Copper Trail

14 nights uniting a natural wonder of the world with the famous copper trail

Overview

14 NIGHTS • 3100km
A new expedition traversing Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola. Travel across the mighty Zambezi from the incomparable Victoria Falls towards Kafue River for a sunset cruise. After a visit to Lusaka’s elephant sanctuary where teams rescue and rehabilitate orphaned elephants, fly into South Luangwa National Park (Zambia) for a three-night safari. 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. Enjoy a tour of Lubumbashi (DRC) then join the historical copper trail for short walking tours detailing Angola’s recent history with journey’s end in Lobito. Available in reverse.

Itinerary

DAY 1: VICTORIA FALLS

  • 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 province’s capital until 2012. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge or observation cars.
    Please ensure the Train Manager or Administration Deputy is in possession of passport.
    It will be returned to you before the end of the trip.
  • Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Choma. Dress: Formal

DAY 2: KAFUE RIVER

Lectures will take place throughout the journey during the morning and/or afternoon in the lounge car.
Please consult Lecture Sheets for details.

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00.
  • Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train crosses the Kafue railway bridge – 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).
  • Return to the train.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Lusaka, the country’s capital, for overnight. Dress: Formal

DAY 3: ELEPHANT SANCTUARY

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:00.
  • Visit Lusaka’s 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.
  • Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Kapiri Mposhi for overnight. Dress: Formal

DAY 4: SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

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.

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
  • 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

DAY 5: SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

  • Enjoy a continental breakfast.
  • 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

DAY 6: SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

  • Enjoy a continental breakfast.
  • 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

DAY 7: SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

Please ensure that your luggage is ready for collection.
Breakfast, a morning game drive (approximately 2 hours) and check-out times will be confirmed.
Transfer to the airport for the chartered flight to Ndola, Zambia.

  • Transfer to Ndola Station to rejoin the train.
    Please ensure the Train Manager or Administration Deputy has your passport for border formalities.
  • Lunch is served in the dining cars as the train travels towards the border.
  • Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car.
  • Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Lubumbashi. Dress: Formal

DAY 8: LUBUMBASHI

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 08:00.
  • Enjoy a drive through the city of Lubumbashi.
  • 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.
  • Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Kolwezi for overnight. Dress: Formal

DAY 9: COPPER MINE

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 08:00.
  • 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 brunch at Katebi Lodge.
  • Return to the train. Depart for Kasombo.
  • Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Mutshatsha for overnight. Dress: Formal

DAY 10: AT LEISURE ON BOARD

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00.
  • Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train passes Kakopa en route to Malonga.
  • Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car.
  • Cross the Victoria Falls Bridge. Tea in the lounge and observation cars. Border formalities take place.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Dilolo. Dress: “Africa” Theme or Smart Casual

PLEASE TURN YOUR WATCHES BACK AN HOUR BEFORE RETIRING FOR THE EVENING.

DAY 11: LUAU

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. Angolan border formalities will take place.
  • Enjoy a walking tour of Luau, the start of the Benguela line.
  • The train departs for Luena.
  • Lunch is served in the dining cars.
  • Tea is served as 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

DAY 12: LUENA

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00.
  • Enjoy a walking tour of Luena to learn more about the recent history of Angola.
  • Depart for Tchicala Tcholohanga.
  • Lunch is served in the dining cars.
  • Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Kuito for overnight. Dress: Formal

DAY 13: KUITO

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:00.
  • Enjoy a stroll through the town of Kuito, built in the historical heart of the Ovimbundu kingdom.
  • Depart for Huambo.
  • Lunch is served in the dining cars.
  • Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Huambo for overnight. Dress: Formal

DAY 14: HUAMBO

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:00.
  • Enjoy a tour of Huambo, the second largest city in Angola and one of the old kingdoms on the central plateau.
  • Depart for Lépi.
  • Lunch is served in the dining cars.
  • Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car.
  • Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Cubal for overnight. Dress: “1920s” Theme or Smart Casual

DAY 15: LOBITO

Please ensure that your luggage is ready for collection by 09:45 and that you have your passport.

  • Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:30.
  • Arrive at journey’s end, Lobito Station, Benguela Province, Angola.

Information

Please dress accordingly for excursions/game drives: mornings can be cool then warm up considerably; afternoons can be warm
then cool down considerably. Warm clothing, comfortable shoes, hats and sun protection are advised. Rain capes are available.

Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.
Please check with the Train Manager or reservations@rovos.co.za for any updates or changes to the itinerary.
In your suite you will find the Journeys magazine that features articles of interest related to the route.

INCLUDED: Accommodation; all meals; all beverages; room service; limited laundry; excursions with a qualified guide (where applicable); entrance fees as per itinerary; government tax. EXCLUDED: International sparkling wine; gratuities; personal expenses; visas; travel insurance; pre- and post-tour transfers, accommodation and flights.
MEALS ON BOARD (unless adjusted) Breakfast 07:00-10:00 • Lunch 13:00 • Tea 16:30 • Dinner 19:30

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