Southern Africa Safari with Rovos Rail Journey 2026

Arrive in Cape Town, a vibrant coastal city set at the southwestern edge of the African continent. Framed by the unmistakable silhouette of Table Mountain, the city blends diverse cultures, historic architecture, and a dynamic creative scene. After your arrival and transfer to the hotel, settle in and begin experiencing the energy of one of Southern Africa’s most captivating urban destinations.

Start the day with a cable car ascent to the summit of Table Mountain, where sweeping views extend across the city and coastline. Continue to the distinctive Bo-Kaap district, where brightly painted houses and narrow streets reflect the area’s rich cultural heritage. Later, see important historic landmarks including the Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town City Hall, and St. George’s Cathedral. In the afternoon, travel to the nearby Constantia Winelands to visit a renowned estate and join a sommelier for a guided tasting of acclaimed South African wines. Back at the hotel, a local storyteller shares engaging accounts of the region’s past over drinks before the evening’s welcome dinner.

Journey along the scenic Cape Peninsula, passing the beaches beneath the Twelve Apostles mountains, the harbor town of Hout Bay, and the dramatic curves of Chapman’s Peak Drive. Explore the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, home to bonteboks and chacma baboons, before riding the Flying Dutchman funicular to Cape Point. Later, visit Boulders Beach to see its colony of African penguins. The remainder of the day is free to explore.

Board the elegant Rovos Rail and settle into your private suite as the train departs Cape Town. Enjoy lunch on board while the journey winds through the mountain landscapes and vineyards of the Cape Winelands. As evening approaches, relax with a glass of South African wine while the scenery unfolds beyond your window.

This morning the train stops in Matjiesfontein, a preserved Victorian-era village offering a glimpse into South Africa’s railway heritage. The journey continues across the wide-open landscapes of the Great Karoo, where the region’s stark beauty unfolds as the train travels deeper into the interior.

Today the train arrives in Kimberley, where you visit the Diamond Mine Museum and view the immense hand-dug excavation known as the Big Hole. Afterwards, reboard Rovos Rail as the journey continues across the Highveld, a landscape of open grasslands historically shaped by South Africa’s gold mining era.

Enjoy your final morning aboard Rovos Rail, spending time in the lounge or observation cars as the train approaches Johannesburg. After lunch, disembark and transfer to your hotel in the city’s quieter suburbs. In the evening, join a local guest speaker for an insightful discussion on South Africa’s past, present, and evolving future.

Fly to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and settle into your hotel along the Zambezi River, close to the famous waterfalls. Later, meet a special guest speaker who shares stories of the renowned Scottish explorer and missionary David Livingstone.

Begin with a guided walk around Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi River plunges dramatically into the gorge below. Afterwards, choose from several optional experiences that may include visiting viewpoints around the historic Victoria Falls Bridge, exploring a nearby local community, or observing a conservation-focused anti-poaching demonstration. Later, continue into Botswana and settle into your safari lodge within Chobe National Park. In the afternoon, head out on a Chobe River safari, where elephants often gather along the banks while hippos and other wildlife move through the waterways.

Set out early for a safari in Chobe National Park, taking advantage of the quiet morning hours when wildlife is most active. Later in the day, continue your exploration of the park and the areas along the Chobe River, where your safari specialist reads tracks and other signs of the bush while searching for animals such as wild dogs and leopards.

Fly via Kasane to the Okavango Delta and arrive at your camp in the Moremi Game Reserve. Known for its exceptional concentration of predators, this protected area hosts only a limited number of camps, offering a more exclusive safari environment. Later, head out on a game drive across the delta’s floodplains and woodlands, ending the afternoon with a refreshing sundowner.

Begin the day with an early game drive in the Moremi Game Reserve, where the rich ecosystems of the Okavango Delta attract abundant wildlife. Later, take part in a chef-led culinary experience that introduces traditional local flavors. In the afternoon, return to the bush for another safari, where your guide’s tracking expertise may lead to sightings of elusive predators such as cheetahs or leopards. In the evening, gather for a special farewell dinner.

Today you depart the delta, flying to Johannesburg via Maun. Before your international flight, relax in the airport’s Premier Lounge prior to your onward journey home.