South Africa by Train
Victoria Falls, Rovos Rail & Cape TownLet your excitement wander through Victoria Falls and uncover a myriad of experiences, before sitting back to watch southern Africa unravel before your eyes, as you travel from Victoria Falls to South Africa in grandeur on the Rovos Rail. Top off this once in a lifetime experience with a stylish stay on Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, with expert guides showcasing some of the Cape’s most extraordinary experiences.
At a glance
Start your adventure with a bang as you dive into the adventure playground of Victoria Falls.
Spend three nights in pure elegance on the Rovos Rail, passing the everchanging landscapes of southern Africa, and feel the thrill of a safari in the wilderness when you stop off at Hwange National Park.
Delve into the heart of Cape Town and its tantalising foodie scene and admire the rugged coastline and panoramic views.
Indulge in the superb food and wine on offer in the abundant vineyards of the Winelands.
Journey highlights
-
Start your adventure with a bang as you dive into the adventure playground of Victoria Falls.
-
Spend three nights in pure elegance on the Rovos Rail, passing the everchanging landscapes of southern Africa, and feel the thrill of a safari in the wilderness when you stop off at Hwange National Park.
-
Delve into the heart of Cape Town and its tantalising foodie scene and admire the rugged coastline and panoramic views.
-
Indulge in the superb food and wine on offer in the abundant vineyards of the Winelands.
- by Train itinerary:Travel in style by embarking on an iconic railway trip, where the journey is even more important than the destination
Our tailor made journeys include:
- Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
- Private international airport transfers in destination
- Your own private, English-speaking local guides
- Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
- Entrance to must-see local sites
- Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support
When to visit
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
There are two very distinct seasons at the Victoria Falls, the wet/flood season and the dry season. These seasons do not reflect the quantity of rain, rather reflect the volume of flow of the Zambezi River. From around March through to July the river surges in size as the rainfall in Angola and Zambia from months before swells the current. The falls are at their most dramatic at this time of year with huge columns of spray. The nights are cold and the days warm at this time of year. From around September to January the water levels drop, the falls are more accessible and views are clearer as the flow can drop in volume by 90%. It is worth noting that the rains come from late October through to February, this combined with high heat, 40 Celsius or more, in October and November, causes high levels of humidity.
Cape Town is a year-round destination. The summers are generally warm and dry, while winters tend to be wet and cool, the rains brought on by fierce north westerly gales. Neither season experiences extremes of temperature, thanks to prevailing winds. Summer (Nov-Mar) is the hottest with temperatures 20-40°C. Mid season (Apr, May, Sep, Oct) temps between 10-30°C. Winter (from June- Aug) is the low season with temps 0-25°C.
Price Guide: (per person based on double occupancy and excludes international flights)
| Departing |
Price from*
|
Deposit from * | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | $4,900 | $1,200 | plan your trip |
| June | $4,900 | $1,200 | plan your trip |
| July | $4,900 | $1,200 | plan your trip |
| August | $4,900 | $1,200 | plan your trip |
| September | $5,300 | $1,300 | plan your trip |
| October | $5,300 | $1,300 | plan your trip |
| November | $5,800 | $1,400 | plan your trip |
| December | $5,800 | $1,400 | plan your trip |
| January | $5,800 | $1,400 | plan your trip |
| February | $5,800 | $1,400 | plan your trip |
| March | $5,300 | $1,300 | plan your trip |
| April | $5,300 | $1,300 | plan your trip |
-
May
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,900
Deposit from*$1,200
-
June
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,900
Deposit from*$1,200
-
July
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,900
Deposit from*$1,200
-
August
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,900
Deposit from*$1,200
-
September
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$5,300
Deposit from*$1,300
-
October
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$5,300
Deposit from*$1,300
-
November
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$5,800
Deposit from*$1,400
-
December
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$5,800
Deposit from*$1,400
-
January
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$5,800
Deposit from*$1,400
-
February
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$5,800
Deposit from*$1,400
-
March
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$5,300
Deposit from*$1,300
-
April
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$5,300
Deposit from*$1,300
- plan your trip
Itinerary
Fly into Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls - the Zim side
Your journey begins as you fly overnight and touch down in Victoria Falls. Your home for the next two nights is Batonka Guest Lodge, a tranquil haven that exudes character and elegance. On your first afternoon, you’ll be whisked away to begin your adventure with a bang, as you start your tour of the mighty Victoria Falls. You’ll be guided around this natural wonder, and be enthralled by your guide’s niche knowledge, whilst marvelling at the immensity and power of the falls. Watch the glowing sun set on the horizon behind the mist rising up from the falls, before heading back to Batonka to relish on a delicious 3-course dinner. Enjoy a tipple of Amarula before sinking into your king size bed for the night. Spend a leisurely morning at your hotel before losing yourself in adventure as you try some of the adrenaline fuelled activities that Victoria Falls is so famed for. Plunge into Devil’s Pool, a natural rock pool on the edge of the falls and peer down at the cascading water below you. Or splash out on a helicopter ride to get the ultimate viewpoint of Victoria Falls.
Accommodation: Batonka Guest Lodge ( 2 nights )Cape Town & the Western Cape
Make the most of your final day in Victoria Falls. Why not hop on a boat on the Zambezi River for the ultimate sunrise cruise. As you float down the river, feel the palpable serenity of the Zambezi and observe elephants drinking at the river’s edge, kicking up the dust in the glow of the rising sun. Later in the day, feel your excitement build as you arrive at Victoria Falls Station and board the Rovos Rail, a world-class train steeped in grandeur and timeless grace. Settle into your luxury suite before joining the other guests in the lounge car for drinks, feeling the spirit of a bygone era before enjoying four courses of fine cuisine, accompanied by delectable South African wine.
The following morning, as you relish on a hearty breakfast, the train will head into northern Hwange National Park where you will stop for a game drive. Hop into your safari vehicle and let your excitement wander through this vast wilderness, encountering herds of elephants majestically ambling by and pass towering giraffes as they curiously look over at you. You’ll enjoy lunch back on the train as it travels between Dete and Gwaai, and you’ll admire the everchanging landscapes along one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line, at an impressive 114 kilometres! You will pass staggering landscapes dotted with baobab trees before dinner is served. On your final full day on this iconic train, watch the magic of southern Africa unfold before your eyes as you see the magnificent Limpopo River and cross the Tropic of Capricorn.
Cape Town & the Western Cape
Cape Town awaits. This morning you will end your train journey in Pretoria, South Africa. Tearing yourself away from the opulence of the Rovos Rail, you won’t be parted from luxury for long as you are whisked to Johannesburg to board a flight to Cape Town, and you’ll then arrive at the exquisite Cape Grace hotel. Oozing with elegance and coupled with contemporary flair, enjoy your home for the next three nights on the buzzing V&A Waterfront, with rugged Table Mountain in the backdrop. Spend this evening in style and head to the Silo’s rooftop bar for an al fresco experience with spectacular views, soaking up the last of the day’s sunshine before gazing out at a glorious sunset. This morning, you’ll be met by an expert guide and you’ll meander along the coastal route of the Cape Peninsula, taking in staggeringly beautiful views and meeting the friendly locals in fishing villages such as Simon’s Town. A trip along this route would not be complete without a visit to Boulder’s Beach, where you can observe a colony of penguins frolicking around in the sand. In the afternoon, glide up to Table Mountain in the cable car and feel your excitement build as you edge towards the summit. From the top, contemplate the extraordinary views with a glass of wine in hand.
Your final full day will be spent in the foodie capital of South Africa. You’ll head out of the city with your private guide, passing luscious vineyards, dotted with plum trees, arriving in the quaint village of Franschhoek, nestled within a sweeping valley. Delve into the abundant vineyards of the Winelands, sampling world-class wines and delight your taste buds with a lunch at Babylonstoren, devouring the creative food that it is so famed for.
Fly home from Cape Town
Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your holiday.
Experiences included in this itinerary
-
Read more
Game Drives in Hwange National Park
Head out with your highly experienced professional safari guide in a converted 4x4 game-viewing vehicle. Game drives are a great way to cover lots of ground when out on safari, enjoy a very interactive experience and introduction to the area.
Your Hotels
When to visit
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
There are two very distinct seasons at the Victoria Falls, the wet/flood season and the dry season. These seasons do not reflect the quantity of rain, rather reflect the volume of flow of the Zambezi River. From around March through to July the river surges in size as the rainfall in Angola and Zambia from months before swells the current. The falls are at their most dramatic at this time of year with huge columns of spray. The nights are cold and the days warm at this time of year. From around September to January the water levels drop, the falls are more accessible and views are clearer as the flow can drop in volume by 90%. It is worth noting that the rains come from late October through to February, this combined with high heat, 40 Celsius or more, in October and November, causes high levels of humidity.
Cape Town is a year-round destination. The summers are generally warm and dry, while winters tend to be wet and cool, the rains brought on by fierce north westerly gales. Neither season experiences extremes of temperature, thanks to prevailing winds. Summer (Nov-Mar) is the hottest with temperatures 20-40°C. Mid season (Apr, May, Sep, Oct) temps between 10-30°C. Winter (from June- Aug) is the low season with temps 0-25°C.
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itineraryis a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your holiday.
Why Scott Dunn?
At Scott Dunn, we live and breathe travel. An insatiable appetite to discover the world runs through everything we do. We relish the planning and revel in the detail. We know it’s the smallest touches that make the biggest difference, and we stop at nothing to make every trip not only exceptional but totally unique.
- Every itinerary is crafted from scratch, based around exactly what’s important to you
- Packed full of unique experiences, hand-picked by our journeys team
- Expert local guides enrich your experience in every destination
- Your own dedicated Travel Specialist who will take care of every detail of your trip
- We have a 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- We offer flexibility and financial protection to give you total peace of mind