar 22 Feb – 1 Mar 26 Apr
- 4 May
6 – 14 May 17 – 25 May 26 May
- 3 June
30 Jun – 13 Jul 16 – 29 Jul 10 – 18 Oct 08 – 16 Nov 19 – 27 Nov
29 Sep – 12 Oct 15 – 28 Oct 28 Nov – 6 Dec