Rovos Rail vs Victoria Falls vs Chobe Safari Itinerary Guide

This African Adventure takes you to three different countries. Spend three nights aboard the renowned Rovos Rail, one of the most opulent trains in the world, beginning in South Africa, and immerse yourself in the romance of a bygone period. Take a game drive in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park and see the breathtaking Victoria Falls. Ending in Botswana, take boat safaris and game drives through Chobe National Park to discover its abundant wildlife.

Tour type: Tailor-made Itinerary
Duration: 9 nights
Visiting: Johannesburg to Victoria Falls Johannesburg 3 nights Rovos Rail 3 nights Victoria Falls 3 nights
Interest: Rail Journey

Rovos Rail – Pretoria to Victoria Falls

Detailed Rovos Rail vs Victoria Falls vs Chobe Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Johannesburg and Pretoria

Greetings from South Africa. You will be transferred to your cozy hotel in Pretoria upon your arrival in Johannesburg. After your flight, you have the afternoon to unwind or tour the administrative capital of South Africa. There are lush parks and botanical gardens, ancient structures and top-notch museums, and a massive statue of Nelson Mandela just waiting to be found. Spend the night at the Ivory Manor Boutique.

Day 2: Rovos Rail

Your three-night, 1,400-kilometer adventure to the magnificent Victoria Falls will begin after breakfast as you are whisked away to Pretoria Station to board Rovos Rail, a five-star hotel on wheels. The train is a symbol of Africa’s opulence, with its restored Edwardian carriages and tasteful period furnishings. Keep on north via Modimolle, Bela-Bela (which was once called Warmbaths due to its mineral waters), the Tropic of Capricorn, and the Limpopo River. Sip your drink in hand as you soak in the breathtaking South African scenery through the observation car’s open-air balcony or the large picture windows. Indulge in three full days of pure relaxation and bliss. As the sun goes down, the train’s dining cars from the 1920s are transformed into a grand ballroom for the evening’s formal banquet. To complement your meal, we have a wide variety of the finest wines from South Africa. During the night on the Rovos Rail.

Day 4: Rovos Rail

Before reaching Hwange National Park, you will embark on a journey today along 114 kilometers of the longest uninterrupted railway line in the world. Be on the lookout for zebras, impala, and wildebeest. When you get off the train, go for a scenic drive in the park. Among those who love safaris, Hwange is famed for its abundance of wildlife. It is a frequent sighting spot for lions, leopards, and cheetahs, and it is also home to one of Africa’s biggest elephant populations. Get back on board and get dressed for one last night of luxurious dining and living. Share stories and chitchat with other passengers over cocktails after supper. During the night on the Rovos Rail.

Day 5: Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls – Mosi-oa-Tunya, Zambia & Zimbabwe

In the middle of the morning, Rovos Rail arrives at Victoria Falls Station. Get off the train and head to Ilala Lodge for your three-night stay. Among the seven natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls, can be enjoyed on a guided tour. There are no bad vantage points from which to take in the world’s largest curtain of falling water—the falls—during your tour. Get ready to sweat it out—the exact amount will depend on the season! As you stroll through the tropical forest, keep an eye out for baboons and vervet monkeys. After a long day, return to your accommodation and unwind by the pool while watching the mist rise from the falls. Keep an eye out for any wandering warthogs or bushbucks. Our recommendation for a historic resort that is more in line with your Rovos Rail experience is the Victoria Falls Hotel, one of the most renowned hotels in Africa. End your day with a stay at Ilala Lodge.

Recommended Hotels: Ilala Lodge, Palm River Hotel, The Victoria Falls Hotel

Day 6: Victoria Falls

An optional helicopter flight will take you above the falls, giving you a bird’s-eye view. To truly appreciate the enormity and beauty of Victoria Falls, there is no substitute. On the other hand, if you want to get a feel for the local culture, you may have lunch with a local family and eat traditional Zimbabwean food. Take a sunset trip on the Zambezi River in a tiny boat while keeping an eye out for elephants, crocodiles, and hippos. End your day with a stay at Ilala Lodge.

Recommended Hotel: Ilala Lodge

Day 7: Victoria Falls

You have today to unwind or engage in additional optional activities. The enormous Zambezi River draws away from the show, but the falls may captivate you for days. You have the option of floating down the river’s softer sections in a canoe for two or speeding down its raging rapids on a white-water raft. Another well-liked activity is ziplining over the treetops, where you can enjoy breathtaking vistas and an adrenaline rush at the same time. Spend the night in Ilala Lodge.

Recommended Hotel: Ilala Lodge

Day 8: Chobe National Park

Wildlife Highlights – Chobe National Park, Botswana

Today, enter Botswana, where you will stay on the banks of the Chobe River for the next three nights. The region is widely known for its abundance of wildlife, which you will look for on boat safaris and morning and afternoon game drives. Experienced guides are available to escort you and will help you get the most out of your safari experience. We suggest Chobe Game Lodge, where Elizabeth Taylor married Richard Burton, if you prefer to stick with a heritage theme that is more appropriate for your time on Rovos Rail. In the national park, it is also the sole lodge. Stay at Muchenje Safari Lodge for the night.

Recommended Hotels: Muchenje Safari Lodge, Chobe Game Reserve, Chobe Game Lodge

Day 9: Chobe National Park

Today, carry on with your animal explorations. Along with buffalo, wildebeest, giraffes, antelope, and more, Chobe is home to Africa’s largest population of elephants, with over 120,000 of them wandering the plains. You may see a troop of elephants wading through the lake, a lion resting in the grasslands, or a leopard relaxing under a tree. The scenery is also breathtaking; as you traverse the arid, dusty plains, you can see the stunning Chobe River and Namibia in the distance. Stay at Muchenje Safari Lodge for the night.

Recommended Hotels: Muchenje Safari Lodge, Chobe Game Reserve

Day 10: Chobe National Park

Take advantage of a boat safari on your last day in Chobe. There are many birds, including fish eagles that hunt from the river, and crocodiles and hippos are frequently seen in the water. See animals coming to the river to drink and get a close-up look at elephants bathing. Additionally, there’s plenty of time to unwind by the pool and enjoy the lovely surroundings. Stay at Muchenje Safari Lodge for the night.