Day 01: Arrive Cape Town (SOUTH AFRICA)

Arrival in Cape Town and transfer to your hotel. 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. (D)

Day 02: 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.

Overnight: on board your train (5 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 03: A day on board

You will travel the whole day through South Africa’s diverse landscapes and listen to informative lectures on board. (B, L, D)

Day 04: Augrabies National Park

In the afternoon you arrive in Upington and go on an excursion to Augrabies National Park with its famous waterfalls.  In the early evening you will get back to the train and continue northbound. (B, L, D)

Day 05: Fish River Canyon (NAMIBIA)

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. (B, L, D)

Day 06: Ghost Town

Morning arrival in Aus station. Your day’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. (B, D)

Day 07: 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, Naukluft National Park (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 08: 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. (B, D)

Day 09: 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 buses takes about 5 hours. In Swakopmund your train awaits you.

Overnight: on board your train (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 10: Spitzkoppe

In the early morning your train leaves Swakopmund. It will 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.  Your train continues towards Otjiwarongo. (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, Etosha National Park (1 night) (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 your train (1 night) (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 you will go on a city tour including 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 before a farewell dinner will be served in a special restaurant.

Overnight: Avani Windhoek Hotel & Casino (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 14: Depart Windhoek

Check out and according to your flights, transfer to the airport for your flight back home. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a maximum group size of 23 participants while touring, while the maximum capacity of the whole train is between 68 and 96 passengers.
Please note that this tour is NOT part of our small group journeys.

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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