A Luxury Rail Journey Through Africa
- Duration
- 15 days
- Price guide
- From $20,918 per person
Trip highlights
- Experiencing true luxury on the famous Rovos Rail train
- Sampling the incredible food scene of Cape Town
- Unforgettable safaris in Sabi Sands
- Discovering the thundering Victoria Falls
Passengers wait to board Rovos Rail 
Safari in Sabi Sands 
Wine tasting in Stellenbosch 
A wild dog in Sabi Sands 
The mighty Victoria Falls
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Private transfers
- Private tours and experiences
- Expert safari guides on shared game drives Sabi Sands
- Full support from your travel designer and concierge
- Help with restaurant recommendations and reservations
Itinerary in detail
Every trip is shaped around you. Below is a sample route to start from; we change any part of it to suit you.
Days 1-4
Three nights of exclusive adventures in Cape Town
Spend your time relaxing and exploring the cosmopolitan capital of Cape Town. Explore the beguiling scenery of Cape Point and Table Mountain and experience the city’s delicious gourmet cuisine and a fascinating history. You will have our top recommendations for activities, restaurants and shopping so that you can make the most of your time here. If you would like us to organise your time here with a privately-guided tour, according your interests, we can do so.
Where you could stay
One&Only Cape Town
Fine dining, wine and wellness in Cape Town
The Cape Grace
Elegant luxury on the waterfront
Mount Nelson
Mount Nelson is a place to stay in Cape Town, South Africa.
Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel
Style in spades
Explore the city
Half day privately guided exploration of Cape Town
Your tour is entirely private and at your own pace picking out the attractions which interest you. Typically highlights include, the Houses of Parliament, the Castle, this is South Africa’s oldest building, the lively Green Market Square with its daily market, the Company Gardens and of course Table Mountain which will give you spectacular views over the city and Peninsula.
Get the cable car up Table Mountain
Take a short cable car ride up to Table Mountain and enjoy the spectacular views from the top.
Visit the Bo-Kaap
Enjoy a walk through the Bo-Kaap, traditionally home to the Cape Malay community, with its brightly coloured houses and cobbled streets.
Leave the city for a day of glorious nature
Full Day Cape Point & Peninsula Tour
Take one of the most scenic journeys in the world in this wonderful, full day private tour. Your guide will collect you from your hotel in the morning and bring you out through the coastal suburbs. The trip is entirely private, so you can take things at your own pace though typically you’ll make stops to see the highlights.
Hout Bay and Chapman Peak Drive
Leaving the suburbs of Cape Town the road winds through Hout Bay and up over Chapmans peak for truly stunning views of the coastline. If we’re lucky we may even see Southern Right Whales in the waters off-shore from June-November.
Cape of Good Hope
Explore the rocky coastline and unique Cape Fynbos vegetation which is home to unique bird-life such as African Black Oystercatchers and Cape Sugarbirds amongst others. Climb to the famous Cape Point Lighthouse to capture the magical vistas of False Bay, and stop at the south western most point of Africa – the fabled Cape of Good Hope.
Simon’s Town & Boulders Beach
We will visit Boulders Beach for a visit to see African Penguins in their natural habitat. Next drive through the historical naval village of Simonstown and over yet another spectacular mountain pass; Boyes Drive, where you will take in views of the quaint fishing harbour at Kalk Bay as well as the seaside villages of St James and Muizenberg.
Company Gardens
Enjoy a stroll through the Company Gardens – a large public park and botanical garden set in the heart of Cape Town. It is the oldest garden in the country and has its origins in Jan van Riebeeck’s vegetable garden which he grew to feed the original colony as early as 1652.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
As we return to the city (time allowing) you have the opportunity to visit these magnificent gardens set on the slopes of Table Mountain before returning to your hotel in the city.
Days 5-6
Two nights in South Africa's Winelands
Enjoy the serenely beautiful countryside of the Winelands. You have our top recommendations for activities, vineyards and restaurants so that you can make the most of your time here. If you would like us to organise a variety of privately-guided tours, according to your interests, we can do so.
Where you could stay
Leeu Estates
Leeu Estates is a place to stay in Winelands, South Africa.
La Residence
La Residence is a place to stay in Winelands, South Africa.
Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren is a place to stay in Winelands, South Africa.
Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa
Delaire Graff Lodges Spa is a lodge in Winelands, South Africa.
Le Quartier Français
Le Quartier Francais is a place to stay in Winelands, South Africa.
Discover the winelands
Full day privately guided tour of the Winelands
During this tour your private, expert guide will take you to see the stunning mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads. You will get to sample some of South Africa’s most exquisite wines and enjoy exploring the charming colonial towns and picturesque countryside.
Visit the culinary capital of Franschhoek
Take a journey through the beautiful scenery of Helshoogte Pass to visit the town of Franschhoek, founded by French Huguenots over 350 years ago, and widely regarded as the culinary capital of South Africa. Its beautiful setting and café lined streets will charm you and a wine tasting is included at one of the renowned estates here.
Wine, chocolate and desert tastings
Visit the charming colonial town of Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa, with canal-lined avenues, and magnificent examples of Cape Dutch architecture where you can do wine tasting, coupled with a chocolate tasting, if desired.
Explore Paarl and enjoy wine tastings
Paarl is located in the Winelands at the foot of a cluster of remarkable granite domes, a wonderful place to take in spectacular landscapes and enjoy a final wine tasting.
Days 7-9
Three nights on safari in Sabi Sands
Enjoy days relaxing at your luxury lodge and exploring the world-famous Sabi Sands Reserve with morning and afternoon game drives. Depending on the lodge you’ve chosen, there are various other optional activities you can do such as walking safaris, attending nature lectures and for children there often dedicated tours just for them. Ask your travel designer for the full lowdown.
Where you could stay
Simbambili Game Lodge
Simbambili Game Lodge is a lodge in Sabi Sands, South Africa.
Dulini River Lodge
Dulini River Lodge is a lodge in Sabi Sands, South Africa.
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge is a lodge in Kruger, South Africa.
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
A seamless integration with nature
Day 10
Overnight in Pretoria
Located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, this handsome city is one of South Africa’s three capital cities. Pretoria is made up of grand buildings, large, leafy green suburbs and wide, tree-lined streets. Pretoria melds 19th century Dutch, German and British Colonial Architecture with modern, Postmodern, Neomodern, and Art Deco architecture and its landmarks and monuments help tell the story of the city’s long and involved history.
Where you could stay
Castello Di Monte
Castello Di Monte is a place to stay in Pretoria, South Africa.
Days 11-13
A 3 night, 4 day luxury train journey from Pretoria to Victoria Falls
Board Rovos Rail and begin your journey trundling through Southern Africa’s epic landscapes in all the romantic refinement of the Edwardian era and five-star luxury of today to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Where you could stay
Rovos Rail
Sophisticated rail travel
Your journey across Africa
Your first day aboard Rovos Rail, day one
Your iconic journey starts as your train leaves Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria at 10am. Enjoy a superb lunch in the magnificent dining car as the train travels north through Warmbaths and Nylstroom. Dinner is served en route to Messina and Beitbridge for Zimbabwe border formalities.
Day two on Rovos Rail
Breakfast is served as the train travels towards Bulawayo via West Nicholson. Lunch is served in the dining cars, and you will enjoy tea in the lounge and observation cars in the afternoon. Dinner is served as you make your way to Mpopoma.
Day three, crossing the border into Zimbabwe
After breakfast and departing Mpopoma, the train travels along the eastern edge of Hwange National Park along one of Africa’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 114km. Arrive at Kennedy Siding for a game drive at The Hide. Dinner is served in the dining car en route to Thompsons Junction for the overnight stop.
Your departure day, day four
Today your journey on board will come to an end after a delicious breakfast. Bid farewell to the train, crew and fellow travellers. Victoria Falls is calling as you depart for your chosen hotel and the chance to witness the cascading waterfalls.
Days 14-15
Two exciting nights at Victoria Falls
The mighty Victoria Falls rank as one of the most spectacular sites in all of Africa. As the mighty Zambezi river crashes over sheer cliffs onto the rocks below it sprays a cloud of water high into the air. Enjoy a variety of activities in this area (as well as the falls themselves). Speak to your travel designer to find out which suits the best for you.
Where you could stay
Tongabezi
A luxury lodge on the banks of the Zambezi
The Royal Livingstone
Royal Livingstone is a place to stay in Livingstone and Victoria Falls, Zambia.
Wilderness Toka Leya Camp
A luxury riverside safari camp in Zambia's Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
Victoria Falls Hotel
Victoria Falls Hotel is a hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Witness the 'smoke that thunders'
A private tour to both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides of Victoria Falls
Witness the incredible waters of Victoria Falls from both the Zimbabwean and Zambian side. A knowledgeable guide will take you on an unforgettable experience of the falls, otherwise known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning the smoke that thunders. You’ll not only get wonderful views of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World but also learn a great deal of interesting facts about the geology, wildlife and history of Africa’s most famous landmark.
★★★★★
“Amazing Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, Sabi Sands, Victoria Falls”
We are repeat Jacada customers, and with good reason! Our trip to South Africa and Victoria Falls far exceeded expectations. The Jacada Africa team put together an amazing itinerary for us. The logistics were incredibly smooth, and their recommendations for lodging and dining were top notch. The local guides we had in Africa were so memorable. We learned so much…
RB · Trustpilot
Why book with Jacada
-
Pesonalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
-
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
-
Positive impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
Start planning your trip
Please enable JavaScript to use the enquiry form, or contact us by phone or email.
Need more inspiration?
Ultra-Luxury South Africa Safari: Wine and Wilderness
On this ultra luxury South Africa wine and safari tour, you’ll be assigned private guides and trackers and enjoy exclusive access to top vineyards. Delve into…
Explore trip
A Private Family Safari Adventure Through Kenya
Throughout your private Kenya safari a dedicated host will travel alongside your family every step of the way. Staying in exclusive-use luxury lodges, you will…
Explore trip
Luxury Cape Town and Botswana Safari
This unforgettable ten-day tour starts in Cape Town, where locals will guide you through the city’s rich culture and complex history. Then, head into Botswana’…
Explore trip
Exploring Deserts and Wetlands on a Luxury Namibia Safari
Over 11 days, you’ll journey across Namibia’s contrasting, and often surprising, landscapes. Sossusvlei, Damaraland and Etosha safaris take you through dunes,…
Explore trip
A Luxury Zimbabwe Family Safari
Over ten unforgettable days, you’ll be guided through Zimbabwe’s natural wonders and wildlife. Your Zimbabwe family safari starts in Cape Town, where you can a…
Explore trip
A Morocco Family Adventure: Cities, Sahara and the High Atlas
Begin your Morocco family adventure in Casablanca, whose buildings and cuisine reflect the country’s diverse heritage. Then, dive into landscapes straight from…
Explore trip