South Africa/Zimbabwe/Namibia/Botswana
Southern Africa Safari and Train Adventure: From Cape Town to Victoria Falls
Program No. 21423RJ
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Southern Africa Safari and Train Adventure: From Cape Town to Victoria Falls
Southern Africa Safari and Train Adventure: From Cape Town to Victoria Falls
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Participant Reviews
Based on 90 Reviews
SHOWING
The program was a good pace. We had many different experiences in different areas that made the whole program very interesting. And we had plenty of time to ourselves if we wanted it. We learned a lot about the African culture and animals and had a great time with the group.
Our guide was such a fantastic leader. His knowledge, enthusiasm, planning, coordination, communication, and sense of humor made our trip so amazing. I know he did a lot of work behind the scenes to make everything go smoothly.
— Review left February 26, 2026
What a wonderful experience! We enjoyed visiting three countries, staying at lovely facilities, eating great food and interacting with delightful fellow travelers. But what really elevated this program was our guide, Keith Chisnall. He was so knowledgeable in every area: history, geography, flora and fauna, even geology. What's more, he loved sharing what he knew so we truly felt part of the program. And he went above and beyond the expected itinerary. When weather prevented us from visiting Table Mountain at the prescribed time, he made adjustments so that we could go there another time, and never complained about putting in extra hours. I was having some mobility problems and he went out of his way to accommodate me without making me feel I was a burden. I'm so grateful to have been part of this adventure. Shannon
— Review left February 26, 2026
Great itinerary, organized, knowledgeable Guide and an efficient use of our time
— Review left February 23, 2026
> This was our first Road Scholar trip, and it exceeded our expectations. The program was exceptionally well designed and very well paced. The group leader, Johann, really made the trip special with his knowledge, dedication, and calm presence. The combination of learning and observation felt natural and unforced. We returned home with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the many places and people we visited. Overall a fantastic trip.
Dave and Linda
— Review left January 9, 2026
The Southern Africa Safari is PERFECT. The program offers a variety of experiences that will keep your interest at a level 10. Nothing about this trip is less than stellar.
— Review left January 4, 2026
We did everything! Cape of Good Hope (geography), Cape Town Botanic Garden (flora), Rovos Rail (amazing scenic train ride), Victoria Falls (geology, history, culture), Dusty Road restaurant (culture and food), elephants at Hwange National Park (fun with fauna), rhinos at Matabo National Park (more fauna), birds and the Big Five at Chobe Game Lodge (ornithology, fauna, luxury accommodations) and too much more to list....
— Review left December 15, 2025
Our road scholar trip to Cape Town through Victoria. Falls was absolutely outstanding! This program offered an excellent balance of experiences, between seeing penguins in Cape Town and hiking Boulder Mountain, riding the Rovos Rail, to multiple Safari rides to gaze at more animals than we could’ve ever imagined in their natural habitat! Our guide, Johann, was absolutely phenomenal! Not only did he give detailed lectures on animal behavior, and the different countries we were visiting, but he attended to everyone’s individualized needs. We were initially hesitant about the price, but after going on this program, we feel like it was worth every dime! This program was seamlessly coordinated, and we had a breath of experiences. We will never forget! This was truly the trip of a lifetime, our dream vacation lived.
— Review left December 7, 2025
These two weeks felt like three weeks because it was packed with information, wonderful experiences, surprises, and beautifully planned and arranged itineraries. Our guide, Johann, was a big part of our positive experience. Extremely knowledgeable, kind and patient.
— Review left December 7, 2025
Fantastic fun, educational, and eye opening trip! Animals, too! Do it!
— Review left November 26, 2025
This was the best of the 18 Road Scholar Trips I have taken. While getting to and from southern Africa from the US is difficult, it is well worth going. You'll love the experience!
— Review left November 17, 2025
This was an amazing trip great value for all the wonderful excursions and places we stayed….high quality. The fellow travelers were a great bunch.
Our guide Johann was so welcoming with a very caring charming personality. He lead with professionalism delivering a comprehensive knowledgeable program on all aspects ; the county and its history , the people, the culture, and the animals within the eco culture. He guided us through the trip with ease and compassion for each and every traveler. All around the best trip of my lifetime.
— Review left November 16, 2025
This program is phenomenal. It went above and beyond our expectations. I highly recommend it - especially if you want to see and experience Africa for the first time.
— Review left November 16, 2025
Our Road Scholar trip to Southern Africa met and exceeded all our expectations. To start, our travel, both going and returning, was set up perfectly. The trip itself was an incredible variety of experiences. From culturally immersive opportunities, experiences with deep historical significance, scenic views, land and water game drives to the luxury of the Rovos Rail Train, Road Scholar did not miss a beat. Our accommodations were top notch at every location. The food did not disappoint! We were provided with delicious samplings of local fair with options to satisfy every pallet. Everywhere we went we had amazing local guides. However, non compared our exceptional Road Scholar guide who was with us from when we first stepped foot in Cape Town until we got on the plane to fly home from Johannesburg… the formidable Keith Chisnall. Never in my life have I met an individual with so much information/knowledge in their head. Keith knows every plant, every flower, every animal, every bird. He is well-versed in tribal history, political history, and cultural history. To our benefit he seemed to know everyone we needed to know everywhere we went, and they knew him. Then, there is his passion for the conservation of his beloved Southern Africa and ALL it has to offer. It is truly an inspiration! Keith also found a way to help each and every person (17 total) in our group feel safe and included in everything we did throughout our entire journey. He is to be commended for the hard work he put into making our trip a trip of a life time. Thank you Keith!!!
This was our first trip with Roads Scholar. Given the experience we had it will not be our last.
— Review left October 22, 2025
This was a truly wonderful trip. We got to see many sights, enjoy new foods and wine, and hear bits of the stories of the countries of Southern Africa. The entire tour was well planned. Our guide, Mark Geraghty, was superb in keeping us informed with just enough information not to overload us but keep us on track. He was personable, knowledgeable and handled all the logistics and any changes well (he switched a couple of itineraries in Cape Town to ensure that we would go up Table Mountain on a clear day). The Rovos Rail train ride does roll more that Amtrak or European trains, but the train cars are well designed and furnished, and the service and food are incredible. All the Africans we met were very friendly and helpful. The safari at the end exceeded any expectations that I may have had. We saw incredible amounts of impala, elephants, giraffe, hippos and many other mammals, as well as many many African birds. We stayed at Chobe Savanna Lodge on the banks of the Chobe River, and took flat bottomed boat rides up and down the river to view animals. The boat rides and the stay there were fabulous. I highly recommend this trip!
--Some helpful tips I would have appreciated:
-don't stress out about dinner clothes on train. Ladies, most of us wore flat sandals.
-bring lots of $1 and $5 for curios in Zimbabwe, Botswana & Namibia.
-laundry was reasonable or free at places we stayed (all were great)
-be sure to bring electrolyte packets and take one every day especially on safari
— Review left October 5, 2025
Excellent trip with the right amount of cultural immersion, sightseeing, and ANIMALS! Our guides were amazing, especially our primary guide Mark Geraghty. He was very experienced with the route and made sure we moved around seamlessly. He was also very knowledgeable and personable and really got to know our group and our interests.
Each day was great, and I couldn't imagine it getting better but that is just what happened - each and every day. This is a great itinerary. I would highly recommend.
— Review left September 25, 2025
Outstanding trip! Varied and interesting activities, very well-organized and executed. Fantastic group leader/guide (Helen Malison) Learned a lot and saw incredible animals.
— Review left September 3, 2025
If you want to have the safari experience but also enjoy spending time in a big city and relish the idea of traveling on a train out of another era, this trip is the one to take! So much to see and do!
— Review left September 1, 2025
Road Scholar took away the intimidation of coordinating travel to countries we were unfamiliar with. I don’t know how we would have navigated all the visas and transfers without them. We didn’t know what we didn’t know. The program helped us get the most out of our time.
— Review left August 29, 2025
This was an outstanding, high quality trip from start to finish. The combination of touring points of interest in Cape Town, riding the unique and luxurious Rovos Rail train, and being close to all manner of wildlife on numerous land and river game drives kept every day interesting, exciting and memorable. The accommodations and food were all excellent, the logistics were all handled very smoothly, and we were fortunate to have a delightful group of people. We were also extremely fortunate to have Keith Chisnall as our group leader. His depth of knowledge, long experience and inclusive manner added to our understanding and enjoyment immensely. Plus, he kept every aspect of the trip running perfectly, anticipated any need and made it all look easy. This was our first Road Scholar trip and we’d highly recommend it to anyone considering a safari in Africa.
— Review left August 29, 2025
I loved this program and all the wonderful Roads Scholars that shared it with me - the guides and tour leader were great (as usual). I have been on several Roads Scholars tours and I always say that the one I was just on was the best!
— Review left July 29, 2025
When I ask my daughter where she would like to travel she requested a safari. I research all of the Road Scholar safari trips and choose this one because of the diversity of the adventure and I am so glad that I did! We explored Cape Town including the famous African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach. On Day 6 of the trip we boarded The Rovos Rail where we would spend four glorious days. The level of service on this train is remarkable. Some how a tiny little kitchen supplied us with first class, 4 course meals every day. Because there were two of us we upgraded to the larger car and would recommend it if you are able. The rails in South Africa are not the best so we did have a few bumpy nights but they were well worth the adventure. On our visit to Victoria Falls my daughter rode a zip line and took a helicopter ride. These were not part of the adventure but our wonderful guide, Mark Geraghty made it all happen. Mark is described as a "passionate story teller with a piercing insight and a great sense of humor." He is all of those things and a great and kind coordinator of people. Next came the actual safari part of the trip and we loved every minute. We had an elephant encounter, had lions walk in front of us, saw so many animals and birds up close and in their own environment - stunning. Each of the places we stayed was nice. The accommodations at the Chobe Savanna Lodge were a bit rustic but truly we were expecting a tent so no complaints from us. Everywhere we went people were kind and welcoming and we will always be appreciative of their hospitality.
— Review left July 12, 2025
I know it is a worn out phrase, but this really was a trip of a lifetime for me. I highly recommend it! It is a mix of history, culture, food, and flora & fauna. Tip: I went in mid-April and the weather was lovely the whole time. Our Group Leader, Lisa, was beyond excellent. Juggling a complicated schedule to begin with and then dealing with unexpected changes - our train was involved in an accident in Zimbabwe that necessitated redoing two days worth of itinerary. Lisa performed above and beyond in this situation. The Rovos train staff couldn’t have been more professional. Rovos Rail really stepped up. Road Scholar and its local operator did a marvelous job. Transportation and housing for the next two days had to be arranged for the 47 train tourists, of which 14 were our Road Scholar group, in order to get all of us to Victoria Falls - the final destination for the Rovos Rail trip. Over the next two days chartered buses, chartered airplane, and two different hotels, got the entire group of 47 to where we needed to be. Our Road Scholar trip was then back on schedule. There were a couple of missed activities but this is the kind of thing you need to be prepared for when traveling. Pack your patience and learn and grow from whatever happens. The trip highlights for me were Cape Town and getting to know it a bit through local expert Sugar’s eyes. Interacting with elephants at a sanctuary outside of Victoria Falls. Lots of time in Chobe National Park seeing birds, elephants, giraffes, Cape buffalo, crocodiles, etc. We even got a lecture from Lisa on dung beetles - very fascinating insects! If you have not been to Africa before - or even if you have - this is an excellent trip to get a taste of southern Africa.
— Review left July 7, 2025
This trip was extraordinary! My husband and I are world travelers, but this trip provided so many wonderful new experiences. We have been on trains but four nights on the elegant Rovos Railway was of many highlights. We have been on safari but safari by boat at the Chobe Savannah Lodge gave us a whole new perspective. I cherish the memory of sitting on the boat sipping a glass of wine at sunset watching elephants, baboons, kudus, springboks, and impalas come to the river to drink and frolic on the beach. Cape Town was chock full of great excursions and Victoria Falls was amazing as advertised. The lodgings were all great. We enjoyed The Vineyard Hotel with its walking trails and resident Mountain Tortoises and the Ilala Lodge where during an alfresco dinner, elephants, hippos and wart hogs came right up to the lawn to graze. If you are a foodie, this trip will not disappoint with lots of African specialties to enjoy. Last, but definitely not least, our guide, Lisa, was fantastic. She was knowledgeable and a great storyteller. She kept our group informed and entertained, was flexible and kind, and had a good sense of humor. I highly recommend this trip!
— Review left May 26, 2025
Absolutely loved this trip. On the train we had wonderfully prepared meals w/all the silverware, china, crystal and wine to go with it, passed by numerous villages, waved to the children from the observation deck and slept well in our cozy room. We walked the trail alongside Victoria Falls, got soaking wet even w/the ponchos provided (It was a nice day and we loved it!) and saw many double rainbows created from the Falls' mist. We took morning and evening boat rides to view animals as they drank from the river, saw beautiful sunrises and sunsets and rode in open air 4x4 vehicles w/our eyes peeled for animals. We saw baboons, giraffes, impalas, zebra, elephants, water buffaloes, hippos, crocodile, a wildebeest, numerous beautiful birds and a lion strolling contentedly alongside the riverbank. I hope to return to Africa on another trip some time.
— Review left May 20, 2025
This was an amazing trip. The train was wonderful. It was a bit noisy and rocking, but that was part of the charm. The service on the train was impressive. Africa is a magical place because of the animals and people. Helen was an excellent guide. The accommodations were very nice and staying in Namibia was a treat.
— Review left May 11, 2025
An absolutely amazing experience!!!! Anyone with an interest in experiencing the diversity and wonder of Africa should make this a first choice!
— Review left April 25, 2025
A varied and interesting program! For us it was the perfect balance of modern urban South Africa, the nostalgia of train travel and the excitement of safari adventures both on land and on the Chobe River.
— Review left April 22, 2025
I’ll recommend Road Scholar to my friends. It’s good value and thorough when planning the trips.
— Review left April 20, 2025
Africa is another world. This ain't taking a trip to another Caribbean island. The flora and fauna were unseen by most of us before. How many of you have seen the Southern Cross in the sky before a trip here?
— Review left April 4, 2025
I had anticipated a thrilling and thought provoking experience traveling through the countries in Africa on this train safari adventure and was not disappointed. There was never a question of safety of our group due to excellent leadership and planning, and I experienced first hand the beauty that Africa has to offer.
— Review left March 24, 2025
This a fabulous tour especially because it includes so many different activities ( Cape Town , train , Victoria Falls , safaris by boat and trucks). The accommodations exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend our guide Helen who was a great communicator and organizer. Don’t miss this trip !
— Review left March 6, 2025
This program was FANTASTIC! A great mix of activities and sights to see! We enjoyed all aspects & locations. However, we particularly enjoyed the Rovos Rail train experience. First class treatment all the way - - from the food to the local South African wine..to the bed turndown service. We also enjoyed our time along the Chobe River both in Botswana and at the Chobe Savanna Lodge. The staff at the Lodge were very welcoming & the boat safari experiences were unique and fun! In addition our group leader, Helen Malisan, was warm, welcoming, knowledgeable, and a true problem solver!! She made our Southern Africa experience even better!!
— Review left February 27, 2025
It was a great trip. I want to especially thank and praise our guide, Helen. She was responsive and knowledgeable. She was always available and patient with our questions and concerns. Dru was very friendly. I appreciate Road Scholar's commitment to learning and respect of cultures.
— Review left November 21, 2024
This was our very first tour group adventure, but not our first time to Africa. Everything about this trip was wonderful, educational, well planned, and so very much fun. The trip totally exceeded our expectations in every way. Looking back on our photos and memories from this trip, it's hard to remember all we saw and participated in because there is so much! Go, just go on this trip. Fingers crossed for you that Keith is your guide, because he is fabulous in every way and will add a lot to the trip for you.
— Review left November 19, 2024
What a brilliant combination of City (Cape Town and peninsula), train travel (Rovos Rail), and Safaris! Vibrant Cape Town with its mountains, botanical gardens, coastline and townships was enchanting in contrast with its history of Apartheid. Our local guide, Sugar, was so well informed and pleasant, I was fascinated listening to her descriptions of life for the Khoisan, Cape Malay, and Dutch and English colonists.
The Rovos Rail train is a step back in time to when train travel was elegant. The often gentle swaying was mixed with, at times, sudden jolts, that kept us entertained. The Rovos Rail staff were always gracious and above par.
The safaris along the Zambezi and Chobe rivers were spectacular! I saw all the Big 5! Morning and evening boat safaris occurred every day in the last portion of the trip. Don’t miss them! Hwange, Elephant Sanctuary, and Chobe National Parks were rich with wildlife and a birder’s dream destination.
The Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town is a landscape paradise. The staff and restaurant were superb. The accommodations on the train are tight, but I didn’t spend much time in the sleeping compartment. The dress-up dinners brought out the playfulness of fellow passengers. The Ilala Lodge in Vic Falls was also a lovely stay, with wildlife grazing below our room. Finally, the Chobe Savanna Lodge surpassed my expectations of safari life on the Chobe River. Truly remarkable.
I can’t end this without a huge thank you to Helen Malisan, our expert guide, who led us Expertly, all the way. Born in South Africa, Helen had insight and knowledge to offer and we all just devoured it. Her calm approach was always comforting, her problem-solving skills were masterful and occurred, if needed, without causing any delay or discomfort. She spent a glorious amount of time with each of us and I think we all fell in love with her accent. I would highly recommend this trifecta trip with the dynamic Helen to all travelers with Southern Africa on their wishlist!
— Review left November 17, 2024
This trip was everything we expected and more! Our tour guide was Keith Chisnall, and I can't say enough about his expertise and graciousness. He genuinely enjoys people and seems to have (and make) friends everywhere he goes! We had RS do our travel arrangements, and we arranged to fly into Cape Town a day early to recuperate from the long flight. We also stayed 4 extra days in Johannesburg after the tour ended.
Our local guide in Cape Town was Sugar, and she was so interesting and gave us insight into life in the Townships. The Rovos Rail trip was like a step back in time when train travel was elegant and sophisticated. The food was fabulous, with South African wine served with each course of our four-course lunches and dinners. We enjoyed looking out the windows and seeing the children in the villages waving at the train.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe was great. Of course the Falls were a bucket list item but we also visited a local market, a senior center and elementary school. The school children sang to us and told us their names and what they wanted to be when they grew up. It was heartbreaking to hear they only had TEN computers and each child only got to use a computer for one hour a week. However, they also were learning how to grow crops and tend chickens. The eggs are sold to local families.
The game drives were awesome and did not disappoint! We saw so much wildlife! Giraffes! Buffalo! Hippos! Crocodiles! ELEPHANTS by the dozen! Zebras, Kudus, antelope!
This was a wonderful, memorable trip and I could not recommend it more highly.
— Review left October 25, 2024
I really should have done this sooner, so I could provide more specific details, but this was a GREAT trip!
— Review left October 20, 2024
This was an amazing trip. It exceeded all our expectations.
— Review left September 26, 2024
This program exceeded my expectations. Every day was ew experiences and our guide did so much to allow us to get the most of each day. I want to return and explore the region more.
— Review left September 26, 2024
The trip was great. The guide was excellent and all the people on the trip were very enjoyable. The only downside with a train broke down and we were not able to make many of our side excursions.
— Review left September 25, 2024
This was the trip and experience of a lifetime. I had waited over 20 years to visit Africa and it exceeded my expectations. From our excellent guide, to the accommodations and local cultural experiences, everything was more than I could have hoped for. Rainbow over Victoria Falls to a local village welcoming us with song and dance, amazing elephant experience to 4x4 and boat safaris, lion cubs playing, giraffe drinking at the river's edge, beautifully colored birds, herds of zebra and water buffalo, impala and kudu, with exceptional views of the savannah at sunrise and sunset. Memories for a lifetime.
— Review left September 18, 2024
The trip had an engaging variety of sights and activities. Every day provided a new discovery. This trip will remain one of the highlights of my life.
— Review left May 31, 2024
The variety of what we saw and did made this a wonderful experience
— Review left May 14, 2024
Put this trip on your bucket list and take it ASAP. Lots of activities and the need to get in and out of safari vehicles. I wish I had taken this trip sooner. So much to see and do. If you have Mark Geraghty as your guide, you will be very pleased.
— Review left May 14, 2024
This was truly a "bucket list" trip. The hotels were excellent - the beautiful Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town, the wonderful Ilala Lodge in Victoria Falls, from which we could see the spray from the Falls, and the wonderfully private Chobe Savanna Lodge where we had individual cabins with a back porch overlooking the savanna. Our guide Mark Geraghty was wonderful. He arranged a talk in Cape Town by Christo Brand, who knew Nelson Mandela intimately. We visited a village market, a local school, and a senior center. We ate at some unique restaurants, including Gold in Cape Town, where we tried many African dishes and were entertained by African dancers and musicians, a restaurant overlooking the Falls in Victoria Falls, and Dusty Roads, a restaurant where we were introduced to many Zimbabwean dishes. The ride on the Rovos rail was a treat; wonderful accommodations, wonderful food, and two jeep safaris. The highlights for me were the cute, waddling penguins at Boulders Beach and the boat safaris on the Chobe River. I learned a lot about southern Africa, the birds and animals, and their way of life.
— Review left March 24, 2024
I loved this trip! It had a little bit of everything: culture, history, interaction with some locals, safari, train, great guides, etc. Every day seemed packed, but not overly so. Mark was a fantastic guide. Sugar, our guide in Cape Town, was also wonderful. The lecture on David Livingston was superb. I wish I could remember her name since she gave an amazing lecture on him. Our guides on the Chobe river were wonderful (Felix and ?). The food was delicious and often too much, but lovely. The Rovos train was a real treat - the food was amazing and all the staff superb. All in all, I have no complaints. And thank you for including gratuities on this trip. It's great not having to think about doling out cash constantly. I really appreciate that.
— Review left March 22, 2024
Go on this trip if you can.
The Best Thing: Mark Geraghty, our group leader, the local guides and historians. Mark's extensive knowledge and his passion, coordination, insight and expertise really made this trip. His lectures were outstanding. The young local guides were knowledgable and inspiring.
The Best Thing: On the safari boat quietly watching the animals in their natural environment with information from our guides. The Africans are doing a good job protecting and caring for their animals and their environments. On the vehicle safaris the drivers and guides were very respectful of the animals and provided us with unique viewpoints.
The Negative Thing: The disrespect for the animals by some of the visitors. The photography boats and other tour boats getting too close to the animals, scaring them.
The Best Thing: Learning the history and culture of the countries we visited especially South Africa.
The Negative Thing: Learning the history and culture of the countries we visited especially South Africa. We need to hear and learn more of this history from those who lived it.
The Best Thing: The primary school children singing the national anthem of Zimbabwe.
The Best Thing: The non-safari excursions were insightful, enjoyable and unique.
The Best Thing: The food. All good especially the locally sourced restaurant in Victoria Falls. Locally sourced meaning it grows naturally in the area, not just grown in the area.
The Negative Thing: The food. Too much. Too many hours eating. The large table seating arrangement was not conducive to conversation. Another option may be tables of six? Easier to hear.
Fantastic trip. Ready to go back.
— Review left March 18, 2024
The Road Scholar trip to southern Africa was everything we hoped it would be and more. There were many highlights and unique experiences, but perhaps the luxurious train journey, from Pretoria to Victoria Falls, deserves special mention, for the service and for the all-inclusive feature, i.e., meals, drinks, snacks, etc. We loved the trip to the local school, to the small village in Nambia, to the local food market in Zimbabwe, all of which were quite educational. The amazing scenery and the huge numbers of animals we were able to watch in their natural environments were literally "awesome".
Our guide, Keith Chisnall, was second to none, with his wide ranging knowledge about the flora and fauna, the history, culture, customs and politics of southern Africa. Keith had wonderful rapport with the local guides and helpers, and with the many ordinary people we met along the way.
We do wish we could have spent more time in the city of Cape Town as we were only there for a few hours one morning and our hotel, while extremely comfortable, was far outside the center so lot of time was spent in traffic in around the city on the bus. Some of the jeep rides in the national parks were pretty uncomfortably hot, bumpy and long. Also there were many long boat rides up and down the Chobe River in Namibia, which were mostly enjoyable for watching the scenery and animals along the shores, but some of the time spent would have been saved if we could have stayed at a lodge much closer to the national park in Botswana.
Overall this was an amazing trip which we would highly recommend: it was rigorous and vigorous, educational and enlightening, surprising and inspiring.
— Review left March 3, 2024
This was, without doubt, the adventure of a lifetime! First, our leader, Helen Malisan, was so knowledgeable about the history, culture, and socio-political features of the countries we visited as well as animal behaviors and habitats, where best to visit/shop in our free time, etc. She was gracious, compassionate, and had a great sense of humor. In particular, I'm deeply grateful that she volunteered one of only two free afternoons to accompany me on a visit to the Cape Town home of my grandfather and great grandparents, whom I never knew, as well as the campus of the Jewish Museum, old and newer synagogue, and genocide center . Our accommodations were beautiful, and the food, while not my taste, was luxurious, offered options, and was beautifully-presented. The one exception, food-wise, was the Chobe Lodge, but I assume choices in such an isolated place are limited. Rovos Rail, aesthetically, was everything I dreamed it would be, and never before have I experienced such luxury and service, with attention to every detail. I do think, however, it would be wise to let Road Scholars know before they travel that there will be other groups aboard in confined spaces. Since we did not know their vaccination status, I admit I was uncomfortable at first. I loved all of our stops, except the Voortrekker Monument, which I thought was deeply racist. We saw a lot and learned a lot. I do have a suggestion, which is to give Road Scholars written instructions for the many transfers we had. Helen was great about giving us information in advance and then repeating it a few times, but this is a very complicated trip logistically, and I would have loved to have had a bulleted cheat sheet with the day's schedule and tasks that I could check off, one day at a time. Finally, the only negative experience was the boat ride to Chobe Lodge, through a storm with thunder and lightening. We were in an aluminum boat, on the river, with nothing for miles around. Terrifying.
— Review left December 1, 2023
This is a terrific program for anyone who wants to get an overall idea of Southern Africa! It has big cities, vineyards, rail travel through savanah, wild animals in their habitat, all with the luxury of excellent accommodations, meals and companionship. Abundantly good value for money too.
— Review left November 19, 2023
This was an adventure of a lifetime for me!The varied program was over the top and led by Helen Malisan, who was really the BEST ....knowledgeable, caring and so on top of making the amazing trip it was. The accommodations, food, transportation, safaris, local guides, etc. were all exceptional. Thank you Road Scholar and the Explore group for making this exceptional program so successful!!!
— Review left November 12, 2023
I had very high expectations for this trip. It exceeded my expectations. I chose this trip because I wanted to see the wildlife and also learn more about the people, cultures and history. My hopes for that were met and exceeded. And the Rovos Rail trip was an exceptional experience.
— Review left November 6, 2023
It was a great trip in Southern Africa. The Vineyard Hotel at Cape Town was excellent. The food at the hotel restaurant was excellent as well. The train adventure on Rovos Rail from Johannesburg/ Pretoria to Victoria Falls were great. The train winded through South Africa north to Victoria Falls through Zimbabwe, Northern Botswana and Southern Zambia.
The tour group leader, Keith Chisnell, was extremely knowledgeable and helpful to the whole group. The invited speakers were equally helpful in making our trip successful. Good job Keith.
My highlight of the trip was the stay at the Chobe Savanna Lodge and the daily boat safari activities on the Chobe River.
Highly recommended to all adventure travelers.
Oct 2023
— Review left October 26, 2023
Totally amazing! Our guide throughout (Helen) was so informative and personable, and handled every detail without flaw even though there were some hiccups with our train schedule . Every experience was better than the next, from Table Mountain to the Rovos Rail, Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park.
Helen’s lectures were much appreciated and added to our understanding of the countries we were visiting, and the animals we encountered . Our local guides ( in particular, Sugar!) were an added plus to our trip ! We highly recommend this Roads Scholar trip of a lifetime!
— Review left October 19, 2023
A fantastic trip. The hotels, transport, local guides were all wonderful. The ROVOS train was extraordinary. The food and wines were delicious. Every game drive was superb with top notch guides. Most important was our guide, Sisa. He’s smart, knowledge, calm, kind, never rushed anyone. He tunes into the natural timing of the group. I would take any trip that he is guiding. I highly recommend the trip and suggest that you be sure you are comfortable getting in and out of boats and jeeps. Hip or knee problems will be a hindrance for you to be able to embrace all the adventures. The adventures were all day, every day. There was so much to learn and enjoy.
— Review left October 5, 2023
Great trip! Tour guide, Helen Malisan, was fabulous! Accommodations were top notch. Highly recommend trip.
— Review left October 1, 2023
If you take full advantage of interacting with the local people along the way while participating in incredible animal drives you will have a life-changing experience. Our guide Keith was an incredibly knowledgeable, warm, and sharing person--exceeding the already high bar we've come to expect for Road Scholar guides. His lectures were always informative and entertaining--whether being delivered in a botanical garden, gorgeous train dining car, or outdoors on the savanna. On the Cape Town portion of the trip our local guide, Sugar, sang to us and shared what life is like in the townships. Although the ride was rougher than we expected, we were treated like royalty on Rovos Rail, with incredible service, food, and off-train experiences. Step out of your comfort zone, fulfill a life-long dream, don't let the long flights deter you--sign up for this program.
— Review left October 1, 2023
This was a bucket list trip that met my expectations. The itinerary was jam-packed, but very well-designed to give an overview of what Southern Africa has to offer. It included a wide range of areas of interest, including history, culture, local food, and wildlife. Our tour leader, Mark, was impressive in both the depth and breadth of his knowledge. We learned a lot. The local guides who joined us along the way were similarly awesome. Mark was also an old hand at handling a range of challenges, both built in to the trip and unexpected, that might cow a guide with lesser experience. As for lodging and food, Road Scholar/Explore did an excellent job of finding great places to eat and rest our heads. And then there was the Rovos train adventure. It was an experience above and beyond—impeccable staff, beautiful rooms and common areas, fantastic food, and professionalism from top to bottom. Even the way they handled a serious mishap beyond their control was characterized by grace, efficiency, a steady hand, and a calm head (a special shoutout to the train manager, Adam). All in all, a great trip from start to finish!
— Review left September 13, 2023
If anyone is ever interested in going to Africa and learning about the customs and life in the area, this is the program for you. Safaris were wonderful and the people of the country were friendly and obliging. It is a most fantastic trip. It was number 1 on our bucket list.
— Review left September 4, 2023
A wonderfully varied program that lived up to its name of 'Southern African Safari and Train Adventure,' consisting of sightseeing in the beautiful Cape, a four day journey on a luxury train, a visit to the mighty Victoria Falls and amazing game viewing in the Chobe National Park. All this was greatly enhanced by the friendliness and companionship of my 17 fellow travellers, including an excellent group leader.
— Review left May 27, 2023
Outstanding experience well worth the time and cost.
— Review left May 16, 2023
This was a wonderful trip.The list to Cape Town and the environs was very informative about life bib South Africa.
The Revos Rail train excursion felt like 4 days in another era. Great setting, food and service
The three hotels left nothing to be desired, The food was universally good.
The lectures and talks were rewarding,
The animal drives were excellent.
Our guide Mark did a great job in every way.
The 17 travelers were pleasant and comparable.
Overall a wonderful trip ! I can think of no way in which it might be improved !
— Review left May 16, 2023
On Road Scholar trips, everything is seamlessly organized. The hotels are clean and comfortable, the meals are authentic, nutritious, and plentiful, but always an adventure. The guides are knowledgeable experts. You can trust that the information they provide is accurate. The guides have resources they can call upon in case of difficulties.
— Review left May 7, 2023
My husband and I truly found this trip to be amazing and educational, enhanced by our guide, Johann Roscher! Although it was a pretty fast-paced trip, we both felt enriched by the experiences. Cape Town was beautiful and more modern than I expected. The District 6 Museum was such a story that needs to be spread worldwide. So sad. We added Robben Island, by adding an extra day prior to the trip beginnings, and found it to be very interesting. (Surprised that it was not included!). The Vineyard Hotel, while out of the waterfront area, was lovely, and restful, while offering a nearby shopping mall in case you forgot something! I found an Apple Store there as my watch was acting up! Moving on to the Rovos Rail... was a luxury experience with too much great food and lots of African wines with all courses! Great lounge cars for reading and conversation, as the 'rooms' were a bit of a challenge for space! The game drives and scenery from the train were spectacular! Victoria Falls was an opportunity to see how the indigenous population lives, and we shopped at a local market and took food and gifts to a Senior Care Center and a school. The Falls were awesome, but the interaction with locals was the highlight. My favorite place tho was the Chobe Savannah Lodge. No TV, great WiFi tho, and such a welcoming staff and lovely and peaceful garden. Our boat safaris were extraordinary! (I submitted many photos on FB under my name that you are allowed to access and use!). We were treated like family at the lodge. I was sad to leave, but all great trips DO come to an end!
— Review left March 23, 2023
This was an extraordinary adventure with a variety of activities which kept us interested and learning about new things. We had a fabulous guide, Keith Chisnall, who was knowledgeable, charming, and a great story teller. I learned a lot about the wildlife, cultures, and the politics of the regions we visited. The luxurious trip on Rovos Rail was one type of adventure that was counter balanced by the wildlife trips down the Chobe River. We dressed in elegant attire, ate delicious food, and drank wine as we passed through the African countryside, occasionally seeing wildlife beside the train. Another part of the trip was being out in the elements, dressed in safari clothing, in an open vehicle or a boat, where we encountered a plethora of wildlife; lions, elephants, hippos, rhinos. Cape Buffalo, baboons, Nile Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, and many gorgeous multicolored birds. Add into the mix a helicopter ride over Victoria Falls and you can't imagine a better trip. This would be your dream trip to Africa. I forgot to mention the elephant encounter near Victoria Falls. We were able to get close to the elephants and touch the velvet texture behind their ears. What a thrilling experience! I highly recommend this adventure to veteran travelers or first time African explorers.
— Review left March 3, 2023
My wife and I have now been on 41 Road Scholar trips and this trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe has to rate among the top two or three. The animals you see in there natural environment are impressive, the train trip is magical, and Victoria Falls just blew us away. This is definitely a must-do trip.
— Review left September 19, 2022
Penguins. Time travel in a restored 1920-style train. Nose to trunk with elephants. All this and more on this life-changing trip. Do. It. Now.
— Review left September 6, 2022
I found this program very interesting and informative. The instructor/group leader was very flexible and .knowledgeable about the subject and willing to engage in conversation about a variety of related matters. He lived in the area we traveled to and could bring his own personal experiences. I gave the program and our group leader, Mark, high marks for everything that we did.
— Review left August 30, 2022
This is an excellent combination of city activities in Cape Town/area, then a magnificent four nights on the Rovos Rail, followed by amazing safari experiences. Our guide was fabulous. A great experience all the way around.
— Review left May 16, 2022
This was my first experience with Road Scholar and now, not my last. Adding the educational and cultural experiential components enhanced this experience ten fold.
— Review left May 8, 2022
This program was wonderful. The variety of experiences, historical value, educational value and natural beauty and wildlife viewing was beyond expectations. Combine that with a congenial, capable, fun and knowledgeable tour leader and you have one great trip.
— Review left April 23, 2022
This trip was exceptional and exceeded my expectations. I loved every aspect of it, especially the variety of experiences. I liked the exposure to history and culture in addition to flora and fauna. This was much more than a safari trip. I second what was written in a previous review by James, Class of 2017. We were not on the same trip but had the same wonderful experience of having Keith Chisnall as our guide. He made the trip unforgettable.
— Review left April 19, 2022
Take this trip! You experience city, rail, and bush. Just enough of each to fully enjoy it.
— Review left April 10, 2022
I am not going to do this now as I am still so diappointed that our trip was cut short due to the Coronavirus
— Review left March 28, 2020
WE fulfilled a life-long dream of seeing Cape Town and met wonderful interesting new friends.
— Review left March 26, 2020
ROAD SCHOLAR DID A FABULOUS JOB PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING A MEMORABLE TRIP TO AFRICA. I WOULD TRAVEL WITH THEM AGAIN.
— Review left March 26, 2020
I’ve traveled a moderate amount and I were to start over again, Africa would be the place I’d start.
— Review left March 26, 2020
Wonderful trip amazing experience.
Seeing every type of animal on their natural habitat Was inspirational.
Touring Cape Town seeing the wonderful shoreline hundreds of penguins, great restaurants, touring Table Mountain lovely views.
Four nights aboard the Rovos Train , great food and service.
I can’t say enough about our Fabulous guide throughout the trip, Keith Chisnall. The depth of his knowledge about African history, birds, plants, minerals, photography, insects, a published author, musician, songwriter, veteran of several years in Special Forces and still an extremely warm , sensitive ,caring person. A Renascence Man if their ever was one. I could go on but you get the picture!
— Review left March 14, 2020
Trip of a lifetime.
— Review left February 14, 2020
The program far exceeded my expectations about the Africa safari experience and the knowledge obtained was excellent
— Review left January 28, 2020
Of the many other very rewarding travels I have been privileged to experience all around the world, this one comes out on top.
— Review left September 15, 2019
We had an amazing time on this tour. Our Guide, Helen Malisan, did a great job making sure everything was taken care of and providing us with information through lectures, discussions, presentations and connections. The hotels were 5 star and the meals were wonderful. We were able to learn more about southern Africa then we expected, saw birds and wildlife exceeding our expectations, and had a wonderful time with a great group and leader. This trip exceeded any expectations we had at the start. If you have the ability to go on such a trip, go for it.
— Review left May 26, 2019
The evaluation was a little long. However, I apologize for being so late in completing it.
— Review left May 23, 2019
Excellent intro to southern Africa, including the politics, history, cultures, and ecology. Our guide, Keith Chisnall, was unusually experienced, engaging, and competent. He grew up in the bush, spoke several local languages, was familiar with local customs to navigate everything from urban settings to rural villages, "hands on" familiar with all local fauna and flora (literally- from the smallest insect to hippos and from fungi to tree colonies),including the dynamics of their interrelationships. He was very patient with all from the awkward to the overly eager inquisitor and also showed a deep personal compassion for cultural and historical challenges facing local populations. He is also a fine photographer and willing to offer tips to all. Be aware that the guide's enthusiasm to share much will require you to put out significant energy over the entire trip. I personally found some of the experiences uncomfortable, as they put me in the role of the well off outsider among people of very little material wealth. This was especially a problem for me with the Rovos Rail segment, which places one on a colonial era, elegantly appointed train for three days cruising through the bush from Pretoria to Victoria Falls. Passing through the countryside while dining on a four course meal, sipping on multiple wines, decked out in a jacket and tie felt way "over the top" for me; I would have been pleased if that component was not required. Finally, be aware travelers to this region will be advised by their docs to prophylactically take malaria meds; almost all in our cohort found continuing to take this course of meds to be a significant challenge, with many abandoning compliance.
— Review left April 16, 2019
A wonderful tour! Many varied experiences. Cape Town is beautiful and Victoria Falls are awesome! Rovos Rail was very comfortable, elegant but not over the top. It's a wonderfully relaxing way to take in the countryside. I thought Road Scholar did an excellent job of bringing us into contact with local communities throughout the trip. The game drives were great ! We saw lots of wildlife including two sons of Cecil the lion who made news a few years when he was lured out the Hwange wildlife refuge and shot. I did not experience any trouble with my malaria medicine (malarone) nor did I have any stomach issues. Highly recommend!
— Review left April 14, 2019
This program is a must for all train "nuts" who want to mix a colonial style train experience along with seeing wildlife on both land and water safari excursions. The Rovos Rail Train is a throw-back to the past of luxury train transportation. Our Group Leader was extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife, countries visited, and very well organized and approachable. The experience he has in being a native of Africa and a current resident of the area was invaluable to educating us on the people, politics, and the wildlife. A very rewarding experience and unique in its format and excursions from river safaris to wine tasting to gourmet meals at Safari Lodges.
— Review left April 10, 2019
Life is not complete unless you visit these extraordinarily beautiful countries and experience first hand how some people struggle to obtain the basic necessities of life , like water that we take for granted.
— Review left April 10, 2019
This is a fantastic program that is informative, entertaining and expands your horizons. A great trip and a great value.
— Review left April 1, 2019
Words fail me in describing my experience in Africa. While I was excited and looking forward to taking this trip, upon it nearing an end, I didn't want to leave! I wasn't ready! It was all too beautiful! The lovely resort hotel at which you start out is a place to relax as you become familiar with your surroundings, with Cape Town.
Our guide, Johann Röscher met us at breakfast and led the way from there - diving us right into learning, "What is this place, Africa?" First stop, Kirstenbosch Gardens, to familiarize you with the topography of the area along with the floral & fauna you'll see before spending the afternoon in the Cape Winelands. Subsequently, visits to the top of Table Mountain and the Lighthouse at the tip of the Cape of Good Hope offer stunning views as well as boggle your mind - you are actually standing in the infamous places you have only read about! Your eyes are watching the penguins on Boulder Beach! You are not in a dream.
Leaving no stone unturned, Johann leads you to significant historical spots that helps put the complex history of South Africa into context. Juxtapose ambling along the quaint Dutch colonial village of Stellenbosch with a visit to the District 6 Museum to talk with Joe whose home was displaced in 1901...it's something I will be thinking about for a long time.
You are then flown to Pretoria for an experience of a lifetime - a 3 night stay on the Rovos Rail, Pride of Africa! Johann takes care of everything! Time suspends on board; at once you're immersed in 19th century luxury while listening to Johann's historical lectures on the countries you are traveling through. At the stations you'll meet the people living in the villages along the way.
And then, Safari! Our first was in Hwange. So emotional it was to see such magnificent creatures it drew my tears. By jeep or boat, day & night to see the animals, all led by Johann, an experienced bushman, guiding us as we learned about this fantastic country. Imagine!
— Review left February 12, 2019
This trip will satisfy everyone's "Bucket List".
— Review left January 27, 2019