Overview
Itinerary at a glance
Overnight Rovos Rail
4 Nights
Overnight The Victoria Falls Hotel
2 Nights
Overnight MV Matusadona Houseboat
3 Nights
Overnight Nyamatusi Camp
4 Nights
1) Day 1 – 5: Rovos Rail, Pretoria
2) Day 5 – 7: The Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls
3) Day 7 – 10: MV Matusadona Houseboat, Lake Kariba
4) Day 10 – 14: Nyamatusi Camp, Mana Pools National Park
For Rovos Rail passengers, a highlight of their journey is a visit to the private station at Capital Park, Pretoria. The once-bustling hub of steam locomotion is now the headquarters for Rovos Rail. The gracious railway station serves as the departure or arrival point for most of the train journeys.
All travellers are welcome – singles, couples and groups. The dining cars are made up of two-seaters and four-seaters where guests eat together or individually. The lounge and observation cars – with their big picture windows, sofas and booths – make for great mingling areas or quiet corners to while away the days.
Many of the passengers enjoy the formality of fine china and glassware, crisp linen and silver, and dress accordingly. Days on board are smart casual while evening attire is more formal. On long journeys we enjoy themed evenings where guests can dress up accordingly or opt for smart casual.
An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for overseeing the very important task of ensuring guests’ every needs are catered for. There’s an accent on fresh local ingredients and traditional dishes are a specialty. Meals are served in one sitting only in the dining cars and are complemented by a selection of fine South African wines. The bar menu is comprehensive although special items such as French Champagne need to be requested in advance.
The town of Victoria Falls lies on the southern banks of the Zambezi River at the western edge of the falls that it is named after. After David Livingstone set his eyes on the “smoke that thunders” in 1855, the settlement was later developed in 1901 when the possibility of using the waterfall for hydro-electric power was explored, and expanded when the railway from Bulawayo reached the town shortly before the Victoria Falls Bridge was opened in April 1905, connecting Southern Rhodesia (later Rhodesia; now Zimbabwe) to Northern Rhodesia (later Zambia).
Many a guest has marvelled at the magnificent views as seen from The Victoria Falls Hotel. The experience begins with the sun rising beneath the mist of one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
The Victoria Falls as a destination is acclaimed as the unchallenged Adventure Capital of Africa to thrill the most ardent adrenalin-seeker or those desiring soft and enticing experiences that include the eco-world and authentic traditional culture.
Lake life is the epitome of Zimbabwean hospitality – gin and tonic in hand for a sundowner, world renowned tiger fishing, and a stay on a houseboat create the unique experience so loved in this part of the continent. Keep an eye out for elephants, hippos and crocodiles, or listen for the call of the African fish eagle!
Enjoy the ultimate in barefoot luxury on a family holiday aboard your private safari cruiser on Zimbabwe’s iconic Lake Kariba. Cruising the shores of one of Africa’s last remaining true wilderness areas, MV Matusadona is perfectly combined with a visit to the Victoria Falls and offers the ideal extension to a land based African safari.
MV Matusadona is accompanied by a speed boat and a game viewing pontoon for safari activities as well as a general tender boat.
Famous for its overwhelming sunsets, wildlife viewing and tiger fishing, Lake Kariba is surrounded by the Matusadona National Park and a number of wildlife areas on the Zimbabwean side of the lake.
Mana Pools is an almost 500,000 acre national park and one of the most iconic in all of Africa. A photographer’s paradise, its beautiful setting of endless Ana forests along the Zambezi River provides a scenic backdrop for a huge variety of wildlife that congregate here in the dry season.
This Mana Pools safari camp is set in one of the wildest and most remote parts of Africa, on the banks of the Zambezi, one of the world’s oldest rivers. Embracing comfort, this property embodies sustainable design. Fully solar-powered and built from all-natural materials, it encompasses its wilderness location in the most elegant way. Here, your Mana Pools safari plays out against a sweeping riverine landscape, where epic encounters of the giants that roam this land await.
Your Mana Pools safari follows the gentle ebb and flow of life on the river. Marvel at the incredible sights and sounds of one of Africa’s last remaining wilderness hinterlands from the cosy bar or, refreshing pool.
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Tel: +27 (0)33 342 7498
Whatsapp: +27 (0)82 806 4074
1 March – 30 November
1 Mar – 30 June & 1 – 30 November
1 July – 31 October