From the Indian Ocean to Victoria Falls (2027)

starting at 9.420 €

(If you booked without flights, your trip begins on Day 2)

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)

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)

Today, enjoy the amenities of your special train. The open observation deck of the cozy lounge car offers you an unobstructed view of the wilderness—a paradise for photographers and nature lovers! Listen to the onboard presentations by your tour guide, lose yourself in your reading, or engage in stimulating conversations with your fellow travelers. In the bar car, you can relax with a cool Savanna Dry. (FMA)

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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

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 as many as 18,000 people. Massive walls made of perfectly interlocking granite slabs still tower overhead today. The modern state of Zimbabwe was named after this architectural masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Rutenga, you’ll board your special train again and continue your journey toward Matabele Land. (FA)

In the morning, you’ll take a sightseeing tour of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city and the heart of Matabele country. You can choose to visit either the Natural History Museum or the National Railway Museum, which displays historic locomotives and railcars, including Cecil Rhodes’s personal parlor car. The museum curators are happy to share their insider knowledge with you. Afterward, you’ll drive to Matobo National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The name Matobo (translated as “the Bald Ones”) refers to the smooth, polished rock ridges on which huge granite boulders appear to balance. In the national park, you’ll meet Ranger Ian, who will enthusiastically introduce you to the local nature, history, and culture. Ian lived among the San for a time, so he can speak firsthand about the daily lives of these indigenous people and give an insightful talk about their fascinating rock art. Another highlight is a visit to Cecil Rhodes’ grave, which is situated on a hilltop with spectacular panoramic views. You’ll reach the summit (World’s View) after a short climb. You’ll learn insightful details about the life and work of the controversial British explorer and politician and come to understand why Cecil Rhodes specifically chose this spot 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’ll be welcomed back on board for dinner. (FA)

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)

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)

In the morning, simply enjoy the wonderful natural scenery or opt for a helicopter flight over the roaring Victoria Falls (payable on site). If you haven’t booked an extension, you’ll then drive to Victoria Falls Airport and fly back to Germany. If you booked this trip without flights, your trip ends today with check-out from the group hotel. (B)

You will arrive in Germany in the morning. (If you booked without flights, the trip ends on Day 15)