Price per person from
9'290
CHF

From the Indian Ocean to the Victoria Falls

Four countries in southern Africa
  • African Explorer
  • 16 days / 15 nights

Experience an extraordinary train journey through four countries: this trip combines the impressive diversity of destinations in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Mozambique. Look forward to well-known highlights such as the Victoria Falls and the wildlife in Kruger National Park, but also to rarely visited places such as the ruined city of Great Zimbabwe, Matobo National Park and the coastal city of Maputo on the Indian Ocean. In the African Explorer, you can enjoy this fascinating route in a comfortable atmosphere - without domestic flights and daily suitcase packing, but with constantly changing landscape panoramas and deep insights into the culture of the regions visited.

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Highlights

  • Visit to the Victoria Falls
  • Game drives by bus in Hwange and Kruger National Park
  • Excursion to Matobo National Park with a visit to Cecil Rhodes' grave and a tour of Bushman rock paintings
  • City tour in Bulawayo with a visit to the Natural History Museum and the Railway Museum
  • Visit to the ruins of Great Zimbabwe
  • Day trip by bus through Swaziland
Travel itinerary
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Travel details

Travel programm

  1. 1

    1

    Evening departure from Zurich for South Africa

  2. 2

    2

  3. 3

    3

    After breakfast, you will have time to marvel at the Victoria Falls. From numerous vantage points, you can see the 1.7 km long edge of the falls, where the thundering waters of the Zambezi River rush down. A short walk takes you to the Victoria Falls Hotel, from whose terrace you can enjoy the view across to the Victoria Falls Bridge. If you wish, you can choose from the range of activities on offer: Helicopter flight over the falls or tour on the Victoria Falls Bridge. In the afternoon, the train crew will welcome you on board. (FA) Overnight stay: African Explorer special train

  4. 4

    4

    After breakfast, you set off on your morning game drive. Known for its large herds of elephant and buffalo, Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe's largest game reserve. With a bit of luck, you may encounter rare wild dogs as well as elephants, giraffes and lions. After a lunch break, the safari continues in an open vehicle. Return to the train in the afternoon. (FMA) Overnight stay: African Explorer special train

  5. 5

    5

    our of Bulawayo awaits you in the morning. Alternatively, you can visit the Natural History Museum or the National Railway Museum. Afterwards, you will head to Matobo National Park. Here you will visit the grave of the British conqueror and politician Cecil Rhodes. You will be expected on board for dinner. (BA) Overnight stay: African Explorer special train

  6. 6

    6

    The destination of today's excursion by bus is the ruins of Great Zimbabwe. The largest pre-colonial structure in Africa south of the Egyptian pyramids is over 1,000 years old. In Rutenga you board your train. (FA) Overnight stay: African Explorer special train

  7. 7

    7

    On its way through the Limpopo Province, the African Explorer passes through the Soutpansberg region and the land of the rain queen Modjadji. Sample the popular dried meat at a biltong tasting. (FMA) Overnight stay: African Explorer special train

  8. 8

    8

    In the morning you leave your train for a game drive in the Makalali Conservation Area. Numerous animals, including the famous Big Five, have been brought here as part of an animal relocation program. Today's bush brunch is a special experience before the crew welcomes you back on board. (FMA)

  9. 9

    9

    Today you travel by bus to the mountain world of the Panorama Route. Afterwards, you will go on a game drive in the world-famous Kruger National Park. In the afternoon you leave the park and drive to your safari lodge, where you will spend the night. In the meantime, your large luggage remains safe and sound in the train compartment. At dusk, an exciting night safari in open jeeps takes you once again on the tracks of the wild animals. A dinner under the African starry sky awaits you as a stylish finale. (FA) Overnight stay: Safari lodge at Kruger National Park

  10. 10

    10

    A full-day safari awaits you in the morning: you drive through the Kruger Park in an open safari vehicle. After lunch, you continue the safari. You will reach your train in the late afternoon. (FMA) 

  11. 11

    11

    Your train has reached Maputo overnight. You explore the Mozambican capital on a city tour. A lunch of freshly caught fish and seafood awaits you on the waterfront. Your train continues its journey in the late afternoon. (BLD) 

  12. 12

    12

    From Mpaka, you set off on a day trip by bus to Eswatini. After 50 years of independence, the former Swaziland was renamed Eswatini by its king. The journey takes you through the picturesque Ezulwini Valley via the capital Mbabane to Piggs Peak, surrounded by beautiful hilly country. You can look for souvenirs for your loved ones at one of the lively markets. Your special train will be waiting for you in Kaapmuiden in the early evening. Enjoy dinner on board as your train rolls towards Pretoria. (FA) 

  13. 13

    13

    Today you can enjoy the comforts of your special train. The open viewing platform of the cozy lounge car offers you an unobstructed view of the wilderness - a paradise for photographers and nature lovers! Listen to the on-board lectures by your tour guide, devote yourself to your on-board reading or have stimulating conversations with your fellow passengers. You can relax in the bar car with a cool Windhoek Lager. (BLD)

  14. 14

    14

    After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to your beloved train crew. On a city tour, you will explore the capital of South Africa, Pretoria. Nelson Mandela was sworn in here in 1994 as the first black president of his country and greets visitors as a larger-than-life sculpture. You spend the night in a lodge that welcomes you with extensive, lush green gardens. A farewell dinner awaits you in the evening. (BLD) 

  15. 15

    15

    Relax at your lodge in the morning or visit the Soweto township, the only street in the world where two Nobel Prize winners lived: Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. In the late afternoon, say goodbye to your tour guide and fly to Switzerland. (BL)

Do you have any questions?

Sales team
Fabienne Jegge & Chloé Gutknecht

We will be happy to answer your questions personally.

Impressions

Sustainability | © shutterstock / 1190139652

Services

Included in the price

  • Travel on the special train "African Explorer" including 9 nights in the booked sleeping compartment
  • 1 overnight stay in a stylish safari lodge near the Victoria Falls (when booking the Leopard compartment category: 1 overnight stay in the legendary Victoria Falls Hotel)
  • 1 overnight stay in a safari lodge at the gateway to the Kruger National Park
  • 1 overnight stay in a lodge near Johannesburg
  • Meals as per itinerary (F=breakfast, M=lunch, A=dinner)
  • Specialty meals, braai barbeques and biltong tasting
  • Permanent German-speaking head tour guide from Victoria Falls and to Johannesburg
  • German-speaking tour guide for max. 23 guests each from Victoria Falls and to Johannesburg
  • German-speaking doctor on board
  • Visit to the Victoria Falls
  • Game drives by bus in Hwange and Kruger National Park
  • Excursion to Matobo National Park with a visit to Cecil Rhodes' grave and Bushman rock paintings
  • City tour in Bulawayo with a visit to the Natural History Museum and the Railway Museum
  • Visit to the ruins of Great Zimbabwe
  • Day trip by bus through Eswatini
  • City tour in Maputo with lunch on the waterfront promenade
  • Drive on the Panorama Route by bus with Blyde River Canyon and God's Window
  • City tour in Pretoria
  • Visit to the private Makalali Conservancy
  • Excursions and transfers in air-conditioned buses
  • Porter service from/to Victoria Falls/Johannesburg airports
  • Entertaining short lectures on board
  • Specially compiled guidebook for this trip, Southern Africa Travel Guide

Not included in the price

  • Arrival and departure
  • Gratuities and personal expenses
  • Drinks and meals not mentioned
  • Cancellation costs and travel insurance

More info

  • Excursion package is included in the basic price
  • A pre- and post-program can be booked on request. We will be happy to make you an individual offer.
  • Number of participants: minimum 50 people; maximum 64 people. Maximum of 25 people in a group for the excursions. Each group has its own German-speaking local tour guide
  • International groups
  • No vaccinations required for entry from Europe. Malaria prophylaxis recommended. Please consult your doctor or tropical medicine specialist. Covid -19. Please note the Covid regulations valid at the time of entry.

Dates of Travel

Victoria Falls - Pretoria:

04.10.2025

Fully booked

Pretoria - Victoria Falls

21.05.2025

20.09.2025

Prices

Travel prices 2025
Cabin Elephant in double occupancy from CHF 9'290 Price per person
Cabin Leopard in double occupancy from CHF 11'240 Price per person
Cabin Elephant in single occupancy from CHF 14'385 Price per person

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