From Cape Town to Dar es Salaam by Train – A Journey I Couldn’t Stop Reading About
When I was staying in Cape Town some years ago, I saw it for the first time. A long, elegant train sitting at the station, polished wood gleaming in the sunlight, staff in smart uniforms bustling around. I didn’t know what it was at the time, but it had a presence that made me stop and stare. Later, I found out it was the Rovos Rail “Pride of Africa”, about to begin a journey all the way to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
I couldn’t believe it: there’s an actual train that will take you across five countries in Africa, through some of the most spectacular landscapes in southern and eastern Africa. And not just in one way: you can do it wrapped in luxury, or you can tackle it with a backpack and a lot of patience.
The Rovos Rail – Like Stepping Back Into a Different Era
The Rovos Rail journey is a 15-day, 5,530 km trip that crosses South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania. It’s the sort of itinerary that sounds like something out of a history book, until you realise you can actually buy a ticket for it!
The Route & Stops of this long train journey!
It starts in Cape Town, winds through the Karoo, stops in Matjiesfontein (a perfectly preserved Victorian railway village), and takes you to Kimberley to see the Big Hole diamond mine.
Then it’s on to Pretoria, two nights in Madikwe Game Reserve for safari drives, an overnight stay at the Victoria Falls Hotel, and a chance to see the falls up close.
After crossing into Zambia, you’ll visit Chisimba Falls, roll through Tanzania’s Southern Highlands, descend the Rift Valley escarpment, and travel straight through Nyerere National Park (Selous), where, from your seat, you might spot elephants, giraffes, or even lions.
To finally pull into Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city and Indian Ocean gateway. (Why not go further to Zanzibar from there on?)
What It’s Like On Board
Think polished wood, old-world service, and a dress code at dinner that requires a jacket. Cabins come in three types: Pullman, Deluxe, and Royal—all with ensuite bathrooms. There’s a lounge car for coffee and chats, and my personal favourite would be the open-air observation car, where you can feel the wind and watch the African landscape unfold.
Meals are multi-course and paired with South African wines.
It’s the kind of setup where you could spend hours just looking out the window, tea in hand, wondering how life ever got so fast outside of this bubble. Gosh, why am I not a millionaire? haha
Costs & How to Book
Here’s the bit that might make you gulp (well, it did for me): fares are around R250,000 per person (about $15,000–$25,000 USD), depending on cabin type.
That includes all meals, drinks, excursions, and transfers. Departures happen just a few times a year: usually June–July and September–October, and can book out up to two years in advance.
You’ll need visas for multiple countries, and if you like the idea of dressing for dinner every night, you’re in luck. If not… well, that’s part of the charm.
Best Time to Go
The dry season (May–September) is when the journey shines. Wildlife is easier to spot, the weather is cooler, and the train avoids the heavy rains that can make some tracks tricky. It’s also a good balance for places like Victoria Falls, where the flow is still impressive but not so strong that the mist blocks your view.
One Thing to Keep in Mind
This is a luxury train, yes, but it still runs on African rails. That means the occasional delay, especially in Zambia and Tanzania, where tracks can be rough. The trick is to treat it as part of the story rather than an inconvenience.
The Backpacker’s Version (In Short)
On the other end of the scale, you can travel a similar route for a few hundred dollars: if you don’t mind a patchwork of public trains, buses, and a lot of flexibility.
South Africa to Zimbabwe: A mix of buses and occasional train services to Bulawayo.
Bulawayo to Victoria Falls: Overnight train, a few times a week, with surprisingly decent punctuality.
Cross into Zambia and get to Kapiri Mposhi.
TAZARA Railway to Dar es Salaam: A 48-hour, 1,860 km journey through wilderness and even the Selous Game Reserve. First Class sleeper tickets are about $50 USD.
It’s slow, sometimes chaotic, and definitely unpredictable. But if you’ve got the time and a taste for adventure, it’s an affordable way to see the same landscapes without the luxury price tag.
Side-by-Side Comparison
You can read a book in style while the landscape passes by
Let’s compare the luxury style versus the backpacker route by train:
Feature
Rovos Rail Luxury Journey
Budget Backpacker Route
Duration
~15 days
~2–3 weeks (with stopovers)
Cost (per person)
$15,000–$25,000
$100–$300 in fares (excl. lodging)
Comfort
Private ensuite cabin, gourmet meals, drinks
Shared berth/seats, simple meals
Inclusions
Excursions, meals, drinks, transfers
Train-only; pay separately for extras
Booking
Reserved months–years in advance
Mostly walk-up or phone reservation
Flexibility required
Low (schedule mostly fixed)
High (delays common, multiple legs)
Wildlife viewing
Guided safaris and scenic rail sections
Scenic line through parks, local trains
Best travel season
May–September
May–September
Frequently Asked Questions About the Rovos Rail Cape Town to Dar es Salaam Journey
What is the dress code for Rovos Rail?
During the day, smart casual clothing is fine. Evenings are more formal—men are expected to wear a jacket and tie, while women typically wear cocktail dresses or similar. This is part of the train’s traditional, old-world atmosphere.
Do you tip on Rovos Rail?
Yes, tipping is customary but at your discretion. Rovos Rail doesn’t include tips in the fare. As a general guideline, some passengers budget around 5–10% of the journey cost for tips, shared among the staff. There’s usually a communal tip box on board.
Which is better: Rovos Rail or the Blue Train?
They’re quite different. The Blue Train is a luxury overnight service between Cape Town and Pretoria, focused on one country and a shorter time frame (about 31 hours). The Rovos Rail Cape Town to Dar es Salaam is a 15-day, multi-country expedition with multiple off-train excursions. If you want an epic, varied journey, Rovos Rail is the one. If you prefer a shorter, intense luxury experience, the Blue Train might be better.
Where can I contact Rovos Rail?
You can visit their official website at rovos.com for itineraries, pricing, and booking details. They can also be reached directly at +27 (0) 12 315 8242. For a closer look at life on board, follow them on Instagram here: @rovosrail.
Do you need to take care of the visa yourself?
Yes. Passengers are responsible for arranging visas for all countries visited on the route—South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania—before departure. Check each country’s requirements well in advance.
What’s the cancellation policy?
Rovos Rail’s policy varies depending on how far in advance you cancel. Generally, cancelling more than 120 days before departure results in a partial refund (minus a cancellation fee), while cancellations closer to the departure date can result in losing most or all of the fare. Travel insurance that covers cancellations is strongly recommended.
What are the health precautions?
Consult your doctor before travelling. This route passes through areas where malaria is present (particularly in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania), so prophylaxis is often recommended. Yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain countries if you’ve been in a risk zone. Bring any prescription medications you need, and be prepared for hot weather in some stretches.
Final Thoughts
Whether you picture yourself sipping a glass of wine in a vintage dining car as the African plains roll by, or swapping travel stories with strangers in a packed sleeper carriage, the route from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam is one of the most intriguing rail journeys you can take.
If you’ve been on the Rovos Rail, tackled the budget-friendly version, or even just dreamed about it, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Which would you choose: the luxury of Rovos Rail or the adventure of the public trains? Share your ideas and experiences in the comments below.
Who am I? Well, the least you can say is that I am quite crazy about Africa, its nature, its climate, its culture, and more.
As a young woman in my twenties, I had already traveled to several African countries by traveling along in an overlander on my own and mostly camping ( or glamping ) and just fell in love with the diversity of it all.
So much, so that at the age of 26, I went back to university to study biology, which, unfortunately, I couldn’t finish because of health reasons (yes, I got sick from a tropical disease, oh cynicism). But this did not stop my dream of traveling back to Africa several times, and I still do.
My dream was back then to leave Europe and go study animal behavior, especially the elephants (sure, that’s every girl’s dream haha), but I am also very much intrigued by hyenas and other “ugly African animals“.
So, I “kind of” have a little bit of a scientific approach to my articles, when I write about African birds, for example. And most of all: the passion.
But life goes on, you move from one side of the country to the other, you get sick again and top it off with lower back problems, and before you know it, you are over 50 hahaha!
Now, I still travel to Africa, but take it a bit “easier” than the good old camping days, and stay in comfortable, yet affordable accommodations, together with my husband Wouter.
These are some of the countries I have traveled to: Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Tunisia, and a little bit of Lesotho LOL .
While clearly not being African territory, but Spanish, I also visited Gran Canaria and Tenerife, and location-wise, I consider them “African”, because of their climate and nature, sue me :-p
The last trip I took was to South Africa in the year 2023, and it sure got the fevers for Africa back! From the Barberton mountains to the Drakensberg and the Southcoast, one month wasn’t enough at all to see the whole country, so we’ll be back! At ease and with a little bit more luxury than in my younger days haha!
