From the Indian Ocean to Victoria Falls (2026/2027)
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African Explorer

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16-day special train journey from Pretoria to Victoria Falls through South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe

Africa

Eswatini

Mozambique

Zimbabwe

South Africa

50 - 66 people

16 days

This extraordinary train journey combines four countries, bringing together an unparalleled variety of destinations in South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. You can look forward to visiting Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls, as well as Maputo, Matobo National Park, and the ruins of Great Zimbabwe.

Stephanie Gräf

Spezialist für individuelle und erlebnisreiche Reisen rund um den Globus.

I am your contact person for questions and bookings regarding your trip.

You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de

Select consultation appointment

HIGHLIGHTS

Unique route through South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe with the African Explorer from Rovos Rail
Varied landscapes: Highveld plateau and subtropical Lowveld, Drakensberg Mountains, savannahs of Matabele Country and Hwange Park
Exclusive charter with German-speaking tour guide for a maximum of 25 guests and with a doctor on board
Exciting safaris in Kruger National Park and overnight stay in a safari lodge
In the realm of elephants: Hwange National Park
Vibrant metropolis on the Indian Ocean: Mozambique's capital Maputo
South Africa's Panorama Route with Blyde River Canyon and God's Window viewpoint
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Matobo National Park with the grave of Cecil Rhodes
Ruins of Great Zimbabwe
Small Kingdom of Eswatini

route

itinerary

Day 1 Departure from Germany

Day 2 Pretoria

You will arrive in Johannesburg in the morning. A transfer will then take you to your hotel. If you have booked this trip without flights, your trip will begin today with your arrival at the group hotel. The afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure. You will get to know your fellow travelers and your tour guides at an atmospheric welcome dinner. (D)

Day 3 Welcome aboard!

After breakfast, explore Pretoria on a city tour. You will see the Union Buildings, the seat of the South African government, and the impressive Nelson Mandela statue. In the afternoon, board the comfortable African Explorer. Your unforgettable journey begins with a drive to the grassland-covered Highveld, the South African highlands reaching heights of up to 3,000 meters. (FMA)

Day 4 On the special train

Today, enjoy the amenities of your special train. The open viewing platform of the cozy lounge car offers you an unobstructed view of the wilderness – a paradise for photographers and nature lovers! Listen to the onboard lectures by your tour guide, devote yourself to your onboard reading, or engage in stimulating conversations with your fellow travelers. In the bar car, you can relax with a cool Windhoek Lager. (FMA)

Day 5 Small Kingdom of Eswatini

Your day trip to Eswatini starts by bus from Kaapmuiden. After 50 years of independence, the former Swaziland was renamed by its king. It is the second smallest country on the African continent – only half the size of Switzerland. You can look for souvenirs at one of the lively markets. There is a particularly rich selection of wood carvings and raffia products. Your special train will be waiting for you in Mpaka in the evening. Enjoy your dinner on board as your special train continues towards Maputo. (FA)

Day 6 Maputo

Overnight, your train has reached Maputo station, which opened in 1910 and is considered the most beautiful in Africa. According to a widely cited legend, it was built by Gustave Eiffel. You will explore the Mozambican capital on a city tour. The city on Delagoa Bay exudes a lively yet relaxed, Caribbean-like atmosphere. Traces of the past are visible in many places, whether in Portuguese colonial buildings or socialist-style residential buildings. Lunch consisting of freshly caught fish and seafood awaits you. In the afternoon, your train continues its journey. (FMA)

Day 7 Kruger National Park

In the morning, your train arrives at Kruger National Park. A full-day safari awaits you: you will travel through the park in an open safari vehicle. Covering around 20,000 km2, the park is as large as the state of Hesse and home to almost all species of big game in southern Africa. In the afternoon, you will drive to your safari lodge, where you will spend the night. Your large luggage will remain safely stored in your train compartment. Relax with a cool drink in your hand on the lodge terrace. A stylish finale awaits you in the form of dinner under the African starry sky. (FMA)

Day 8 On the Panorama Route

Start the day with a game drive in open safari vehicles. From the bush, rich in wildlife, you will then travel by bus to the dramatically beautiful mountain world of the Panorama Route, which winds its way along the steep foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains and offers views of the Lowveld, which lies up to 1,000 m below. The view into the canyon, which the Blyde River has carved into the mountains over millions of years, is unforgettable. In the late afternoon, your train crew will welcome you back on board. (FA)

Day 9 In the Makalali Conservation Area

In the morning, you will leave your train for a game drive in the private Makalali Conservation Area. The approximately 25,000-hectare area was declared a private nature reserve at the end of 1994. Numerous animals, including the famous Big Five, were brought here as part of an animal relocation program. Today's bush brunch is a special experience before you return on board. (FMA)

Day 10: Across the Limpopo by rail

Today, your train travels through the Soutpansberg region to Beitbridge. Here, it crosses the Limpopo River and the border into Zimbabwe. Try some biltong, the popular air-dried meat, during a tasting session. (FMA)

Day 11 Great Zimbabwe

The destination of today's day trip by bus is the ruins of Great Zimbabwe. The largest pre-colonial structure in Africa south of the Egyptian pyramids is over 1,000 years old and was once home to up to 18,000 people. Massive walls made of perfectly interlocking granite slabs still tower into the sky today. The modern state of Zimbabwe was named after this architectural masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Rutenga, you board your train and continue your journey towards Matabele Land. (FA)

Day 12 Bulawayo and Matobo National Park

In the morning, you will take a tour of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city and the center of Matabele country. You can choose to visit the Natural History Museum or the National Railway Museum, which displays historic locomotives and train cars, including Cecil Rhodes' personal saloon car. The museum curators are happy to share their insider knowledge with you. Afterwards, you will drive to Matobo National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The name Matobo (translated: the bald ones) refers to the smooth rock ridges on which huge granite balls seem to balance. In the national park, you will meet ranger Ian, who will enthusiastically introduce you to the local nature, history, and culture. Ian lived with the San people for a while, so he can give you first-hand accounts of the everyday life of these indigenous people and talk knowledgeably about their fascinating rock paintings. Another highlight is a visit to Cecil Rhodes' grave, which is located on a hill with spectacular panoramic views. You can reach the summit (World's View) after a short climb. You will learn interesting facts about the life and work of the controversial British conqueror and politician and understand why Cecil Rhodes expressly chose this place as his final resting place. The view over the mountainous landscape, glowing in all the colors of the rainbow, invites you to pause and reflect. You will be expected back on board for dinner. (FA)

Day 13 In the realm of elephants – Hwange National Park

After breakfast on board, you will depart from the train station for a morning game drive. Hwange National Park, known for its large herds of elephants and buffalos, is Zimbabwe's largest wildlife reserve. With a little luck, you will encounter wild dogs and sable antelopes in addition to elephants, giraffes, and lions. At noon, you can relax a little before continuing your journey towards Victoria Falls. (FMA)

Day 14 Victoria Falls

After a final breakfast on board, it's time to say goodbye to the train crew. A short walk takes you from the station to Victoria Falls. From numerous vantage points, you can look out over the 1.7 km long precipice where the thundering waters of the Zambezi River rush down. The local Kololo people call these mighty waterfalls Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning "smoke that thunders." You will then drive to your stylish safari lodge. In the afternoon, you will explore the Zambezi by boat. With a little luck, you will get very close to hippos and elephants. For your farewell dinner, you will enjoy a braai with African specialties around a crackling campfire. (FA)

Day 15 Farewell to Africa

Simply enjoy the wonderful natural scenery in the morning or opt for a helicopter flight over the thundering Victoria Falls (payable on site). If you have not booked an extension, you will then drive to Victoria Falls Airport and fly back to Germany. If you have booked this trip without flights, your trip ends today with check-out from the group hotel. (B)

Day 16 Arrival

You will arrive in Germany in the morning.

DATES & PRICES

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* For the 14-day option without flights, the trip begins on day 2 and ends on day 15.

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Information

Included services:

Flights Frankfurt – Johannesburg and Victoria Falls – Frankfurt in Economy Class, with connecting flights if necessary
Travel on the African Explorer special train with 10 nights in your reserved sleeping compartment
1 night's accommodation in a lodge near Pretoria
1 night's accommodation in a safari lodge in Kruger National Park
1 night in a stylish safari lodge near Victoria Falls
Meals as per itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
Specialty meals and biltong tasting
Permanent German-speaking Lernidee tour guide from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls
German-speaking tour guide for a maximum of 25 guests from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls
Doctor on board
City tour in Pretoria
Day trip by bus through Eswatini
City tour of Maputo with a traditional seafood lunch
Game viewing drives in Kruger National Park by safari vehicle
Panoramic route bus tour with Blyde River Canyon and God's Window
Tour of the ruins of Great Zimbabwe
Visit to the private Makalali Game Reserve
Excursion to Matobo National Park with a visit to Cecil Rhodes' grave
City tour of Bulawayo and visit to the Natural History Museum and the Railway Museum
Game viewing drive in Hwange National Park
Visit to Victoria Falls
Excursions and transfers in air-conditioned buses
Luggage transfer service from/to Johannesburg/Victoria Falls airports
Entertaining short lectures on board
Logbook created specifically for this trip, Southern Africa travel guide