ROVOS RAIL 2025 : PART FIVE : ZAMBIA

Monday 14th to Wednesday 16th July

The train travels very slowly in Zambia due to the poor quality of the tracks. There's plenty of time to see the world go by as we relax in the lounge.

There are also daily lectures by African historian, Nicholas Schofield.

And so much delicious food and wine! Neil is getting used to poached eggs followed by tea and marmalade toast every breakfast.

I'm getting used to ordering cappuccino at any time.

Then there are afternoon naps and cocktails in the observation car. We could get used to this. We cross the Kafue River.

The train passes very slowly through Lusaka as people scatter off the tracks in front of us.

At Lusaka Station fresh food supplies are loaded up. On Tuesday evening we all enjoy a fun African themed party.

We are due to be up very early for an excursion to Chisimba Falls on Wednesday but Neil succumbs to a virus. Nice excuse for a lazy day for me too..

The train stops for quite a few hours at the border but it's the staff who have to work through the night with customs and immigration issues while all the guests are sleeping in their cabins.

ROVOS RAIL 2025 : PART FOUR : VICTORIA FALLS

Saturday 12th July

The train pulled into the station at 11am and we were checked into The Victoria Falls Hotel in time for lunch. It felt like we'd just had breakfast!

Later,our sunset cruise on the Zambezi was on a boat big enough to accommodate 60 of us and rather a subdued crowd we all were. I think it's probably because the thought of trying to eat or drink another thing was just too much!

Usually I prefer organizing our own small boat for these trips and yes, it's way better!

Neil didn't even want dinner but I did enjoy the dining at The Livingstone Room. 

Sunday 13th July

After a late breakfast we went down to see the falls. What a magnificent place. There's a lot of water at the moment.

Skipping lunch again, we chose to while away the last few hours in Vic Falls in The Stanley Bar reading the Sunday papers (Neil) and blogging. (Gail)

At 4pm the train pulled onto the Victoria Falls Bridge and we all trooped out to get photos. 

Luckily our train manager and the admin staff were able to handle the border formalities out of Zimbabwe and into Zambia without us all having to present ourselves at the immigration offices.

By sunset, with cocktails in hand on the observation deck,we left Livingstone behind us, heading for Kafue.

ROVOS RAIL 2025 : PART THREE : BOTSWANA AND ZIMBABWE

Thursday 10th and Friday 11th July

We went by bus from Tau Lodge to the Kopfontein Border post. Easy exit from South Africa but a slow process on the Botswana side. 54 guests with luggage plus staff and 2 busses. Neil and I know African land borders and we didn't think it was that bad eventhough a lot of people were not too happy. The busses then took us to the station in Gaberone to reboard the train.

A slow and happy day and night chugging up to Francistown. Chilltime punctuated by fine dining.

Staff handled our Botswana exit at 2am while we all slept.

In Plumtree, Zimbabwe the entry formalities took about 4 hours but as guests we just continued with breakfast, tea and lunch until the train was finally underway. The Zimbabwe tracks are not in a good state of repair so the train rattles,shakes and bumps a lot, which can disturb your sleep and you need to watch your step in the corridors.

Our route takes us through Bulawayo and up to Victoria Falls. We are in awe of all the logistics and organization by train manager Lawrence and his team to keep this train on track.