Namibia Train Safari
Safari Information
- Departure; Scheduled departure dates
- Duration; 12 Days / 11 Nights
- Lodging; Aboard Rovos Rail
- Group Size; Minimum 1
- Note: Travel insurance is compulsory for all safaris
Embark on a 12-Day Luxury Safari by Train Through Africa’s Most Enchanting Landscapes
Step aboard a world of elegance, adventure, and unforgettable moments with the 12-day Rovos Rail safari experience. This extraordinary train journey weaves through Africa’s breathtaking terrains, from the shimmering deserts of Namibia to the vibrant wildlife havens of Etosha National Park. Every day brings a new destination, a new story, and countless memories, all while passengers enjoy the comfort and sophistication of a five-star rolling lodge.
From the gilded dining cars to the attentive service, every detail of the Rovos Rail safari has been designed to indulge its guests. Whether marveling at the vast Fish River Canyon or exploring the histories of Kimberley’s diamond mines, each excursion offers a rare blend of natural wonder and cultural richness. Highlights include game drives among Africa’s majestic creatures, a serene sundowner cruise along the Orange River, and a stay in luxurious desert lodges surrounded by star-filled skies.
This is more than a safari; it’s a voyage into the heart of Africa’s beauty and spirit. With every turn of the rail and every stretch of this curated itinerary, travelers are treated to exclusive experiences, world-class cuisine, and the allure of unspoiled landscapes. For those who dream of adventure paired with unmatched comfort, this safari promises a once-in-a-lifetime escape.
Day 1: Pretoria to the Highveld
- 11:00: Depart from Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria. The train travels south across the goldfields of the Witwatersrand.
- 13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars.
- 16:30: Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
- 19:30: Dinner is served as the train travels toward Kimberley.
- Dress: Formal
Day 2: Kimberley & The Great Karoo
- 07:00: Breakfast is served until 10:00.
- 9:00: Enjoy a tour of Kimberley, visiting the Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole, the world's largest man-made excavation.
- Historical Note: Kimberley was established in 1871 following the discovery of diamonds in the region.
- 13:00: Lunch is served. The observation car leads the train through the vast semi-desert of the Great Karoo.
- 19:30: Dinner is served en route to De Aar.
- Dress: Formal
Day 3: Upington & The Orange River
- 13:00: After lunch, enjoy a walking tour of Upington followed by a sundowner cruise on the Orange River.
- Historical Note: The town was founded in 1884 and named after Sir Thomas Upington, who was responsible for clearing the region of river pirates.
- 19:30: Dinner is served as the train reaches the border at Nakop for formalities into Namibia.
- Dress: "Africa" Theme or Smart Casual
Day 4: Fish River Canyon
- 07:00: Breakfast is served as the train travels along the southern reaches of the Kalahari Basin.
- 14:00: Transfer to the Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in the southern hemisphere, for a spectacular view over its 550m deep cliffs.
- 19:30: Dinner is served en route to Aus.
- Dress: Formal
Day 5: Kolmanskop & Lüderitz
- 08:00: Transfer to the ghost town of Kolmanskop, a once-thriving diamond mining hub.
- 13:00: Enjoy lunch in Lüderitz, a coastal town known for its colonial architecture and desert-dwelling horses.
- 18:00: Rejoin the train and depart for Keetmanshoop.
- Dress: Formal
Day 6: Keetmanshoop & Garas Park
- 09:00: Visit Keetmanshoop and Garas Park, home to a dense forest of prehistoric Quiver Trees (Aloe dichotomy).
- 13:00: Lunch is served as the train departs for Mariental.
- 16:30: Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
- Dress: Formal
Day 7: Sossusvlei (Lodge Stay)
- Note: Please pack an overnight bag for your stay in Sossusvlei.
- 11:00: Transfer to the airstrip for a light aircraft flight over the Namib Desert to a luxury lodge.
- Afternoon: Enjoy a desert drive followed by a bush dinner under the stars.
- Overnight: Stay at a Sossusvlei lodge.
- Dress: Casual
Day 8: Sossusvlei to Windhoek
- Morning: An early morning desert drive with breakfast in the vlei among the world's highest sand dunes.
- 12:00: Fly to Windhoek, Namibia's capital city, for lunch at the Country Club.
- Afternoon: A city tour visiting the Trans-Namib Transport Museum and the Independence Memorial Museum.
- 18:00: Rejoin the train and depart for Kranzberg.
- Dress: Formal
Day 9: Cheetah Conservation Project
- 12:30: Lunch is served in the dining cars.
- 14:30: Visit a cheetah conservation project in Otjiwarongo to learn about efforts to save the species in the wild.
- 18:00: Depart for Otavi.
- Dress: Formal
Day 10: Etosha National Park (Lodge Stay)
- Note: Please pack an overnight bag for your stay in Etosha.
- 11:00: Transfer to an Etosha lodge for lunch and check-in.
- 15:00: Enjoy a game drive in the park, which is dominated by the massive 4760km² Etosha salt pan.
- Overnight: Stay at an Etosha lodge.
- Dress: Casual
Day 11: Etosha to the Namib
- 07:00: Enjoy a morning game drive in Etosha National Park.
- 11:00: Transfer to the train at Tsumeb Station.
- 13:00: Lunch is served as the train travels southwest through the Namib Desert.
- Dress: "1920s" Theme or Smart Casual
Day 12: Arrival in Walvis Bay
- 07:00: Breakfast is served as you traverse the final stretch of the Namib Desert.
- 12:00: Arrive at the journey's end at Walvis Bay Station.
- Dress: Smart Casual
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ITINERARY ALSO RUN IN REVERSE
Rates form part of a safari itinerary
- Rovos Rail Namibia Train Safari Rates
- Per person sharing
- Rates are in South African Rands
- *Rates may vary according to season
- Accommodation
- All meals
- All local alcoholic and other beverages
- 24-hour full room service
- Bar facilities
- Limited laundry service
- Excursions accompanied by a qualified tour guide (where applicable)
- Entrance fees to places of interest, per itinerary
- Government tax
- Visas
- Items of a personal nature
- Flights (domestic and international)
- Staff gratuities
- French Champagne
- Memorabilia purchases
- Off train costs and purchases
- Fully comprehensive travel insurance
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