Rovos Rail: Southern Cross

Arrive in Johannesburg where you'll be met for a private transfer to Pretoria. On arrival, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Pretoria, South Africa's jacaranda-lined administrative capital is home to grand Union Buildings, the Voortrekker Monument and serene gardens, all of which provide a gentle cultural introduction. Elegant hotels, some excellent restaurants and a relaxed pace make it the perfect prelude to your journey aboard Rovos Rail.

Stay: Castelle di Monte

Your journey begins at Rovos Rail’s private station in Pretoria, a lovingly restored hub of railway heritage. Should you wish to join a tour of the station and visit the small museum, make sure to arrive at least 2 hours before the train departs. Once on board, settle into your suite as the train eases out along the eastern line, passing through the coal‑mining belt of eMalahleni and on towards Middelburg, long known as the “stainless steel capital of Africa”. Throughout the day, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are served in the dining cars, each course unfolding to the gentle rhythm of the rails.

Breakfast is served in the dining cars before a full day reveals the drama of the Panorama Route: the gold‑rush village of Pilgrim’s Rest, the swirling rock formations of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the vast sweep of the Blyde River Canyon. Lunch is enjoyed during the excursion, with the option to descend into the forested gorge at Graskop via its remarkable viewing lift. Return to the train for a formal dinner as you travel toward the Kruger region.

An early start brings you into the legendary Kruger National Park for a day of wildlife viewing. With over two million hectares of protected wilderness, Kruger is home to the Big Five and an astonishing diversity of birdlife. A morning game drive offers the chance to encounter the Big Five, along with an astonishing array of birdlife, from lilac‑breasted rollers to soaring raptors. After lunch and time to browse for local crafts, rejoin the train as it travels east toward Mozambique. Border formalities are completed on board, followed by a refined dinner as the landscape shifts toward the coastal plains.

Today offers a fascinating glimpse into Maputo, a city shaped by African, Portuguese and colonial influences. Wander past art‑nouveau façades, bustling markets and grand old mansions, each revealing a different chapter of the city’s layered history. Visit historic fortresses, tree‑lined avenues and vibrant neighbourhoods before enjoying lunch in town. Back on board, settle into the lounge or observation car for tea as the train continues toward Eswatini. Dinner is served in the dining cars, accompanied by views of passing villages.

A scenic drive leads you into the tiny Kingdom of Eswatini, where mountains rise in soft blue folds and traditional life remains deeply rooted. Your first stop is a local candle crafting shop, where artisans shape richly patterned candles by hand. Continue to Mantenga Cultural Village, set beneath the dramatic granite outcrop of Execution Rock. Here, the rhythms of Swazi life are brought to life through dance, storytelling and the architecture of a recreated 1850s homestead. Lunch is served at Mantenga Lodge before returning to the train for a relaxed afternoon and a formal dinner as you travel toward Hoedspruit.

Begin the day with a dawn game drive in Kapama Private Game Reserve, a wildlife‑rich sanctuary where open plains and riverine forests support more than 40 mammal species. Look for elephants moving through the bush, giraffes browsing acacia trees and predators resting in the shade. Afterwards, visit the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, a pioneering conservation facility dedicated to the protection of vulnerable species. Learn about breeding programmes, rehabilitation efforts and the centre’s vital role in anti‑poaching initiatives. Lunch is served back on board as the train continues north toward Louis Trichardt, followed by tea and a relaxed evening dinner.

Enjoy a relaxing day on the train as it travels through the Soutpansberg mountains and into the wide, semi‑arid landscapes of northern Limpopo. This is a region of baobabs, ancient cultures and far‑reaching horizons, perfect for unwinding in the observation car with a drink in hand.

Arrive at one of Africa’s most remarkable archaeological sites. The Great Zimbabwe Monument – a vast complex of stone walls, towers and enclosures – was once the heart of a powerful medieval kingdom. Walk among its granite passages, explore the hilltop citadel and learn about the sophisticated society that built this extraordinary city. The sense of history is palpable, with sweeping views over the surrounding plains adding to its grandeur. Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Breakfast is served before a transfer to Antelope Park for a visit with lunch. Set within 3,000 acres of open savannah, Antelope Park offers a peaceful retreat and a chance to connect with Zimbabwe’s wildlife and conservation efforts. Optional activities include everything from canoeing to horseback safaris. Back on the train, tea is served in the lounge and observation cars as the train travels to Bulawayo, the second city of Zimbabwe, capital of Matabeleland and industrial capital of the country.

After breakfast in the dining car, arrive to the edge of Matobo National Park – one of Zimbabwe's lesser-known reserves. Matobo (or Matopos), meaning “bald heads”, takes its name from the Ndebele king Mzilikazi, who chose the word to describe the region’s smooth, sculpted domes of granite. It’s a landscape that feels almost otherworldly: great hills rising from golden plains, boulders balanced improbably on their tips, and hidden valleys that have sheltered people for tens of thousands of years. Among the hills, you’ll also find some of Africa’s finest and most accessible rock‑art shelters. These caves, tucked discreetly between the granite outcrops, preserve delicate Bushman paintings that offer a rare glimpse into the spiritual and everyday lives of early hunter‑gatherers. Just beyond the national park lies Mzilikazi’s own resting place, set among the same ancient rocks that inspired him. Nearby, at the summit of Malindidzimu, Cecil John Rhodes chose his burial site, declaring its sweeping panoramas to be a “view of the world”. His grave, carved directly into solid granite and encircled by a natural amphitheatre of colossal boulders, remains one of the region’s most striking historic sites. Return to the train in time for tea in the lounge as you travel towards Kennedy.

A full day of safari awaits in Hwange, Zimbabwe’s largest and most wildlife‑rich reserve. Its vast plains, woodlands and waterholes support large herds of elephants, thriving predator populations and an impressive diversity of birdlife. With expert guides, explore the park’s varied ecosystems and enjoy a packed lunch in the bush. Later, the train continues along one of the world’s longest straight railway lines (114 kilometres from Gwaai to Dete) – a remarkable feat of engineering. Dinner is served in the dining cars as the train travels to Thompson’s Junction.

Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:30 before your journey concludes at one of the world’s great natural wonders; Victoria Falls. After arriving at Victoria Falls Station, walk to the historic Victoria Falls Hotel before joining a guided tour of the falls themselves. Wander rainforest pathways, feel the mist rising from the gorge and admire viewpoints that reveal the full scale of this mile‑wide cascade. Later, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River offers a serene finale, with the golden light, drifting hippos and the gentle flow of Africa’s most storied river.

Stay: Victoria Falls Hotel

This morning, enjoy a final breakfast before your transfer arrives for your departure to Victoria Falls airport where you will fly to Johannesburg, bringing an end to your adventure. Speak with our specialists if you wish to extend your trip from Johannesburg or arrange international flights home.