Rovos Rail Dar Es Salaam to Lobito
- Duration
- 16 Days
- Prices:
- On request
DELUXE | RAIL: Ride through the heart of Africa on this incredible luxury rail journey aboard the Rovos Rail. Travelling from the Indian to the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll head on safari game drives, tour Central African cities, and enjoy the unmatched luxury of the Pride of Africa as you pass through Tanzania, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola.
This 16-day luxury African vacation takes you from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to Lobito in Angola, passing through Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo along the way. It’s a journey for the adventurous traveller who wants to experience the often-inaccessible heart of Africa without sacrificing comfort and luxury.
Your African rail journey begins in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city. After taking in the bustling atmosphere of this busy seaport, you’ll board Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa, a luxury train that transports globetrotters back to the golden age of train travel. The train’s classically-designed sleeping cars, attentive staff, and gourmet restaurant offer all the comforts of a 5-star hotel along with the romance of the golden age of steam locomotives. As the train only holds up to 72 passengers, you’ll know that you’ll get the intimate and attentive service that befits a luxury journey as you travel from the Indian to the Atlantic Ocean.
Your first stop aboard Pride of Africa will be Selous Game Reserve, the largest game park on the continent. You’ll head on a game drive to see the park’s unspoiled stretch of the African wilderness, where over 440 species of birds and an abundance of lions and leopards roam the savannah. It’s also likely you’ll spot some African wild dogs, as the park is home to around 50 percent of the world’s population of this endangered species. From Selous, continue on to Makambako, where you can wander the town’s giant market where the Bena people sell their wares.
Continue your luxury African vacation by passing into Zambia, where you’ll stop off at the majestic Chishimba Falls (known for their impressive 30m drop) and take a game drive through South Luangwa National Park in hopes of spotting hippos bathing in the river or elephants and giraffes crossing the plains. Cross the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo and experience a verdant nation too often overwhelmed by war and internal strife. You’ll pass into Lubumbashi, the country’s second-largest city, to take a city tour that’ll introduce you to the Congo’s vibrant culture and show off some prominent local landmarks, like the botanical garden and Art Deco Palace of Justice. Pass further into the country to tour a copper mine and learn about the Congo’s abundant natural resources. Close out your time in the Democratic Republic of Congo by passing by Kasaji and Malonga before crossing the border into Angola.
Few globetrotters ever venture into Angola, as it has severe travel restrictions and a fragile economy. Luckily, aboard Rovos Rail, you’ll gain access to this elusive country and have the chance to admire its overwhelming beauty. While in Angola, you’ll cross the Kasai River, pass by charming remote villages, and enjoy walking tours in the towns of Luau and Luena, where rebel leader Jonas Savambi was killed at the end of the Angolan Civil War in 2002. You’ll also head into the heart of the Ovimbundu Kingdom in Kuito and enjoy a final walking tour in Huamba before passing into Lobito and ending your journey across Africa.
This African rail journey aboard Rovos Rail takes you into parts of Africa that few globetrotters ever access. It’s a luxurious journey with safari game drives and visits to rarely-glimpsed cultural centres that’ll satisfy the most ardent of travellers.
- Duration
- 16 Days
- Prices:
- On request
Itinerary View Trip Map
Dar Es Salaam
Depart from Tazara Station in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car and observation car, which will be at the front of the train for the first 72 hours – a different aspect that our rail enthusiasts enjoy. Please ensure the Train Manager or Administration Deputy is in possession of passport. Lectures will take place throughout the journey during the morning and/or afternoon in the lounge car. Please consult Lecture Sheets for details. Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train travels the fertile lands of Tanzania towards the Selous. Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Fuga Halt for overnight.
Selous Game Reserve
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 07:00. Enjoy a game visit in the Selous Game Reserve, the largest in Africa at 55 000km2 (time permitting). Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train travels towards the jungled Udzungwa Mountains and negotiates the dramatic switchbacks, viaducts and tunnels of the escarpment. Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Mlimba for overnight.
Makambako
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. Arrive at Makambako and enjoy a stroll through the town (time permitting). Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train passes baobab forests and ascends the Rift Valley to the border, almost exactly the midpoint between Africa’s two Great Rift Valley lakes. Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner is served in the dining cars
Chisimba Falls
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. Border formalities take place. Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train travels the TAZARA railway line, an engineering tour de force and one of Africa’s best-kept secrets as it passes through remote territory. Enjoy an afternoon visit to Chisimba Falls where guests can take a pleasant walk down to the rock pools at the base of the falls or admire them from various viewpoints. Chisimba Falls is a series of three waterfalls named Mutumuna, Kaela and Chishimba (Chisimba), which are separated over 300m along the Luombe River. According to Bemba tradition, the nature spirit “Chishimba” lives in a cave behind the falls therefore no bad behaviour (including fights, insults and arrogance) is allowed in this area. Though the Bemba people arrived here in the 17th century, they weren’t the first as the land surrounding the falls is dotted with evidence of Iron Age activities including kilns, smelting pipes and iron ore deposits. Return to the train by 18:00. Dinner is served in the dining cars.
At Leisure On Board
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. The train travels from Serenje to Kapiri Mposhi. Enjoy the lush countryside, thick with Miombo woodland and Raffia palms. Take in the Continental Divide, separating the drainage to the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Lunch is served in the dining cars. Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. The train is turned at New Kapiri Mposhi. Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Ndola.
South Luangwa National Park
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 08:45. Transfer to Ndola Airport for a chartered flight (±60 min) to South Luangwa National Park, initially founded as the Luangwa Game Park in 1904 and converted to one of three game reserves in 1938. The impressive park covers about 9050km2 of the Luangwa Valley floor and lies anywhere from 500-800m above sea level. With its western and northwestern edge bounded by the Muchinga Escarpment, and the southern border lined with the meandering Luangwa River, there is no shortage of dramatic and fascinating topography in this beautiful game-rich park. Transfer to respective camps. Enjoy lunch and check-in on arrival. Afternoon game drive in the Luangwa Valley (approximately 3 hours). Dinner and overnight at the camps.
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
South Luangwa National Park
Enjoy a continental breakfast. Early morning game drive (±180 min). Brunch is served. Afternoon at leisure. Afternoon game drive (±180 min). Dinner and overnight at the camps.
South Luangwa National Park
Breakfast, a morning game drive (±120 min) and check-out times will be confirmed. Transfer to the airport for the chartered flight (±60 min) to Ndola. Transfer to Ndola Station to rejoin the train. Please ensure the Train Manager or Administration Deputy is in possession of passport. Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train travels towards the border. Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Lubumbashi.
Lubumbashi
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 08:00. Enjoy a drive through the city of Lubumbashi. Rejoin the train and travel towards Lukuni. Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train passes Luishia, an old open-pit copper and cobalt mine. Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Kolwezi for overnight.
Copper Mine
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 08:00. Disembark at Kolwezi for a visit to a copper mine in an area that holds one of the world’s largest known copper and cobalt resources. Enjoy brunch at Katebi Lodge. Return to the train. Depart for Kasombo. Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Mutshatsha for overnight.
At Leisure On Board
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train passes Kakopa en route to Malonga. Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Dilolo
Luau
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. Border formalities take place. Enjoy a walking tour of Luau, the start of the Benguela line. The train departs for Luena. Lunch is served in the dining cars. Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. The train travels alongside the Cassai River. The catchment of the Cassai River encompasses a vast eco-region of 900 000km2 with an incredibly rich fish fauna. As the train passes the villages of Cassai and Cameia, there is sometimes an opportunity to see the local fishermen at work. Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Luena for overnight.
Luena
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. Enjoy a walking tour of Luena to learn more about the recent history of Angola. Depart for Tchicala Tcholohanga. Lunch is served in the dining cars. Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Kuito for overnight.
Kuito
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:00. Enjoy a stroll through the town of Kuito, built in the historical heart of the Ovimbundu kingdom. Depart for Huambo. Lunch is served in the dining cars. Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Huambo for overnight.
Huambo
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:00. Enjoy a tour of Huambo, the second largest city in Angola and one of the old kingdoms on the central plateau. Depart for Lépi. Lunch is served in the dining cars. Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Cubal for overnight.
Lobito
Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:30. Arrive at journey’s end, Lobito Station, Benguela Province, Angola.
Other Information
DEPARTURES*:
2024: Jul 15*
*This trip operates in the reverse direction. Please inquire for details
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 15 nights accommodation
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- All beverages while on board the train
- Tours/sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary
- Limited laundry service
- 24-hour full-room service
* Upgraded cabins also available. Please enquire
**Please note maximum vehicle capacities are subject to change without notice
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Gratuities unless otherwise stated
- Items of a personal nature
- French Champagne
- Optional excursions
- Visa fees if applicable
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.
15 Jul 2024
