African Explorer – Private Train Itinerary (14 days)

Our route in South Africa and Namibia:
*Cape Town, Matjiesfontein, Upington, Fish River Canyon, Lüderitz, Namib Naukluft National Park, Swakopmund, Etosha National Park, Windhoek

Day 1. Arrival in *Cape Town
Arrival in Cape Town and transfer to your hotel (1 night). Stroll along the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront or take the cableway to the top of the famous Table Mountain (on request). In the early afternoon city tour through Cape Town – as the sun sets, enjoy the panoramic views across the city from the vantage point of Signal Hill – a truly magnificent sight!
The evening ends with a special welcome dinner.

Overnight: The Commodore Hotel (or similar). Meals included: dinner (D).

Day 2. Departure on the African Explorer

Your train departs in the early morning. You pass the tunnels of the Hex-River Mountains and later on the mountains of the Big Karoo. Arrival in Matjiesfontain and time to discover this small Victorian city with its famous Lord Milner Hotel where Cecil Rhodes and Edgar Wallace used to stay.
Enjoy your first evening on board and dinner.

Overnight on board. Meals included: breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D).

Day 3. On board

A day n board –  travel the whole day through South Africa’s diverse landscapes and enjoy the informative lectures on board.

Overnight on board. (B,L,D)

Day 4. Augrabies National Park
In the afternoon we arrive in Upington and take an excursion to Augrabies National Park with its famous water falls.  In the early evening we return to the train and continue northbound.

Overnight on board. (B,L,D)

Day 5. Fish River Canyon
Arrival in Holoog in the morning. The Fish River Canyon, today’s highlight, is the second largest canyon in the world! Climb aboard one of the air-conditioned buses and enjoy the stunning views. There is also a chance to take a short walk along the canyon’s edge. In the afternoon your train journey continues and you have the chance to attend a Biltong (traditional beef jerky) tasting session.

Overnight on board. (B,L,D)

Day 6. Ghost Town
Morning arrival in Aus station. Today’s programme begins with a bus ride to the ghost town of Kolmanskop, where the first diamonds were found in Namibia in 1908. From here, the harbour town of Lüderitz is a short journey through the Sperrgebiet (the “Restricted Diamond Area”). After crossing the historical Lüderitz peninsula, you reach the next highlight of the day – Diaz Point, set against the backdrop of the dramatic Atlantic waves. Back on board at Aus station, your private train continues on its journey south.

Overnight on board. (B,D)

Day 7. Namib Naukluft National Park
In the morning, arrival in Mariental, where buses will transfer you to your lodges. You will stop in the small village of Maltahöhe for a tasty brunch – complete with delicious freshly baked bread! Overnight: Namib Desert Lodge (or similar). (B,D)

Day 8. The Highest Sand Dunes in the World
Early morning is the best time to see the giant dunes of the Namib. Climbing a dune may be quite tough, but the panoramic view from the top over a sea of apricot-coloured sand is reward enough! Open-top vehicles take you the last few kilometres along an unpaved sandy track to the Vlei, a salt-clay sink surrounded by sand dunes. On the way, you may well be fortunate enough to see oryx antelopes and springboks. As the sun sets, enjoy a romantic journey through the stunning desert landscape.

Overnight: Namib Desert Lodge (or similar). (B,D)

Day 9. Walvis Bay and Swakopmund
After breakfast, your air-conditioned buses are waiting to take you to Walvis Bay where, with luck, you can see flocks of flamingos and pelicans. The tour through the Namib Naukluft National Park by bus takes about 5 hours. In Swakopmund your private train awaits you.

Overnight on board. (B,D)

Day 10. Spitzkoppe
In the early morning your train leaves Swakopmund. We make a stop at Usakos for an excursion to the granite peaks known as the “Spitzkoppe”.  A visit to a local school (except in the school holidays) provides an insight into the everyday life of children from the Damara people.
Back on board, your train continues towards Otjiwarongo.

Overnight on board. (B,L,D)

Day 11. Etosha National Park
Explore the wonders of the Etosha National Park. Your air-conditioned buses cross the entire park – a chance to see elephants, gnus and other wild animals close up on the journey. The Etosha Pan, an extremely flat salt pan, lies at the heart of the National Park. This shimmering “great white place”, as its name says, is the largest salt pan in Africa – and with herds of wild animals passing through, an unforgettable experience!
This exciting day ends with an overnight stay in a comfortable lodge nearby.

Overnight: Mokuti Lodge (or similar). (B,D)

Day 12. On Safari
In the morning, enjoy an extensive safari drive before carrying on to Otjiwarongo where your private train is waiting for you. Your journey continues to Windhoek.
In the evening you enjoy an African Braai (BBQ) at the tracks under a marvellous starry sky.

Overnight on board. (B,D)

Day 13. Windhoek
With that proverbial little bit of luck, your journey will be a train safari. This unique route passes through various private game farms where giraffes, antelopes and ostriches are often visible right from the train window! After arrival in Windhoek, we have a city tour which includes the neo-Gothic Christ Church and the Tintenpalast, literally the “Ink Palace”, which houses the Namibian parliament. After that, you will visit the township Katutura and a local market.
You will be transferred to your hotel (for 1 night) before a farewell dinner will be served in a special restaurant.

Overnight: AVANI Windhoek Hotel & Casino (or similar). (B,L,D)

Day 14. Goodbye Namibia
According to your flights, transfer to the airport for your flight back home. (B)

Charter Train Journey Highlights

• 3.600 km of rail track on the African Explorer private train
• Cape Town – one of the world’s most beautiful cities
• Fish River Canyon – the second largest canyon in the world
• The Namib Desert – UNESCO World Heritage sites: Sossusvlei with the world’s highest dune
• Bizarre rock formations and lunar landscape in Namib Naukluft National Park
• Safari tour of Etosha National Park
• Lüderitz – the first German colonial settlement in the South West Africa
• Gone with the sand – the Kolmanskop ghost town
• The high plateau of the Aus Mountains
• Swakopmund – Imperial German architecture in an African setting
• Windhoek – Modern city and German roots
• Namibian specialties and select South African wines

Tour Dates 2022 + 2023 (English language)

CAPETOWN TO WINDHOEK        

N.B Departures in FRENCH language:
25 Feb – 10 March 2022 from €6,710
14 -27 October 2022 from €6,810
17 Feb – 02 March 2023 from €7,000

The 14 day Tour Price Includes:

• 8 nights on board the African Explorer private train
• 1 night in a Windhoek city hotel
• 1 night in a generously spaced safari lodge at the entrance to Etosha National Park
• 2 nights in a stylish lodge in the Namib desert
• 1 night in a premium class hotel in Cape Town
• Multi-lingual tour director from Windhoek to Cape Town throughout
• English-speaking tour guide for max. 23 guests from Cape Town to Windhoek
• Doctor on board
• All meals as specified in the itinerary
• Water, tea and coffee with meals
• Bottled water in your train compartment
• All excursions and sightseeing including admission fees
• Excursions and transfers in air-conditioned buses
• Fascinating series of lectures on sights, history, daily life and culture
• Extensive information materials
• Group airport transfers for guests arriving before 1.30 p.m. in Cape Town on day 1 and departing from Windhoek after 5.00 p.m. on day 14 (to be confirmed)
  Private transfers may be booked separately at a supplement

Not Included In Tour Price

• Visa fees
• Gratuities
• International flights
• Individual airport transfers: Approx cost: 85 EUR per car (2 pax) in Cape Town and 105 EUR per car (2 pax) in Windhoek (to be confirmed)
• Alcoholic drinks (wine from R70 per bottle, spirits from R10 per shot, beer from R20)

Notes

• Passport and visa required depending on nationality. Please check with your local consulate.
• Depending on your country of origin, you may require vaccinations. Malaria tablets and hepatitis A vaccination are recommended. Please consult your doctor
• Airport Information:
  Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
  Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) 

Payment terms

• Non-refundable deposit of 20% is due after the reservation
• Final payment is due 95 days prior to departure

Cancellation conditions

• Up to 95 days prior to departure, loss of deposit
• 94 to 45 days prior to departure, 60% of total price
• 44 to 15 days prior to departure, 90% of total price
• 14 to 0 days prior to departure, 100% of total price

We regret that due to the intricate logistics of this tour, itinerary changes are sometimes unavoidable.

Minimum number of tour participants: 50 ; maximum 64