Experience the Magic of Train Travel in Zimbabwe

Nov 06, 2025 0

Embark on an unforgettable adventure through Zimbabwe with a unique perspective, experiencing the country's stunning landscapes and wildlife from the comfort of a train.

Elephants in Hwange National Park.

Rovos Rail: Pretoria to Victoria Falls

The Rovos Rail Pretoria to Victoria Falls route begins in South Africa’s Jacaranda lined capital and winds its way north through the golden plains into Zimbabwe’s famous Hwange National Park.

Each of the highlighted rail journeys on Rovos Rail from Pretoria to Victoria Falls is a curated procession of unforgettable moments & experiences to savour forever.

From the surreal thrill & excitement of crossing into Zimbabwe beneath vast African skies to candlelit dinners as the landscapes roll by, this route is a cinematic mix of heritage and indulgence.

The Rovos Rail ethos has always been more about experiencing the journey rather than rushing to the destination and each adventure submerses guests into an enchanting Edwardian-style fairy tale.

In keeping with the spirit of travel of a bygone era, trains blissfully dawdle along at no more than 60 km/h allowing guests to admire the scenery, observe birds and wildlife, take photographs, and even poke their heads out of the window to add a more tangible element to the journey.

Rovos Rail journeys vary from 2 to 15 nights and are offered in both directions.

Rovos’ private, colonial-style station at Capital Park in Pretoria serves as the departure or arrival point for most journeys.

Guests can sip cocktails, nibble canapés, and visit the Railway Museum before climbing aboard for an experience of a lifetime.

Read also: Exploring Casablanca by Train

With so many captivating routes that feature time between the locations of Victoria Falls & Pretoria to select from, our team is here to help and assist you.

Dining on Rovos Rail

Dining on Rovos Rail Victoria Falls journeys is like being in a theatre of elegance: white-gloved service, crystal glassware and seasonal menus inspired by the South African terroir.

Whether you are enjoying Karoo lamb or fresh local delicacies, each dish is paired with boutique wines and served to the rhythm of the rails.

Featured Rovos Rail Journeys

Below is a brief description of each Rovos Rail journey.

Pretoria to Cape Town: The most popular journey on Rovos Rail is now a 3-night trip that runs both ways between Pretoria and Cape Town. It showcases South Africa as a world in one country, departing weekly and rolling through Highveld grasslands, the semi-desert Karoo, dramatic mountain ranges, and the picturesque vineyards of the Cape Winelands. Off-train excursions include Kimberley’s Diamond Museum and the ‘Big Hole’, the world’s largest man-made hand-excavated hole, as well as the historic settlement of Matjiesfontein in the Karoo.
Pretoria to Victoria Falls: A wonderful 3 or 4-night adventure, trundles through Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand goldfields before skirting the Magaliesberg Mountains and entering Botswana at Mafikeng. Crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, the journey continues to the Zimbabwe border at Plumtree. Keep an eye out for wildlife as the train chugs through Hwange National Park where a game drive excursion is offered.
Pretoria to Durban Safari: A fabulous 2-night safari between Pretoria and Durban that operates during the summer months. Highlights include a game drive and a Battlefields tour conducted by a world-class historian.
Golf Safari: A specially designed 9-night Golf Safari starting and ending in Pretoria, which will entertain even the most discerning player. Golfers tee off at the Gary Player Country Club, Champagne Sports Resort, Durban Country Club, Royal Swazi, and Kruger’s Leopard Creek.
Namibia Safari: In 2024 the Rovos Rail Namibia Safari will merge with the Dune Express from the Shongololo Express turning this journey into a remarkable 11-night safari from Pretoria to Walvis Bay. Travel through the Northern Cape and the semi-desert Karoo to the spectacular Fish River Canyon. Traversing the Kalahari to Windhoek, guests join a short flight to Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert for an overnight sojourn. After another amazing overnight in Etosha National Park, the journey takes you through the beautiful and vast Namib Desert where your journey will end in the town of Walvis Bay.
Golfing Journey: As of 2024, this 10 or 11-night journey becomes a 12-night journey that travels between Pretoria and Cape Town or in opposite directions, including stops in Bloemfontein and Clarens. This journey includes both golfing and non-golfing itineraries. Golfers tee off at Leopard Creek, Durban Country Club, Humewood in Port Elizabeth, and the Garden Route’s Ernie Els Oubaai and Fancourt.
Trail of Two Oceans: An epic 15 night expedition departing from Cape Town that sweeps through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania and is considered by many as one of the most exciting train journeys in the world. The 15 night Trail of Two Oceans cuts a path from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean across four African countries and visits lesser-traveled gems in Tanzania, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola. This journey combines several highlights among them a visit to the Selous Reserve and a two-night safari in the South Luangwa National Park. Rovos Rail is the first passenger train to do this route and it has been a success ever since.
Southern Cross: The 11-night Southern Cross journey takes you on a magical journey through South Africa, into Eswatini, and onto Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Your 11-night journey begins in Pretoria where you will trundle through the spectacular Panorama Route before continuing into Eswatini, experiencing candle making and a cultural village tour. From here your journey takes you along the Greater Kruger area where you will go on game drives and an endangered species center tour. The next stage of your train journey takes you into Zimbabwe where you will visit the historical Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Antelope Park, and a game drive in the Hwange National Park. Your journey draws to a close at the mighty Victoria Falls with a tour of the falls and a stunning sunset cruise along the Zambezi River.
Victoria Falls to Lobito: Travel from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe to Lobito in Angola on this incredible 14-night journey through the historical copper trading routes of the past. As you leave Victoria Falls you will traverse the Kafue River where you will enjoy a magical sunset cruise in the national park, the next stop is a visit to an elephant rehabilitation center in Lusaka.
Durban to Victoria Falls: This 7 or 8-night journey takes you on an enthralling journey from the stunning beaches of Durban, South Africa to the mighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Whilst you amble along the train tracks the scenery is ever-changing from rolling hills to breathtaking mountain ranges to open grasslands. Along the way, you will have the chance to visit the Ardmore Ceramics Gallery, as well as embark on game drives in the Nambiti Game Reserve and the Hwange National Park. Your journey comes to an end at Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Cape Winelands to Durban: Experience the best of South Africa on this 6 or 7-night journey through the Cape Winelands, the Karoo, Kimberly, and onto Pretoria. From Pretoria, your journey takes you through the Drakensberg Mountains and the Valley of a Thousand Hills before coming to an end in the beachside city of Durban. Highlights on this journey include a visit to the Diamond Mine museum, a game drive in the Nambiti Game Reserve, and a visit to the Ardmore Ceramics gallery. Relax in luxury as you experience the best of South Africa on the Rovos Rail.

Victoria Falls & Hwange - Example 8 Day Tour

Experience Zimbabwe from a new perspective on this 8-day safari program in Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park.

Tour Victoria Falls and view its thundering waters from the Zimbabwe side.

Spend the night in the post-WWII era Stimela Rail Car, Zimbabwe's only private overnight sleeper train operating from Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park.

Search for wildlife from both the comfort of the Elephant Express Rail Car and a traditional 4x4 safari vehicle.

Enjoy star-lit dinners at Bomani Tented Lodge and bush brunches in Hwange National Park.

This exclusive yet adventurous safari will leave a lasting impression!

Highlights

Spend the night on the Stimela Star, a refurbished Colonial-era sleeper train
Search for wildlife from the exclusive Elephant Express Rail Car
Embark on traditional game drives in the wildlife-rich Hwange National Park
Tour Victoria Falls - the "Smoke that Thunders"

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Victoria Falls and transfer to Gorges Lodge, overlooking the Batoka Gorge and Zambezi River.

Day 2: Guided tour of Victoria Falls, "the Smoke that Thunders."

Day 3: Relax at the lodge or explore a local village before embarking on the Stimela Star Rail Car in the evening.

Day 4: Board the Elephant Express and continue to Bomani in Hwange National Park for an evening game drive.

Day 5-6: Game drives and walks through Hwange National Park, with options for brunch at Stophie's Pan and horseback safaris.

Day 7: Return to Victoria Falls via the Elephant Express and Dete Station, then transfer to Gorges Lodge.

Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.

Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.

Budget Train Travel in Zimbabwe

One of the best travel philosophies is that “the journey IS the destination” - so I encourage you to make an effort to try and learn to enjoy the journey.

I especially encourage you to stop thinking in the mindset of getting to one place and that the only meaningful part of the trip is once you get there.

The notion of movement and the journey itself is essential to the word travel.

In the case of African trains, it might not be comfortable, but getting out of your comfort zone should be one of the goals of travel!

Like all sleeper trains, the experience itself is great.

You also have the chance to talk with the locals who take these trains.

And here’s a great benefit for budget travelers who want to travel more: sleeper trains save you a hotel bill!

The train, built by the British in the 1950s is not clean by any standards, but it’s definitely part of the charm.

On the safety side, the cabins lock from inside, so no risk of being robbed of my laptop or other valuables.

Everyone on the train we talked to seemed nice, and the employees seemed to be doing regular rounds.

The train seemed fairly full of locals, including families with kids, but there didn’t seem to be many travelers.

One last unique thing is that the train stops randomly in the middle of nowhere to pick up passengers.

The train is almost laughably slow - 400 kilometers in 16 hours is a 25km/h average.

Train tickets can only be bought in person at the station on the day of departure.

The Gaborone station was brand-new, just like the one in Francistown.

It is located very close to the city center, so I was able to walk around and explore Gaborone on arrival.

Sure, it takes a long time, and you have to get out of your comfort zone - that’s all part of the journey.

Train near Victoria Falls.

Luxury Train Tour Combination

Embark on an unforgettable journey through South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, featuring a three-night voyage aboard the legendary Rovos Rail.

Go on safari in three renowned wildlife parks, explore Cape Town’s rich natural and cultural heritage, and stay at a lodge overlooking the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls.

Included Activities and Destinations

South Africa: Enjoy a comprehensive overview of Cape Town featuring views from Table Mountain and Cape Point, a visit to Boulder Beach to see African penguins, and a tour of Robben Island prison where Nelson Mandela and other political dissidents made strides in attaining equal rights.
Safari Adventures: Experience the thrill of up-close encounters with animals in the wild-lion, elephant, leopard, Cape buffalo, rhino, zebra, giraffe, hippo, and more-during safaris at three important parks. Spot the “Big Five” on wildlife excursions during a three-night stay at South Africa’s Kapama Nature Reserve. Stop at Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park to watch animals gather at The Hide’s water hole.
Rovos Rail: Savor the romance of the Golden Age of train travel during a three-night rail journey from Pretoria to Victoria Falls. Ride in vintage carriages, restored to mint condition and impeccably appointed. Take in sweeping landscapes from the observation car.

In mid-morning your train departs Pretoria and heads north toward Zimbabwe.

You may wish to join fellow travelers in the midway lounge car or observation car at the rear of the train.

The train travels through Warmbaths or Bela-Bela, so named for its mineral water springs and Nylstroom, thought to be the source of the Nile River by the Voortrekkers or early settlers.