Victoria Falls via Rovos
Mar 27, 2024, 6:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
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Victoria Falls via Rovos
Looking at a trip to Victoria Falls and then the Rovos train to Pretoria in Sept. (VFA-PRY). Will be flying in and out of JNB. Not looking to do a long trip and don't really want to go off-road, preferring walks to rides. I've seen quite a few comments suggestions of things to do an places to stay but many of them were quite dated. Curious about everyone's thoughts on the following:
- Thoughts on activities in VFA and places to stay. Won't spend the $1,000s they want for the Victoria Falls lodge but how about the Elephant Hills Resort or Ilala Lodge?
- Probably only stay in VFA area for a couple of days before we catch the train. is t hat enough?
- Thought that I saw mention of a forest nearby the falls with walking trails...does it have a name?
- Should we stay in Pretoria or get closer to JNB for a relaxing night & meal before the flight out.
Mar 27, 2024, 8:11 pm
#2
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Join Date: Dec 2002
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Rafting the Zambezi is my favorite thing to do in Victoria Falls or Livingstone. It’s the best one-day whitewater rafting trip in the world. If you’re up for it.
Mar 28, 2024, 3:00 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
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Looking at a trip to Victoria Falls and then the Rovos train to Pretoria in Sept. (VFA-PRY). Will be flying in and out of JNB. Not looking to do a long trip and don't really want to go off-road, preferring walks to rides. I've seen quite a few comments suggestions of things to do an places to stay but many of them were quite dated. Curious about everyone's thoughts on the following:
- Thoughts on activities in VFA and places to stay. Won't spend the $1,000s they want for the Victoria Falls lodge but how about the Elephant Hills Resort or Ilala Lodge?
- Probably only stay in VFA area for a couple of days before we catch the train. is t hat enough?
- Thought that I saw mention of a forest nearby the falls with walking trails...does it have a name?
- Should we stay in Pretoria or get closer to JNB for a relaxing night & meal before the flight out.
Elephant Hills is not over the top, decent price/quality, but due to its location you are dependent on taxi/minibuses for everything. What you save, though, you can spend on a heli tour.
2. Half a day for the falls. A day for game drives. Half a day for other activities. but, if for some reason you have bad weather having some extra days is good, because when will you come back?
4. Again, it depends but mostly on your timings. If your flight departs in the afternoon that leave enough time for a released evening before and transfer to ORT, less so if you have a 9am flight.
Mar 29, 2024, 1:48 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: SFO/STS
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond
Posts: 396
Looks like we will end up w/ the following:
- Arrive JNB from DOH at 16:10 and spend the night at JNB, probably the Intercontinental
- Fly to VFA next day on South African Air (having a little trouble verifying the baggage allowances)
- Stay at Pamarah Lodge
- Would like to do a dinner cruise if someone has one to recommend
- Rovos back to Pretoria
- Spend a couple of days in Joburg before heading home