Epic Victoria Falls TO Lobito Rovos Rail Adventure
15 Days • 3100 km
Embark on a luxurious train expedition through stunning landscapes, wildlife havens, and historic sites from the Zimbabwe/Zambian border to the DRC, and Lobito (a port city in Angola). Relax in elegant suites, savour gourmet meals, and enjoy onboard lectures while crossing borders and discovering hidden gems. The "copper trail" takes in the route's industrial heritage alongside natural attractions like the Luangwa Valley and Victoria Falls. Get your soul stirred and WhatsApp Rovos Rob for more info. The 2025 and 2026 journeys are sold out.
Train Bookings
Prices auto-adjusted for exchange rates. WhatsApp Rob at 27824795197 for help.
Availability last updated: 13-Apr-26
Only SA Travel Online prices this route in Rands. Rand prices are subject to change if there is a depreciation of the Rand against the US Dollar.
Also see the reverse trip with Rovos Rail from Lobito to Victoria Falls.
The route is known as "the Copper Trail" because it passes through the mineral-rich Copperbelt regions of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kolwezi) where vast copper and cobalt deposits have historically driven mining and economic activity. Angola's Benguela Railway was originally constructed in the early 20th century to transport copper ore and other minerals from inland mines to Atlantic ports like Lobito for export. The name reflects the route's longstanding role in the copper trade, linking mining hubs such as Kolwezi and Lubumbashi in the DRC to coastal shipping. ports. And now Angola wants to open to touris, the dream is to be Namibia in 20 years time.
's
The Journey
Would you like to spend a bit more time seeing "the smoke that thunders" ("Mosi-oa Tunya" in the vernacular). Click here to see a list of Victoria Falls hotels suitable for Rovos passengers.
Victoria Falls check-in & Departure:
- Rovos Rail arranges their departures from the historic Victoria Falls Railway Station (completed in 1904), which is next to the historic Victoria Falls Hotel - the hotel is so close to the station that they have a private entryway to the station's platform, on which they roll out a red carpet.
- Rovos staff will usually be waiting on the platform or inside the station with a small desk or flag signage. They’ll take your travel documents, assist with baggage, and give you a warm, formal welcome.
Check your departure time from Victoria Falls when you book, it may be different from the above.
Day 1: Victoria Falls Kickoff (Zimbabwe/Zambia Border)
- Depart Victoria Falls at 4:00 PM, crossing the iconic bridge to Livingstone—named for explorer David Livingstone (I presuime).
- Freshen up, mingle in the lounge or observation car.
- Hand over your passport to staff (returned at trip's end).
- High tea at 4:30 PM; formal dinner at 7:30 PM en route to Choma.
Day 2: Kafue River Magic
- Lectures throughout the day—check schedules.
- Breakfast until 10:00 AM; lunch at 12:30 PM.
- Cross the impressive 477m Kafue Railway Bridge.
- Sunset cruise on the Kafue River (drinks included) at 2:30 PM.
- Dinner at 7:30 PM en route to Lusaka for overnight. Formal attire.
Day 3: Elephant Sanctuary Visit
- Breakfast until 9:00 AM.
- Morning tour of Lusaka's elephant orphanage, where rescues are rehabbed for release into Kafue National Park.
- Lunch at 1:00 PM; head through Central Province to Kabwe.
- High tea at 4:30 PM; formal dinner at 7:30 PM en route to Kapiri Mposhi overnight.
Day 4: Fly to South Luangwa National Park
- Pack an overnight bag (provided) with warm layers and walking shoes for game drives/safaris.
- Breakfast until departure; retrieve passport.
- Transfer to Ndola airstrip at 10:00 AM for charter flight to this vast 9,050 km² park, a wildlife paradise along the Luangwa River.
- Arrive, lunch at 12:00 PM, check into camps.
- Afternoon game drive (3 hrs) at 3:30 PM; casual dinner and overnight at camps.
Days 5-6: Wildlife Immersion in South Luangwa
- Start with continental breakfast at 6:00 AM.
- Early game drive (3 hrs) at 6:30 AM; brunch at 10:00 AM.
- Leisure time midday.
- Afternoon game drive (3 hrs) at 3:30 PM; casual dinner at 7:30 PM and overnight at camps.
Day 7: Back to the Train (Zambia/DRC Border)
- Morning game drive (2 hrs) after breakfast; check out (times confirmed onsite).
- Fly back to Ndola at 12:00 PM; rejoin train.
- Hand passport to staff for borders.
- Lunch at 1:00 PM en route to Sakania border.
- High tea at 4:30 PM; formal dinner at 7:30 PM toward Lubumbashi.
Day 8: Lubumbashi Exploration
- Breakfast until 8:00 AM.
- City drive-through tour at 8:00 AM.
- Reboard at 11:00 AM; pass old Luishia copper mine.
- Lunch at 1:00 PM; high tea at 4:30 PM.
- Formal dinner at 7:30 PM en route to Kolwezi overnight.
Day 9: Copper Mine Adventure
- Breakfast until 8:00 AM.
- Visit Kolwezi's massive copper-cobalt mine at 8:00 AM.
- Brunch at Katebi Lodge at 10:30 AM.
- Return to train; depart for Kasombo.
- High tea at 3:30 PM; formal dinner at 7:30 PM to Mutshatsha overnight.
Day 10: Relax Onboard (DRC/Angola Border)
- Breakfast until 10:00 AM.
- Leisure day passing Kakopa and Malonga.
- Lunch at 1:00 PM; high tea at 4:30 PM.
- "Africa" themed or smart casual dinner at 7:30 PM en route to Dilolo.
- Turn clocks back 1 hour before bed.
Day 11: Luau Discovery
- Breakfast until 10:00 AM; handle Angolan border.
- Walking tour of Luau, Benguela line's start, at 11:00 AM.
- Depart for Luena; lunch at 12:00 PM.
- High tea at 4:30 PM alongside Cassai River—spot local fishermen.
- Formal dinner at 7:30 PM to Luena overnight.
Day 12: Luena Insights
- Breakfast until 10:00 AM.
- Walking tour on Angola's recent history at 10:00 AM.
- Depart for Tchicala Tcholohanga at 11:00 AM.
- Lunch at 1:00 PM; high tea at 4:30 PM.
- Formal dinner at 7:30 PM to Kuito overnight.
Day 13: Kuito Stroll
- Breakfast until 9:00 AM.
- Town walk in historic Ovimbundu heart at 9:00 AM.
- Depart for Huambo at 11:00 AM.
- Lunch at 1:00 PM; high tea at 4:30 PM.
- Formal dinner at 7:30 PM to Huambo overnight.
Day 14: Huambo Highlights
- Breakfast until 9:00 AM.
- Tour Angola's second-largest city and ancient kingdom at 9:00 AM.
- Depart for LĂ©pi at 11:00 AM.
- Lunch at 1:00 PM; high tea at 4:30 PM.
- "1920s" themed or smart casual dinner at 7:30 PM to Cubal overnight.
Day 15: Arrival in Lobito
- Breakfast until 9:30 AM.
- Pack luggage by 9:45 AM; keep passport handy.
- Journey ends at Lobito Station, Benguela Province, at 10:00 AM.
Pro Tips:
Dress for game drives with layers, hats, comfy shoes, and sun protection (weather varies). Excursions may shift based on timing—check with train staff. Read the onboard Journeys magazine for route stories. Avoid handouts to locals; support charities through Rovos instead.
Medical tips
Travel insurance is mandatory for all passengers. A medical doctor is on board the train throughout the Victoria Falls to Lobito route. Anti-malarial precautions are strongly recommended, as Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Angola are malaria-endemic regions.Recommended immunisations (not required): Hepatitis A and B, Polio, Tetanus, Cholera (low risk). Ebola note: Ebola is confined to the northeast of the DRC. The Rovos Rail journey only passes through the far southern tip of the DRC, thousands of miles away. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate or medical exemption is essential for travel to or from the DRC and Angola.
Included:
- All onboard stays, meals, drinks, room service, limited laundry, guided excursions, entry fees, historian, hairstylist, doctor, taxes.
- Flights to/from South Luangwa; bag, meals, bar drinks, safaris, laundry, park fees, taxes.
Excluded:
Off-train premium booze, personal costs, visas, insurance, pre/post-trip arrangements. Onboard: Off-train drinks, international Champagne, tips.
Other Victoria Falls Rovos Rail journeys
Rovos Rail's primary routes to Victoria Falls are from Pretoria and Lobito; WhatsApp Rovos Rob if you'd like to combine journeys to create Cape Town to Victoria Falls and Durban to Victoria Falls routes.
- Pretoria to Victoria Falls
- Cape Town to Dar es Salaam via Victoria Falls (the great dream; and the TAZARA railway line is the other copper trail, competing with the Lobito line to haul copper from central Africa to the coast for export; it's the China sponsored TAZARA line vs the western-sponsored Lobito line)
- Rovos Rail deals
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