Angola to Mozambique Aboard Rovos Rail

Mining is one of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s greatest sources of income and is responsible for around 70 per cent of global cobalt production. During a morning in Kolwezi, we visit one of the world’s largest known copper and cobalt mining areas.

Our train rolls across the region’s copper-coloured terrain, headed for Lubumbashi. We spend the afternoon discovering the country’s second largest city during a guided drive. Return to Rovos Rail in time for dinner in the train’s dining car. We near the border of Zambia early this evening.

No journey to Africa is ever truly complete without a safari. We momentarily bid farewell to Rovos Rail, our bags packed for a two-night stay on the edge of South Luangwa National Park. A flight takes us into the heart of the park, where waiting vehicles guide us further across the savanna to each of the several lodges that our group will occupy here. Upon our arrival, we enjoy a lunch of delicious local specialties. With our binoculars at the ready, we set off on a game drive across the Luangwa Valley. With our journey timed for Zambia’s dry season, sightings are assured, as a variety of species flock to the park’s scarce water supplies.

A collective birdsong serves as our alarm clock this morning. After an early breakfast, we join a game drive, watching the resident animals in the light of dawn. The late afternoon is then dedicated to a second game drive. Our expert guide scours the dirt for animal tracks, in the hope they may lead to a candid display of daily life from the park’s lions, leopards, impalas or zebras. Winding down from the excitement of the day, we enjoy dinner and a nightcap back at our lodge.

A flight to the city of Ndola allows us to meet back up with Rovos Rail. Our onward journey sees us heading south to Lusaka, Zambia’s capital. Our train rolls south through the heart of Zambia. Along the way, we pass through Kapiri Mposhi, known as the ‘Hills of Refuge’. During the height of the slave trade, local lore told of a huge bird that lived in hills to the north of the town, offering refuge to the Swaka people. As is custom, we take afternoon tea in the lounge and observation cars, followed by dinner in the dining cars.

Today, we are bound for Lusaka Elephant Sanctuary within Kafue National Park. The role of this important non-profit is the rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing of these majestic animals into the wild. We return to the train for lunch, before alighting once more to embark upon a cruise along the Kafue River. Enjoy an afternoon as we drift peacefully down this largest tributary of the Zambezi. Rovos Rail’s expert chefs serve another delicious meal in the dining car this evening.

Continuing in a southerly direction, our train soon traverses the Kafue Railway Bridge. The impressive steel truss bridge spans the Kafue River supported by concrete pillars. Breakfast and lunch are served on the train before we alight in the city of Choma. At Choma Museum and Crafts Centre, the cultural heritage of the local Batonga people is revealed. Preserved in its art gallery are a range of graphic arts, crafts, and sculptures that chronicle the lives and stories of local artists. Our train rolls on this evening toward Zimbabwe. 

This morning, we prepare a bag for our overnight stay at Victoria Falls. Following breakfast, border formalities take place in Livingstone. Named for the famous explorer, the city welcomes us as we continue our own grand adventure. Soon we are crossing the imposing Victoria Falls Bridge, the Zambezi River below us, with the gushing Victoria Falls just beyond our window. Formally welcomed into Zimbabwe, we alight the train and walk directly to our hotel. We are received along the lawn of this regal property, before being shown inside. Lunch takes place today at Jungle Junction within the grounds of our hotel. 
 
Afternoon Your World experiences allow us to soak up the blissful surrounds of the falls in our own way:
 
— Board a helicopter for bird’s-eye views of Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River and Batoka Gorge. The helicopter’s specially designed bubble-shaped windows provide perfect panoramas for your photo opportunities. 
 
— Stand before a gargantuan baobab tree, known locally as 'The Big Tree'. From here, take a walk through the rainforest, accompanied by a local guide, who will give you a brief history of the falls while pointing out the local flora and fauna.
 
Late this afternoon, embark a boat for a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River. As the sun’s orange glow is reflected across shimmering waters, make a toast to our time in this glorious setting. Enjoy dinner while gliding further along the river before returning to our hotel.

After breakfast, we reboard Rovos Rail for a day of crossing the vast landscapes of Zimbabwe. We pass through the small town of Dete during this south-easterly leg of our journey. Mesmerising plains and vast skies converge at the horizon, easily enjoyed from the train’s observation cars. The team of culinary experts on board pleasantly punctuate our travels with lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner as we near the city of Bulawayo.

Alighting the train in Bulawayo this morning, we board a coach for our transfer to Matobo National Park. Explore the expansive grounds of the park, discovering the caves of the San people, Zimbabwe’s earliest inhabitants. The walls of the caves are adorned with ancient rock art, depicting scenes involving elongated figures engaged in hunting and dancing. Nearby, atop a hill considered sacred to many Zimbabweans, we also see the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, a site of much contention among locals. Back aboard the train, we pass through baobab country, the colossal drought-tolerant trees making for a grand spectacle. Further south, we approach the town of Gwanda, a gold-mining town and capital of the province of Matabeleland South. With our arrival at Beitbridge this evening, border formalities are taken care of and we proceed into South Africa.

Track the sun’s arc across the sky as we enjoy a full day travelling aboard Rovos Rail. Towering hills and sweeping savannas also vie for our attention, which we see unfold from the observation lounge or our comfortable cabins. Enjoy gourmet three-course dining during lunch and dinner, accompanied perhaps by some of South Africa’s finest wines. The ‘fruit basket of South Africa’ awaits us in Tzaneen. The important agricultural area serves as the gateway to Kapama Private Game Reserve, which we will explore tomorrow.

We alight the train early this morning, taking advantage of a full day of discoveries. At the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, we learn about the vital conservation work being undertaken for cheetahs and rhinos. From here, we transfer to Kapama River Lodge for an overnight stay. After lunch, we head into Kapama Private Game Reserve; a game drive taking us in search of lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo. Returning to our lodge, dinner is served before we retreat to our comfortable suites.

During an early morning game drive, we keep watch for antelopes and hyenas, as the sun’s orange rays creates silhouettes of the park’s trees. We compare notes regarding our respective sightings over breakfast back at the lodge. We then farewell Kapama Private Game Reserve to meet back up with our waiting train. Our bespoke rail journey then sees us heading toward Mozambique and the Indian Ocean coast.

Shortly after breakfast, Rovos Rail pulls into the station at Maputo, in Mozambique. Having enjoyed life aboard our refined rolling home over the past three weeks, we now say farewell. We waste no time in setting off on a discovery of this coastal city. Stand before the imposing red stone structure of Maputo Fortress. From here, we stroll the aisles of Maputo Central Market. Close by, the white spire of Maputo Cathedral can be seen gleaming against the blue sky. Then a pathway through Tunduru Botanical Gardens leads us to the Iron House, whose design has been attributed to Gustave Eiffel. 

We retreat to a local restaurant for lunch, before exploring further with a Your World experience:
 
— Take a walking tour through the neighbourhood of Mafalala. Get acquainted with the delicious local food, traditional dancing and sports. The relatively small town has produced many well-known locals, from footballers to journalists and singers, and even a former president.  
 
— Immerse yourself in the local culture during a guided tour. Visit some of Maputo’s artistic, historical and cultural sites. Then take a drive out to a few of the city’s colourful nearby neighbourhoods.
 
At Dhow Mozambique, we celebrate our extraordinary journey during a Farewell Dinner. The eclectic waterfront establishment provides the perfect atmosphere for further indelible memories. 
 
Our final evening is spent at Maputo’s renowned Polana Serena Hotel.

After a final breakfast in Africa, we transfer to the airport, where our most memorable journey concludes.