Southern Cross Train Tour • 12 Days

Southern Cross Train Tour

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From

$ 7,500.00

per person

Our group tours are also offered on a private basis, and can be customized: Our experienced travel consultants will design bespoke, private itineraries according to your needs and budget. 

A 12-day luxury train tour from Pretoria to Victoria Falls, covering a distance of 2500 kilometers. Your tour begins as you traverse the scenic Drakensberg Mountains, eventually linking up with the Panorama Route with amazing game viewing opportunities in Kruger National Park. Moving forward, you explore the capital of Mozambique, Maputo, and venture into the mountainous landscapes of the Kingdom of eSwatini. An exciting game drive awaits you at Kapama, and you’ll visit the Great Zimbabwe Monument. Your itinerary continues with visits to Antelope Park and the World Heritage Site, Matobo National Park. Game viewing in Hwange follows before reaching the grandeur of Victoria Falls. Here, you’ll partake in a walking tour of the village and witness the awe-inspiring falls, concluding your journey with a serene sunset cruise along the mighty Zambezi River.

It’s the Perfect Add-on Tour: This luxury train tour is a perfect add-on to any of our South African package tours and tailormade safaris. Feel free to ask our travel consultants about integrating this incredible train experience into your itinerary. View all our South African packages here.

Highlights of the Train Tour

Victoria Falls: Superb viewing from both sides of the river as the almost two kilometers of falls cascade into the gorge below. Columns of spray can be seen from miles. Its a must-see destination on this leg of your Zimbabwe safari.

Hwange National Park: The reserve also has a great reputation for frequent sightings of the critically endangered African wild dog and other large predators like lion and leopard.

Bourke’s Luck Potholes: Unique geological formations characterized by cylindrical potholes, smooth-sided and typically symmetrical, carved into the rock by the action of water.

Pilgrim’s Rest: A small town in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. It has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century when gold was discovered in the area.

Matobo National Park: The park’s main attraction is its population of both Black and White Rhino. One of the highlights on this leg of your Zimbabwe holiday is that they can be reliably tracked on foot whilst on safari.

Kruger National Park: It is rugged, romantic, wild and luxurious – a safari destination which caters for everyone! As one of the largest reserves in Africa, the park is not only rich in ecology but in history and archeology as well.

Drakensberg Mountains: The Drakensberg Mountains are a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The region offers numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty levels, allowing visitors to explore the diverse landscapes, including waterfalls, caves, and mountain passes.

Great Zimbabwe Ruins: The most iconic feature of Great Zimbabwe is the massive stone structures built without the use of mortar. The main architectural elements include the Great Enclosure, a large elliptical wall constructed with a series of passageways and monoliths, and the Hill Complex, which includes a complex of stone walls and structures on a hill.

Accommodation

Royal Suites

The wood-paneled sleeper coaches, meticulously restored and renovated to pristine condition, provide an array of contemporary conveniences and comforts, featuring top-tier fittings and facilities for an exceptional experience.

Deluxe Suites

The elegantly refurbished wood-paneled sleeper coaches, meticulously restored to a state of perfection, provide a seamless blend of modern comforts and conveniences. Every detail, from the fittings to the facilities, has been carefully curated to meet the highest standards of luxury and sophistication.

Pullman Suites

Sleeper coaches exude timeless elegance while offering an array of modern comforts. Step aboard the Pullman Golds, reserved for our long journeys, where one or two passengers can indulge in the luxurious en-suite bathroom complete with a shower, toilet, and basin. These lavishly appointed cabins ensure an opulent experience that exceeds the highest standards of refinement and convenience.

Included

  • Accommodation
  • All meals
  • All beverages on board
  • Room service
  • Limited laundry service
  • Guided excursions (where applicable)
  • Onboard historian; entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Government tax

Excluded

  • Off-train beverages
  • International sparkling wine
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Pre- and post-tour accommodation
  • Flights and transfers

Departure Dates

2024 Departure Dates

Start: 18 January 2024
End: 29 January 2024

Start: 21 March 2024
End: 1 April 2024

Start: 18 April 2024
End: 29 April 2024

Start: 22 August 2024
End: 2 September 2024

Start: 19 September 2024
End: 30 September 2024

Start: 14 November 2024
End: 25 November 2024

Depart from Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. Guest may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge cars. The train travels on the eastern line towards the harsh eMalahleni coal-mining area and Middelburg, known as the “stainless steel capital of Africa”. The Dutch railway building company, NZASM, built the eastern line between Pretoria and Lourenço Marques (Maputo) from 1893 to 1895.
Full-day tour of historical areas Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Graskop with lunch. The Graskop viewing lift (own account) descends 51m down the face of the gorge into the forest below where wooden walkways and suspension bridges meander along a 600m trail through the indigenous forest with an interactive exhibit.
Full-day game viewing in the Kruger Park with lunch.
City tour of Maputo, Mozambique, with lunch.
Disembark at Mpaka. Transfer (±90 min) to Swazi Candles and visit Mantenga Cultural Village with lunch at Mantenga Lodge
Game drive in Kapama Game Reserve followed by visit to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.
Day 7 is spent on board the train travelling to Rutenga in Zimbabwe.
Transfer to the Great Zimbabwe Monument for a tour with lunch.
Depart for a full day at Antelope Park with lunch. Optional extras include canoeing, game drives, horseback game viewing, elephant interaction, bird-watching cruises and so on.
Full-day tour of Matobo National Park with lunch. Visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes as well as bushmen caves with rock art.
Full-day game viewing in Hwange National Park with a packed lunch.
Arrive Victoria Falls Station. Check out of train and walk across to Victoria Falls Hotel (luggage can be stored on the train). Walking tour of the village and the falls with lunch. Meet at the hotel for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Tour Ends.
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