Victoria Falls Steam Train — Attraction in Victoria Falls Municipality

I booked this a week or so before our (couple) actual visit to Vic Falls and can thoroughly recommend it is a scenic alternative to a hotel dinner. It runs 2 evenings a week (Tues & Fri) from the Zimbabwe side of the falls (2 also from the Zambian side) and access is very conveniently right next to the Victoria Falls hotel via its own entrance to the platform a little way along from the station building. Guests at other hotels can be picked up from their hotel and brought to the train as part of the experience. I’m no train fanatic but the sight of a 1950s English-built steam engine coming into the platform on a balmy evening was very evocative of days gone by. Three carriages were coupled on our visit accommodating up to 40ish guests (12 on our visit) in a spacious lounge car with comfortable sofas and seating, bar and an end viewing section. Additional carriages can be added to the train to accommodate a larger number of guests. The middle carriage on our visit was the dining car, tables impeccably laid for our coming 5 course dinner, and the final carriage also had some seating, a bar and a smaller viewing section. Before setting off we were invited up to the engine’s footplate and met the fireman’s driver (fulfilling many a child’s dream). Service from the staff from the start was and remained first class all evening and soon we were on our way with gin and tonics in hand as we rolled slowly to the Victoria Falls bridge. The train stopped mid-bridge for ample photo opportunities of the falls, bridge and train in the evening light as well as a very short walk up to a couple of viewpoints on the Zambian side. On return to the train we made our leisurely progress back to the Zimbabwean side, on past our original embarkation point and further into Zimbabwe while we sat down to our dinner. This I can say was exceptional. I understand that recently the management of the experience has changed and with that so too has the catering which is now provided by a local cafe in the town (Marula, formerly Shearwater), replacing the catering previously supplied by the adjoining Victoria Falls Hotel. The food was excellent, surpassing the quality of nearby hotels and very befitting the historic surroundings of the dining coach. Entertainment was music from a local musician and the evening end happily with a return to our starting point. The combination of train, scenery and dining made for one of those ‘exceeds expectations’ experiences and I have no hesitation in recommending it if you happen to be staying in Victoria Falls on the nights the train is running. Every success to the new management team. Note, this train may be also known as the Bushtracks Express in...

Excellent experience! Highly recommend. Nice cultural introduction to local traditions before the train, great history explanation of the train and regional railway, and delicious food and drinks. The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful.

All the drinks and food were great! We had a little bubbly to start, then some beers and wine with dinner. All the food was beautifully prepared. They did a fabulous job. From the soup to the starter to the main and the dessert. All very tasty and beautifully presented.

The train is very well maintained. The sunset was beautiful...

This is the most charming time to end a day in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The dinner is spectacular, the entertainment is lovely, and you'll pass into Zambia (no visa required) before returning to the Victoria Falls Bridge where the vintage steam train parks for a while. You can shovel coal and blow the whistle in the detached engine...