DAR ES SALAAM

DAR ES SALAAM

Dar es Salaam

This epic 15-day train journey travels through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania and is one of the most famous in the world. The sojourn begins in Cape Town taking guests to the historic village of Matjiesfontein, the diamond town of Kimberley and the capital city of Pretoria for short tours followed by two nights in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Continue through Botswana into Zimbabwe where guests overnight at the Victoria Falls Hotel. After crossing the mighty Zambezi River, the train joins the Tazara line in Zambia and continues to Chisimba Falls where guests enjoy a bush walk. The train climbs to the Tanzanian border then descends into the Great Rift Valley negotiating the tunnels, switchbacks and viaducts of the spectacular escarpment. Climbing again, it traverses the Selous Game Reserve – the largest on the continent and a vision
of timeless Africa – before the bustling arrival in Dar es Salaam the following day. Available in reverse. Please note that depending upon the railway’s capacity this journey could be routed northwards through Beitbridge and Zimbabwe.

This journey is available in reverse. See next tab and Downloads below for details.

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Cape Town – Dar es Salaam

Day1
11h00 Depart Cape Town Station on the Pride of Africa.
18h00 Arrive in Matjiesfontein and explore the quaint village. Dinner and overnight on the train.
(Breakfast 07h00-10h00 • Lunch 13h00 • Tea 16h30 • Dinner 19h30)

Day2
14h00 Tour of Kimberley’s Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum. Ten minutes after departing Kimberley a shallow lake appears on the left-hand side of the train where, on most occasions, there are spectacular flocks of Lesser Flamingos (approximately 23 000). Travel from the Karoo to the Highveld. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day3
10h00 Arrive at Rovos Rail Station in Capital Park, Pretoria. Enjoy a walking tour of the station and locomotive workshops (weather permitting) followed by lunch on the platform and a city tour of Pretoria at 14h15.
18h00 Depart for Zeerust in the North West Province. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day4
11h00 Disembark at Zeerust and transfer by coach to Madikwe Reserve for a two-night stay at TAU Game Lodge. Lunch is served upon arrival at the lodge. Afternoon tea and game drive (approximately 3 hours). Dinner and overnight at the lodge.Day5
Enjoy an early morning game drive, afternoon game drive and other guest activities. Overnight at the lodge.

Day6
Early morning game drive followed by breakfast until 09h30.
10h30 Transfer to the train at with border formalities en route to Gaborone, Botswana.
13h30 Depart Gaborone and travel to Plumtree for border formalities and overnight.

Day7
Day at leisure on board. Lectures will be given during the course of the morning and/or afternoon by the on-board historian. The train passes Gwaai and Dete along one of Africa’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114 kilometres – and along the eastern edge of the Hwange National Park where occasional sightings of animals can occur. The train heads for Thompson’s Junction for the overnight stop.

Day8
12h00 Arrive at the incomparable Victoria Falls and walk across to the hotel. Enjoy lunch.
16h00 Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River. Buffet dinner at Jungle Junction. Overnight at the hotel.

Day9
Day at leisure in the Victoria Falls with activities (tour of Falls, helicopter over Falls, elephant-back safari, walk with lions, whitewater rafting, bungee-jumping, golf, etc).
16h00 Depart Victoria Falls and cross the bridge to Livingstone, Zambia.

Day10
Day at leisure on board. Lectures will be given during the course of the morning and/or afternoon by the on-board historian. The train travels across the Kafue railway bridge – a 477-metre long steel girder truss bridge of 13 spans each at 33 metres supported on concrete piers – towards Kapiri Mposhi and the start of the TAZARA railway line.

Day11
Enjoy a day at leisure on the train. Lectures will be given during the course of the morning and/or afternoon by the on-board historian. The train passes through Serenje and Mpika to Kasama.

Day12
08h00 Disembark at Kasama for a morning excursion to Chisimba Falls.
11h00 Depart from Kasama and travel towards the Tanzanian border.

Day13
09h00 Arrive at Makambako where guests may enjoy a stroll through the town – time permitting.
10h30 Depart and travel towards Mlimba. The train descends into the Rift Valley and through the Udzungwa Mountains as it negotiates the tunnels, switchbacks and viaducts of the escarpment.
Day at leisure on the train with lectures by the on-board historian.

Day14
Game visit in the Selous Reserve (time permitting).
Travel towards Gwata for an overnight stop.

Day15
06h30 Depart Gwata in and travel in an easterly direction towards the coast.
07h00 Breakfast is served in the dining car/s until 09h30.
10h00 Arrive at journey’s end in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

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Rovos Rail’s Guesthouses in St James, Cape Town

Before or after a journey on the Pride of Africa, guests can stay at one of our five-star seaside guesthouses in Cape Town. The Manor, Seaforth and Homestead overlook the vibrant fishing village of Kalk Bay with majestic views across False Bay and the Indian Ocean. Historically known as ‘millionaire’s mile’, St James is making its comeback as one of the trendiest places to stay in Cape Town. The main road through to Kalk Bay Harbour is Mediterranean in style and a trove of novel antique shops, delis, sidewalk cafés, boutiques and art galleries. A mere five-minute walk away, fresh fish can be bought from the local fishermen and the harbour itself has charming restaurants offering home-style cuisine and fine-dining experiences. The area still boasts the colourful Victorian bathing boxes and grand old houses reflecting the splendour of the early gold- and diamond-mining era. In front of the guesthouses, across the road, you will find the famous tidal pools and swimming beaches. The area also offers interesting walks along the historic promenade and up the imposing mountains. Perhaps the biggest attraction is the land-based whale watching. In season they appear literally metres from the shoreline. Breakfasts in both houses are a speciality offering a wide choice of interesting fare and are inclusive, as are all beverages. Dinners and lunches available by arrangement. Visit www.stjamesguesthouses.com