The Rovos Rail Copper Trail is a luxury train journey from Victoria Falls to Lobito: a marvellous long train exploration that will engage with your imagination and curiosity! This 14 night expedition traverses through Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola.
It begins in Victoria Falls, travelling across the mighty Zambezi towards the Kafue River for a sunset cruise. Visit Lusaka’s Elephant Nursery as one of the stops along your journey, Southern Africa’s first elephant orphanage! The team here rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants, with the ultimate goal of special release into Kafue National Park. Transfer by chartered flight into the South Luangwa National Park, an incredible experience in its own right. See parts of the impressive 9050km2 game-rich park from the sky, taking note of its dramatic and fascinating topography.
The South Luangwa National Park is bordered by the Muchinga Escarpment to the west and northwest, and the Luangwa River to the south. Visitors can enjoy a 3-night stay in the park before taking a chartered flight to Ndola, Zambia.
Enjoy a drive through the city of Lumbumbashi, in the DRC, and travel towards Lukuni. Pass through Luisha, an old open-pit copper and cobalt mine. Disembark at Kolwezi for a visit to a copper mine in an area that holds one of the world’s largest known copper and cobalt resources. Enjoy time on the train before passing into Angola and embarking on a walking tour of Luau, the start of the Benguela line. Spend the next few days enjoying walking tours of cities Luena, Kuito and Huambo, learning more about the incredible history of Angola. Journey to the end of the line, finishing at Lobito Station in the Benguela Province of Angola.
Each train has accommodation carriages, dining cars, a lounge car (Β±26 seats), small gift shop, smoking lounge (Β±11 seats) and observation car (Β±32 seats) with openair balcony. The three types of suites are elegant and spacious offering passengers privacy, comfort and luxury with double or twin beds and fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. All have en-suites with shower, toilet, basin and bath (Royal only), tea facilities, safes, air conditioning, linen and amenities and are serviced daily. There is adequate storage and small cupboards with hangers and shelves.
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The train departs Victoria Falls and crosses the bridge to Livingstone. Named after David Livingstone, the Scottish explorer and missionary who was the first European to explore the area, Livingstone served as the provinceβs capital until 2012. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge or observation cars.
Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Choma. Dress: Formal
Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train crosses the Kafue railway bridge β a 477-metre long steel girder truss bridge of 13 spans each at 33 metres supported on concrete piers. Disembark for a sunset cruise on the Kafue River (drinks included).
Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Lusaka, the countryβs capital, for overnight. Dress: Formal
Lectures will take place throughout the journey during the morning and/or afternoon in the lounge car. Please consult Lecture Sheets for details.
Visit Lusakaβs elephant sanctuary. Here, teams rescue and rehabilitate orphaned elephants with the focus of returning them to the wild in Kafue National Park. Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train travels through the Central Province to Kabwe.
Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Kapiri Mposhi for overnight. Dress: Formal
Transfer to Ndola Airstrip for a chartered flight to the South Luangwa National Park, initially founded as the Luangwa Game Park in 1904 and converted to one of three game reserves in 1938. The impressive park covers about 9050km2 of the Luangwa Valley floor and lies anywhere from 500-800m above sea level. With its western and northwestern edge bounded by the Muchinga Escarpment, and the southern border lined with the meandering Luangwa River, there is no shortage of dramatic and fascinating topography in this beautiful game-rich park. Transfer to respective camps. Enjoy lunch and check-in on arrival.
Afternoon game drive in the Luangwa Valley (approximately 3 hours).
Dinner and overnight at the camps. Dress: Casual
Please pack a small overnight bag for a three-night stay in South Luangwa National Park. For your convenience we have placed bags in your suite. Please ensure you have warm clothing for the game drives. Walking safaris are available so please ensure you have the correct shoes if you would like to participate. Time of game drives confirmed on arrival. See inclusions/exclusions. Please ensure you
have obtained your passport from the Train Manager or Administration Deputy.
Enjoy an early morning game drive (approximately 3 hours). Brunch is served. Afternoon at leisure. Afternoon game drive (approximately 3 hours).
Dinner and overnight at the camps. Dress: Casual
Enjoy an early morning game drive (approximately 3 hours). Brunch is served. Afternoon at leisure. Afternoon game drive (approximately 3 hours).
Dinner and overnight at the camps. Dress: Casual
After a final early morning game drive (Β±120 min) and breakfast, you transfer to the airport for the chartered flight (Β±60 min) to Ndola.
Transfer from the station to rejoin the train.
Lunch, Afternoon Tea and dinner is served in the dining cars as the train travels towards the border.
Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Lubumbashi. Dress: Formal
Enjoy a drive through the city of Lubumbashi. Then rejoin the train and travel towards Lukuni. Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train passes Luishia, an old open-pit copper and cobalt mine.
Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Kolwezi for overnight. Dress: Formal
Disembark at Kolwezi for a visit to a copper mine in an area that holds one of the worldβs largest known copper and cobalt resources.
Enjoy brunch at Katebi Lodge. Return to the train. Depart for Kasombo with Afternoon Tea served in the lounge and observation cars.
Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Mutshatsha for overnight. Dress: Formal
The train passes Kakopa en route to Malonga.
The following morning you enjoy a walking tour of Luau, the start of the Benguela line. The train departs for Luena with Lunch and Afternoon Tea. The train travels alongside the Cassai River. The catchment of the Cassai River encompasses a vast eco-region of 900 000km2 with an incredibly rich fish fauna. As the train passes the villages of Cassai and Cameia, there is sometimes an opportunity to see the local fishermen at work.
Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Luena for overnight. Dress: Formal
Enjoy a walking tour of Luena to learn more about the recent history of Angola. Depart for Tchicala Tcholohanga with Lunch and Afternoon Tea.
Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Kuito for overnight. Dress: Formal
Enjoy a stroll through the town of Kuito, built in the historical heart of the Ovimbundu kingdom. Depart for Huambo with Lunch and Afternoon Tea. Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Cubal for overnight. Dress: Formal
Enjoy a tour of Huambo, the second largest city in Angola and one of the old kingdoms on the central plateau. Depart for LΓ©pi with Lunch and Afternoon Tea.
Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Cubal for overnight. Dress: “1920s” Theme or Smart Casual
Approx 10am – Arrive at your journeyβs end, Lobito Station in the Benguela Province of Angola.
This is a sample itinerary using specific hotels and lodges. However most of these sample tours can be adapted to suit you. If applicable, it includes domestic seat-in-charter flights. But it excludes any regional and domestic scheduled flights (as these are subject to change and specific routing). These are added to a specific quotation once we have your dates.
Accommodation; all meals; all beverages on board; room service; limited laundry; excursions with a qualified guide (where applicable); entrance fees as per itinerary
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