Southern Cross | Victoria Falls to Pretoria: 11-Nights
$10189 $9679 per person
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*Price is per person based on 2 people sharing in a Gold cabin; Single Supplement available upon request. Room Upgrades available.
A panoramic journey between Pretoria and Victoria Falls. Travel across the Drakensberg Mountains to join the Panorama Route with game viewing in Kruger. Tour Maputo, capital of Mozambique, before exploring the mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland. Enjoy a game drive at Kapama and a visit to the Great Zimbabwe Monument. Tour Antelope Park and Matopos, site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave. Continue to Hwange for game viewing before arriving in Victoria Falls for a walking tour of the village and the thunderous falls. End with a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi.
What’s Included: Accommodation, breakfast, lunch (where stated) and dinner; excursions accompanied by a qualified tour guide, entrance fees as per itinerary; tea, coffee and bottled water on board and government tax.
Call for assistance: 1-800-481-9739 ext 0
Mention Promo Code for Savings: rvrtrip
Departure Dates
April 28
*August 5
*September 16
*Reverse routing: Pretoria to Victoria Falls
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Destination
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Arrival City
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe -
Departure City
Pretoria, South Africa
1
VICTORIA FALLS (D)
10:30: Meet at Victoria Falls Hotel. Luggage will be taken to the train by Shongololo staff.
11:00: Enjoy a tour of the Victoria Falls.
16:00: Reception at Victoria Falls Hotel.
17:00: The train departs for Dete.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
The little station of Victoria Falls was first reached by railway in June 1904. Old colonial buildings, bougainvillea and palm trees against the backdrop of the Victoria Falls Hotel form a charming oasis of soft sweetness after the rugged dryness of the landscape. The Victoria Falls is one of nature’s great revelations on a par with the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest and an erupting volcano. It is believed that there have existed no less than seven different Victoria Falls over the past two million years. These cascades correspond to the lower gorges of the Zambezi. The present falls is wearing from Devil’s Cataract northwards, eroding the softer material behind the present basalt base of the falls. When eventually all the soft matter has been removed, the Victoria Falls will move back, a fresh gorge will yawn and where the falls are now will become a new site for tourists. Although just over a mile long (1.7km), the falls are broken up by various small islands, including Livingstone Island. At their deepest, the falls are 108m deep at Rainbow Falls.
11:00: Enjoy a tour of the Victoria Falls.
16:00: Reception at Victoria Falls Hotel.
17:00: The train departs for Dete.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
The little station of Victoria Falls was first reached by railway in June 1904. Old colonial buildings, bougainvillea and palm trees against the backdrop of the Victoria Falls Hotel form a charming oasis of soft sweetness after the rugged dryness of the landscape. The Victoria Falls is one of nature’s great revelations on a par with the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest and an erupting volcano. It is believed that there have existed no less than seven different Victoria Falls over the past two million years. These cascades correspond to the lower gorges of the Zambezi. The present falls is wearing from Devil’s Cataract northwards, eroding the softer material behind the present basalt base of the falls. When eventually all the soft matter has been removed, the Victoria Falls will move back, a fresh gorge will yawn and where the falls are now will become a new site for tourists. Although just over a mile long (1.7km), the falls are broken up by various small islands, including Livingstone Island. At their deepest, the falls are 108m deep at Rainbow Falls.
2
HWANGE NATIONAL PARK (B,L,D)
05:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
06:30: Full-day game drive in Hwange National Park with a packed lunch (provided).
16:00: Return to the train.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
18:00: Depart for Bulawayo
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
Situated in the northwest corner of Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park covers 1 462 000 hectares making it the nation’s largest wildlife area. It contains a variety of animals and bird species but is well-known for its prolific lion population.
06:30: Full-day game drive in Hwange National Park with a packed lunch (provided).
16:00: Return to the train.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
18:00: Depart for Bulawayo
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
Situated in the northwest corner of Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park covers 1 462 000 hectares making it the nation’s largest wildlife area. It contains a variety of animals and bird species but is well-known for its prolific lion population.
3
MATOPOS NATIONAL PARK (B,L,D)
07:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
09:00: Full-day tour of Matopos National Park with lunch. Visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes as well as bushmen caves.
16:00: Return to the train.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
18:00: Depart for Dabuka.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
Matopos, meaning ‘bald heads’, was the name chosen for the area by the Ndebele King, Mzilikazi. He is buried in the Matopos hills just a short distance from the park. It is an apt description of the dramatic hills and granite rocks of this area. The park is also the site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave at the summit of Malindidzimu – ‘hill of benevolent spirits’. He referred to this hill as having a view of the world. His grave is carved out of solid granite and surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of boulders. A visit can be made to one of the more accessible bushman caves, of which there are many hidden amongst the hills.
09:00: Full-day tour of Matopos National Park with lunch. Visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes as well as bushmen caves.
16:00: Return to the train.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
18:00: Depart for Dabuka.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
Matopos, meaning ‘bald heads’, was the name chosen for the area by the Ndebele King, Mzilikazi. He is buried in the Matopos hills just a short distance from the park. It is an apt description of the dramatic hills and granite rocks of this area. The park is also the site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave at the summit of Malindidzimu – ‘hill of benevolent spirits’. He referred to this hill as having a view of the world. His grave is carved out of solid granite and surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of boulders. A visit can be made to one of the more accessible bushman caves, of which there are many hidden amongst the hills.
4
ANTELOPE PARK (B,D)
06:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
08:00: Depart for a full day at Antelope Park. Optional extras include canoeing, game drives, horseback game viewing, elephant interaction, bird-watching cruises and so on (see price list).
15:00: Return to the train. Depart for Bannockburn.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
Set in over 3000 acres of open savannah grassland, Antelope Park is a unique game reserve and a haven of tranquillity welcoming guests and volunteer eco-tourists alike. It is home to the world-famous African Lion and Environmental Research Trust (ALERT) lion rehabilitation programme, which is a multiphase lion conservation initiative. It is Africa’s first genuine programme working to ethically re-introduce the offspring of captive-bred African lions back into the wild.
08:00: Depart for a full day at Antelope Park. Optional extras include canoeing, game drives, horseback game viewing, elephant interaction, bird-watching cruises and so on (see price list).
15:00: Return to the train. Depart for Bannockburn.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
Set in over 3000 acres of open savannah grassland, Antelope Park is a unique game reserve and a haven of tranquillity welcoming guests and volunteer eco-tourists alike. It is home to the world-famous African Lion and Environmental Research Trust (ALERT) lion rehabilitation programme, which is a multiphase lion conservation initiative. It is Africa’s first genuine programme working to ethically re-introduce the offspring of captive-bred African lions back into the wild.
5
GREAT ZIMBABWE MONUMENT (B,L,D)
06:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
08:00: Transfer to the Great Zimbabwe Monument for a tour with lunch.
17:00: Return to the train. Travel towards Beitbridge for border formalities. Cross the bridge to Messina for South African border formalities
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
Travel through attractive granite hill country to the Great Zimbabwe Monument, a hugely impressive monument situated on the southeastern edge of the central plateau and the largest precolonial monument south of the Egyptian pyramids. A celebrated achievement of the African people and a place where magical fables such as the story of King Solomon’s Mines find their origins amongst the ruins of an ancient city built by the Rozwi people. Discover how these ancient people lived and mined gold and silver, which were ultimately taken out of Africa by Arabic and Portuguese traders.
08:00: Transfer to the Great Zimbabwe Monument for a tour with lunch.
17:00: Return to the train. Travel towards Beitbridge for border formalities. Cross the bridge to Messina for South African border formalities
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
Travel through attractive granite hill country to the Great Zimbabwe Monument, a hugely impressive monument situated on the southeastern edge of the central plateau and the largest precolonial monument south of the Egyptian pyramids. A celebrated achievement of the African people and a place where magical fables such as the story of King Solomon’s Mines find their origins amongst the ruins of an ancient city built by the Rozwi people. Discover how these ancient people lived and mined gold and silver, which were ultimately taken out of Africa by Arabic and Portuguese traders.
6
LIMPOPO PROVINCE (B,L,D)
07:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:00. Day on board as the train traverses Limpopo.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Travel towards Hoedspruit.
Limpopo Province is located in the far north of South Africa and shares borders with three neighbouring countries: Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. For this reason, the province is also known as the gateway to other African countries and also shares provincial borders with Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Northwest. The Limpopo landscape varies from one area to the other from tropical forests, bush and shrubs to semi-desert areas with small trees and bushes and mountains to flat land. Limpopo is divided into five regions, strategically located according to the cultural inhabitants. Capricorn is the central region predominantly occupied by the Bapedi people. Waterberg is the largest region with a majority of Tswana people. Vhembe in the far north is dominated by Vhavenda and Vatsonga. The Mopani region near the Kruger Park is Vatsonga whereas the Sekhukhuni region is dominated by Bapedi and Ndebele. Limpopo is the only province in South Africa with more than two cultural groups staying together in their original habitat in harmony. Other ethnic groups include English and Afrikaans people.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Travel towards Hoedspruit.
Limpopo Province is located in the far north of South Africa and shares borders with three neighbouring countries: Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. For this reason, the province is also known as the gateway to other African countries and also shares provincial borders with Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Northwest. The Limpopo landscape varies from one area to the other from tropical forests, bush and shrubs to semi-desert areas with small trees and bushes and mountains to flat land. Limpopo is divided into five regions, strategically located according to the cultural inhabitants. Capricorn is the central region predominantly occupied by the Bapedi people. Waterberg is the largest region with a majority of Tswana people. Vhembe in the far north is dominated by Vhavenda and Vatsonga. The Mopani region near the Kruger Park is Vatsonga whereas the Sekhukhuni region is dominated by Bapedi and Ndebele. Limpopo is the only province in South Africa with more than two cultural groups staying together in their original habitat in harmony. Other ethnic groups include English and Afrikaans people.
7
KAPAMA RESERVE & HOEDSPRUIT ENDANGERED SPECIES CENTRE (B,L,D)
05:00: Continental breakfast is served in the dining cars until 05:30.
05:30: Game drive in Kapama Game Reserve followed by visit to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.
12:00: Return to the train for lunch. Depart for Mpaka.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
Situated in South Africa’s northernmost province of Limpopo, renowned for its prolific and diverse wildlife, Kapama Private Game Reserve is home to over 40 different mammal species including the Big Five, approximately 350 bird species and a myriad smaller species. The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre is a unique African wildlife facility focusing on conservation and the sustainability of rare, vulnerable and threatened species. Founded on passion, the centre has adopted a holistic approach to its conservation activities such as the educating of surrounding communities, tourism, breeding, rehabilitation and anti-poaching, to name a few.
05:30: Game drive in Kapama Game Reserve followed by visit to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.
12:00: Return to the train for lunch. Depart for Mpaka.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
Situated in South Africa’s northernmost province of Limpopo, renowned for its prolific and diverse wildlife, Kapama Private Game Reserve is home to over 40 different mammal species including the Big Five, approximately 350 bird species and a myriad smaller species. The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre is a unique African wildlife facility focusing on conservation and the sustainability of rare, vulnerable and threatened species. Founded on passion, the centre has adopted a holistic approach to its conservation activities such as the educating of surrounding communities, tourism, breeding, rehabilitation and anti-poaching, to name a few.
8
SWAZILAND (B,D)
07:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
09:00: Disembark at Mpaka. Transfer (90 minutes) to Swazi Candles and visit the Mantenga Cultural Village.
14:15: Return to the train (75 minutes). Depart for Maputo.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
The tiny kingdom of Swaziland covers only 17 000m2 making it the second smallest country in Africa. Experience the vibrant Swazi Candles’ creative handmade product range. Continue through the Ezulwini Valley to Mantenga Cultural Village, a living museum of old traditions representing a classical Swazi lifestyle during the 1800s. With the traditional artifacts on display, the village illustrates many facets of the ancient Swazi way of life: social, economic and religious.
09:00: Disembark at Mpaka. Transfer (90 minutes) to Swazi Candles and visit the Mantenga Cultural Village.
14:15: Return to the train (75 minutes). Depart for Maputo.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
The tiny kingdom of Swaziland covers only 17 000m2 making it the second smallest country in Africa. Experience the vibrant Swazi Candles’ creative handmade product range. Continue through the Ezulwini Valley to Mantenga Cultural Village, a living museum of old traditions representing a classical Swazi lifestyle during the 1800s. With the traditional artifacts on display, the village illustrates many facets of the ancient Swazi way of life: social, economic and religious.
9
MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE (B,L,D)
08:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
09:00: City tour of Maputo, Mozambique, with lunch.
15:30: Return to the train. Travel to Komatipoort in South Africa for border formalities.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Malelane for the overnight stop.
Capital of Mozambique, Maputo is a city of contrasts offering an exciting mix of cultures. Its architecture is a blend of African, Portuguese and early Colonial traditions with old Catholic churches side-by-side with mosques, fortresses, Victorian mansions and other buildings from a bygone era.
09:00: City tour of Maputo, Mozambique, with lunch.
15:30: Return to the train. Travel to Komatipoort in South Africa for border formalities.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Malelane for the overnight stop.
Capital of Mozambique, Maputo is a city of contrasts offering an exciting mix of cultures. Its architecture is a blend of African, Portuguese and early Colonial traditions with old Catholic churches side-by-side with mosques, fortresses, Victorian mansions and other buildings from a bygone era.
10
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (B,D)
05:30: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
07:00: Full-day game viewing in the Kruger Park.
18:00: Return to the train. Depart for Nelspruit.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
The famous Kruger Park has 2-million hectares of an unrivalled diversity of life forms. It is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and home to an impressive number of species, e.g. 336 species of trees, 49 species of fish, 34 species of amphibians, 114 species of reptiles, 507 species of birds and 147 species of mammals including the Big Five.
07:00: Full-day game viewing in the Kruger Park.
18:00: Return to the train. Depart for Nelspruit.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
The famous Kruger Park has 2-million hectares of an unrivalled diversity of life forms. It is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and home to an impressive number of species, e.g. 336 species of trees, 49 species of fish, 34 species of amphibians, 114 species of reptiles, 507 species of birds and 147 species of mammals including the Big Five.
11
PANORAMA ROUTE (B,D)
07:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
09:15: Full-day tour of historical areas Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Graskop. The Graskop viewing lift takes visitors 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 (lift for own account).
17:00: Return to the train. Depart for Witbank.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
Pilgrim’s Rest is a living museum and declared a National Monument. Gold was discovered in this area in 1873 attracting 1500 prospectors. Today many of the restored miner’s houses serve as shops and restaurants. Bourke’s Luck Potholes are strange deep cylindrical cavities formed by river erosion and floodwater. Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve has the most spectacular viewpoints overlooking South Africa’s Lowveld, so-named because it is much lower than the high escarpment along which the Panorama Route runs.
09:15: Full-day tour of historical areas Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Graskop. The Graskop viewing lift takes visitors 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 (lift for own account).
17:00: Return to the train. Depart for Witbank.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars.
Pilgrim’s Rest is a living museum and declared a National Monument. Gold was discovered in this area in 1873 attracting 1500 prospectors. Today many of the restored miner’s houses serve as shops and restaurants. Bourke’s Luck Potholes are strange deep cylindrical cavities formed by river erosion and floodwater. Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve has the most spectacular viewpoints overlooking South Africa’s Lowveld, so-named because it is much lower than the high escarpment along which the Panorama Route runs.
12
PRETORIA & SOWETO (B)
08:30: The train arrives at Rovos Rail Station. Check out of train. Luggage will be stored at the station.
09:00: Enjoy a tour of Pretoria and Soweto.
16:00: Return to Rovos Rail Station. The journey ends.
Soweto comprises one-million people and was made famous by the Apartheid laws. Pass the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (the largest hospital in the Southern Hemisphere) and the only street in Africa that once housed two Nobel Peace laureates, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. Visit the Hector Petersen Memorial, named after one of the first students to be killed in the 1976 uprising against the Apartheid government. Spend the afternoon in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, visiting the Union Buildings. Designed by the famous colonial English architect, Sir Herbert Baker, and completed in 1913, the Union Buildings house the offices of the President and Ministers. Before leaving the capital behind visit the Voortrekker Monument that commemorates the ‘Great Trek’ of the 1830s.
09:00: Enjoy a tour of Pretoria and Soweto.
16:00: Return to Rovos Rail Station. The journey ends.
Soweto comprises one-million people and was made famous by the Apartheid laws. Pass the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (the largest hospital in the Southern Hemisphere) and the only street in Africa that once housed two Nobel Peace laureates, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. Visit the Hector Petersen Memorial, named after one of the first students to be killed in the 1976 uprising against the Apartheid government. Spend the afternoon in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, visiting the Union Buildings. Designed by the famous colonial English architect, Sir Herbert Baker, and completed in 1913, the Union Buildings house the offices of the President and Ministers. Before leaving the capital behind visit the Voortrekker Monument that commemorates the ‘Great Trek’ of the 1830s.
13
Tour Location
Click here to view the Cabin Plans on Page 5!
GOLD TWIN ±7m2 | ±76ft2 LxW: ±374 x 190cm
The cabins are refined and spacious offering passengers privacy and comfort with double or twin beds and fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. All have en-suite bathrooms with amenities and are serviced daily. There is adequate storage and small cupboards with hangers and shelves. Cabin layouts may differ from images.
SPLIT TWIN BEDS: 189 x 75cm
GOLD DOUBLE ±7m2 | ±76ft2 LxW: ±374 x 190cm
The cabins are refined and spacious offering passengers privacy and comfort with double or twin beds and fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. All have en-suite bathrooms with amenities and are serviced daily. There is adequate storage and small cupboards with hangers and shelves. Cabin layouts may differ from images.
LENGTHWAYS DOUBLE BED: 189 x 189cm CROSSWISE DOUBLE BED: 189 x 160cm
GOLD BATHROOM
EMERALD TWIN ±10m2 | ±108ft2 LxW: ±510 x 190cm
The cabins are refined and spacious offering passengers privacy and comfort with double or twin beds and fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. All have en-suite bathrooms with amenities and are serviced daily. There is adequate storage and small cupboards with hangers and shelves. Cabin layouts may differ from images.
SPLIT TWIN BEDS: 189 x 75cm
EMERALD DOUBLE ±10m2 | ±108ft2 LxW: ±510 x 190cm
The cabins are refined and spacious offering passengers privacy and comfort with double or twin beds and fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. All have en-suite bathrooms with amenities and are serviced daily. There is adequate storage and small cupboards with hangers and shelves. Cabin layouts may differ from images.
LENGTHWAYS DOUBLE BED: 189 x 189cm CROSSWISE DOUBLE BED: 189 x 160cm
