- Overview
- Itinerary
- Rates
- Suites
Come and experience this epic 16-day Cape Town to Dar Es Salaam Train Tour taking you through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia & Tanzania, one of the most luxurious trains in the world. The perfect choice for anyone's bucket list!!
The luxurious train journey takes us from Cape Town to the historic village of Matjiesfontein, the diamond mines of Kimberley & the capital city of Pretoria, each including short tours followed by two nights in the Madikwe Game Reserve.
Winding your way through Botswana and Zimbabwe, travellers will overnight in Victoria Falls at the 5-Star Victoria Falls Hotel before crossing the mighty Zambezi River & enjoying a bush walk. The train descends into the Great Rift Valley with some amazing sights negotiating the tunnels, switchbacks and viaducts of the spectacular escarpment. We then visit the Nyerere National Park, the largest on the continent and a vision of timeless Africa- before the bustling arrival in Dar es Salaam the following day.
NOTE: The Cape Town to Dar Es Salaam Train Tour can also be done in reverse, which allows for more flexibility to experience this once-in-a-lifetime journey!
Highlights of the Cape Town to Dar Es Salaam Train Tour:
- Cape Town.
- Matjiesfontein.
- Klein and Great Karoo.
- Kimberley Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum.
- 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.
What makes the Rovos Rail Train unique?
- Most luxurious train in the world.
- Best way to tour Southern & Eastern Africa with ultimate luxury and privacy.
- All meals and drinks included on board (incl. alcoholic drinks).
- Doctor and hairdresser on board.
- Excursions are included in your journey.
- 24 hr room service.
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Combine your luxury train journey with one of our Luxury Kruger Safaris.



















Summary


CAPE TOWN - DAR ES SALAAM
DAY 1 - Depart Cape Town
14h30 - Check-in at Rovos Rail Lounge, 1 Adderley Street, Cape Town
16h00 - Depart from Cape Town Station. The train travels towards the Hex River Valley. Dinner and overnight on the train.
DAY 2 - Matjiesfontein
07h00 -Disembark at Matjiesfontein for an opportunity to stroll through the
historic village. Of special interest is the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages to the right of the Lord Milner Hotel.
10h00 - The train traverses the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region that was once an enormous inland sea. Over millions of years, the volcanic matter was ground down and deposited as silt upon the seabed to form what geologists call the Karoo system
13h00 - Lunch is served in the dining cars.
16h30 - Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
19h30 - Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 3 - Kimberley
07h00 - Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10h00.
12h30 - Lunch is served in the dining cars. Enjoy a tour of Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole. Capital of the Northern Cape, Kimberley is well known for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871.
19h30 - Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Klerksdorp.
DAY 4 - Pretoria
07h00 - Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10h00.
08h30 - Transfer (±60 min) to Pretoria for a city tour followed by lunch on the Rovos Rail Station platform. Enjoy a walking tour of the station and locomotive workshops (weather permitting). Return (±60 min) to the train
19h30 - We depart for Zeerust in the North West Province. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 5 - Madikwe Game Reserve
07h00 - Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10h00.
11h00 - Stop at Zeerust and transfer to Madikwe Reserve for a 2-night stay at a Game Lodge. Lunch is served upon arrival at the lodge. Afternoon game drive (approx. 3 hours). Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
DAY 6 - Madikwe Game Reserve
07h00 - Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09h30.
12h00 - Lunch at the lodge. Afternoon tea and game drive (approx. 3 hours).
19h00 - Dinner at the lodge.
DAY 7 - Madikwe Game Reserve
One last early morning game drive followed by breakfast.
07h00 - Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09h30.
10h30 - We depart for Botswana with border formalities en route to Gaborone.
13h00 - Depart Gaborone & travel to Plumtree for border formalities and overnight.
16h30 - Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
19h30 - Dinner is served in the dining cars.
DAY 8 - At Leisure on board
07h00 - Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10h00.
We have the day at leisure on board. Lectures will be given during the morning and/or afternoon by the on-board historian. We pass Gwaai and Dete along one of Africa’s longest stretches of straight railway line & along the eastern edge of the Hwange National Park where you will find occasional sightings of animals. The train travels toward Thompson’s Junction for the overnight stop.
13h00 - Lunch is served in the dining cars.
16h30 - Tea in the lounge and observation cars. Pass 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.
19h30 - Dinner is served in the dining cars.
DAY 9 - Victoria Falls
07h00 - Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10h00.
12h00 - Arrive at the Victoria Falls and walk across to the hotel. Enjoy lunch.
16h00 - Enjoy a sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River. Dinner at Jungle Junction. Overnight at the hotel.
19h30 - Dinner at the Livingstone Room, Victoria Falls Hotel.
DAY 10 - Victoria Falls
You have the day at leisure in Victoria Falls with a range of activities on offer (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.
19h30 - Dinner is served in the dining cars.
DAY 11 - Leisure on board
07h00 - Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10h00.
Day at leisure on board. Lectures will be given during the morning and/or afternoon by an on-board historian. The train continues across the Kafue railway bridge towards Kapiri Mposhi, the start of the TAZARA railway line.
13h00 - Lunch is served in the dining cars.
16h30 - Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
19h30 - Dinner is served in the dining cars.
DAY 12 - Leisure on board
07h00 - Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10h00.
You have the 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.
13h00 - Lunch is served in the dining cars.
16h30 - Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
19h30 - Dinner is served in the dining cars.
DAY 13 - Chisimba Falls
07h00 - Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
08h00 - Disembark at Kasama for a morning excursion to the Chisimba Falls.
11h30 - Depart Kasama and continue towards the Tanzanian border.
13h00 - Lunch is served in the dining cars.
16h30 - Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
19h30 - Dinner is served in the dining cars.
DAY 14 - Makambako (Optional)
07h00 - Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10h00.
09h00 - Arrive at Makambako and enjoy a stroll through the town – time permitting.
11h00 - The train travels towards Mlimba and descends into the Rift Valley, through the Udzungwa Mountains, negotiating tunnels, switchbacks and viaducts of the escarpment.
Enjoy the day at leisure on the train with lectures by an on-board historian.
13h00 - Lunch is served in the dining cars.
16h30 - Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
19h30 - Dinner is served in the dining cars.
DAY 15 - Nyerere National Park
07h00 - Continental Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 08h00.
10h30 - Brunch is served in the dining cars until 11h45.
12h00 - Game visit in the Nyerere National Park (time permitting)
18h00 - Return to the train
19h30 - Dinner is served in the dining cars.
DAY 16 - Dar Es Salaam
07h00 - Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10h00.
11h00 - The train arrives at the journey’s end in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Cape Town to Dar Es Salaam Train Tour |
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Rates in US$ | Adults Sharing |
Single Occupancy |
2025 Rates (Both directions) | ||
Pullman Suite | $14,950 pp sharing | $21,600 |
Deluxe Suite | $19,800 pp sharing | $28,400 |
Royal Suite | $25,950 pp sharing | On Request |
2026 Rates (Both directions) |
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Pullman Suite | $16,500 pp sharing | $24,000 |
Deluxe Suite | $21,800 pp sharing | $31,500 |
Royal Suite | $28,600 pp sharing | On Request |
BOOK NOW |
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Included:
*MEALS ONBOARD (unless adjusted) Excluded:
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Prices are subject to change due to airfare increases, currency exchange, fluctuations and any unforeseen circumstances, without prior notice. |
Northbound Departure Dates (CPT-DAR) | ||
Route |
Start | End |
Northbound CPT - DAR |
04 Jul 2025 | 19 Jul 2025 |
23 Sep 2025 | 08 Oct 2025 | |
09 Jan 2026 | 25 Jan 2026 | |
02 Jul 2026 | 18 Jul 2026 | |
06 Oct 2026 | 22 Oct 2026 |
Southbound Departure Dates (DAR-CPT) | ||
Route |
Start | End |
Southbound DAR - CPT |
28 Jan 2025 | 12 Feb 2025 |
11 Oct 2025 | 26 Oct 2025 | |
28 Jan 2026 | 13 Feb 2026 | |
21 Jul 2026 | 06 Aug 2026 | |
06 Sep 2026 | 22 Sep 2026 | |
25 Oct 2026 | 10 Nov 2026 |
All suites are spacious and offer travel in privacy, comfort and luxury, with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. All equipped with a writing surface, personal safe & bar fridge filled with beverages of the passengers’ choice.
The Pullman Suite (±7 sq metres)
Equipped with a comfortable sofa-seat during the day with a conversion to double/twin beds for the evening. The suite features an en-suite bathroom with shower, hair dryers and shaver plugs.
The Deluxe Suites (±10 sq metres)
Accommodates two passengers in twin/double beds with a lounge area & en-suite bathroom with shower, hair dryers and shaver plugs.
The Royal Suites (±16 sq metres)
Each Royal Suite takes up half a carriage. These spacious suites each has its own private lounge area and full bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower, hair dryers and shaver plugs. Royal Suites can accommodate two people by eitherside-by-side twin or spacious double beds.
Facilities in Suites:
- Bath* (Royal Suite only)
- Shower
- Toilet
- Basin
- Air conditioner
- Heated towel rail
- Fire extinguisher
- Safe
- Luggage rack
- Adaptors
- Plug points/shaver plugs
- Hair dryer
- Fridge
- Tea drawer
- Amenities
- Dressing gown and slippers
- Goggles
- Laundry bag
- Shoe bag
- Writing desk
- Internal telephone system
- Room service