Southern Africa Train Journey – Windhoek to Cape Town

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FACTS

Regions covered: Windhoek, Etosha National Park, Swakopmund, Namib-Naukluft National Park, Fish River Canyon, Upington, Matjiesfontein, Cape Town

A railroad safari across some of Africa’s most spectacular landscapes. Deep canyons, wide-open plains, wild animals and the highest sand dunes in the world. The voyage of a lifetime. Set out on an unparalleled adventure across South Africa and Namibia. The African Explorer train takes you from the otherworldly wonders of the Namib Desert to metropolis of Cape Town. Travel in comfort and ease by private train, watching elephants and giraffes graze in fields outside your window

What Makes Your Journey Unique

Unique 1,800 km rail journey from Windhoek to Cape Town
Comfortable private train: the African Explorer
German or Francophone tour guide. English-speaking guide can be arranged for minimum 15 guests traveling together
Small groups (max. 25 passengers)
8 nights in sleeper cars, 3 in modern lodges, 2 in hotels
Cape Town – the most beautiful coastal city
Fish River Canyon – second largest canyon in the world
UNESCO World Heritage: Namib Desert & Sossusvlei’s dunes
Catamaran cruise off Walvis Bay
Surreal rock formations in Namib-Naukluft Park
Guided game drive in Etosha National Park

Dates:

Windhoek to Cape Town

6-19 December 2026

Planned Hotels
Windhoek – 1 night – Hilton Garden Inn
Etosha – 1 night – King Nahale Lodge
Namib Desert – 2 nights – Namib Desert Lodge
Cape Town – 1 night – The Commodore

Entry Requirements:

Passport and visa required
COVID-19: Entry/vaccination rules per destination country—check local regulations
Possible vaccination requirements depending on country of origin
Malaria tablets and Hepatitis A vaccination recommended—consult your physician

Compartment Types:

Elephant Category

Elephant sleeping compartments feature a private shower and toilet, individually adjustable air-conditioning, 220/230V power outlets, a small safe, towels, a closet with clothes hangers, small bedside cabinets, a hair dryer and travel size toiletries. The windows (equipped with blinds and sunshades) can be opened as needed.

The compartments (approx. 7 sq m/75 sq ft) are equipped with two single beds next to each other or a double bed. There is a total of five cars in the Elephant category with five compartments each.

Leopard Category

Leopard sleeping compartments feature a private shower and toilet, individually adjustable air-conditioning, 220/230V sockets, a small safe, towels, a closet with clothes hangers, small bedside cabinets, a hair dryer and travel size toiletries. The windows (equipped with blinds and sunshades) can be opened as needed.

The compartments (approx. 10 sq m/107 sq ft) are equipped with two single beds or a double bed. There is a total of five cars in the Leopard category with three sleeper suites each.

Inclusions:

8 nights aboard African Explorer in reserved sleeper cabin
1 hotel night in Windhoek
1 lodge night near Etosha
2 lodge nights in Namib Desert
1 hotel night in Cape Town
Meals as per itinerary (B = Breakfast, P = Picnic, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
Biltong tasting and local culinary experiences
Outdoor barbecue
Continuous escort by lead tour guide
German/French-speaking guides (depending on departure). For a minimum of 15 paying pax we will arrange English speaking guide during excursions.
Doctor on board
All excursions and entrance fees
Luggage handling and airport transfers (Day 1 & 14)

Not Included

Visa fees
Gratuities
International flights
Personal expenses
GST and TCS as applicable

Rates:

Elephant Category Room – USD 13390 per person on twin sharing | Single Supplement – USD 7030

Leopard Category Room – USD 15890 per person on twin sharing | Single Supplement – On Request

Payment conditions

Non-refundable deposit of 15% is due after the reservation
Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure

Cancellation conditions

Up to 92 days prior to departure: 15% of total price
Between 91 and 42 days prior to departure: 45% of total price
Between 41 and 11 days prior to departure: 80% of total price
10 and less days prior to departure/no-show: 90% of total price

Important Notes

We regret that due to the intricate logistics of this tour, itinerary changes are sometimes unavoidable
This journey is generally not for guests with limited mobility or who depend on CPAP machines. Please contact us for more information about your specific requirements before booking
Minimum number of tour participants for English-speaking guide: 15 guests
Minimum number of tour participants for departure to be operated: 50 guests
Maximum number of tour participants: 64 guests

13 Nights / 14 Days

Experiential Holidays

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Southern Africa Train Journey

Tour Plan

Arrival in Windhoek – 06 DEC 2026

You will land at Windhoek Airport where your tour guide will welcome you. Then, you will transfer to your hotel. Namibia’s capital lies at over 1,600 meters above sea level and is framed by the mountains of the Khomas Highlands. With a population of around 480,000, the peaceful Windhoek is the country’s largest city and captivates visitors with its blend of African and European lifestyles. You’ll encounter Herero women in their Victorian dresses, young girls with intricately braided hairstyles, as well as teenagers and farmers from the countryside. In the evening, you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and meet your tour guides. Overnight: Hilton Garden Inn (or similar). Meals included: Dinner (D)

Departure of the African Explorer – 07 DEC 2026

During an introductory city tour of Windhoek, you’ll visit the Christ Church and the so-called “Ink Palace,” which houses the Namibian Parliament. Then, at the small historic Windhoek train station, it’s time to board your train – all aboard! Make yourself comfortable in your compartment. With a bit of luck, your journey will turn into a train safari, as the railway passes through private game farms – giraffes, springboks, and ostriches are often spotted along the tracks! Since your private train travels at a leisurely pace and there is hardly any other train traffic on the route, you’ll have excellent opportunities for unique photo moments. After dinner in the onboard restaurant, unwind with a glass of South African red wine or a beer in the bar car. Overnight on board. Meals included: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D).

Etosha National Park – 08 DEC 2026

After breakfast, you will travel by bus to your lodge in Etosha National Park (approx. 150 km). Enjoy the amenities of your accommodation before optionally setting out on a game drive in open safari vehicles (available at an extra charge). An unforgettable safari awaits you: you may observe elephants, wildebeests, numerous bird species, and other wildlife up close, especially at the waterholes. With a bit of luck, you might even see lions or the elusive leopards. The animal herds in Etosha Park rely on the waterholes nearly all year round, making this more than 22,000 km² park an ideal setting for wildlife observation. After this exciting day, you will return to a nearby lodge, where you will spend the night. Dinner tonight will be served as a traditional Boma – an open-air meal around a fire. Overnight: King Nehale Lodge. Meals included: B/Picnic (P)/D.

More Safari! – 09 DEC 2026

In the morning, you'll embark on an extended game drive in safari vehicles. Afterwards, return by bus to your private train, where the friendly onboard staff will warmly welcome you back. Overnight on board. Meals included: B/L/D.

The Spitzkoppe – 10 DEC 2026

At Ebony station, your train stops for an excursion to the 1,700-meter-high Spitzkoppe. Buses will already be waiting upon your arrival. Here, you can discover ancient rock paintings by the San Bushmen. After the excursion, you return to the train, which continues on toward Swakopmund. The route between Windhoek and Swakopmund, completed in 1902, is the country’s oldest railway line. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Swakopmund, a town that in many places resembles a small German city. Buildings from the Wilhelmine era such as the Hohenzollern House, the Old Courthouse, and the Brewery still visibly reflect the colonial past. There will be time for a stroll along the seaside promenade or for a slice of Black Forest cake at Café Anton before returning to your private train for the night. Overnight on board. Meals included: B/L/D.

Catamaran Cruise – 11 DEC 2026

Today's program takes you to Walvis Bay. Here, you'll embark on a relaxing catamaran cruise with brunch served on board. With a bit of luck, you may spot sea lions, pelicans, seals, and flamingos. Once back on land, you’ll have free time in Swakopmund before returning to the train for dinner. Overnight on board. Meals included: B/BR (Brunch)/D.

From the Atlantic to the Desert – 12 DEC 2026

Today you disembark with light luggage and travel by coach on a roughly five-hour journey (approx. 300 km) along unpaved roads from the Atlantic coast through Namib-Naukluft National Park. The park, established in 1979, is Namibia’s largest nature reserve, covering about 50,000 km². En route, you will stop for photos at the dramatic rock formations of the Gaub Pass and Kuiseb Canyon. Alternatively, you may choose to take a scenic flight in a small aircraft from Walvis Bay to the Namib Desert, enjoying aerial views of the desert landscape (available at an extra charge). At your lodge, you will spend two days immersed in the stillness and vastness of the primeval landscape of the world’s oldest desert, the Namib – a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. An unforgettable highlight is the night sky, which reveals its full brilliance here thanks to the clean, clear air and absence of artificial light. Overnight: Namib Desert Lodge (or similar). Meals included: B/D.

The Highest Dunes in the World – 13 DEC 2026

The early morning hours are the best time to experience the giant brick-red dunes of the Namib, glowing in the hues of the morning light. In open vehicles, you’ll drive along unpaved sandy tracks to the main gate of Sossusvlei, about 60 km away — a clay pan surrounded by dunes that fills with water from the Tsauchab River only in good rainy seasons. Climbing one of the dunes rewards you with wide panoramic views of a vast sea of sand. At sunset, enjoy a romantic drive through the desert. Overnight: Namib Desert Lodge (or similar). Meals included: B/D.

Namib-Naukluft National Park – 14 DEC 2026

From your lodge, travel by bus for about four hours (approx. 295 km) through rocky and mountainous landscapes to Mariental, where your private train awaits. If the timetable permits, an excursion to the Quiver Tree Forest will be included. Overnight on board. Meals included: B/L/D

Fish River Canyon – 15 DEC 2026

At Holoog station – essentially just a stop in the middle of nowhere – you will transfer to buses and drive through untouched semi-desert to the Fish River Canyon, about 70 km away. Those who wish can take a short hike along the canyon rim and enjoy spectacular views into the 500-meter deep and 160-kilometer long gorge. At midday, your train begins its journey toward South Africa. During the night, you will leave Namibia and cross the border into South Africa. Overnight on board. Meals included: B/L/D.

Augrabies National Park – 16 DEC 2026

In the morning, you arrive in Upington. From here, a bus takes you approximately 120 km to the Augrabies Falls National Park. This nature reserve stretches along the Orange River and is famous for the 56-meter-high Augrabies Falls. After the visit, you return to your private train. Overnight on board. Meals included: B/L/D.

Matjiesfontein – 17 DEC 2026

Today, your train travels through stunning mountain landscapes and passes the Victorian village of Matjiesfontein. Make yourself comfortable in your compartment and enjoy the view of the passing scenery. Overnight on board. Meals included: B/L/D

Cape Town – 18 DEC 2026

Today, your train reaches the final destination of your journey: Cape Town — often called the most beautiful end of the world. Here, it's time to bid farewell to the beloved train crew before you explore Cape Town on a panoramic city tour. Take a leisurely stroll along the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront or enjoy the lively atmosphere from one of the many cafés. In the evening, savor one final taste of African cuisine during a festive farewell dinner. Overnight: The Commodore (or similar). Meals included: B/D.