Rovos Rail

When to Go

May to September — the safe months. Southern African winter: dry, clear and settled across the Highveld, the Karoo and Zimbabwe, with the best game viewing of the year as the bush thins and animals concentrate at water. Hwange and Etosha are at their most productive. Days are pleasant, nights are cold — the Karoo and Highveld drop close to freezing in June and July, and the observation balcony is genuinely chilly after dark. Victoria Falls is easing off peak flow and the view into the gorge improves as spray drops. This window sells out first.

October to early December — hot, and the Falls at their lowest. The build-up before the rains. October and November are the hottest months across the Limpopo, Zimbabwe and the Kalahari, regularly above 35 degrees, though the train is air-conditioned and excursions are timed early and late. Game viewing is still very good, and low water at the Falls opens the Zambian bank and Devil's Pool. The Durban route reopens around October.

December to March — green season and the summer routes. Highveld summer brings dramatic afternoon thunderstorms that clear as fast as they arrive, and a Karoo that turns unexpectedly green. Game viewing is harder as the bush thickens and water disperses, but birding peaks and the light is superb. Namibia is hot, with short violent rains inland. This is the only window for the Durban safari route.

April and May — the shoulder, and the Falls at full flow. Arguably the best month-pair of the year to be on the train. The rains have finished, the country is still green, the heat has broken, and Victoria Falls is at or near peak flow — spectacular from the air, though the viewpoints get drenched and the spray can obscure the falls themselves. If a client asks for one month, give them May: dry, comfortable by day, cold only at night, good game viewing on every northern route, and a Falls still carrying real water without being lost in its own spray. September is the alternative if Hwange and Etosha matter more than scenery.