Yulia - Travel Expert
- Luxury Train African Explorer between South Africa and Namibia
- Deserts, canyons, and unspoiled nature
- Hotel comfort and premium service
WINDHOEK
You will arrive at the Windhoek Airport, the capital of Namibia, where your guide will meet you and take you to your hotel.
WINDHOEK
A city tour will let you discover the Lutheran church Christuskirche, the Palace of Ink, and the Katutura township. Then you will head to Windhoek station, where you will meet your luxury train, the African Explorer.
The African Explorer is actually the name given to a historic train in South Africa, the Shongololo Express. Under the name African Explorer, departures may be in French.
Your train trip in South Africa will begin: you will pass through private wildlife reserves where you may spot giraffes, springboks and ostriches!
PARC NATIONAL D’ETOSHA
This day will take you to the heart of the Etosha National Park. You will cross the park from west to east (130 km) by coach, getting up close to elephants, wildebeest, and other wild animals. The vast Etosha pan lies at the centre of the park: this wide, white plain is home to many animals. You will enjoy an unforgettable safari!
After this intense day, you will settle in at the lodge.
OTJIWARONGO
SWAKOPMUND
Near Usakos, your private train will stop at the foot of the impressive Spitzkoppe, which rises 700 m above the nearby plains, completely flat as far as the eye can see.
You will make a stop in Spitzkoppe to discover the rock paintings of the San people. A school visit will give you an insight into the children of Damara’s everyday life (outside school holidays).
You will then get back on your special train. Late in the afternoon, you will arrive in Swakopmund. Founded by German settlers in 1892, the town has retained a Germanic feel: during your free time, you can also enjoy an authentic Black Forest at Café Anton.
WALVIS BAY
You leave the luxury train with a light bag and travel by coach to Walvis Bay, literally the “Bay of Whales”. If you are lucky, you may be able to watch flamingos and pelicans. After five hours on the road, you will reach the Namib Naukluft National Park.
Finally, you will pass through the Gaub Pass, a mountain pass at 750 metres above sea level, along the Naukluft Mountains with their intriguing rock formations and the Kuiseb Canyon. (On request, we can arrange a panoramic flight to fly over this fascinating landscape).
PARC NAMIB NAUKLUFT
MARIENTAL
You will leave your lodge to travel to Mariental by coach (around 5 hours). Your special train will be waiting for you there. Finally, you will enjoy a biltong tasting, a very popular dried meat speciality in Namibia.
AUS, NAMIBIE
In the morning, the African Explorer will arrive at Aus station. You will go on an excursion by coach to the ghost town of Kolmanskop, where the first diamonds in Namibia were discovered.
You will explore this abandoned mining town, visit the hospital and empty houses, and then return to the coastal town of Lüderitz, the oldest town in south-west Africa. A new excursion will take you to the Diaz Point peninsula, where Portuguese explorer Bartolomeo Dias first landed in 1488.
Finally, you will return to the stopover village of Aus, where your special train will be waiting for you for the next part of your train journey.
HOLOOG
You will arrive at Holoog in the morning. A coach will take you to the Fish River Canyon, the world’s second-largest canyon. If you wish, you can take a short walk along the canyon edge.
PARC NATIONAL AUGRABIES
MATJIESFONTEIN
You will reach Matjiesfontein, a charming town with a hint of Victorian flair, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its famous Lord Milner Hotel.
LE CAP
Plane
Plane
The train we call theAfrican Explorer is actually another name for a well-known train in South Africa, the Shongololo Express. On certain dates, this train is chartered by a German company specializing in luxury train journeys. (operator of some departures of the Al Andalus train in Spain). On its “African Explorer” dates, the Shongololo Express offers some French-speaking departures. The African Explorer (or Shongololo Express) was purchased by the Rovos Rail company, which restored it in its workshops—well known among enthusiasts of exceptional trains.
The Elephant compartments offer a private shower and toilet, individually adjustable air conditioning, power outlets, a small safe, towels, a compact wardrobe with hangers, small bedside tables, a hairdryer, and small toiletries. The windows (equipped with blinds and sunshades) can be opened as needed.
The compartments (approximately 7 m²) feature either two single berths side by side or one double berth. There are a total of five cars in the Elephant category, with five compartments in each.
The Leopard compartments are distinguished from the Elephant compartments by their size (approximately 10 m²). They are also equipped with either two single berths or one double berth. There are five cars in total in the Leopard category, with three sleeping compartments each.
- 8 nights in the reserved sleeper car onboard the African Explorer train
- 1 hotel night in Windhoek (Namibia’s capital)
- 1 night in a spacious lodge located near Etosha National Park (Namibia)
- 2 nights in a modern lodge in the Namibian desert
- 1 hotel night in Cape Town (South Africa)
- Meals depending on the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- Culinary specialties and a biltong tasting
- Outdoor barbecue in the great outdoors
- Constant accompaniment by the tour guide from Windhoek to Cape Town
- English- or French-speaking tour guides (depending on departure) for up to 23 people from Windhoek to Cape Town
- Doctor onboard
- All excursions and visits in Namibia and South Africa (entry tickets included)
- Baggage service from and to the Windhoek and Cape Town airports
- Airport transfers on day 1 and day 14
- French-language support from the Discovery Trains teams during the stay
- International flights
- Tourist visa fees on arrival in Namibia (approximately 30 USF in cash)
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Transfers if your flights do not fall within the hours when transfers are provided
- Tourist accommodation taxes at hotels in Namibia and South Africa
PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION TERMS
A deposit of 15% is due 240 days before departure
Final payment is due 60 days before departure
Cancellation:
- Up to 241 days before departure: free of charge
- Between 240 and 92 days before departure: 15% of the total price
- Between 91 and 42 days before departure: 45% of the total price
- Between 41 and 11 days before departure: 80% of the total price
- 10 days or less before departure/no-show: 90% of the total price
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
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- Minimum: 50 people
- Maximum: 64 people
