Namibian Rail Safari

Depart from London Heathrow with British Airways for an overnight flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. Connecting flights to London Heathrow from Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen or Belfast City are available at no extra cost.

Connect via Johannesburg for an onward flight to Walvis Bay, Namibia. After clearing customs, we will be met at the airport and transferred to the coastal town of Swakopmund, where we spend our first two nights in Africa at the Swakopmund Hotel. A colonial port town full of seaside charm and old German architecture, settle in and explore the delights of Swakopmund for yourself.

Walvis Bay is home to a great natural lagoon which attracts tens of thousands of birds, including pelicans and flamingos that flock together by the thousands. This morning, following breakfast, we visit the lagoon to learn more about this fascinating area, the stunning flamingos providing some great photo opportunities. We continue to Pink Lake, another hotspot for birdlife, and continue to Sandwich Harbour where dramatic 100m-high sand dunes run straight into the ocean. Following an adventurous drive on the dunes, we return to Swakopmund where the remainder of our day is at leisure. Perhaps dine in one of the towns many excellent seafood restaurants or enjoy a Bavarian beer and a bratwurst!

Following breakfast, we transfer to Walvis Bay train station, where the magnificent Rovos Rail awaits our arrival. Following check-in formalities, board and settle in for the adventure of a lifetime. As the train departs for Otjiwarongo, admire the geological wonder of the ancient Namib desert, from the panoramic windows in our suites. Estimated at somewhere between 55-88 million years, it may well be the oldest desert in the world. Lunch is served in the dining car. Meals are all freshly prepared by expert chefs, harnessing the flavours of local produce. As our journey continues into the afternoon, head to the observation car for a better view of the endless Nabi desert and appreciate the timeless grace of Rovos and understand first-hand why it enjoys its stellar reputation for unparalleled hospitality and comfort. Following dinner, we retire to our suites.

Following breakfast, we transfer to the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in Otjiwarongo. Founded in 1990, the CCF is singularly dedicated to protecting wild cheetahs. These exquisite creatures, known for their astonishing speed, have seen their numbers dramatically fall, with 90% of the world’s wild cheetahs lost in the last century. Through this conservation project, we discover exactly what is being done to preserve and, hopefully, restore their population. We return to our train for lunch and spend an afternoon relaxing and enjoying the onboard comforts as we continue our journey.

Tour Highlight

After breakfast this morning, we pack our overnight bags (Rovos will provide tog bags in our suites for our convenience) as we make our way into the heart of Etosha National Park for an overnight lodge stay. Etosha National Park is a sublime game viewing experience with 114 mammal species as well as 340 bird species. Following lunch at our lodge, we embark on an afternoon game drive. Keep a keen eye out for the elusive black rhino, tragically nearing extinction but remarkably stable in this region. Meaning ‘great white place’, Etosha is part of the Kalahari basin and salt pan, and is so large that it’s visible from space. The absence of trees makes for abundant game viewing as the animals are unobscured. This evening enjoy dinner and share stories from the day’s sightings.

An early morning game drive awaits. Etosha not only boasts lions, elephants, cheetahs and leopards, but rarer species like the black-faced impala, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, and the adorable Damara dik-dik (the smallest antelope in the world). Between animal sightings, learn about the remarkable landscape. Afterwards, we return to the train to enjoy the onboard facilities. Take tea in the lounge or observation car at your leisure, but save space for the feast that awaits in the dining car this evening.

Tour Highlight

This morning we find ourselves approaching Windhoek, the charming capital of Namibia. With our small overnight bag packed for our next adventure we transfer to the airstrip for our short flight to Sossusvlei. The red dunes, loaded with iron oxide, are made of sand blown from the coast and are millions of years old. One of Namibia’s best known attractions, the spectacular red sand dunes of Sossusvlei are a photographer’s delight! Following lunch at our lodge, we venture out for an afternoon desert drive. Following sunset, a magnificent bush dinner brings our day to a close.

Our desert drive this morning takes us Deadvlei, where petrified camel thorn trees stand starkly against the mesmerising red dunes and vivid blue sky. Admire these exquisite trees up close and take in the hypnotic beauty of the region. Afterwards, we take our short return flight back to Windhoek. Following lunch at the Windhoek Country Club, embark on a tour of the city. Visit the Trans-Namib Transport Museum, the Independence Memorial Museum, the beautiful Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Namibia Craft Centre, housed in a former brewery. We return to the haven of our Rovos Rail hotel-on-wheels, settling in for our onward journey.

Following the excitement of the last few days, enjoy a leisurely morning on board as we continue our journey across the Nabi desert. This afternoon, disembark to visit the town of Keetmanshoop and Garas Park. Home to roughly 300 specimens of Aloe dichotomy, otherwise known as Quiver trees, these distinctive plants make a serene oasis, resplendent against a backdrop of ancient rocks. Returning to the train, enjoy high tea in the observation car, or the comfortable lounge.

This morning, we travel to the ghost town of Kolmanskop. An abandoned German mining town which was once at the forefront of Namibia’s diamond trade, we learn of Kolmanskop’s history as we stroll around the town’s buildings now taken over by the Nambi desert. We lunch in nearby Luderitz before returning to our train. Take a seat in the observation car, or relax with a cocktail before dinner.

Tour Highlight

This morning we arrive at the awe-inspiring Fish River Canyon. The largest canyon in the southern hemisphere and second only to the Grand Canyon when it comes to sheer magnitude. We return for lunch on board and mid-afternoon we say goodbye to Namibia as we cross the border into South Africa.

After all our Namibian adventures, it’s time for a taste of South Africa! We head for Upington and enjoy a walking tour of this quaint city, named after Attorney General of the Cape, Sir Thomas Upington who captured the notorious Orange River pirate leader, Klaas Lucas. Enjoy a (pirate-free) scenic cruise along the serene Orange River, prior to lunch. Settle in for a relaxing afternoon on board, followed by a sumptuous dinner this evening.

It’s time to explore the diamond city of Kimberley. Following breakfast, embark on a tour of the Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole. 150 years ago, word spread that diamonds had been discovered in the area and a flood of prospectors descended to create the largest hand-dug excavation in the world! It’s truly a remarkable sight. We return to the train to enjoy the ever-changing vistas as Rovos continues its journey to Pretoria. As our final evening on board approaches, join fellow guests and reflect on the incredible experiences we have enjoyed together.

As we approach the end of our tour, we arrive into Rovos Rail’s private rail terminal in Pretoria, and we take a short drive to the beautiful Irene Country Lodge for our final night. Relax in the wonderful surroundings of your hotel.

After two memorable weeks, it is time to bid our Namibian adventure adieu as we depart Pretoria and make our way to the airport for our flight to London Heathrow.

Explore more of Africa…

Take the opportunity to explore Africa further by extending your holiday with a three-night stay at Victoria Falls, with a guided walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Victoria Falls; or add a stay amid Botswana’s abundant wildlife with a fabulous six-night extension to Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park; or visit Cape Town with a three-night stay experiencing pristine beaches to rugged mountains, the perfect addition to your African adventure.

We arrive at Heathrow in the early morning. Head home with memories of your African escapades! Those embarking on regional UK flights will connect via London Heathrow.