Laura Pattara | 31 October 2025
With credit to Hilary BarryAfrica by Rail was one of our most recent Hosted Journeys, designed to showcase Africa’s landscapes, wildlife, culture, and hospitality in the utmost comfort and luxury.
There are trips that leave you impressed, and then there are those that really stay with you. Our recent Africa by Rail journey sits firmly in the latter category. Leading a small group of lucky travellers and in the company of the inimitable Hilary Barry, this five-day hosted trip crossed South Africa and Zimbabwe aboard the legendary Rovos Rail. It was a week that blended luxury and adventure in equal measure, full of laughter and amazement, wildlife, unique encounters and the kind of moments that can only happen when the pace of travel slows down.
From a cleverly staged murder-mystery to incredible wildlife sightings and some of the finest dining you could ask for, the trip proved that slow and intentional travel remains the most rewarding way to experience Africa.
We sat down with Rachel and Tanya from our Viva team for the lowdown on how our luxury train trip unfolded.
Here's what will cover in this guide
The Itinerary and Daily Rhythm
Thinking About Your Own African Adventure?
Starting in Johannesburg, guests were welcomed in style at the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel, a historic property that once belonged to the Oppenheimer family. Each suite has its own personality, filled with antiques and wonderful artwork.
Rachel laughs when she talks about the change of scene. After months bumping along red-dust roads in the Australian outback with her family, Fairlawns felt like another world. "It absolutely blew me away," she said. "I thought, okay, this trip is going to be something else entirely."
Villa Moji, of Fairlawns Boutique Hotel.
Rovos Rail journeys offer a chance to experience the best of both worlds in Africa, and that's what makes them so appealing. There is still plenty of wildlife and remote wilderness, but there is also the ease and comfort of unpacking once and watching the continent unfold from the window of what is, essentially, a moving masterpiece.
The first evening, the group met and mingled in the garden, drinks in hand. It was a beautifully relaxing setting that made introductions flow easily, helped by some of South Africa's best wines.
"It felt like meeting old friends rather than a new group," Tanya said.
It was the perfect icebreaker for the week ahead.
Group tours have an amazing way of bringing people together, through extraordinary shared experiences.
One of the special inclusions on this Viva Hosted Journey was a private meeting with Rohan Vos, the man behind Rovos Rail. At the company's private station in Pretoria, Rohan personally led the group on a tour through his workshop, where the smell of varnish and engine oil hung in the air, as a team of restorers was busy bringing old carriages back to life.
"He was eccentric in the best possible way," Rachel remembers, "You could tell straight away how much he loved what he does. Every carriage, every detail, it all mattered to him."
Rohan talked about how many of the people working with him had joined without any experience and learned everything on the job. Hearing how they'd built not just a skill but a steady income for locals made the visit feel even more special for our group. It was an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the operation and mission of Rovos Rail and a touching way to begin the trip.
Rohan Vos, the man behind the legend.
Often described as the most luxurious train in Africa, Rovos Rail has been running since 1989, when Rohan Vos first restored a handful of vintage carriages and turned his passion project into what is now a proudly family-run business. Today, Rovos operates several classic routes across southern Africa, each one designed to capture the golden age of rail travel while showcasing a specific region. On board, suites feature polished wood panelling, en-suite bathrooms, and large windows framing the passing scenery. Meals are served in elegant dining cars with crisp linen and fine china, accompanied by world-renowned South African wines.
“They made it all feel so natural. You never had to ask twice for anything. It was seamless, but still full of warmth.”
– Rachel Williams
There’s an unmistakable classic nostalgia to Rovos Rail, but it never feels dated. From the observation car to the bar lounge, everything reflects the care and personality that Rohan built into the company from the very start.
Travelling aboard Rovos feels like stepping back in time while keeping every modern comfort close at hand.
The itinerary followed the iconic route from Pretoria to Victoria Falls, weaving through game reserves, national parks, and small towns that rarely make it onto tourist maps.
By the third day, a lovely rhythm had settled in. Mornings were for adventures: game drives through vast reserves, spotting rhinos, leopards, lions, elephants, and giraffes. Afternoons belonged to the rails, where everyone would relax with a glass of wine in the observation car, chatting or simply watching the scenery drift by.
Each morning brought something extraordinary, and each afternoon gave everyone time to let it all sink in. Photo by Hilary Barry.
The game drives were nothing short of spectacular. Within the first hour of the first-ever outing, guests had already spotted a rhino and a leopard, followed by elephants, giraffes, lions, and countless antelope.
The amount of wildlife was astounding, with the group visiting a total of three national parks, each one a highlight of its own accord. "I don't think anyone imagined they would be so close to mighty elephants," Rachel says, "or see such an abundance of wild animals."
"The excursions to the game parks were wonderful - we saw the big 5 in two days!"
- Janette
The abundance of wildlife in Africa leaves everyone in awe.
The best part is that the experience of Africa didn't stop once you were back on board. You could sit in the lounge with a drink in hand and spot giraffes or elephants from the window. As the train passed through small villages, children ran to the tracks, waving and cheering. It was impossible not to wave back. At times, the track was uneven, a not-too-gentle reminder that we were travelling a historic route, but the engine drivers handled it with expert skill. The train operators welcomed guests into the engine rooms, and many got a real kick out of that.
Every Hosted Journey has its standout moments, and this one had plenty.
The Gatsby Night was a showstopper, with all the guests going all out and dressing to the nines, the staff joining in, and the dining car shimmering under sparkly lights. It felt like a scene straight out of the 1920s, complete with jazz, sequins, and plenty of shenanigans. It was perfect for a Rovos trip.
“Everyone looked amazing and was in such a good mood,” Hilary said. “By the end of the evening, it felt like we’d known each other for weeks.”
Then came the Murder Mystery, Viva’s own twist of onboard fun. Not long into the trip, things took a rather unexpected turn. One morning, a note appeared under everyone’s cabin doors announcing that a murder had taken place overnight and that everyone was a suspect. What began as a light-hearted idea soon had everyone fully involved, with guests comparing clues over breakfast, whispering theories between animal spotting, and interrogating each other over lunch!
The Viva team had organised the whole thing brilliantly (thanks, Mel!), and came complete with fantastic props and even a few red herrings.
“Everyone got right into it, even Hilary,” Tanya says. “By the end of the day, we all forgot we’d only met two days earlier.”
It turned out to be a highlight of the journey. The mystery ran all day, spilling from the lounge to the dining car and even out onto the platforms during short stops.
"It was such a riot," Rachel recounts. “People who had been strangers at the start were suddenly teaming up like old friends.”
Viva guests on safari: keeping one eye on the wildlife and the other on their list of suspects.
And then, of course, there were the natural highlights: the thrill of spotting wildlife up close on morning safaris, and the serenity of watching the African countryside roll by in the afternoon.
The grand finale came with a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, where hippos surfaced nearby and crocodiles lazed on the banks.
“It was one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen. Everyone went quiet. We were just taking it in.” – Rachel Williams
Beyond the wildlife and comforts of the luxury train trip, what truly defined this journey were the human connections. Meeting Rohan Vos set the tone at the start, but there were more memorable encounters to come.
Tanya fondly remembers the hour spent with Lente Roode, founder of the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. "Her story had us all awe-struck," she says, "You could feel how much love and dedication she has poured into this incredible cause."
Cheetahs, one of Africa’s most graceful and vulnerable big cats, resting at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.
On board Rovos, a retired historian and former uni professor passionately shared fascinating insights into the history of South Africa and Zimbabwe, weaving context into every landscape that passed by. "So all of a sudden, we weren't just looking at beautiful scenery," Tanya says. "We were understanding their significance, too."
Then there was that time Rachel and a few other passengers joined a spontaneous soccer game with a group of local kids at the Great Zimbabwe Monument. "It wasn't planned, and that's what made it so good," she said. "For those few minutes, we were just there together, laughing, playing and hugging at the end. It was one of those small, perfect moments you couldn't plan even if you wanted to."
Food became one of the trip's most cherished pleasures and a highlight, every single day. Every meal felt special but never overly fussy, with daily changes of menu and perfectly paired wines.
Rovo’s dining car.
Mornings always kicked off with lively breakfasts, lunches tended to linger into the early afternoon, and dinners were long and elegant affairs. It is such a luxury to have amazing culinary experiences while exploring some of Africa's remotest corners.
“The food was outstanding, but it was the service that stood out most. The crew remembered everything — how you took your coffee, what wine you liked, even the little quirks you didn’t realise you had.” – Rachel.
Good food tastes even better when served with a smile — Joyce sharing the day’s menu aboard Rovos Rail.
That sense of ease extended to everything on board. The staff moved with experience and confidence, appearing at just the right moment with a refill, a smile, or an interesting tale. Luxury felt effortless, exactly as it should be, more about genuine comfort and care than any sense of showmanship.
Travelling through Africa by train has a unique and enjoyable pace all its own. Rather than the usual hectic pace of travel, where you're on the go the entire time and only "debrief" once you are back home, train travel slows everything down and gives you time to take things in. On a Rovos trip, you recount the day's happenings in your mind as you fall asleep to the gentle rocking of the train, knowing you'd wake up to yet another extraordinary view. It's pure magic.
“Sunrise view” taken by Hilary Barry.
“Combining train travel with safari is a stroke of genius. You get the thrill of the wild without losing the comfort of slow travel. It’s a perfect match.”
– Tanya.
For some guests, this was their first time in Africa, and many admitted they’d felt unsure about the idea of coming before joining the tour. By the end, everyone was talking about how safe, relaxed, and inspired they’d felt. More than one called it the best trip they had ever taken.
What more could we ever ask for?
"What an amazing trip organised by Viva Expeditions. Tanya and Rachel did a fantastic job, it was seamless. Out of all my trips this was the best by far on the Rovos Train. The service was exceptional. Destinations was always a wonderful surprise. The friendships made is so special. Looking forward to the next one organised by this team."
- Beverley
"My mind and my heart are still full of the experiences on Rovos Rail. Every day I close my eyes or look at those photos and I am transported back to the beautiful staff and the wonderful people I met on the rail, to sitting in my cabin and watching the train snake along and the African bush unfolding, to be sitting in a jeep and seeing animals I never thought I would see in their own environment. Thank you for giving me what I needed most."
- Joanne
If this journey has inspired you, we’d love for you to join us next time. Sign up for our newsletter to be among the first to hear about upcoming Hosted Journeys and other special trips across Africa. Or, if you’re dreaming of something more personal, talk to our team about creating your own tailor-made rail and safari adventure.
Contact our Destination Specialists today and start planning your very own luxury train trip of a lifetime!
> Discover more Rovos Rail Journeys in Africa
Laura PattaraLaura Pattara has guided overland trips across Africa and now focuses her writing on the continent for Viva Expeditions. She once camped beneath a marula tree that an elephant tore apart during the night, yet somehow she still sleeps best in a tent. But make it glam! From sunrise balloon rides over the Serengeti to following the rhythms of wildlife migrations, Laura brings the wild heart of Africa to life with warmth, depth, and the occasional muddy boot. |
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