We’re in Nairobi at the moment and heading off to Ngorongoro Crater today so here is a quick update of trip so far. Wi Fi has not been very good. Back to the Rovos.
Life on board the train was one big party sharing our time in one of the 3 lounges talking eating and drinking as we chugged along at 60km/h. We arrived into Kimberley mid afternoon where we were shown over The Big Hole, a diamond mine started by De Beers years ago. The next day we arrived into Pretoria and were transferred the stopover hotel, which was in keeping with the style of the train. We then took an afternoon tour around the city visiting the memorial of the battle of Blood River with the Boor Trekkers, historic buildings and the Union Buildings which is the local Parliament House. Back for a fireside dinner and the end of a big day. Pretoria being the hub for Rovos meant that we were blessed with the presence of the man himself, Rohan Vos. There was a working steam locomotive at the platform for everyone to see and photograph before it steamed off and hauled the train up to the station. There were peacocks walking around the station which really set the scene and local guys wheeling luggage up the platform with the old barrows dressed in period uniforms. There is no detail missed in the Rovos world, a truly great experience. Fortunately we were upgraded to a deluxe cabin for the 2nd leg which meant a lot more room. The next day we stopped off at cattle station which had been in a family for over 100 years. They breed prize Bos Indigos cattle which was all explained to us and then a mini game drive around the property. We saw giraffe, water beast, impala, ostrich to name a few and then had drinks by a large dam in anticipation of seeing the animals coming down for their afternoon drink. We were the only ones drinking that afternoon. The rail line in very rough in Zimbabwe and it was a rough night on the train. Next day up early to spot animals as we passed on the edge of Hwange National Park. Unfortunately poaching is still a problem in the area and there wasn’t a great deal to see except for the occasional droppings of elephants. We arrived into Vic Falls at 3.30 and checked into the Llala Lodge where we could hear the falls and see the mist from the terrace restaurant. A quick walk around the town trying to dodge the hawkers whom we discovered a new strategy called The Special Sunset Price. US10 would buy you 5 wooden carvings of “The Big Five” which you wouldn’t sell for 50cents in a garage sale. Of all the people we meet on this trip the Zimbabweans were probably the less helpful and content with their lot. Next day we had a 20 minute helicopter ride over the falls and then walked down to the falls and spent most of the day there and had lunch at the Rain Forest cafe. Dinner that night was at the opulent Victoria Falls Hotel where we meet up with some of our intrepid travellers off the Rovos.
RosandDensTravels 