Classic Cape Town, Railway and Safari (21 days)

Classic Cape Town, Railway and Safari

(21 days)

This epic journey travels through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania. It includes 15 days on Rovos Rail from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam and is one of the most famous in the world.

Included

Not Included

Top Rated Restaurants

Included 20 breakfast , as well as 18 dinners and 18 lunches. Ask your travel specialist for more details.

Virtuoso

All tours depart daily and are private, highly personalized and luxurious. Virtuoso travelers receive amenities and VIP treatment on all Artisans of Leisure tours.

Professional Guide

All tours include a guide to show you all there is to see on the tour.

Hotel Pickup & Drop-off

Private airport transfer for every Virtuoso member

Trip Itinerary

DAY #1 - Cape Town, South Africa
On arrival you will be transferred to 21 Nettleton. Everything about 21 Nettleton is enchanting and exhilarating – an exclusive setting where one is assured of discovering something radically different. Offering a small number of private and individually styled suites, each appointed with the finest modern amenities and ideally placed to appreciate the expansive views and stunning landscape. With services included such as a fully inclusive breakfast and bar, afternoon tea, evening canapes and sunset cocktails, high speed wireless internet as well as laundry service and airport transfers for the longer stays – the focus is to provide guests with a memorable, personalized and tranquil stay. Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis at 21 Nettleton
DAY #2 - Cape Town, South Africa
The day is at leisure to relax or explore Cape Town. Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis at 21 Nettleton
DAY #3 - Matjiesfontein, South Africa
After breakfast you will be transferred to the station where you will board the Rovos Rail Train. 11h00 Depart Cape Town Station on the Pride of Africa. 18h00 Arrive in Matjiesfontein and explore the quaint village. Dinner and overnight on the train.
DAY #4 - Kimberley, South Africa
(Breakfast 07h00-10h00 • Lunch 13h00 • Tea 16h30 • Dinner 19h30) 14h00 Tour of Kimberley’s Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum. Ten minutes after departing Kimberley a shallow lake appears on the left-hand side of the train where, on most occasions, there are spectacular flocks of Lesser Flamingos (approximately 23 000). Travel from the Karoo to the Highveld. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY #5 - Pretoria, South Africa
10h00 Arrive at Rovos Rail Station in Capital Park, Pretoria. Enjoy a walking tour of the station and locomotive workshops (weather permitting) followed by lunch on the platform and a city tour of Pretoria at 14h15. 18h00 Depart for Zeerust in the North West Province. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY #6 - Zeerust, South Africa
11h00 Disembark at Zeerust and transfer by coach to Madikwe Reserve for a two-night stay at a Five Star Game Lodge. Lunch is served upon arrival at the lodge. Afternoon tea and game drive (approximately 3 hours). Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
DAY #7 - Zeerust, South Africa
Enjoy an early morning game drive, afternoon game drive and other guest activities. Overnight at the lodge.
DAY #8 - Gaborone, Botswana Plumtree, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
Early morning game drive followed by breakfast until 09h30. 10h30 Transfer to the train at with border formalities en route to Gaborone, Botswana. 13h30 Depart Gaborone and travel to Plumtree for border formalities and overnight.
DAY #9 - Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Day at leisure on board. Lectures will be given during the course of the morning and/or afternoon by the on-board historian. The train passes Gwaai and Dete along one of Africa’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114 kilometres – and along the eastern edge of the Hwange National Park where occasional sightings of animals can occur. The train heads for Thompson’s Junction for the overnight stop.
DAY #10 - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
12h00 Arrive at the incomparable Victoria Falls and walk across to the hotel. Enjoy lunch. 16h00 Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River. Buffet dinner at Jungle Junction. Overnight at the hotel
DAY #11 - Livingstone, Zambia
Day at leisure in the Victoria Falls with activities (tour of Falls, helicopter over Falls, elephant-back safari, walk with lions, whitewater rafting, bungee-jumping, golf, etc). 16h00 Depart Victoria Falls and cross the bridge to Livingstone, Zambia.
DAY #12 - Kabwe, Zambia
Day at leisure on board. Lectures will be given during the course of the morning and/or afternoon by the on-board historian. The train travels across the Kafue railway bridge – a 477-metre long steel girder truss bridge of 13 spans each at 33 metres supported on concrete piers – towards Kapiri Mposhi and the start of the TAZARA railway line.
DAY #13 - Kasama, Zambia
Enjoy a day at leisure on the train. Lectures will be given during the course of the morning and/or afternoon by the on-board historian. The train passes through Serenje and Mpika to Kasama.
DAY #14 - Mbeya, Tanzania
08h00 Disembark at Kasama for a morning excursion to Chisimba Falls. 11h00 Depart from Kasama and travel towards the Tanzanian border.
DAY #15 - Mbeya, Tanzania
09h00 Arrive at Makambako where guests may enjoy a stroll through the town – time permitting. 10h30 Depart and travel towards Mlimba. The train descends into the Rift Valley and through the Udzungwa Mountains as it negotiates the tunnels, switchbacks and viaducts of the escarpment. Day at leisure on the train with lectures by the on-board historian.
DAY #16 - Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Game visit in the Selous Reserve (time permitting).Travel towards Gwata for an overnight stop.
DAY #17 - Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
06h30 Depart Gwata in and travel in an easterly direction towards the coast. 07h00 Breakfast is served in the dining car/s until 09h30. 10h00 Arrive at journey’s end in Dar es Salaam On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight on a fully inclusive basis at the Oyster Bay Hotel
DAY #18 - Iringa, Tanzania
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your scheduled light aircraft transfer to Ruaha National Park. Jabali Ridge’s eight suites are hidden amongst the rocky boulders that cocoon the property. An infinity pool, spa, and plenty of places to relax ensure that time in camp is as memorable as time out in the bush. Overnight on a full inclusive basis at Jabali Ridge Camp
DAY #19 - Iringa, Tanzania
Guided game drives are offered twice a day from Jabali Ridge. Our six-seater game-viewing vehicles are open-sided with a canvas roof; canvas sides can be rolled down in case of rain (rain ponchos are provided). All vehicles have power points where you can recharge your device, and are fitted with fridges to keep your drinks deliciously frosty. A private game-viewing vehicle can be booked by prior arrangement. In the morning, maximise your game-viewing time by taking a delicious breakfast picnic with you to enjoy under the shade of a baobab tree. In the evening, sip a cold gin & tonic in the heart of the bush as the sun sinks below the horizon. Overnight on a fully inclusive basis at Jabali Ridge camp
DAY #20 - Iringa, Tanzania
Take to the skies and soar in a hot air balloon over Ruaha National Park at sunrise one morning. This is a really spectacular way to start the day and see the park from an entirely different perspective. You will be picked up in the early hours before sunrise, transferred to the balloon launch site and have a safety briefing, before taking flight and travelling low along the Great Ruaha River. On reaching the confluence with the Mwagusi River, the pilot will take the balloon high up and travel back, enjoying incredible aerial views of the baobab forests, rivers, kopjes and wildlife below. On landing you will be treated to a fully cooked bush breakfast with sparkling wine, before you are transferred back to your camp. The balloons accommodate up to 12 people and no under 7’s due to safety. NB. Only available in the dry season between June and end of October each year. Overnight at on a fully inclusive basis at Jabali Ridge Camp
DAY #21 - Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airstrip for your scheduled light aircraft transfer to Dar es Salaam.

Tour Pricing

3 Hour Tour
2 People +
$129/person
  • Return Shuttle
  • 5 Restaurants
  • Food Included
  • Historic Locations
5 Hour Tour
2 People +
$169/person
  • Return Shuttle
  • 10 Restaurants
  • Food Included
  • Historic Locations

Reviews

I have nothing but positive things to say about working with Triumph Travel. All drivers and guides were very professional but personable as well as knowledgeable and flexible to our requests. We felt we were in skilled hands at all times. The vehicles as well were high end and very comfortable. It was such a pleasure to sit back and enjoy the various tours we had requested. All we had to do was show up!
Denise Burcksen
14 Oct 2018
Our tours in the Cape were outstanding. All personnel were polite, informative, flexible, and provided exceptional service. We thoroughly enjoyed the tours and found new perspectives on areas we have previously visited. We couldn't have asked for a more pleasant experience.
Laura Cole Salas
16 Jul 2018
Our experience with Triumph travel was out of this world. The whole trip was a trip of a lifetime. We only had on small hiccup, and it was handled very quickly and efficiently. When we landed in Capetown, we realized that no one was there to pick us up and drive us to the Winelands. We called the travel company, and sixth star travel, and within 10 minutes there was a luxury car there to take us to the Windlands. The tour company did not have our updated flight itinerary , as the original itinerary had us coming in 3 hours later. They really stepped us and took care of the situation.
Jeannie Sauleau
16 Oct 2017

from $129

Payment Options

We will gladly accept online payment in the methods below, as well as cash or cheque in person.

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