05/01/2026
When my sister A Gal Toto said that there was no way wr were going to skip the Royal Livingstone train ride i was caught offguard and shocked .
Plans zetu zilikuwa zinasambaratika and at some point sikuelewa what the fuss was all about untill i exprerienced it and was in that Train as a full sponsored sister by her .
Ubarikiwe sana dada yangu.
Ever ridden a luxury train across Victoria Falls while feasting on a seven-course meal fit for royalty na saa hiyo huna hata ndururu? Now i can comfortably say Yes.
As i sat there being served like a queen , i realised eish wakoloni wanajipenda sana. We AFRICANS SHOULD GET TO THIS POINT.
Here’s our unforgettable night on the Royal Livingstone Express. Its unforgettable because somethings are just magical and the sense of fewling that they ignite in you cant be copied nor transferred to anyone via Bluetooth .
Hata najua wengine hapa tunashanga hii sasa ni nini na tuko na Sgr hadi Suswa? KWANZA kwa bei ndo sasa tunapigwa na butwa.
The Royal Livingstone Express is a luxury dinner train that can start and end on either side of Victoria Falls — Zambia to Zambia, or Zimbabwe to Zimbabwe.
The Zambia side currently goes for about $900 (~135,000 KES per person), while the Zimbabwe side is slightly more affordable at $700 (~105,000 KES per person). Initially we had gotten a nice deal for the train ride at almost half the price as we had booked it months in advance, but on the last day ,they notified us that the deal doesn't stand during December holidays. SO WE WERE TO TOP UP THE FULL AMOUNT Or forgoe the experience.
MY Sister (the one with a charmed heart) gave all of us an early Xmas gift and topped up the balance for every one on the trip.Perfect Santa's gift.
Since we were staying in Lusaka, we opted to cross into Zimbabwe and start the experience from there.
We used Bushtrack Safaris for our pickup and drop-off, and crossing the border was seamless.They are also the ones in charge of the Train service .
Being EAC passport holders, we enjoyed visa-free travel across borders — just four stamps in total for the whole trip: exit Zambia → enter Zimbabwe → exit Zimbabwe → enter Zambia.
The service from both Zambians and Zimbabweans officers was warm and efficient, making the journey effortless.
TRAINS HISTORY.
As we stepped into the beautifully restored carriages, we were transported back in time.
The railway was built in the early 1900s under Cecil Rhodes’ vision of a Cape-to-Cairo railway, meant to connect southern Africa all the way to North Africa for colonial trade. Constructed through the Rhodesian and South African Railways, it relied heavily on forced African labor — men who worked under brutal conditions, many losing their lives to build a line that originally served colonial elites.
It is said that Queen Elizabeth II was among the first royal passengers, a stark reminder of its origins. Today, the line no longer stretches to Cairo but now reaches northwards into Tanzania, blending history with adventure for those lucky enough to ride it.
MY EXPERIENCE.
The train is thoughtfully arranged:
Front carriages: relaxing and socializing
Second-to-last carriages: formal dining
Last carriage: open bar and lounge
A welcome drink awaited us as dancers sang Zimbabwean songs in their native languages, full of energy and joy. Guests were invited to join, and even wear some of their traditional regalia
( a small tip basket placed in front allows you to show appreciation.)
The first stop was at Victoria Falls during sunset 👌 a magical moment to pause, reflect, and do a little manifestation. SUNSETS in Livingstone are beautiful everywhere. we docked here for around 30minutes.
As the train rolled back toward Victoria Falls town and into the park, we were served seven-course dishes fit for royalty .Hapa hakuna Nshima na worms, each plate meticulously presented:
Starter: Milk buns with beetroot & whipped goat cheese stack
Soup: Creamy sweet corn soup — velvety, warm, and comforting.
Palate course: Pea pannacotta — delicate, fresh, and a playful touch before the main course.
Main course: Beef fillet — tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection.
Dessert: Chocolate orange — rich, decadent, with just the right hint of citrus.
Tea & coffee: Served alongside petit fours — sweet little bites to finish the meal in style.
All this was accompanied by slow, soulful guitar music by a handsome man -who even played some rhumba songs.We danced .
While champagne flowed freely, we enjoyed water, tea, and mocktails, savoring every bite. By now you know our trips are non alcoholic ,and most of us dont take alcohol too.
The train takes you through victoria falls town and into the park to spot some wild cats.Though we didn’t venture outside to spot the wild cats at night, we heard stories of their glowing eyes appearing in the darkness a thrill for another visit.
CONNECTIONS
The night was filled with laughter, music, and camaraderie. We kept dissing ourselves that hii meal haitushibishi (typical african behaviour)🤣🤣.
One German lady asked us to film a video for her because we were so captivating and we went an extra mile and sang a Kenyan song for her, making her day.
I also met a family visiting Kenya’s coast soon, and we shared a few tips and excitement — travel connections in real-time.
At the open bar, tourists made merry, and for a fleeting moment, we all felt connected by a shared love of history, adventure, and celebration of Africa.
WHY WE WORE AFRICAN ATTIRES💃👌
We chose to wear African attire in solidarity with the Africans who built the railway with their sweat and sacrifice.
It was also a statement:
We deserve to experience this beauty.
We deserve luxury.
We belong here, celebrating history and life.
We make money to enjoy.
We are travellers. We also deserve the luxurious tourist destinations just like the others.
As we stepped off the train at the end of the night,
My heart was full.
Full of gratitude.
Full of reflection.
Full of memories made.
The Royal Livingstone Express is more than a luxury dinner for the whites but for us as Africans too.
It is a journey through Africa’s layered past, its present beauty, and its evolving story.
And I’m grateful to have been part of it, even for just one evening.
Yes i am an African who would pay or get gifted luxurious travel destinations because they are there to be explored by us.
