7:00 AM – Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the elegant dining cars and continues until 10:00. Guests can enjoy a variety of freshly prepared dishes while the train makes its way between Gwaai and Dete. This stretch of the journey includes one of the world’s longest straight railway lines, extending 114 kilometers, and skirts the eastern edge of Hwange National Park, where glimpses of wildlife and sweeping landscapes add to the morning’s charm.

1:00 PM – Lunch
A gourmet lunch is served in the dining cars, offering a refined culinary pause as the train continues its scenic progress through Zimbabwe. The combination of fine cuisine and elegant surroundings makes for a truly memorable midday experience.

3:00 PM – Hwange National Park Game Drive
Guests disembark for an afternoon safari in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife reserve, spanning over 1.46 million hectares. The park is home to an extraordinary diversity of habitats and species, from vast elephant herds and big cats to giraffes, antelope, and rich birdlife. This game drive provides an immersive opportunity to experience one of Africa’s premier conservation areas.

7:30 PM – Dinner
Return to the train for an elegant dinner served in the dining cars as the journey continues toward Thompsons Junction. Dress: Formal. The multi-course menu, paired with fine wines and attentive service, reflects the culinary excellence for which Rovos Rail is celebrated, offering a sophisticated close to a day of remarkable wildlife encounters.

7:00 AM – Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the elegant dining cars, offering a variety of freshly prepared dishes to begin the day. As you dine, the train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn and makes its way toward Louis Trichardt. The morning provides a perfect opportunity to savor gourmet cuisine while admiring the shifting South African landscapes.

1:00 PM – Lunch and Border Formalities
A sumptuous lunch is served in the dining cars as the train pauses for South African border formalities. This midday meal, prepared by the train’s expert chefs, combines fine dining with the practicalities of international travel, ensuring a seamless continuation of your journey.

4:30 PM – Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and observation cars as the train crosses the Limpopo River en route to Beitbridge. Border formalities with Zimbabwe take place during this time. The crossing evokes Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories, where the ‘Elephant’s Child’ ventures to the “great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever-trees, to find out what the Crocodile has for dinner.” This iconic river, framed by fever trees and rich in history, creates a picturesque backdrop for your afternoon refreshments.

7:30 PM – Dinner
A formal multi-course dinner is served in the dining cars as the train continues toward Gwanda. Guests are invited to dress in their finest attire for this elegant affair. The refined ambiance, paired with gourmet cuisine and fine South African wines, ensures a memorable evening as the train glides through the night.

6:00 AM – Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the elegant dining cars, with service continuing until 9:00 AM. Guests can enjoy a variety of freshly prepared morning dishes as the train travels through Zimbabwe’s enchanting baobab country. The landscape, dotted with these ancient, iconic trees, creates a striking backdrop as the journey ascends toward Bulawayo. Known as the capital of Matabeleland and Zimbabwe’s industrial hub, Bulawayo is a city rich in cultural heritage and historical significance.

12:00 PM – Lunch
A gourmet lunch is served in the dining cars, where guests are invited to relax and enjoy a refined culinary experience. The opulent setting, paired with the ever-changing scenery outside, makes for a memorable midday pause.

1:30 PM – Excursion to Matobo National Park
Guests transfer for an approximately 45-minute journey to Matobo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its dramatic granite formations. The excursion includes a visit to ancient bushmen caves, where centuries-old rock art provides insight into early human life. The highlight is a stop at the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, set amidst sweeping natural vistas and offering panoramic views of the park’s rugged landscape.

6:00 PM – Departure for Sawmills
The train departs Bulawayo and continues its journey through Zimbabwe’s scenic countryside toward Sawmills.

7:30 PM – Dinner
Dinner is served in the dining cars, with guests invited to dress formally for this elegant occasion. The evening features a multi-course gourmet menu paired with fine South African wines, all enjoyed in the refined ambiance of Rovos Rail’s beautifully appointed dining cars.

7:00 AM – Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the elegant dining cars and continues until 10:00. Guests can enjoy a variety of freshly prepared dishes while the train makes its way between Gwaai and Dete. This stretch of the journey includes one of the world’s longest straight railway lines, extending 114 kilometers, and skirts the eastern edge of Hwange National Park, where glimpses of wildlife and sweeping landscapes add to the morning’s charm.

1:00 PM – Lunch
A gourmet lunch is served in the dining cars, offering a refined culinary pause as the train continues its scenic progress through Zimbabwe. The combination of fine cuisine and elegant surroundings makes for a truly memorable midday experience.

3:00 PM – Hwange National Park Game Drive
Guests disembark for an afternoon safari in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife reserve, spanning over 1.46 million hectares. The park is home to an extraordinary diversity of habitats and species, from vast elephant herds and big cats to giraffes, antelope, and rich birdlife. This game drive provides an immersive opportunity to experience one of Africa’s premier conservation areas.

7:30 PM – Dinner
Return to the train for an elegant dinner served in the dining cars as the journey continues toward Thompsons Junction. Dress: Formal. The multi-course menu, paired with fine wines and attentive service, reflects the culinary excellence for which Rovos Rail is celebrated, offering a sophisticated close to a day of remarkable wildlife encounters.

Final Preparations
Please ensure your luggage is ready for collection 15 minutes before departure and that your passport is readily available for any necessary checks.

7:00 AM – Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the dining cars and continues until 9:30. This morning, the observation car will be positioned at the front of the train, offering a rare forward-facing view. Rail enthusiasts and travelers alike will delight in this unique perspective, watching the tracks unfold ahead while savoring a delicious selection of pastries, fruits, cereals, and hot dishes.

10:00 AM – Arrival at Victoria Falls
The train arrives at its final destination: the incomparable Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the falls are a breathtaking spectacle where the mighty Zambezi River cascades more than 100 meters into the gorge below, sending plumes of mist skyward and creating dazzling rainbows. This awe-inspiring arrival marks the culmination of your Rovos Rail journey, leaving you with unforgettable memories of both the landscapes traversed and the luxury experienced along the way.