Luxury Train Holiday in Malawi in May 2027

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Lilongwe to Pretoria (16 nights) on Rovos Rail

Lilongwe to Pretoria (16 nights) on Rovos Rail

Day 1: Departure from Lilongwe & Liwonde National Park

Enjoy a complimentary night at a hotel in Lilongwe before receiving a complimentary chauffeur transfer to meet at 09h30 for a welcome reception at the Latitude 13 Degrees Hotel in Lilongwe, Malawi. Please remember to pack a small soft-sided overnight bag (15kg flight restriction), as surplus luggage will be sent ahead to the train in Mozambique and you won't have access to it until Day 3. Transfer to Kamuzu International Airport for a charter flight to Mvuu Lodge (meaning "hippopotamus" in Chichewa), nestled under fever trees on the banks of the Shire River in Liwonde National Park. Enjoy lunch and a late afternoon boat safari with sundowners. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 2: Lake Malawi

Enjoy a 06h00 morning game drive followed by breakfast. Transfer to The Makokola Retreat on the palm-fringed southern shore of Lake Malawi. Check in at 12h00 and enjoy lunch followed by an afternoon at leisure with various activities including watersports, swimming, gym, and tennis. Dinner and overnight at the retreat.

Day 3: Lake Malawi & Moatize

After breakfast and a morning at leisure, take a flight from Lake Malawi to Chingozi Airport in Tete, Mozambique. After immigration formalities, transfer to Moatize Station to board the Rovos Rail train and reunite with your main luggage. Enjoy a driving tour of Tete, known for its colonial-style buildings and the Samora Machel Bridge, followed by sundowners on the Zambezi River. Return to the train for a formal dinner.

Day 4: Moatize & The Dona Ana Bridge

Enjoy breakfast until 10h00 with onboard lectures. At 10h30, embark on a coal-mine tour in Moatize. Return to the train for lunch as it travels towards Sena. This part of the line harks back to British investors in 1901 wanting to connect the Protectorate of Nyasaland (Malawi) to the coast. The Sena line remained Malawi's primary transport link to the sea until 1979, when it was destroyed during the civil war. The line has been rehabilitated to support modern coal exports, allowing luxury passenger trains to safely travel the route once again. The train will cross the historic Dona Ana Bridge; at 3.67km long, it is the longest railway bridge to span the mighty Zambezi River. Spend the afternoon enjoying tea in the lounge and observation cars before a formal dinner.

Day 5: At Leisure on Board

Enjoy breakfast until 10h00 as the train traverses the undulating landscape of Mozambique's interior, passing through rural towns and agricultural settlements. Lunch is served at 13h00 as the train continues towards Beira. Formal dinner is served at 19h30.

Day 6: Beira

After breakfast, disembark for a tour of Beira (in a somewhat ruinous state having been battered by the civil war and cyclones), Mozambique's busy port city. Highlights include the 1904 red-and-white-striped Macuti Lighthouse (decide to climb to the top of this derelict 28-metre-tall structure at your own risk!) and the Macuti shipwreck (a tugboat intentionally run aground in 1985 to serve as a breakwater). The railway from Beira to Bulawayo was built by the Portuguese and opened in 1899 (and defended by Zimbabwean troops during the Mozambican Civil War so trade could continue), and Beira became a favourite holiday spot for Rhodesians (the Grande Hotel is a reminder of this). The initial construction through tropical swamps and forests was brutal; outbreaks of malaria claimed the lives of thousands of labourers working on the tracks. Return to the train for lunch as it travels to Machipanda for border formalities into Zimbabwe. Dinner is formal.

Day 7: Mutare

Breakfast is served until 10h00. Visit the Mutare Museum to explore archaeology, ethnography, and a vintage vehicle collection. Return to the train for lunch and afternoon tea as the train journeys towards Harare. Dinner is formal.

Day 8: Harare

Enjoy an early breakfast before embarking on a tour of Harare. Visit local galleries and flea markets to experience the artistic talent of Zimbabwean sculptors and traders. Return to the train for lunch as it travels through highland mountains towards Gweru. Dinner is "Africa" Theme or Smart Casual.

Day 9: Antelope Park

Transfer to Antelope Park, a savannah haven home to the ALERT lion rehabilitation programme. Optional extras (own account) include canoeing, game drives, and horseback viewing. Return to the train for lunch and travel to Oreti. Dinner is formal.

Day 10: Great Zimbabwe Monument

Following breakfast, transfer to the Great Zimbabwe Monument, the largest precolonial stone monument south of the Egyptian pyramids. Enjoy a guided tour and lunch before returning to the train at Rutenga. Travel to Sango Halt with a formal dinner served on board.

Day 11: Gonarezhou & Limpopo Crossing

After border formalities and passing alongside Gonarezhou National Park, enjoy a day at leisure traversing the humid interior of Mozambique and crossing the Limpopo River. During the Mozambican Civil War (1977-1992), this part of the line suffered near-total degradation due to ambushes and sabotage. While it was restored in the 1990s, the railway had to be practically rebuilt from scratch in 2004 after devastating floods in the Limpopo and Incomati river valleys washed much of it away. The train travels towards Chokwe while you relax with lunch, afternoon tea, and a formal dinner.

Day 12: Maputo, Mozambique

After breakfast and lunch on board, disembark for an afternoon tour of Maputo, taking in the city's blend of African, Portuguese, and early colonial architecture. The train travels to Goba, then crosses the border into Mpaka, Eswatini. To route the train through Eswatini, the journey uses tracks originating from the Goba Railway, opened in 1909 to allow the landlocked territory to export its natural resources through Maputo. Dinner is Smart Casual.

Day 13: Kingdom of Eswatini

Following a 06h00 breakfast, transfer to Swazi Candles and the Mantenga Cultural Village to experience traditional Swazi lifestyle and artisan crafts. Lunch is served at Mantenga Lodge. Return to the train for border formalities and a formal dinner as it travels back into South Africa towards Malelane.

Day 14: Kruger National Park

Start the day with an early 05h00 breakfast. Disembark at 06h30 for a game drive in the magnificent Kruger National Park, with lunch and an opportunity for curio shopping. Return to the train as it travels to Mbombela (Nelspruit). Dinner is formal.

Day 15: Panorama Route

After breakfast, embark on a scenic tour of Pilgrim's Rest, Bourke's Luck Potholes, and Graskop with lunch included. Experience the Graskop viewing lift down into the indigenous forest (own account). Return to the train and travel towards Emgwenya (Waterval Boven). Dinner is formal.

Day 16: At Leisure on Board

Enjoy breakfast as the train rolls through the trout-fishing region of eMakhazeni and Emnothweni, then continues through the coal-mining area of eMalahleni. The Pretoria to Maputo line was built in 1895 to facilitate trade for the then Boer republics. A little piece of trivia is that before starting his luxury train line, Rohan Vos ran a successful auto spares business in Witbank (eMalahleni). Relax on board with lunch and afternoon tea. The final dinner is "1920s" Theme or Smart Casual as the train heads to Pyramid.

Day 17: Arrival in Pretoria

Your final breakfast is served until 10h00. Ensure your luggage is ready 15 minutes prior to arrival. The train arrives at journey's end at the private Rovos Rail Station in Capital Park, Pretoria at 12h00. Allocate an hour or two to exploring the station and museum. Enjoy a complimentary chauffeur transfer to relax and overnight at a 5-star hotel in Pretoria, courtesy of luxurytrainholiday.com.

Special Offer: Complimentary night at a 5* Hotel in Lilongwe and Pretoria, free chauffeur transfers
Upcoming Availability
Updated 4 Nov 2026
18 May 2027 (09h30) 10 Deluxe 1 Pullman
PULLMAN: USD 18,200 per person sharing
DELUXE: USD 24,000 per person sharing
ROYAL: USD 31,500 per person sharing

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Rovos Rail The Blue Train

Suite Categories & Dimensions

Pullman Suite ±7 m²

Wood-panelled cabin with a daytime sofa that converts to twin or double beds (or upper/lower bunks on long hauls) and an en-suite shower, basin, and toilet.

Deluxe Suite ±10 m²

Permanent double or twin beds (no daytime conversion needed), a dedicated lounge seating area, bar fridge, and a spacious en-suite bathroom with shower.

Royal Suite ±16 m²

Occupies half a carriage. Features a permanent double or twin bed, private lounge area, and a full en-suite bathroom with both a Victorian claw-foot bath and separate shower.

Pacing & Route to Malawi

16 Nights (17 days) on the pioneering Malawi Meander expedition between Pretoria and Lilongwe across South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi.

Atmosphere

Victorian Edwardian elegance. Expect rich wood panelling, openable windows in the observation car, traditional silver-service dining, and a classic, romantic ambience where guests dress formally for dinner.

Connectivity

Intentionally devoid of WiFi, televisions, or onboard radios to preserve the historic golden-era atmosphere and encourage a true, inescapable digital detox.

Pretoria Station

Operates from its own magnificent, privately owned Capital Park Station, which functions as a working locomotive restoration depot, railway museum, and exclusive departure lounge.

Excursions

Includes Kruger National Park, Eswatini, Maputo, Great Zimbabwe Monument, Antelope Park, Harare, Beira, crossing the 3.67km Dona Ana Bridge over the Zambezi, and charter flights to Lake Malawi and Liwonde National Park.

Operational Adaptability

During the July 2026 floods, Rovos Rail demonstrated high adaptability by rerouting affected journeys to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), providing guests with a viable luxury travel alternative alongside refund options.

Suite Categories & Dimensions

De Luxe Suite ±8 m²

Elegant daytime lounge that converts into twin beds (with en-suite shower) or a double bed (with three-quarter bath and handheld shower), complete with 24-hour personal butler service.

Luxury Suite ±10 m²

Extended suite offering an extra metre of cabin length, twin or double bed configurations, a full-sized en-suite bathtub with overhead shower, and a private digital entertainment system.

Pacing & Route to Malawi

The Blue Train does not operate cross-border journeys to Malawi; its scheduled services run within South Africa between Pretoria and Cape Town (3 days / 2 nights).

Atmosphere

Contemporary five-star luxury. Think of a modern boutique hotel on wheels with soundproofed carpeted carriages, gold-tinted picture windows, personal butlers, and a dedicated post-dinner Cuban cigar lounge car.

Connectivity

Complimentary WiFi and in-suite entertainment screens are available throughout the train for guests who wish to stay connected (or who simply cannot bear to be parted from their inbox).

Pretoria Station

Departs from the main Pretoria Train Station (or occasionally Irene Station in Centurion), where guests are hosted with canapes and live music in a dedicated VIP pre-departure lounge.

Excursions

On its Pretoria - Cape Town route, The Blue Train features an excursion to the Kimberley Diamond Mine Museum (southbound) or Matjiesfontein (northbound).

Operational Adaptability

During the July 2026 floods, The Blue Train maintained a firm focus on its primary Cape mainline schedule, cancelling affected Pretoria - Cape Town services while offering guests full refunds or alternative dates.

The Magnificent Malawi Meander

Discover the warm heart of Africa on a pioneering luxury rail expedition. Traversing South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and culminating in the spectacular landscapes of Malawi - this journey blends rich cultural heritage with unparalleled wildlife encounters.

Aboard iconic locomotives like Rovos Rail and The Blue Train, guests are immediately immersed in five-star elegance, creating a striking contrast between the rugged African wilderness outside and the refined luxury inside.

A Grand Southern African Odyssey

The on-board experience is designed to be completely effortless. You can expect spacious, wood-panelled suites with en-suite bathrooms, dedicated room service, and impeccable attention to detail. Dining is a grand affair, featuring multi-course meals prepared by top chefs using fresh, locally sourced ingredients - all expertly paired with award-winning South African wines.

The pace of the journey is deliberately unhurried, encouraging you to disconnect from modern distractions and savour the passing scenery from a dedicated observation car, perhaps with a classic gin and tonic in hand. Depending on your chosen route, the itinerary often includes curated off-train excursions, such as private game drives or historical town tours, adding rich context to your holiday.

How to Secure Your Suite

Securing your suite on these high-demand routes requires careful planning. Cabins - particularly the premium Royal and Deluxe suites - are strictly limited and often book out many months in advance. To make securing your journey as straightforward as possible, we manage all enquiries through a direct, personalised booking service via WhatsApp and email.

When you find a route and date that aligns with your travel plans, simply click the "Book on WhatsApp" button on the relevant itinerary card above. This will automatically open a pre-filled message directly to our dedicated booking team. If you prefer, you can also reach out via email with your preferred travel dates and cabin class.

From that initial contact, we take care of all the logistics. We personally verify real-time availability with the train operators, confirm the exact pricing per person sharing (pps), and place a provisional hold on your suite. Once you review the details and are completely satisfied to proceed, we will guide you through the secure payment process and issue your official travel documents. You pay the exact public rates set by the train operators - there are no hidden markups or booking fees. Our goal is to provide honest, efficient support from your very first enquiry until the moment you disembark.

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