11-Day South Africa: Rovos Rail & Victoria Falls

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11-Day South Africa: Rovos Rail & Victoria Falls

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Trip Details

  • Itinerary
  • Trip Includes
  • Trip Excludes
  • FAQ
  • This tour starts and ends in Cape Town, South Africa.
  • We can book your international flights.
  • Fly to Cape Town Airport (CPT) in Cape Town.
  • Fly back from Cape Town Airport (CPT).
  • A transfer from and back to the airport is included.
  • We can arrange additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour for an extra cost.

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival to Johannesburg

Transfer from Johannesburg OR Tambo to Pretoria. Overnight in hotel.

Day 2

Rovos Rail

Pretoria-Cape Town Train Journey Day 1.
Breakfast. Depart from Pretoria for an unforgettable journey on Rovos Rail. Your journey to Cape Town aboard the Rovos Rail begins in Pretoria, known for its striking jacaranda trees that paint the city purple in October and November. The train makes its way toward Kimberley.
Dinner on board: Rovos Rail.
Overnight on board: Rovos Rail.

Day 3

Rovos Rail

Pretoria-Cape Town Train Journey Day 2.
Breakfast. Arrival at Kimberley Train Station and disembark for a tour of the historic town, the diamond mine museum, and the ‘Big Hole’. Kimberley is the capital of the Northern Cape province and is well known for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871. Stop to see various interesting artefacts at the museum, and get bird's-eye views of the Big Hole, the largest hand-dug excavation on earth and where some of the world's first diamonds were found.

Lunch and Dinner on board: Rovos Rail.
Overnight on board: Rovos Rail.

Day 4

Cape Town

Pretoria-Cape Town Train Journey Concludes.
Breakfast. Disembark at Matjiesfontein for an opportunity to stroll through the historic village. The museum on the platform and the collection of historic and railroad cars to the right of the Lord Milner Hotel are of particular interest. Return to the train. About an hour after departing from Matjiesfontein, the train will arrive at the first of four tunnels on the pass through the Hex River Valley. The first tunnel is 13.5 kilometers long, so we caution guests to be careful when walking through the train and may wish to turn on the necessary lights. Arrive at the Cape Town Train Station, where your journey ends.

Lunch on board.
Arrival at Cape Town station.
Transfer to a hotel.

Day 5

Cape Town

A full-day private tour of the Cape Peninsula: Penguins • Hout Bay Seal Island Boat Trip • Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (Afternoon).

After breakfast, we will pick you up from the hotel for a full-day private guided Cape Peninsula tour to discover the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coastlines. Your first stop is at the charming fishing village of Hout Bay, nestled in a picturesque valley on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Then continue along the Atlantic coast to the Cape of Good Hope Reserve and Cape Point, the south-westernmost tip of Africa and the mythical meeting place of the two great oceans. On the return trip, pass through the naval base of Simon's Town and then traverse the fishing port of Kalk Bay and the lush suburb of Constantia. The day will end with a visit to the renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens before returning to your hotel.

Boat cruise from Hout Bay Harbour to Duiker Island. The island is a sanctuary for thousands of Cape fur seals (actually sea lions originating from the Antarctic) as well as a variety of seabirds, including gannets, cormorants, and seagulls. It is illegal to land on the island, but the trip takes you within arm's reach of the seals. They seem to know they are in the spotlight and put on fantastic shows, diving and wriggling with incredible speed and agility (weather permitting).

Marvel at the views of Cape Town from the aerial cableway and the plateau on Table Mountain. Mother City is synonymous with the striking mountain that is flanked by Devil’s Peak to the east and Lion’s Head to the west, providing a dramatic backdrop to the city. Table Mountain holds an unusually rich biodiversity and forms part of the Cape Floral Region, a protected area. Rock Hyrax, or daisies as they are locally known, are often seen scampering through the scrub, and the views from the summit over Table Bay, Robben Island, and the Atlantic seaboard are breathtaking. The cable cars depart every 10 to 15 minutes and rotate 360 degrees as they travel up to 302 meters above sea level, giving passengers panoramic views over the city. Five minutes is all it takes to reach the summit, and once there, you can marvel at the views, have a bite to eat in the restaurant, or do a bit of shopping at the extensive curio shop. The cableway only operates when weather permits.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6

Cape Town - Victoria Falls

Breakfast and transfer from Cape Town to Cape Town airport for flight to Victoria Falls.

The Matetsi Victoria Falls Hotel is widely known for its exquisite modern African interior, which blends harmoniously with the surrounding nature. Polished earth finishes, lustrous hand-beaten local copper detailing, and seamless flows between interior and exterior living spaces. The Zimbabwean architectural designer's “Life on the River” theme is subtly evident in the clay lighter pots, elements inspired by fish traps, and the custom work of local artisans.

Arrive at Matetsi Victoria Falls, where the lodge team will welcome you. During your stay, this team, including your camp manager, personal butlers, and housekeepers, will take care of you. Settle into your home-away-from-home, relax in one of the beautifully designed indoor or outdoor spaces and enjoy a welcome lunch.
At around 16:00, your ranger guides will meet with you to discuss activities before departing for an afternoon game drive at approx. 16:30. Return from the game drive at approx. 19:30.

Dinner, showcasing delicious regionally sourced ingredients, will be prepared by Matetsi’s exceptional chef team.

Overnight: Matetsi Victoria Falls.

Day 7

Victoria Falls

If you would like to do an early morning activity, e.g., a game drive, wake-up will be at approx. 06:00. Butler will serve you tea/coffee before going out around 06:30. The manager or your butler will confirm these details with you the night before. You would return at about 09:30 for breakfast.

Around 11:00, the team will organize for a safari vehicle to take you to the helipad (a short drive away) for your helicopter pickup. You’ll fly over Matetsi Private Game Reserve, down the Zambezi River, over the Batoka Gorge, and marvel as you experience the “Flight of Angels” over Victoria Falls itself.

You’ll land at a helipad in Victoria Falls town, where your tour guide will meet you and take you to the Victoria Falls Rainforest for your guided walking tour of The Falls. Here you’ll learn about this incredible Natural Wonder of the World. After your walking tour, at around 15:00, enjoy a complimentary high tea at The Victoria Falls Hotel before your road transfer back to the lodge at around 16:00.

Spend your evening at leisure or do an evening activity (e.g., game drive or boat cruise).
Dinner, showcasing delicious regionally sourced ingredients, will be prepared by Matetsi’s exceptional culinary team.

Overnight: Matetsi Victoria Falls.

Day 8

Victoria Falls

Morning wake-up call at approx. 06:00, with tea /coffee served through the butler's hatch before departing for a game drive. After your morning activity, we will serve breakfast on the banks of the Zambezi River. Relax and enjoy the tranquility of this soulful river.
Day at leisure. Relax in your suite, pass through the shopping boutique, make use of the gym or lap pool, or spa treatments can be pre-booked (these can be done in your room or at the spa area).
Meet your guides at 16:30 to go out for an evening sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Enjoy dinner under a star-filled African sky, with the sounds of the wilderness creating the most beautiful ambience. A magical experience.

Overnight: Matetsi Victoria Falls.

Day 9

Victoria Falls

Experience an early morning walking safari, wake-up call will be at approx. 06:00, and you’ll be served tea/coffee through the butler's hatch before going out around 06:30. You would return at about 09h00 for breakfast.

Meet your guides at 15:30 for sunset canoeing on the tranquil Zambezi River.
Dinner, showcasing delicious regionally sourced ingredients, will be prepared by Matetsi’s exceptional culinary team.

Overnight: Matetsi Victoria Falls.

Day 10

Victoria Falls – Cape Town

Private transfer Matetsi to Victoria Falls airport. Flight Victoria Falls to Cape Town. Transfer from Cape Town airport to Cape Town. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 11

Cape Town - Cape Town airport

Breakfast. Transfer to Cape Town airport. End of our services.

  • Park fees (For non-residents)
  • All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All Taxes/VAT
  • Round-trip airport transfer
  • Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
  • International flights (From/ home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Increase in taxes and/or fees for parks set by the government
  • Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

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