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railtour suisse · Luxury train journey

African Explorer

Luxury sleeper train through South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe with game drives

Illustration of African Explorer

Railtour Suisse's African Explorer is a 12-day luxury train journey across southern Africa's most celebrated landscapes and wildlife reserves. Departing from Cape Town, the train travels through South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, ending at Victoria Falls. Passengers sleep in sleeper compartments aboard the African Explorer and explore the region by coach, with game drives in national parks and overnight stays at stylish lodges woven throughout. An on-board guide delivers evening lectures in the bar car, adding context to the vast open spaces, Namibian dunes, and encounters with wildlife in their natural habitat. The itinerary combines rail comfort with safari immersion, appealing to travellers who seek luxury accommodation and structured wildlife viewing without sacrificing the experience of travelling by train across a continent. Optional extensions allow visitors to add time in Cape Town, Namibia, or around Chobe and the Okavango Delta before or after the main journey.

What to know before you look closer

  • The operator publishes no day-by-day itinerary for this package; confirm the route details, meal inclusions, and exact lodge names with Railtour Suisse before booking.
  • Optional extensions (Cape Town, Namibia, Chobe, or Victoria Falls add-ons) are priced separately and require advance arrangement.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The journey aboard the African Explorer train from Cape Town to Windhoek or from the Zambezi to Pretoria is included. The price starts at 9,290 CHF (approximately 11,573 USD).
What trains are used?
The African Explorer, with sleeper compartments in Elephant or Leopard class.
Is this trip guided or independent?
Guided. An on-board tour guide leads the journey and delivers evening lectures in the bar car. Game drives and excursions are by comfortable coach.
What countries are visited?
South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. The route runs from Cape Town through Windhoek, Namibia, the Zambezi, Pretoria, and Chobe National Park to Victoria Falls.
Are game drives and national parks included?
Yes. Game drives in famous national parks and excursions by comfortable bus are part of the journey.
Can I add extra time before or after?
Yes. Railtour Suisse offers optional pre- and post-trip extensions: a 4-5-day Cape Town programme, a 4-day Namibia lodge stay, or 4-6-day Chobe and Okavango or Chobe and Victoria Falls packages.

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