It is Rovos Rail’s most ambitious expedition, launched in 2022. It runs from the Zambezi to the Atlantic across four countries and includes a fly-in safari in South Luangwa and a rarely visited stretch of the Copper Belt.
At a Glance
- Duration
- 14 nights, about 3,100 km
- Route
- Victoria Falls to Lobito, or Lobito to Victoria Falls (available in reverse), through Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola
Who It Suits
- Experienced travellers who want a true expedition
- Guests interested in history, mining heritage and off-the-beaten-track destinations
- Guests who want a safari built into the train journey, with an on-board historian and doctor
Highlights
- Crossing the Zambezi from Victoria Falls and a sunset cruise on the Kafue River
- A visit to Lusaka’s elephant sanctuary, where teams rescue and rehabilitate orphaned elephants
- A three-night fly-in safari in South Luangwa National Park, between the Muchinga Escarpment and the Luangwa River
- A tour of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Short walking tours on the historic copper trail in Angola, ending at Lobito on the Atlantic
The Route
- Depart Victoria Falls and cross the Zambezi
- Sunset cruise on the Kafue River
- Lusaka: elephant sanctuary
- Fly to South Luangwa National Park for three nights
- Rejoin the train at Ndola and travel through the Copper Belt
- Lubumbashi tour, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Angola: walking tours along the copper trail
- Arrive Lobito
What’s Included
- Includes
- accommodation on board; all meals; all beverages on board; 24-hour room service; limited laundry; guided excursions where applicable; entrance fees as per the itinerary; government tax; an on-board historian and doctor; the South Luangwa fly-in as part of the journey.
- Excludes
- off-train beverages; international sparkling wine; gratuities (R200 to R300 per person per night suggested); personal expenses; pre- and post-tour accommodation, flights and transfers; visas; travel insurance. Child policy: ages 0 to 2 not permitted, ages 3 to 9 pay 75% of the adult rate, ages 10 and over pay in full.
Begin visa planning early, because the route crosses Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola and visas are excluded from the rate. Because the South Luangwa safari is built into the journey, no separate safari extension is needed.