Travel bucket list idea:
Royal Livingstone Express
Livingstone, Southern Province, Zambia
Bucket List Experience
Credit Shutterstock.com/Dietmar Rauscher
Cecil John Rhodes dreamt of a railway from Cape to Cairo, crossing Victoria Falls’ famous bridge. His tracks never made it that far, but you can still relive the glamour of colonial train travel as this historic steam train runs through the Zambian bush.
Carriages are decorated in a plush colonial style, and as the locomotive chuffs through the game-rich Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and across the Sinde River, you’ll have the chance to spot antelope on the hoof. After toasting the sunset on the iconic Victoria Falls bridge, a five-course set-menu dinner is served.
Logistics
Getting there & doing it
The train departs from ‘Kilometre 0’ of the Mulobezi Line. Groups can book the train for a private ‘Victoria Falls Bridge Run’; this includes drinks and snacks on the famous railway bridge across the Batoka Gorge. The dress code for the train is strictly smart-casual, and no shorts are allowed.
When to do it
Trains run all year round, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Hotel pick-up is around 5pm (varies by time of year), returning around 9pm.
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Destination guides
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Destination guide
Victoria FallsThe world-famous Victoria Falls is also Africa’s adventure playground, offering an array of brilliant adrenalin-packed adventure activities plus Big Five safaris.
Round-ups
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
Inspiration
20 World’s best train rides (< 1 day)Be it jaw-dropping scenery, a rich historical significance, the tradition and atmosphere of the train itself – or a combination of all three – here’s our round-up of the world’s best.