Luxury train trip: Southern Cross from Victoria Falls

At 8 a.m. log in to the Victoria Falls Hotel where your luggage will be safely stored. You start at 09:00 with a hike through Victoria Falls and past the world famous waterfalls.

The Victoria Falls are 1708 meters wide and 103 meters deep, it is the largest waterfall in the world. A huge curtain of water about a kilometer wide falls 108 meters here. The mist that causes this great spectacle can be seen far into the perimeter. No wonder that the local name Mosi is among others Tunya which means “smoke that thunders”. In the dry season you can sometimes see the small islands that lie below in the river. The constant spray of mist also creates an impressive forest area (rainforest) where you can discover numerous special trees such as figs, mahogany, date palm, milkwood and ebony. It is a paradise for birds and you can see the colorful sunbird here.

To stay at Victoria Falls there are a number of optional excursions that you can use:

– Flight of Angels: the perfect way to view Victoria Falls from above is by helicopter.
– Rafting: In the Bakota Gorge is the perfect place for adrenaline junkies. Black cliffs, deep reefs and rapids guarantee an adventure guaranteed!
– Bungee Jump: In a deep gorge between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Livingstone Bridge offers one of the world’s highest bungee jumps (111 m). Overcome your fear and enjoy a jump with the Victoria Falls in the background and the Zambezi River below.

The largest national park in Zimbabwe is Hwange National Park and it is located in the north-west of the country. It is a park full of wildlife and birds, but it is best known for the large population of lions that reside in this 1,462,000-hectare area.

Then head into the hills to find Bushman caves with drawings of the original inhabitants of this area. The train will leave for Somabhula in the evening (6 p.m.).

You will board the train again around 5:30 pm and depart for Bannockburn and Great Zimbabwe.

You will leave at 07:00 for a game drive through the Kapama Game Reserve followed by a visit to the wild dog and cheetah project. The employees of this center are committed to the preservation of the cheetah and wild dog in the wild.

You return to the train around 1 p.m. to have lunch. The journey continues to Kaapmuiden.

Make sure you have your passport with you, because today is all about the Kingdom of Swaziland. With its 17,000 square kilometers, this is the second smallest country in Africa.

By bus you will go into the country today, leaving at 8:30 am from Mpaka to Swaziland. On the way you will enjoy the beautiful Ezulwini Valley and the Komatie river and visit the Ngwenya glass factory, Mbabane and Manzini. During this tour you will become acquainted with daily life in Swaziland when you visit the busy market where multicolored textiles, carvings and woven baskets are sold. Ngwenye glass factory is one nice place to buy some souvenirs. You get back on the train in Mpaka around 6:45 pm and after the border formalities you set course for Maputo.

Today you will discover Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. A city full of contrasts that you won’t find anywhere else in Africa. In addition to the warm hospitality you will find the African and Portuguese input in all sorts of respects. The architecture in Maputo is a mix of African, Portuguese and colonial styles and you will find Catholic churches, mosques, old forts and Victorian villas here. Tasty food is served on the water where you have a wide choice of delicious seafood from the Indian Ocean.

The city tour through Maputo starts at 9 a.m. At 15:30 you return to the station where a cup of tea is waiting for you on the train. At 6:00 pm you cross the border back to South Africa towards Malelane.

Today you go on safari all day! The world famous Kruger National Park offers a home to a huge amount of trees, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and mammals, including the Big Five (lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard, elephant). Not surprising of course if the area of this park has about 2 million hectares!

Optional excursion:
– Open vehicle safari: Out in open 4×4 vehicles specially developed for safaris. Safe and made so that you have a fantastic view of the animal and plant world. The guide who goes with you can tell you everything about life in the Kruger Park. Lunch (for your own account) can be used in one of the camps in the park. The safari will end in the late afternoon. Ask about the options when booking.

Today, another day trip is scheduled, you will visit the historic village of Pilgrim’s Rest and a number of sights along the Panorama Route. This day tour starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. in Nelspruit where you climb back on board the train.

Gauteng is the economic heart of South Africa and the province where the major cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria are located. The name of the province comes from the Sotho language and means “Place of Gold”. This is very appropriate, because the wealth of this area comes from this rare metal. You will arrive at 08:30 at the station in Pretoria where your luggage will be safely stored so that you can participate in a tour through Soweto and Pretoria.

Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa. Here you will visit the Voortrekker Monument and museum. You also take a look at the Union Buildings from where the president and government work. This impressive building with a beautiful terrace garden was completed in 1913 and is a design by the British architect Sir Herbert Baker. In the garden in front of the Union buildings is a large statue of Nelson Mandela.