Overview
Embark on an extraordinary 15-day rail adventure aboard Rovos Rail, tracing the historic Copper Trail from the majestic Victoria Falls to the Angolan port of Lobito. This meticulously crafted journey spans four Southern African nations—Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Angola—offering a unique blend of natural wonders, cultural encounters, and industrial heritage. As the train glides through diverse landscapes, from the Zambezi escarpment to the Angolan plateau, you’ll witness the continent’s raw beauty and the enduring spirit of its people.
The journey begins at Victoria Falls, where the thunderous Zambezi River plunges into a chasm, creating one of the world's most spectacular waterfalls. From there, you travel into Zambia, exploring the wildlife of Kafue National Park with a sunset cruise on the Kafue River and visiting an elephant sanctuary near Lusaka dedicated to rehabilitating orphaned calves. The route then leads into the heart of the Copperbelt, crossing into the DRC to the bustling city of Lubumbashi and delving into the vast copper and cobalt mines of Kolwezi, an area of immense global significance.
Angola unfolds next, a country rich in history and resilience. You'll experience walking tours through towns like Luau, the starting point of the Benguela line, and Luena, learning about Angola’s recent past. The journey continues to Kuito, a town in the historical heart of the Ovimbundu kingdom, and Huambo, the nation's second-largest city on the central plateau. Each stop offers a glimpse into local life, from vibrant markets to poignant historical sites. The train itself is a sanctuary of Edwardian elegance, where gourmet dining and exceptional service complement the ever-changing panorama outside your window. This Copper Trail expedition is more than a journey; it’s an immersive narrative, connecting you to the soul of Africa through its landscapes, wildlife, and the warmth of its communities, culminating at the Atlantic coast in Lobito.
Itinerary
Itinerary
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Terms & Conditions
Payment Terms
25% of total tour cost due at the time of booking. 75% balance due no later than 65 days prior to tour departure date. All reservations are subject to availability and will be confirmed upon receipt of the required deposit. A provisional booking will be held for 14 days, after which the 25% deposit is due.
Cancellation Fees
| Timeframe Before Departure | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|
| More than 95 days | 10% of total tour price |
| 95–66 days | 25% of total tour price |
| 65–36 days | 50% of total tour price |
| 35 days or less / failure to travel | 100% of total tour price (no refund) |
A 5% Administrative Fee will be charged by Palace Tours on any applicable refunds. All cancellation fees apply to the full tour price before any discounts or coupons. Cancellation insurance is compulsory as these fees will not be waived. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing.
Change of Date / Name / Occupancy
Changes may be requested up to 125 days prior to departure and are subject to availability and supplier approval. No changes will be permitted within 65 days prior to departure. Any request within this period will be treated as a cancellation and subject to the applicable cancellation fees. All changes may incur additional costs, which will be advised prior to confirmation. No changes will be processed without written authorization and payment of any applicable fees.
Payment Methods
Payments may be made via bank transfer or credit card. All payments must reference the booking number and be supported by proof of payment. Refunds, when applicable, will be processed to the original form of payment. Any exchange rate fluctuations or bank charges are the responsibility of the client.
What's Included
- Accommodation on board
- All meals on board
- All beverages on board
- Room service
- Limited laundry
- Excursions with a qualified guide (where applicable)
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
- Government tax
- Flights to/from Sossusvlei
- Overnight bag
- Off-train accommodation (Sossusvlei and Etosha) including meals, water, tea/coffee, and breakfast juices
What's Not Included
- All off-train beverages (excluding water, tea/coffee, and breakfast juices at lodges)
- International sparkling wine
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Pre- and post-tour transfers, accommodation, and flights
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is strongly recommended and is required to cover cancellation fees, medical emergencies, and unforeseen circumstances. Clients are responsible for securing their own insurance coverage and should travel with a copy of their policy including the insurance company name, policy number, and 24-hour medical emergency telephone number.
Passports & Visas
Valid passports and any required visas are the sole responsibility of the client and must be obtained prior to departure. Passports must have at least five blank visa pages and must be valid for at least six months from the return-home date. This tour passes through South Africa and Namibia; please confirm visa requirements for your nationality well in advance.
Health & Medical
Guests are solely responsible for ensuring they are capable of undertaking the tours and activities. Please inform us at the time of booking if you have any medical conditions, physical disabilities, or allergies. Anti-malarial precautions are recommended for certain areas visited on this itinerary, including Etosha National Park. Please consult your clinic or doctor for the latest medical advice prior to travel.
General Conditions
All services are provided subject to availability and supplier terms and conditions. Schedules, routing, and excursions are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed. Times are approximate and excursion arrangements may be altered due to operational, weather, or other factors beyond our control. The operator is not liable for loss, damage, injury, delays, or unforeseen events beyond its control. Participation in tours and related activities is voluntary and at the client's own risk.
Guest Indemnity
Although certain limited insurances have been arranged, the operator and its agents, servants, or employees shall not be liable for any loss or damage to passengers' luggage or effects. The passenger waives any claim against the operator, its servants, agents, employees, or subcontractors for any injury and/or loss of any nature whatsoever (including consequential loss) arising directly or indirectly from any aspect of the tour, including any form of transport used. This waiver binds the passenger's executors, heirs, trustees, and dependants. The passenger accepts all services and facilities voluntarily, with full knowledge that they may expose them to injury, danger, or loss.
Important Note
All timeframes are based on the local time of the destination. To allow sufficient processing time, clients must submit payment or cancellation requests with a minimum 5-day advance margin prior to the applicable deadlines.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Your Tour Price Includes
- Accommodation on board Rovos Rail
- All meals as per itinerary
- All beverages (excluding off-train premium wines, Champagne, and spirits)
- Room service
- Limited laundry service
- Excursions with a qualified guide (where applicable)
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
- On-board historian, hairstylist, and doctor
- Government tax
- Flights to/from South Luangwa (included in off-train accommodation)
- Overnight bag for South Luangwa stay (included in off-train accommodation)
- Standard bar drinks during off-train accommodation
- Game activities during off-train accommodation
- Park fees during off-train accommodation
- Levies during off-train accommodation
Your Tour Price Excludes
- Off-train beverages (premium wines, Champagne, and spirits)
- Gratuities (suggested ZAR100-300 / US$10-20 per person per night for train staff; ZAR150 / US$10 per guest per day for game lodge guides and staff)
- Personal expenses
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Pre- and post-tour accommodation (unless specified as included in off-train accommodation)
- Flights and transfers (unless specified as included in off-train accommodation)
Accommodations
Accommodation Overview
Each Rovos Rail train features elegant and spacious accommodation carriages, dining cars, a lounge car, a small gift shop, smoking lounge, and an observation car with an open-air balcony. The suites are designed to provide passengers with privacy, comfort, and luxury, offering either double or twin beds. All suites include en-suite facilities, tea facilities, safes, air conditioning, linen, and amenities, and are serviced daily. Ample storage with cupboards, hangers, and shelves is provided. Suite layouts may vary slightly from images.
ROYAL SUITES
Spanning half a carriage, these suites offer generous space at approximately 16m² (172ft²). They feature a private lounge area, creating a true sense of luxury and privacy.
Amenities
- Minibar
- Air conditioning
- Writing desk
- Luggage shelf
- Cupboards
- Safe
- En-suite bathroom with toilet, basin, bath, and shower
Bed Configurations
Double: 200×189cm; Split Twin: 200×75cm
DELUXE SUITES
These comfortable suites measure approximately 10m² (108ft²), providing a cozy lounge area for relaxation.
Amenities
- Minibar
- Air conditioning
- Writing desk
- Luggage shelf
- Cupboards
- Safe
- En-suite bathroom with toilet, basin, and shower
Bed Configurations
Double Lengthways: 189×189cm; Double Crosswise: 189×160cm; Split Twin: 189×75cm
PULLMAN GOLD SUITES
Designed for longer journeys, these suites are approximately 7m² (76ft²). During the day, they are set up with comfortable couches that convert into beds for the night.
Amenities
- Tea drawer
- Air conditioning
- Fold-out writing desk
- Luggage shelf
- Cupboards
- Safe
- En-suite bathroom with toilet, basin, and shower
Bed Configurations
Double: 189×189cm; Split Twin: 189×75cm
Frequently Asked Questions & Tips
Check-in Information
Please ensure to check-in at least one hour before departure. If you wish to visit the Rovos Rail museum or take a site tour at the Capital Park Station in Pretoria, it is recommended to arrive two hours prior. Passports are required at check-in, and luggage will be tagged and placed in your suite. For the Victoria Falls to Lobito journey, check-in is at Victoria Falls Hotel and Station, Mallet Drive, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. For Lobito arrivals, the journey concludes at Central Station, Av. Craveiro Lopes, Lobito, Angola, with check-in at Hotel Terminus, R. Robert Williams 16, Lobito.
Dining Schedule
Meals on board are served in one sitting only in the dining cars, accompanied by a selection of fine South African wines. Breakfast is served from 07:00-10:00, lunch at 13:00, and tea at 16:30. Formal dinner begins at 19:30. Bar service is available from 07:00-01:00. A gong heralds lunch and dinner.
Dress Code
For daytime activities on board, the dress code is smart casual, meaning neat, conventional yet relatively informal clothing. For dinner on board, the dress code is formal. Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie (mandatory from 2024; currently a collar and tie are mandatory, jacket optional). Ladies are suggested to wear cocktail/evening dresses or suits. Long journeys often include themed evenings, such as an 'Africa' evening or a '1920s' evening, where guests can dress up accordingly or opt for smart casual. For off-train excursions and game drives, comfortable walking shoes, hats, and sun protection are recommended. Warm clothing is advised for mornings and evenings, as temperatures can vary considerably. Rain capes are available.
Electricity & Connectivity
The train is equipped with 220V AC 50Hz 3-point round-pronged wall plugs, along with 110V/220V 2-pin plugs for shavers and chargers. USB ports are available in each suite. International adaptors are provided. A generator supplies power, but be aware that certain breaks in power are necessary for servicing. Mobile phones, laptops, and similar devices are confined to suites to avoid disturbing other guests. Wi-Fi reception is generally poor while the train is moving. Wi-Fi is available at Rovos Rail lounges in Cape Town and Pretoria, and at most off-train accommodations (though not always guaranteed).
Climate & Weather
Temperatures vary significantly along the Copper Trail route. Mornings on game drives can be cool, warming up considerably later, while afternoons can be warm and then cool down. Warm clothing, hats, comfortable shoes, and sun protection are advised, depending on the season. Rain capes are available. Electric under-blankets are fitted on the beds for cooler nights.
Onboard Amenities
Each suite receives a complete amenity bag with South African biodegradable and recyclable products including soap, bamboo tissues, shampoo, hand and body wash, hand and body lotion, lip balm, insect repellent spray (for journeys over 4 days), reusable bamboo rounds, ear buds, and a compostable shower cap. Plug-in hairdryers are available, as are sun cream, shoe mits, nail files, sewing kits, and insect repellent. Dressing gowns and slippers are provided for use on board; they can also be purchased from the Gift Shop. A limited laundry service (10 items/day) is available, with a 48-hour turnaround. No dry-cleaning facilities are available. A small gift shop on the train offers various items, and the Administration Deputy can assist with basic first-aid items and administrative requirements. Board games, cards, books, and magazines are available in the lounge and observation cars.
Medical Information
Guests are responsible for ensuring they are capable of undertaking tours and activities. Please inform Rovos Rail of any medical conditions, physical disabilities, or allergies at the time of reservation. A doctor is on board for the African Trilogy, Copper Trail, Trail of Two Oceans, and Dar es Salaam journeys. Anti-malarial precautions are recommended for areas like eSwatini, Kruger Park, Northern Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Etosha, Tanzania, DRC, and Angola. A Yellow Fever/Medical Exemption Certificate is essential for travel to/from DRC and Angola. Recommended immunizations (not required) include Hepatitis A + B, Polio, Tetanus, and Cholera (low risk). For medical advice, consult your clinic or doctor, or contact Travel Doctor Africa at 0861 300 911 (local) or +27 (0) 11 214 9030 (international).
Luggage
Luggage can be stored under the bed or above the door on a luggage rack in your suite. While there are no strict restrictions on board, it's recommended not to bring more than two large suitcases. For selected long journeys, guests receive a Rovos Rail tog bag for overnight trips or hand luggage on aircraft. A soft bag is preferable for plane transfers, which often have a 15kg weight restriction.
Currency
On board, only South African Rands are accepted, and all major credit cards are accepted. Outside of South Africa, Rands are accepted in Namibia and eSwatini. US Dollars are accepted in Zimbabwe, Tanzania (Dar es Salaam only), DRC, and Angola. Cash is highly recommended for excursions. US Dollars printed before 2013 or worn notes will not be accepted. Low denominations are recommended for shopping/gratuities, while larger denominations are better for exchanging to local currency, especially in Tanzania.
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