::::::NEW Rovos Rail Route ::::: The East/West Journey

TANZANIA ~ ZAMBIA ~ DRC ~ ANGOLA

This new EAST-WEST luxury rail trip unites the Atlantic and Indian Oceans

Sign up for this 15-day expedition traversing Tanzania, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola along the famous East To West copper trail.

Starting in Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, includes a safari  in the Selous Game Reserve, a fly-in two-night safari in Zambia’s  South Luangwa National Park and a city tour of Lubumbashi (DRC). It then joins the Benguela line for short walking tours detailing the recent history of Angola. The  journey ends in Lobito.

The expedition will also be available in reverse.

DAY 1

DEPART DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA 

12h00 The Pride of Africa departs Dar es Salaam and travels the TAZARA line.
13h00 Lunch is served in the dining cars as the train travels the fertile lands of Tanzania towards the Selous Game Reserve.
16h30 Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car at the rear of the train.
19h30 Dinner is served in the dining cars. Overnight Fuga Halt.

DAY 2

SELOUS GAME RESERVE VISIT

Game visit in the Selous Game Reserve, the largest in Africa at 55 000km² (time permitting).
Return to the train.
Lunch is served in the dining cars as the train passes the Udzungwa Mountains.
Overnight Mlimba.

DAY 3

MAKAMBAKO VISIT and LECTURES

Breakfast is served as the train ascends the escarpment negotiating the dramatic switchbacks, viaducts and tunnels.
Arrive at Makambako and enjoy a stroll through the town (time permitting).
Lunch is served in the dining cars as the train passes Baobab forests.
Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car at the rear of the train.
Dinner is served in the dining cars as the train travels via Mbeya to Tunduma for the overnight stop.

DAY4

CHISIMBA FALLS VISIT

Tanzanian and Zambian border formalities take place.
Lunch is served in the dining cars as the train travels in a southwesterly direction across Zambia.
Disembark at Kasama for an excursion to Chisimba Falls.
Depart Kasama.
Overnight Mpika.

DAY5

SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK STAY

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to Mpika Airport for a chartered flight to the South Luangwa National Park.
Transfer to Mfuwe Game Lodge. Enjoy lunch on arrival followed by check-in.
Afternoon game drive in the Luangwa Valley. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

DAY6

SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK STAY

Early morning game drive (approximately 3 hours)
Brunch is served at the lodge. Afternoon at leisure
High tea and game drive (approximately 3 hours)
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

DAY7

SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

Wake-up call and continental breakfast.
Early morning game drive (approximately 2 hours).
Transfer to Mfuwe Airport for the chartered flight to Ndola, Zambia.
On arrival, transfer to Ndola Station to rejoin the train.
Lunch is served in the dining cars as the train travels towards Misundu.
Arrive at Sakania for Zambian/DRC border formalities.
Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car at the rear of the train.
Dinner is served in the dining cars as the train travels through Kabemba. Overnight Mushoshi.

DAY8

LUBUMBASHI VISIT

Enjoy a city tour of Lubumbashi.
Tea is served in the lounge and observation car as the train passes Luishia, an old open-pit copper and cobalt mine.
Dinner is served in the dining cars as the train travels through Mutaka. Overnight Tenke.

DAY9

COPPER MINE VISIT

Enjoy a visit to a copper mine in an area that holds one of the world’s largest known copper and cobalt resources.
Return to the train and depart for Kolwezi.
Afternoon lecture in the lounge car.
Overnight Mutshatsha.

DAY10

DAY ON BOARD WITH LECTURES

Lunch is served in the dining cars as the train passes Kasaji en route to Malonga.
Overnight Dilolo on the DRC/Angola Border.

DAY11

LUAU WALKING TOUR

Border formalities take place with Angola.
Enjoy a walking tour of Luau, the start of the Benguela line.
Lunch is served in the dining cars as the train departs for Luena.
Tea is served as the train travels alongside the Kasai River. The catchment of the Kasai 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 fisherman at work.
Overnight Luena.

DAY12

LUENA WALKING TOUR

Enjoy a walking tour of Luena to learn more about the recent history of Angola.
Depart for Tchicala Tcholohanga.
Afternoon lecture in the lounge car.
Dinner is served in the dining cars as the train travels towards Kuito for overnight.

DAY13

KUITO WALKING TOUR

Enjoy a stroll through the town of Kuito, built in the historical heart of the Ovimbundu kingdom.
Depart for Huambo.
Afternoon lecture in the lounge car
Overnight Huambo.

DAY14

HUAMBO WALKING TOUR

Enjoy a walking tour of Huambo, the second largest city in Angola and one of the old kingdoms on the central plateau.
Depart for Lépi.
Afternoon lecture in the lounge car.
Overnight Caimbambo.

DAY15

ARRIVE LOBITO, ANGOLA

Arrive at journey’s end, Lobito Station, Benguela Province, Angola.
Enjoy a city tour of Benguela. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.