The Stars of South Africa itinerary is one of Rovos Rail’s most ambitious rail and safari combinations, linking Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, Kimberley’s diamond history, the Highveld, Kruger-area game viewing and Victoria Falls into a single, extended journey.
For travelers weighing whether to invest in this multi-country, multi-day experience, it is essential to understand the full route, what you actually do each day, and how it compares with booking individual legs independently.
This guide breaks down the itinerary, experience, costs and practicalities to help you decide whether the Stars of South Africa journey is genuinely worth it for your travel style and budget.
What Exactly Is the Stars of South Africa Itinerary?
The Stars of South Africa itinerary is an extended luxury rail and safari program built around Rovos Rail’s “Southern Cross” journey between Pretoria and Victoria Falls, typically packaged with pre and post segments in Cape Town and the Kruger region.
Travel planners and specialist agencies sell it under names such as “Stars of South Africa” or “Southern Cross & Stars of South Africa,” but the core experience is the same: a long, slow, all-inclusive overland journey through South Africa, Mozambique, eSwatini, Zimbabwe and sometimes Zambia, linked by Rovos Rail’s vintage-style Pride of Africa train and lodge stays on either end.
The central rail portion is the Southern Cross route, an 11 night, roughly 2,500 kilometer journey that departs from Pretoria and ends at Victoria Falls or operates in reverse.
This segment crosses the Drakensberg Mountains, follows parts of the Panorama Route, includes game drives in Kruger National Park and Kapama, tours Maputo and the mountain kingdom of eSwatini, visits the Great Zimbabwe Monument and Matobo National Park, and finishes with Hwange National Park game viewing and a stay near Victoria Falls capped by a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
The “Stars of South Africa” name generally indicates that the Southern Cross rail journey has been paired with at least a few nights in Cape Town at the start or end of the trip, a dedicated safari lodge stay in or near Kruger and extended time at Victoria Falls.
The result is usually a 17 to 22 night package that aims to showcase the “stars” of Southern Africa in one go: Cape Town, the Winelands, the Highveld and Drakensberg landscapes, Kruger wildlife, cultural and historical sites in Zimbabwe and the spectacle of Victoria Falls.
Route Overview: How the Journey Flows Day by Day
Understanding how the Stars of South Africa journey actually unfolds is vital to judging its value. While individual operators tweak exact inclusions and hotel choices, most itineraries follow a similar structure anchored on Rovos Rail’s published Southern Cross schedule between Pretoria and Victoria Falls.
What changes most often is how many nights you spend in Cape Town and Kruger before or after boarding the train.
Typical Pre-Tour: Cape Town and the Cape Winelands
Most Stars of South Africa packages begin with three or four nights in Cape Town. Accommodation tends to be in upscale hotels at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, in the City Bowl or in the winelands around Franschhoek or Stellenbosch.
Your time here usually includes a guided city tour taking in Table Mountain (weather permitting), the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, Company’s Garden and the Atlantic coastline, plus at least one full-day winelands excursion with cellar tours and tastings.
Some itineraries also include a Peninsula tour to Cape Point and Boulders Beach to see the African penguin colony. While this segment is not technically part of the train journey, it sets the tone for the rest of the trip with its combination of scenery, top-end dining and polished guiding.
If you are short on time, this is the part of the Stars of South Africa concept that can sometimes be shortened or omitted, since Cape Town is relatively easy to visit on its own.
Linking to Pretoria: Domestic Flight and Rovos Rail Station
After Cape Town, travelers typically fly to Johannesburg and then transfer by road to the Rovos Rail station at Capital Park in Pretoria.
The station itself is a highlight, with a museum feel and a collection of locomotives and carriages from over a century of South African rail history. You are greeted with refreshments as porters take your luggage to your suite on board the Pride of Africa train.
Depending on your departure date and direction of travel, the Southern Cross segment may begin with the train rolling east towards the Drakensberg Mountains and Panorama Route or north towards Limpopo.
Departure times and operating dates vary by year, so travelers need to match their preferred season to the published Southern Cross schedule when planning.
The Southern Cross Segment: Pretoria to Victoria Falls
The Southern Cross journey is the backbone of the Stars of South Africa itinerary. Over 11 nights you traverse multiple regions, stopping for game drives and cultural tours. While the day-by-day details can shift with operational needs, the published highlights include:
- Traversing the Drakensberg Mountains and Panorama Route viewpoints such as Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Pilgrim’s Rest
- Game viewing in Kruger National Park with early morning or late afternoon drives
- A day trip into Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, for a city tour and local cuisine
- Travel through eSwatini, with visits to cultural villages and craft centers
- Game drives at Kapama and a visit to an endangered species center
- A guided tour of the Great Zimbabwe Monument, one of Africa’s most significant archaeological sites
- Stops at Antelope Park and Matobo National Park, known for rhino tracking and dramatic granite kopjes
- Game viewing in Hwange National Park, famous for its elephant herds and big cats
- Arrival in Victoria Falls for a walking tour of the falls and the village, ending with a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River
Throughout, the train serves as your moving hotel. You sleep on board, dine in elegant restaurant cars and spend daytime hours alternating between off-train excursions and scenic travel. Dress codes, multi-course dinners and a languid pace evoke classic twentieth-century rail travel, albeit with modern air conditioning and private bathrooms.
Post-Tour Extensions: More Safari or More Falls
At Victoria Falls, many Stars of South Africa packages include additional nights at an upscale hotel or lodge overlooking the Zambezi River. Activities can range from helicopter flights over the falls and guided rainforest walks to craft market visits and optional adrenaline sports such as white water rafting or gorge swings, depending on river levels and season.
Some itineraries also build in extra nights in a private reserve near Kruger either before or after the rail journey, using road or short flights to connect with Rovos Rail’s stopping points.
These lodge stays emphasize open-vehicle game drives, bush walks and fine dining, adding a more traditional safari element that complements the more structured game activities built into the train’s off-rail excursions.
On-Board Experience: Life on Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa
The on-board experience is central to the value of any Stars of South Africa itinerary. Even travelers who have spent time in South Africa before often book this journey specifically to experience Rovos Rail’s restored vintage carriages, fine dining and unhurried pace. Knowing what to expect in terms of cabin layouts, hospitality style and daily routine will help you judge whether this is the right fit.
Suites and Sleeping Arrangements
Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa train offers three main categories of suites: Pullman, Deluxe and Royal. All are fully en-suite and air conditioned, with double or twin layout options.
Pullman Suites are the most compact, functioning as a lounge with sofa seating during the day that converts to a bed at night. Deluxe Suites offer more space, fixed beds and a small sitting area, while Royal Suites occupy half a carriage and include a full-length bathroom with shower and, in many cases, a Victorian-style bathtub.
For a long, multi-week itinerary such as Stars of South Africa, the choice of suite genuinely affects your day-to-day comfort. Couples who appreciate extra storage, a permanent bed setup and space to move around during down time often find the Deluxe category the optimal middle ground between cost and comfort.
Solo travelers on a budget may be perfectly content in a Pullman Suite, while those for whom the journey is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration might justify the cost of a Royal Suite for the additional privacy and sense of occasion.
Dining, Dress Codes and Social Atmosphere
Meals on Rovos Rail are served in two or more wood-paneled dining cars, with set seating times and a multi-course format. Breakfast is usually flexible within a window, while lunch and dinner are more formal, often with a suggested dress code of smart or semi-formal attire in the evenings.
The onboard kitchen prepares menus that highlight South African produce, game meats and regional flavors, typically paired with local wines.
The social atmosphere is convivial but unforced. The observation car at the rear, often with open windows or a partially open deck, becomes a natural meeting point for sundowners and photography.
Bar service is usually included for most drinks, aside from certain premium labels, and many guests spend late afternoons chatting over gin and tonics or South African sparkling wine as the train rolls through changing landscapes. Travelers looking for nightlife or loud entertainment will not find it here; evenings are more about conversation, reading and watching the stars from the observation deck.
Daily Rhythm and Excursions
The daily rhythm on a Stars of South Africa journey alternates between relaxed time on board and off-train excursions, many of which begin early to take advantage of cooler temperatures and wildlife activity.
On game drive days, you might have a pre-dawn wake-up call, coffee and pastries before transferring to safari vehicles, returning mid-morning for brunch as the train continues its journey. On cultural or scenic days, departures are more leisurely, with guided tours of towns, monuments or viewpoints followed by lunch back on board or at a partner property.
One important consideration is that the schedule is structured and group-based. While there is usually the option to skip an excursion and remain on the train, independent exploration is limited.
For travelers who enjoy being fully taken care of with minimal logistical planning and who do not mind a set timetable, this is a strong selling point. For those who prefer spontaneous discovery and flexible days, the intensity and organization of the schedule may occasionally feel restrictive.
Key Highlights and Signature Experiences Along the Route
The Stars of South Africa concept exists because it links a series of headline experiences into a single, cohesive journey. To decide if it is worth the premium, it helps to look closely at the individual highlights that most travelers remember long after the trip ends.
Epic Scenery: Drakensberg Mountains and Panorama Route
As the Southern Cross train crosses the Drakensberg Mountains and heads towards the Panorama Route, the landscape shifts from Highveld plains to rugged peaks and deep valleys.
Off-train excursions typically include vantage points over the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and historic gold rush town Pilgrim’s Rest. These excursions involve some walking but are generally accessible to most moderately fit travelers.
The combination of winding mountain roads, waterfalls and canyon views delivers some of the journey’s most dramatic daytime scenery. Photographers and landscape lovers will find this segment especially rewarding, and the contrast between cool highlands and later lowveld savanna adds a sense of progression as the journey moves on.
Wildlife Encounters: Kruger, Kapama and Hwange
Stars of South Africa itineraries are rich in wildlife viewing despite the train-based format. In and around Kruger National Park, you can expect game drives focused on the Big Five and other iconic species, with local guides and trackers leading early morning or late afternoon excursions.
While a dedicated lodge stay typically allows more flexibility in drive length and location, the combination of Kruger drives with Kapama and Hwange means you experience different ecosystems and guiding styles across the trip.
Kapama Private Game Reserve, usually visited as an off-train drive, is known for high-density game and relatively easy sightings, while Hwange in Zimbabwe offers a more expansive feel and a strong chance of encountering large elephant herds along with predators.
Because these game drives are built into the rail timetable, you are freed from organizing transfers or park permits independently, which many travelers find to be a major advantage.
Cultural and Historical Depth: Great Zimbabwe and Matobo
One of the most distinctive aspects of the Southern Cross route is its emphasis on cultural and archaeological sites, notably the Great Zimbabwe Monument and Matobo National Park.
Great Zimbabwe is a vast complex of stone ruins that once anchored a powerful trading empire; guided tours explain the site’s construction, history and ongoing significance. Visiting here within the structure of a luxury rail journey gives context and depth that shorter, more tourist-centric itineraries often miss.
Matobo National Park, with its domed granite hills and rock art, adds layers of both natural and cultural history. Depending on conditions and guiding, you may also have the opportunity for on-foot rhino tracking or visits to historical gravesites and viewpoints. For travelers interested in understanding Southern Africa beyond wildlife and scenery, these stops can be among the most memorable of the entire itinerary.
The Finale: Victoria Falls and the Zambezi
The journey culminates at Victoria Falls, where you disembark the train and transfer to a local hotel or lodge. A guided walking tour of the falls and the surrounding rainforest paths is usually included, timed to maximize spray and visibility depending on the season.
The roar of the water, the rainforest microclimate and frequent rainbows make this one of the continent’s most powerful natural spectacles.
Evening sunset cruises on the Zambezi, another staple inclusion, offer a change of pace. While wildlife sightings here are often secondary to the atmosphere, you may see hippos, crocodiles and riverbank birds as the sky turns orange and pink. Drinks and snacks on deck, with distant mist from the falls rising in the background, provide a fitting farewell to a grand journey.
Costs, Value and Who This Itinerary Is Best For
The question of whether the Stars of South Africa itinerary is “worth it” depends heavily on your budget, travel preferences and whether you value seamless logistics and classic rail romance over independent, flexible travel. The upfront cost is high, but so is the level of inclusivity and the breadth of destinations covered.
Pricing and What Is Included
Rovos Rail journeys in Southern Africa typically start from the equivalent of several thousand US dollars per person for shorter routes, with long itineraries such as Southern Cross and extended packages branded as Stars of South Africa reaching comfortably into the high four or five figures per person depending on cabin class, time of year and included pre and post segments.
However, the fare structure is broadly all-inclusive once you are on the train. Accommodation, meals on board, most drinks, scheduled off-train excursions, park entry fees, guides and transfers between train and excursion points are usually covered.
What is not included tends to be international flights to and from Southern Africa, some domestic connecting flights, visas, certain premium beverages, gratuities, travel insurance and optional activities at Victoria Falls such as helicopter flights or high-adrenaline sports.
Comparing to Independent Travel
If you were to replicate the same regional coverage on your own, you would need to string together multiple domestic flights, lodge stays and transfers between Cape Town, Johannesburg or Pretoria, Kruger-area parks, Maputo, eSwatini, central Zimbabwe, Hwange and Victoria Falls.
While this can be done, it involves substantial planning, reliable local partners and a willingness to manage border crossings and variable infrastructure.
Cost-wise, a carefully chosen mix of midrange flights and lodges may come in lower than a Stars of South Africa package, especially if you are prepared to trade down from luxury properties. But replicating the exact rail experience and seamless overland connection between such a wide range of destinations is difficult without a train.
For many travelers, the premium is justified by the lack of logistical stress, the ability to unpack once for the rail segment and the sense of continuity as landscapes change outside the window.
Ideal Traveler Profile
The Stars of South Africa itinerary tends to suit travelers who:
- Appreciate classic rail travel and are drawn to the idea of a “grand tour” with a strong sense of occasion
- Prefer to have logistics, guiding and transfers fully taken care of rather than planning each leg independently
- Value comfort, fine dining and attentive service as much as wildlife sightings and scenery
- Have the time and budget for a multi-week journey
- Enjoy a moderate level of structure and do not mind group excursions
Conversely, travelers who prioritize maximum time on intensive safari in a single park, who want to self-drive or self-guide, or who prefer flexible, spontaneous itineraries may find better value in a combination of shorter rail segments or purely lodge-based trips supplemented by occasional domestic flights.
Practical Considerations: Season, Comfort and Logistics
Beyond cost and route, practical details such as when to travel, physical demands and border formalities also play a role in deciding whether the Stars of South Africa journey matches your expectations. These factors can significantly impact your enjoyment of both the train and the destinations it links.
Best Times of Year to Travel
Southern Africa’s seasons influence both wildlife viewing and comfort on board. Winter and the dry season, typically from May to September, are generally considered the best months for game viewing in Kruger and Hwange, as vegetation is sparser and animals cluster near water sources. Days are usually sunny and mild, with cool nights, making for comfortable train travel and outdoor excursions.
Summer, from November through March, brings higher temperatures and more rain, particularly around Kruger and Victoria Falls. Wildlife can be harder to spot in thick vegetation, but birding improves and landscapes are lush.
Water flow at Victoria Falls is typically higher in late summer, which can make the spectacle more powerful but also increase spray and reduce visibility at some viewpoints. Shoulder seasons around April and October often balance good game viewing with relatively pleasant weather.
Physical Demands and Accessibility
Although the train provides a smooth, comfortable base, the itinerary still involves steps, uneven ground and early starts. Boarding and moving around vintage-style carriages requires a reasonable level of mobility, and some excursions involve walking on rocky paths or climbing to viewpoints.
Travelers with limited mobility should discuss specific needs with the operator well before booking to confirm cabin access, bathroom layouts and vehicle arrangements at excursion sites.
Altitude changes are moderate rather than extreme, and there are no major trekking components, but long days combined with heat in certain regions can be tiring. Building in rest days before and after the journey, staying hydrated and taking advantage of quieter periods on the train to rest will help maintain energy across the multiple weeks.
Visas, Borders and Health Considerations
The Stars of South Africa itinerary crosses multiple borders, notably into Mozambique, eSwatini and Zimbabwe, and may include day access to Zambia depending on how you experience Victoria Falls.
Visa requirements vary by nationality and can change, so travelers must check current regulations for each country involved and ensure passports have adequate validity and blank pages.
Health-wise, parts of the route traverse areas where malaria is present, particularly around Kruger, Mozambique and Victoria Falls. Travelers should seek medical advice about prophylaxis and vaccinations prior to departure, use insect repellent and follow standard precautions such as wearing long sleeves and sleeping under nets where relevant.
On board, the train environment is controlled, but off-train game drives and walks bring you into contact with wild habitats, making sensible preparation important.
The Takeaway
Viewed purely as a means of getting from Cape Town to Kruger and Victoria Falls, the Stars of South Africa itinerary is an expensive way to travel. Flights and lodges booked independently will almost always cost less in raw financial terms. However, this calculation misses what makes the journey distinctive.
At its best, the Stars of South Africa experience is a modern interpretation of the grand tour: a leisurely, immersive, multi-country adventure that blends vintage rail glamour with meaningful wildlife encounters, scenic drives and cultural depth.
If you are drawn to slow travel, have a strong appreciation for rail journeys and want to see a broad cross section of Southern Africa without managing every transfer and border, then the Stars of South Africa itinerary can be well worth the investment.
It delivers a narrative arc that is hard to replicate in shorter, fragmented trips and creates a sense of continuity as you move from the Cape’s coastal light to highland vistas, lowveld savannas, ancient stone cities and the mist of Victoria Falls.
For travelers primarily interested in maximizing days on open-vehicle safari or who prefer fully flexible, independent travel, a more focused combination of lodge stays and short domestic flights may offer better value.
In the end, the decision comes down to whether you see the journey itself as the destination. If you do, and if the idea of dressing for dinner in a wood-paneled dining car as Southern Africa rolls by appeals to you, then the Stars of South Africa itinerary delivers an experience that justifies both the time and the cost.
FAQ
Q1: How long is the full Stars of South Africa itinerary?
The core Southern Cross rail segment is 11 nights, but most Stars of South Africa packages including Cape Town and extra safari or Victoria Falls nights run between 17 and 22 days door to door.
Q2: Is the journey suitable for children?
The experience is designed primarily for adults and older teens who can appreciate long train days, formal dinners and early-morning excursions. Very young children may find the pace and structure challenging, and some departures may have age guidelines, so families should confirm policies in advance.
Q3: How far in advance should I book?
Because the Southern Cross route and linked packages operate on limited departure dates with a finite number of suites, booking 9 to 12 months in advance is advisable, especially if you prefer specific suite categories or are traveling in peak dry season.
Q4: Can I do only part of the route instead of the whole itinerary?
The Southern Cross train journey itself must generally be booked in full, although some travelers choose to join shorter Cape Town to Pretoria or Pretoria to Victoria Falls rail legs on different Rovos routes instead of the extended multi-country itinerary branded as Stars of South Africa.
Q5: What level of physical fitness is required?
You should be comfortable walking unaided along train corridors, climbing steps into carriages and navigating uneven ground on excursions. Most activities are moderate rather than strenuous, but heat and early starts can be tiring. Travelers with significant mobility concerns should discuss detailed needs with the operator before committing.
Q6: Are dietary requirements catered for on the train?
Yes, with advance notice the onboard culinary team can usually accommodate common dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or allergy-sensitive meals. Communicating your needs clearly at booking and again at check-in helps ensure the kitchen can plan appropriately.
Q7: How formal is the dress code in the evenings?
Evenings on Rovos Rail typically call for smart or semi-formal attire. Many guests wear collared shirts, dresses or jackets at dinner, reflecting the train’s traditional atmosphere, though full black-tie is not required unless specified for a special event departure.
Q8: Will I have reliable internet access on board?
Internet connectivity is intermittent along the route, and there is no guarantee of continuous onboard Wi-Fi. Some stations and hotels during off-train overnights provide stable connections, but it is best to approach the journey as an opportunity to disconnect rather than rely on constant online access.
Q9: Is the journey safe, especially through Zimbabwe and Mozambique?
The itinerary is escorted and tightly managed, with guests traveling in a controlled group environment. Operators monitor local conditions and adjust routing or activities when necessary. While no journey is risk-free, most travelers experience the route as secure and well organized from start to finish.
Q10: How does Stars of South Africa compare to other luxury African train journeys?
Compared with shorter routes such as Pretoria to Cape Town on the Blue Train or Rovos’s own three-night segments, Stars of South Africa offers deeper regional coverage and more varied experiences, but at higher cost and with a longer time commitment. It appeals most to travelers seeking a once-in-a-lifetime, comprehensive Southern African rail and safari adventure rather than a short, standalone rail highlight.