Bitten by safari
Rovos Rail + Victoria Falls + Botswana Chobe & Okavango
Rovos Rail + Victoria Falls + Botswana Chobe & Okavango
This trip
This itinerary is one of our luxury sample trips in which we make use of the most distinguished lodges, and include a range of very exclusive activities and destinations. Ideal as a honeymoon, or for any other special occasion that you would like to make unforgettable by means of a safari trip.
An unforgettable safari spanning three African countries! The infamous Rovos Rail train combined with Victoria Falls (yes, a helicopter ride is included), and a top-of-the-line safari in the heart of Botswana's biodiversity hotspots.
In a nutshell
Number of nights:
Number of nights:
12
Lodges:
Lodges:
The Residence Boutique Hotel, Pretoria, luxury suite (1 night)
Rovos Rail, Deluxe Suite (3 nights)
Victoria Falls River lodge, Starbed Treehouse (2 nights)
Chobe Game lodge, Honeymoon Suite (3 nights)
Chiefs Camp, Moremi(3 nights)
Target price:
Target price:
From 202.350 Rand / 10.830 $ / 8.565 £ / 9.990 € per person
Includes local flight Kasane To Maun
Includes local flight Maun to Moremi Island and back
Includes local flight Maun to Johannesburg
Includes all inter-lodge transfers, and transfers to and from the airport
Includes trips to Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls
Includes a helicopter flight over the Victoria Falls and boat trips on the Zambezi- and Chobe rivers
Chobe Game Lodge & Chiefs Camp; includes two daily game drives on Moremi island
Based on double room occupancy
Price depending on season
Not included:
Not included:
International flights
Drinks
Travel insurance
Tips
Personal expenditures
Strong points
- ◦ Rovos Rail trip in a spacious luxury suite
- ◦ Fully organised day trips throughout. No need for a rental car.
- ◦ See the Victoria Falls from the air (helicopter)
- ◦ Stay at the only lodge within Chobe National Park itself
- ◦ Chiefs Camp; off-roading, bush walks and night drives allowed
- ◦ Chiefs Camp; qualitative wildlife encounters; maximum two vehicles per sighting meaning no "bush jams"
- ◦ Very experienced guides and trackers
- ◦ Luxurious rooms in high-end lodges
Lodges
Lodges
Your luxury suite is elegant and inviting; with soft light reflecting from the antique French crystal chandeliers onto dramatic velvet drapes. It is fully airconditioned, has a Nespresso machine and a minibar, a sattelite TV with DVD player, free wifi, and last but not least; an outdoor shower & bath or Jacuzzi.
Got some free time? Take a stroll through the manicured gardens and enjoy a game of tennis or swim a few lengths in the outdoor pools. Guests can work out in the fitness room, and arrangements can be made to play a round of golf at one of many nearby golf courses.
After formalities at Beitbridge the next morning, the train travels towards Bulawayo, second city of Zimbabwe, capital of Matabeleland and industrial capital of the country. The following day sees the train travelling along one of the world’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114 kilometres – before traversing Hwange National Park, a rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary where animals can be spotted from the train and a game drive excursion is enjoyed.
After a service stop at Thompsons Junction, the sojourn ends at the incomparable Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River.
General make-up of the train; Locomotive, generator car, staff car, guest sleepers, a non-smoking lounge car (26 guests), two non-smoking 42-seat dining cars (if required, plenty of space for the maximum of 72 guests carried), kitchen car, guest sleepers, smoking lounge and Observation Car (32 guests) at the tail.
Your Deluxe Suite (±10 sq metres/±108 sq feet) accommodates two passengers in either twin or double beds and has a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower. The wood-panelled rebuilt sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort.
In the en-suite bathroom, original fittings combine with the modern technology of a hot shower, hair dryer and shaver plug. The spacious suite offer passengers the opportunity to travel in privacy, comfort and luxury, with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. Your suite is also equipped with a writing surface and a personal safe for valuables. There is also a bar fridge filled with beverages of the passengers’ choice and room service is available 24 hours a day.
Cuisine Meals are served in one sitting only in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the dining cars and are complemented by a selection of fine South African wines. An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for overseeing the very important task of ensuring guests’ every need is catered for. There’s an accent on fresh local ingredients and traditional dishes such as game are a specialty. Breakfast is between 07h00 and 10h00, lunch at 13h00, tea at 16h30 and a formal dinner at 19h30. A gong heralds lunch and dinner.
A fresh and contemporary interpretation of the classic safari lodge – Victoria Falls River Lodge’s Island Treehouse Suites combine an almost tropical island feel with an immersive bush getaway. Personal butler services, incredible bird and wildlife viewing, fine dining and a significant variety of recreation opportunities (both on and off site) assure a truly unforgettable experience.
The discreet stilted structures of Victoria Falls Island Lodge are enhanced by an organic palette of warm woods, earthy tones of blue and green, interspersed by bursts of sunny yellow and the burnished glow of polished copper, and blend seamlessly into the pristine Island setting. The dining, lounge and elevated sunset bar areas have been designed to offer guests calm and contemplative spaces completely enveloped within the sun dappled setting of the surrounding giant Ilala Palms, Natal Mahogany and African Ebony trees.
Set upon stilts, rising up into the treetops from the waters below, the double storey 100 square meter Starbed Treehouse appears suspend above the Zambezi River.
All guest units feature a California King sized bed, private deck with plunge pool, en-suite bathroom with freestanding tub and rain shower, and a host of luxury amenities. They are connected to a voluminous lounge, and to dining and sunset bar areas via raised walkways.
In addition to luxury amenities offered at the other guyst units, the Starbed Treehouse boasts an en-suite bathroom with twin rain showers and vanities and a unique rooftop sitting area which includes the breath-taking Starbed – with which it shares its name.
The perfect antidote for the chaos of civilisation, the Starbed Treehouse is ideal for honeymooners or anyone wishing to reconnect with nature and self.
A morning game drive and a sunset river cruise and are included in the price of your stay. On top of that, The Africa Bug has also included a visit to the Victoria Waterfalls, and a helicopter ride above the falls.
The morning game drive is a truly revitalising way to start any day! Watch – from the comfort of Victoria Falls River Lodge’s private river cruiser – as the world awakes and the sun’s first rays skip and dance across the shimmering surface of the mighty Zambezi.
A Zambezi River Cruise is arguably one of the best ways on earth to soak in the magnificence of this iconic river and its surrounds. Sit back and let the gentle ebb and flow of the Zambezi lull and relax you. Join in on Mother Nature’s Happiest Hour by sipping on a sun-downer whilst viewing her creatures, big and small, coming to the water’s edge to lap at its liquid life under molten skies.
Every one of the 44 elegantly designed guest rooms is air-conditioned, with en-suite bathrooms and a large terrace facing the Chobe River. But the most private location in the lodge - and the chosen suite for famous honeymoon couple Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in 1975 - is certainly the elegant Honeymoon Suite. It is ideal for couples looking to spoil themselves while on their Chobe safari with a touch of romance and complete privacy. The Honeymoon Suite has a similar layout to the luxury family suites, but with a large private terrace that has an infinity plunge pool and large, relaxing sun-loungers from which to soak up the Chobe views.
Enjoy the diversity of the region’s abundant wildlife on guided 4WD game drives and take in the beauty of the famous Chobe River on a boat safari while witnessing massive herds of animals and prolific birdlife along the riverfront. Activities offered at Chobe Game Lodge include morning and afternoon game drives, mid-morning and late-afternoon boat safaris and back of house eco-tours. Chobe Game Lodge is fully inclusive, so you are welcome to do as little or as much as you please.
Personal service, an extraordinary setting, exceptional viewing and enthusiastic expert guides are the hallmarks of Sanctuary Chiefs Camp’s experience. They promise a unique attention to detail and strong environmental and philanthropic credentials to ensure the ultimate luxury safari experience.
All the main and public areas of the camp have been extensively refurbished in a 'safari chic' style including a newly designed bar and library area, the extension of the dining room and the addition of a pizza deck with pizza oven. A new orientation room where guests can learn more about the Delta before going on game drives has been added as well as a gym and kids play room.
When you visit Sanctuary Chief's Camp you'll see why Condé Nast Traveler consistently rates it as one of the top safari destinations in Botswana. The camp is part of the magazine's exclusive "Platinum Circle" in recognition of its inclusion in the prestigious Gold List for the last five consecutive years.
Spacious and breezy, at 1,500 ft2 (140m2) the 10 stylish bush pavilions are some of the region’s largest places to spend the night. Modern enhancements, such as airconditioning, as well as traditional fans, are among the cut-above amenities. Each guest unit features a private dining area, a tranquil outside seating area and a terrace pool – all perfect for absorbing the surrounding plains and majestic African skies.
The bathrooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and folding glass doors leading to outdoor showers and generous tubs are perfect for long, indulgent soaks. In the mood to dine alone together? Relax on your covered deck and look out for elephants, giraffes, buffalo and other wildlife as you enjoy the Camp’s excellent cuisine and wines.
Chiefs Camp offers regular game drives as well as mokoro excursions (in season).
Their expert guides are always on hand to share their wealth of wildlife knowledge as you explore the Delta in modified open 4 x 4 vehicles on morning and afternoon game drives. The game viewing opportunities at Sanctuary Chief's Camp are awe-inspiring. On the plains one may find the roaming lions that prey on the thousands of antelope, zebra and buffalo who live here all year round. There are also healthy populations of wild dog. These extremely rare predators have been hunted to the point of extinction in most areas of Africa and this is one of their last strongholds. There are several local lion prides and leopards, genet cats and hyena are in abundance.
Mokoros, local dugout canoes, offer a different perspective of the bush in the company of a highly trained local guide. Each June the whole area around the camp floods and turns the Okavango Delta into a labyrinth of lily-filled lagoons and streams where hippos fight for bathing rights and crocodiles wait for unwary antelope to linger too long over a drink. Poling through the byways created by the floodwaters is a magical experience that allows guests to get very close to the biggest of game and to see the world from a totally different angle. As a change from a game drive, the quiet, gentle pace of a mokoro is a real introduction to a way of transport still used in the Delta by the 'river bushmen' or BaYei people.
Safari
itinerary
in detail
Safari itinerary
in detail
Day 1
Day 1
Morning (US) or afternoon (EU); depature. International flight to South Africa.
Day 2
Day 2
Morning/noon: arrival in Johannesburg. Transfer to The Residence Hotel, Pretoria
Afternoon: free time at the Residence Hotel. Recuperate from your international flight
Dinner & overnight at The Residence Boutique Hotel
Day 3
Day 3
Morning: early breakfast and transfer to the Rovos Rail Station. The train departs at 9h30
Noon; lunch is served in the dining cars as the train travels north through Warmbaths and Nylstroom
Afternoon; we cross the Tropic of Capricorn and enjoy afternoon tea and dinner
en route to Messina and Beitbridge
Evening/night; we cross the Zimbabwe border. Overnight on the Rovos Train
Day 4
Day 4
Morning: breakfast
Full day; at leisure. Lunch and dinner are served as the train travels towards Bulawayo
via West Nicholson. Overnight stop on board at Mpopoma
Overnight on the Rovos Train, while the train is stationed at Mpopoma
Day 5
Day 5
Morning: breakfast is served as the train departs Mpopoma (7h00)
Noon: enjoy lunch while travelling along the eastern edge of Hwange Park along one of
Africa’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114 kilometres
Afternoon; arrive at Kennedy Siding for a game drive in Hwange National Park
Evening/night: dinner is served en route to Thompsons Junction for the overnight stop
Overnight on the Rovos Train
Day 6
Day 6
Morning: breakfast is enjoyed while travelling towards the Zambezi River. We Arrive at
journey’s end in Victoria Falls
Noon; transfer to the Victoria Falls River Lodge
Afternoon: visit the Victoria Falls
Evening; dinner and overnight at the Victoria Falls River Lodge
Day 7
Day 7
Morning: breakfast
Morning: scenic helicopter flight over the Victoria Falls
Afternoon: Sunset Zambezi river cruise
Evening; dinner and overnight at the Victoria Falls River Lodge
Day 8
Day 8
Morning: game drive followed by breakfast
Noon: transfer to Chobe National Park (Botswana)
and check in at Chobe Game lodge followed by lunch.
Afternoon: game drive in Chobe National Park
Evening: dinner and overnight at Chobe Game lodge
Day 9
Day 9
Morning: game drive in Chobe National Park, followed by breakfast
Noon: relax in camp and have a light lunch
Afternoon: boat tour on the Chobe river
Evening: dinner and overnight at Chobe Game lodge
Day 10
Day 10
Morning: game drive in Chobe National Park, followed by breakfast
Noon: relax in camp and have a light lunch
Afternoon: game drive in Chobe National Park
Evening: dinner and overnight at Chobe Game lodge
Day 11
Day 11
Morning: game drive in Chobe National Park, followed by breakfast
Noon: transfer to Kasane and flight(s) to Moremi island in the Okavango Delta
Early afternoon; check in at Chiefs Camp, have a light lunch
Afternoon: game drive on Moremi Island
Evening: night drive on Moremi Island, followed by dinner
Overnight at Chiefs Camp
Day 12
Day 12
Morning: game drive on Moremi Island followed by breakfast
Noon: relax in camp and have a light lunch
Afternoon: mokoro ride on the Okavango (in season) or game drive
Evening: night drive on Moremi Island, followed by dinner
Overnight at Chiefs Camp
Day 13
Day 13
Morning: game drive on Moremi Island followed by breakfast
Noon: relax in camp and have a light lunch
Afternoon: mokoro ride on the Okavango (in season) or game drive
Evening: night drive on Moremi Island, followed by dinner
Overnight at Chiefs Camp
Day 14
Day 14
Morning: game drive on Moremi Island followed by breakfast
Noon: transfer to Maun Airport
Afternoon; flight from Maun to Johannesburg
Evening: international flight home
Day 15
Day 15
Morning/noon: arrival in EU/UK/US