- Riding Mario Karts in costume around Kyoto
- Tobogganing down the Great Wall of China
- Seeing the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
- Riding the Rovos Rail from Zimbabwe to South Africa
- Walking through Gardens by the Bay/Cloud Forest in Singapore
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(also check Rovos Rail departures from Pretoria to Victoria Falls - the reverse route).
Rovos Rail Victoria Falls to Pretoria Availability
Experience slow travel on a luxury train expedition. Starting at Victoria Falls, we strongly advise booking your flight a couple of days before the train departs. This not only gives you time to explore the falls, but also means that you are highly unlikely to miss your train's departure due to commercial flight delays.
Train Bookings
Prices auto-adjusted for exchange rates. WhatsApp Rob at 27824795197 for help.
Availability last updated: 13-Apr-26
💡 The 4-Night "Lollapalooza" Value Proposition
If you look closely at the pricing table above, you will notice something highly unusual: the 4-night southbound journey and the 3-night southbound journey generally cost the exact same amount. By selecting the 4-night itinerary, you trigger a compounding 'Lollapalooza effect' of value, receiving:
- An entire extra 24 hours of 5-star accommodation and 24/7 open-bar service.
- An exclusive, fully-guided, full-day off-train excursion into Matobo National Park to view ancient San rock art and Cecil John Rhodes' grave (an experience entirely omitted on the 3-night route).
- Additional onboard formal dining surrounding your Matobo excursion.
Unless you are severely restricted by time, the 4-night journey is the undeniable choice for value-conscious luxury travellers.
If you have travelled on Rovos Rail before, please mention this when booking to claim your Rovos Club loyalty discount.
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Don't just take our word for it. Join fellow enthusiasts in our Luxury Trains Facebook Group or our dedicated Rovos Rail Victoria Falls Group to see real passenger photos, read live trip reports, and ask questions before you book!
Choose Your Suite
Rovos Rail offers three superb suite types. All suites are air-conditioned, feature en-suite bathrooms, and are serviced daily. A dedicated host is available 24 hours a day.
Pullman Suite
Size: 7 sq metres (76 sq ft)
The Pullman suite is designed for optimal use of space. During the day, it features a comfortable sofa which is converted into a double bed (or twin beds) for the evening.
- En-suite bathroom with shower
- Daytime sofa converts to bed
- Perfect for solo travellers or cozy couples
Deluxe Suite
Size: 10 sq metres (108 sq ft)
The most popular option. The Deluxe suite provides a permanent bed (double or twin) alongside a dedicated lounge area and a larger en-suite bathroom.
- En-suite bathroom with shower
- Permanent bed & private lounge area
- Bar fridge filled with beverages of your choice
Royal Suite
Size: 16 sq metres (172 sq ft)
Taking up half a carriage, this is the ultimate luxury. It features a private lounge area and a full en-suite bathroom boasting a Victorian claw-foot bathtub and a separate shower.
- Spacious en-suite with Victorian bathtub & shower
- Large dedicated lounge area
- Unmatched space and premium privacy
Note: The Royal and Pullman suites are highly limited in number per departure. We strongly recommend booking 9 to 12 months in advance to secure your preferred date and suite type.
Experience the Journey
Pre-Departure: Arrival Timeline & Activities
Because this journey begins in Victoria Falls, we strongly advise against flying in on the day of departure. Eliminate the stress of potential commercial flight delays by arriving early.
Day -2: Arrival
Fly into VFA (Zimbabwe) or LVI (Zambia). Transfer to your hotel and enjoy a Zambezi River Sunset Cruise.
Day -1: Explore
Take a guided walking tour of the Falls rainforest path in the morning, and the "Flight of Angels" helicopter ride in the afternoon.
Day 0: Boarding
Relax at your hotel before transferring to the historic Victoria Falls Station for a 17:00 departure.
Recommended Pre-Trip Hotels
- Victoria Falls Hotel (Zimbabwe): The "Grand Old Lady." Historic, colonial elegance with private access to the Falls path and impeccable service.
- Located directly opposite the Victoria Falls Train Station where Rovos Rail departs.
- Offers the iconic view of the old railway bridge and the gorge.
- Unbeatable location; historic atmosphere; direct access to the Falls footpath; no need for transfers for the main sight.
- Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe):
- Located in a private game reserve outside town, offering a more exclusive safari-style stay.
- Requires a transfer/taxi (about 15 - 20 minutes) for all town activities and to get to the train station.
- Generally stable Wi-Fi throughout the property.
Pre-Departure Activities
Popular activities include helicopter flights over the falls and sunset cruises on the Zambezi River. We recommend booking through Shearwater Victoria Falls if you are staying on the Zimbabwean side.
Check your booking correspondence for your exact departure time from Victoria Falls - it varies between the 3-night and 4-night itineraries.
Rovos Rail Itineraries: Southbound
Below are the detailed itineraries for both the 3-night and 4-night southbound journeys.
4-Night Expedition (High Value)
Day 1: Departure & The Falls
- 17:00 Depart from Victoria Falls Station, Zimbabwe. Enjoy afternoon tea as the train travels south.
- 19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Kennedy Siding for the overnight stop. Dress: Formal.
Day 2: Hwange National Park
- 05:00 Early wake-up call with a continental breakfast.
- 06:00 Disembark for a thrilling morning game drive at The Hide in Hwange National Park.
- 11:00 Brunch is served as the train travels along the eastern edge of the park along one of the world's longest stretches of straight railway line (114km).
- 19:30 Dinner is served en route to Bulawayo. Dress: Formal.
Day 3: Matobo National Park
- 08:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars.
- 09:00 Transfer to Matobo National Park for a full-day excursion. Visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes and view ancient bushman rock art.
- 18:00 Reboard the train in Bulawayo and depart for the border.
- 19:30 Dinner is served en route to Beitbridge for border formalities. Dress: 1920s Theme or Formal.
Day 4: Crossing the Limpopo & Highveld Storms
- 07:00 Breakfast is served as the train crosses the Limpopo River into South Africa.
- 13:00 Lunch is served as the train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn.
- 16:30 Tea is served. In the summer months, you may be lucky enough to experience an electric Highveld storm in the afternoons.
- 19:30 A final Gala Dinner is served en route to Polokwane. Dress: Formal.
Day 5: Arrival in Pretoria
- 07:00 Breakfast is served as the train descends the escarpment and travels through Warmbaths (Bela-Bela).
- 10:00 Arrive at journey's end: the private Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria.
3-Night Expedition (Express)
View 3-Night Itinerary Details
- DAY 1: VICTORIA FALLS
- 17:00 Depart from Victoria Falls Station, Zimbabwe.
- 19:30 Dinner is served en route to Kennedy Siding.
- DAY 2: HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
- 05:00 Early continental breakfast.
- 06:00 Morning game drive at The Hide in Hwange National Park.
- 11:00 Brunch served onboard. The train travels straight through Bulawayo towards the border (omitting the Matobo Park excursion).
- DAY 3: AT LEISURE ON BOARD
- 07:00 Breakfast is served as the train crosses the Limpopo River into South Africa.
- 13:00 Lunch is served as you cross the Tropic of Capricorn.
- 19:30 Final Gala Dinner en route to Pretoria.
- DAY 4: PRETORIA
- 07:00 Breakfast is served.
- 10:00 Arrive at Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria.
Logistics & Preparation
Luggage & Dress Code (Important)
Rovos Rail maintains a traditional, elegant atmosphere on board. Please note the following requirements:
- Dress Code: During the day, dress is smart-casual and comfortable. Evening attire is more formal. For gentlemen, a jacket and tie are minimum requirements, and ladies often wear cocktail/evening dresses or tailored suits.
- Luggage: Space in the suites is limited. We recommend soft-sided luggage rather than hard-shell suitcases, as they fit much easier into the overhead storage racks or under the bed.
- Digital Detox: In keeping with the spirit of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets on board, and the use of mobile phones, laptops, and tablets is restricted to the privacy of your suite.
👉 Unsure of what to bring? View our complete "What to Pack for a 4-Night Journey" checklist here.
Border Formalities (Zimbabwe into South Africa)
The train crosses from Zimbabwe into South Africa at the Beitbridge border post. Because you are exiting Zimbabwe, the process is generally smoother than entering, but you still need to be prepared:
- Passports: Rovos Rail staff will collect your passports to manage the bulk of the immigration clearance on your behalf, allowing you to relax in the lounge car or your suite.
- South African Visas: Please ensure you have checked the visa requirements for your specific nationality entering South Africa long before your trip begins. If you require a visa, it must be obtained in advance; you cannot get one at the railway border post.
Departing Pretoria Station
The journey concludes at the private Rovos Rail Station in Capital Park, Pretoria. From here, you have several options:
- To the Airport: O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg is approximately a 45 - 60 minute drive, depending on traffic. Please do not book flights departing before 15:00 on your arrival day to account for potential rail delays.
- To Sandton / Johannesburg: A private transfer to the Sandton CBD takes about 45 minutes.
- Onward Safari: We highly recommend arranging a transfer to the Kruger National Park or Sabi Sands area (like Mala Mala, which boasts the best predator density in South Africa) for a post-train safari.
Combine with a Safari or City Stay
Many of our guests choose to extend their luxury experience once they arrive in South Africa.
Rob's Local Insight Extending to Cape Town?
If your final destination after the train is Cape Town, you are in for a treat. As a local resident of the Mother City, here are my top recommendations for a seamless post-rail transition:
- Where to Stay: Skip the busy city centre and look at boutique hotels in Camps Bay or Bantry Bay for spectacular ocean sunsets that rival the Victoria Falls views. If you prefer wine country, Franschhoek offers a slower, ultra-luxury pace similar to the train.
- Logistics: From Pretoria Station, you can easily arrange a private transfer to O.R. Tambo International (JNB) for the 2-hour flight to Cape Town (CPT). I recommend allowing at least 4 hours between your train arrival and flight departure to ensure a stress-free connection.
- Must-Do: If you enjoyed the dining on Rovos Rail, you must book a table at La Colombe or Pier well in advance - Cape Town is the culinary capital of Africa!
Related Logistics & Planning
👔 Dress Code Guide
Not sure what to pack? Read our complete guide to daytime smart-casual and formal evening wear.
🛏️ Compare Suites
Explore the differences between Pullman, Deluxe, and Royal suites to find your perfect fit.
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