Arrival

On arrival we meet and transfer you to the Shongololo Train. Balance of day is free. Optional Tours (if time permits):  Lesedi Cultural Village; The Cradle of Mankind; Gold Reef City, Apartheid Museum & World of Beer; East Rand Mall or Emperors Palace.

Early this morning the Shongololo Express heads for Namibia.  The balance of the day is spent travelling west across South Africa to Upington.

The highlight of today’s Included Excursion is the thundering waterfalls in Augrabies National Park.  There are 3 easy hiking trails to the Falls with interesting plant life en route.  Afterwards the train leaves Upington and crosses into Namibia tonight

After an early breakfast set off for the Fish River Canyon.  Stop at the Canyon Roadhouse, then continue on to Keetmanshoop for lunch (at own expense). Afterwards visit Giant’s Playground, a huge 180 million year-old outcrop of dolerite boulders.  The excursion ends at the Quiver Tree Forest, where around 300 specimens of this prehistoric tree are found.  Re-board the train in Keetmanshoop and travel over night to Aus.

This morning drive through the desert to visit the desert horses en route to Luderitz. On arrival, tour this historical town including the Cross and the ghost city of Kolmanskop. During a walking tour, learn about electricity, ice makers and 10 pin bowling back in the 30’s!!  Then rejoin the train at Aus Station to travel on to Windhoek in the evening.

The day starts with a tour of Windhoek and will include visits to the TransNamib Transport Museum, the Alte Feste Castle and the Namibia Craft Centre.  Depart by train in the afternoon, travelling to Tsumeb Siding.                               

Spend the day game viewing in one of Africa’s most famous wildlife reserves, Etosha National Park.  Lunch (at own expense) is at one of the park’s rest camps. Rejoin the train in the Oshivelo Station, near the Park.  Optional Excursion (at additional cost):  You may spend two days and one night in the park viewing wildlife from the safety of our air-conditioned vehicles (this time around the central region of the pan). Lunch (at own expense) will be enjoyed in the park and the night is spent in a tented camp inside or close to the park.                         

Another morning of wonderful game viewing in Etosha.  After lunch (own account) re-board the train at Otjiwarongo and travel head for Omaruru.                     

Situated near the Erongo Mountains, the town of Omaruru grew around a mission built in 1872.  Today, visit the biggest wine cellar in Namibia, Kristall Kellerei Winery.  A unique feature of Omaruru is the Tikoloshe root-carving factory. Then enjoy a ride on a traditional donkey cart from the station.  Tonight there will be a traditional ‘braai’ - BBQ.  The train departs early evening travelling via Kranzberg and Usakos to Swakopmund.
                 

Explore Spitzkoppe, the ‘Matterhorn of Namibia’.  Formed over 100 million years ago, these enormous granite rocks were created by volcanic activities and subsequent erosion.  Then drive to Henties Bay for lunch (at own expense) followed by a visit to the Cape Cross Seal Reserve to see the Cape Fur Seals.  Return to Swakopmund in the late afternoon.  The train remains in Swakopmund.
                 

Today’s Included Excursion is: Moon Landscape, Welwitschia Drive, Walvis Bay – Marvel at the extraordinary lunar landscape of the Namib Desert where you’ll find the Welwitschia plant that survives in these harsh conditions.  Also watch for Oryx, Springbox and Zebra.  After lunch in Walvis Bay (at own expense), visit the Walvis Bay Lagoon where thousands of flamingos can be seen.  Before returning to Swakopmund, there will be a stop to see Dune 7, the highest sand dune in the area.  There are also 2 Optional Activities (at additional cost):  Ocean and Desert Combination Tour – Take a cruise around Walvis Bay looking for seals and dolphins. After a lunch of oysters and wine on the beach, board 4 x 4 vehicles and drive through the dune landscape (weather dependent).  Mola Mola Seal and Dolphin Cruise – Travel by boat around Walvis Bay and feed seals by hand before having a tasty snack of oysters and champagne while on board.  The afternoon is at leisure. The train remains another night in Swakopmund.
                 

The morning is at leisure where you are free to explore on your own this delightful, seaside town, reminiscent of a Bavarian village, or participate in a variety of Optional Activities (at additional cost). Sossusvlei Fly-in – Fly by light aircraft over the Namib Desert and land in Sesriem where 4x4 vehicles take you into the high sand dunes.  After lunch at the Sossusvlei Lodge, fly over the remains of three old diamond mines.  Flying along the coast watch for Cape Fur Seals and old shipwrecks before returning to Swakopmund.  Epupa Falls / Ovahimba Fly-in – Boarding a light aircraft fly north over scenic Damaraland and Kaokoland, arriving at Epupa.  Here, visit an Ovahimba village where you will see how these semi-nomadic people still live by their ancient traditions.  Then visit the majestic Epupa Falls over which the Kunene River plunges. Enjoy lunch at the Omarunga Camp before flying along the Uniab Riverbed looking for Desert Elephant, Rhino, Giraffe, Mountain Zebra and other game.  Return back to Swakopmund, flying along the rugged Skeleton Coast, famous for its shipwrecks.  Sossusvlei – ”Classic Flight” - Fly over contrasting desert and coastal scenery as you cross the Namib Desert and the dry Kuiseb riverbed, before soaring over the massive sand dunes at Sossusvlei.  The morning’s flight ends as you fly along the coast looking at shipwrecks, seal colonies and flamingo.  Conception Bay Flight - This flight offers stunning views of Swakopmund region, including the Swakop River, Richthofen Farm, the Moon Landscape, Goanikontes Oasis, Namib Desert Park, Rössing Mines, Khan River, Walvis Bay, Kuiseb River, White Mountain, Conception Bay, the “Eduard Bohlen” shipwreck, seal colonies, the “Shaunee” shipwreck, the “Long Wall” dune ridge, Sandwich Harbour, the salt pans, Walvis Bay Harbour and Guano Island.  Quad Bikes – Set off with your guide on fully automatic quad bikes to spend the morning exploring the dunes and seeing some of its rare insect life that exist in the arid landscape.  (All flight-seeing activities require a minimum of 5 participants). The train departs Swakopmund in the evening for Windhoek.

After a late breakfast on board the train, you may be transferred to a hotel in the morning.  If you are flying from Windhoek International Airport, it must be in the evening only.  In this case optional tours within the Windhoek area may be undertaken.