Tags
Africa, Animal safari, Hwange National Park, Pretoria, Rovos Rail, South Africa, Tropic of Capricorn, Zimbabwe
Three nights’ on a private train in Africa
After spending just over a week in Zimbabwe and Botswana, my friend Jenny and I took the Rovos Rail, a private railway company that operates out of Capital Park Station in Pretoria, from Zimbabwe to Pretoria over three nights.
source: www.trainsafaris.com/rovos-rail-victoria-falls.html
We began our adventure on Christmas Eve morning by meeting the train at Victoria Falls private railway station which is opposite the Victoria Falls Hotel. We were checked in by the Rovos staff and our bags were taken by porters onto the train. This afforded us the opportunity to walk around the hotel’s gardens. The hotel is Edwardian style and was built in 1904 and the grounds are pretty spectacular [not that you can tell that from my photos].
Inside is pretty stunning too…
The grounds also have a stunning view of the spray from Victoria Falls and the bridge that marks the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
After a complimentary glass of champagne and a briefing on our impending travel, we boarded our train and within minutes had departed.
My friend and I each chose a Pullman Suite which has a very comfortable sofa during the day which then converts to a double bed for the evening [every evening once the bed is made by the wonderful staff, there would be a lovely little surprise; a small box of chocolates, a small bottle of champagne or a Christmas gift – I loved this!!]. There is also a small bar fridge filled with your beverages of choice. 
The suite also has an en-suite bathroom with shower. 
Before we departed the chef and his team came and spoke to me about my dietary requirements – a lovely personal touch.
There’s an accent on fresh local ingredients, and traditional dishes such as game are a speciality; of course not for me. Every morning there’s a full breakfast as well as dishes cooked to order. A selection of cold meats, croissants, pastries, fresh fruit, yogurts, cereals and preserves make up the breakfast buffet.
For lunch and dinner there is a starter then a choice of fish, meat or a vegetarian dish, followed by a dessert and these are complemented by a selection of really good South African wines. Dress code for the train is smart casual during the day and evening attire is more formal – for the men a jacket and tie is a minimum requirement while for us ladies a cocktail/evening dress or suit is required.
And to celebrate Christmas, the train was decked out with Christmas decorations in each of the common areas and dining cart…a lovely touch! 
One afternoon I walked up to the one of the two lounge cars; this one being near the rear of the train. It was 4pm and afternoon tea was being served. Fruit, biscuits, petit fours and small sandwiches are on offer along with whatever beverages you wish.
I had just finished two books lent to me by a friend so I borrowed one of the train’s to enjoy during the rest of my journey. It wasn’t that good but gave me something to read.
I managed to take some photos of African homes and the countryside.
Positioned at the rear of the train past the lounge car is the observation car which can seat thirty-two passengers. It’s a lovely area to sit and watch where the train is travelling and of course see that lovely countryside. Permission was sought and granted by South African Railways to place the observation cars at the back of the trains, which allowed windows to be enlarged and an open air type balcony to be built. 
During the trip we passed along the edge of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife reserve travelling south-east to Kennedy Siding for an overnight stop.
On Christmas morning we woke very early and disembarked for a game drive at The Hide. As we disembarked the locals were waiting for us selling their wares.
We saw zebra, giraffe, elephant and many unusual and beautiful birds…
After the safari we stopped off at a small campsite where the staff had set up a wonderful hot and cold morning tea – so enjoyable and as I didn’t get up for 5am breakfast, I tucked into some lovely food and a cup of tea.
Then when we arrived back at the train, our wonderful staff had again set up tables but this time with champagne and orange juice to celebrate Christmas day – lovely!
We then head for Bulawayo whilst Jenny and I exchanged Christmas presents – nice to do this on a train! We then crossed the Botswana border at Plumtree during the evening and in the morning we travelled south through Francistown and on towards Gaborone, the capital of Botswana. A short time later we crossed the South African border and lunch is served as the train passes through the farmlands of the Marico Valley.
We then head over the Magaliesberg Mountain Range, whilst we enjoyed dinner after which we pulled into Krugersdorp for our overnight stop – no rocking to get to sleep on our last night…but a lovely sunset from my suite’s window.
Finally [and sadly] we arrive in Pretoria on the day after Boxing Day around mid-morning. A lovely surprise to see Mr Rovos himself waiting to welcome all the passengers. I still had my train legs (bit wobbly) for some time after disembarking the train.
What a worthwhile experience; one I shall not forget!
When in Zimbabwe late last year, my friend Jenny decided to book a helicopter ride over Victoria Falls. I had walked around them on the Zimbabwe side (which I am told is better than seeing them from the Zambia side – but this was from our Zimbabwe guide so he probably is a little biased!!) so an aerial view sounded good…and boy was it worthwhile with sensational views firstly of the Zambezi River…
And then stunning views of the falls….
A bus pick up service arrives at the hotel to take you to the helicopter pad and the ride lasts for about fifteen minutes preceded by a safety briefing. The flight afforded some fabulous views of the falls and the gorges and to see the water spray from above was something else.
What an experience; a touch expensive but definitely worthwhile…
And also great to see the bridge I had seen from the ground the day before – the bridge that my brother bungee jumped off many years ago and the same one that separates Zimbabwe from Zambia…
What an experience!!
It was a relatively small boat with about twenty or so of us passengers on board. On board we were offered hot and cold snacks and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. I had some lovely local fruit and a glass of wine. My friend Jenny enjoyed some hot chicken and a soft drink.
And as it was the lead up to Christmas, the staff had made placed Christmas baubles onto a tree on the boat; a nice way to celebrate the festive season along with some festive music.
There were plenty of hippopotamus along the way; all in the water relaxing…
We were also fortunate to see a couple of zebra along the shore, but a bit far away to get a good shot…
A better shot was taken of the buffalo and the crocodile and an ok shot of a lovely blue bird. I wanted the crocodile to turn around for a facial shot but he/she didn’t.
As we were nearing the end of our cruise, we went close by Victoria Falls so we could see the actual spray of the falls – and at that stage I hadn’t been to the falls, I was pretty excited just seeing the spray.
Along the two hour cruise we also got to see some very lovely scenery…
On my second day in Zimbabwe, my tour guide picked me up and off we went to Victoria Falls which is located on the Zambezi River at the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is also known as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world (as is our beautiful Great Barrier Reef here in Australia)…and after I saw the falls, I now know why!!
Our first stop was to walk down thirty-eight steps to see a gully and part of the falls. Pretty spectacular even though I couldn’t see the falls from this point as the spray was huge…still wonderful to see.
We then we stopped at the statue of the Scottish missionary and explorer, David Livingstone who is believed to have been the first European to view Victoria Falls in 1855. Mr Livingstone named his discovery in honour of Queen Victoria of Britain.
Along the walk there are fifteen stops to view the falls from different aspects. I loved each and every one. Spectacular doesn’t seem to sum up these views.
One of the last stops was the bridge between Zimbabwe and Zambia – we saw some [crazy] people bunny jumping from the bridge…way too scary for me but when I told my brother about this, he reminded me that he had done just that when he visited Zambia many years ago.
What a spectacular couple of hours to see such a magnificent sight…
On our second night we were honoured to have a large herd of elephants join us whilst we enjoyed a mock-tail and a glass of wine on the terrace. And the cuteness award goes to the baby elephants playing around when walking along side their mum.
Local residents at the lodge include a mum and baby Impala (some photos taken with my phone so rather grainy), some skittish blue birds (I think my blogging friend Mavis might know their name)…
And a lovely family of warthogs…now some people say these animals are not very pretty and that just might be the case but I think they are sweet and their babies are particularly cute…
The food was very good and there were lots of places to sit and read a book or just enjoy the scenery.
And every day at 1pm the lodge has a feeding program for the Vultures and a couple of rather large cranes. There are tens and tens of these rather unusual looking birds and they are fed large hunks of raw meat; some still on the bone and at night the Hyenas come out to finish off the bones – nothing left!
So my impression so far of Zimbabwe is pretty good and I still have a river cruise and animal safari to write about.
Sue's Fabulous Travels 
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