How much does it cost?

From CHF 11,692 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $14,341 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. The tour includes 8 nights aboard the African Explorer special train between Cape Town and Windhoek; the day-by-day itinerary assigns the train overnight on 7 of those days.

Is this trip escorted?

Yes, with a German-speaking tour guide for a maximum of 25 guests, plus a German-speaking doctor on board.

What accommodation is included?

One night in a comfort hotel in Cape Town, 2 nights in a lodge in the Namib Desert, one night in a safari lodge at the gateway to Etosha National Park, and one night in a city hotel in Windhoek, in addition to the nights aboard the African Explorer.

What is not included?

Flights to Cape Town and from Windhoek, the optional excursion package, tips and personal expenses, drinks and meals not specified, and travel insurance are not included.

railtour suisse · Escorted tour

Jewel of the desert

16-day escorted train tour, Cape Town to Windhoek on the African Explorer

railtour suisse operates this 16-day escorted tour from Cape Town to Windhoek aboard the African Explorer special train, with a German-speaking tour guide for up to 25 guests and a German-speaking doctor on board throughout. After a flight from Switzerland and one night in a comfort hotel in Cape Town, travelers board the African Explorer, passing through the tunnels of the Hexriver Mountains into the Great Karoo and the Victorian town of Matjiesfontein. The route continues to Augrabies Falls National Park and the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world, before two nights in a lodge in the Namib Desert near Sossusvlei's dunes, described as the highest in the world. The train then continues to Swakopmund for a catamaran cruise and on to Spitzkoppe, nicknamed the Matterhorn of Namibia, before a safari lodge stay at Etosha National Park and a final night in Windhoek. Meals, excursions, transfers and porter service are included throughout. This suits travelers who want a fully guided, small-group journey through South Africa and Namibia's desert landscapes and wildlife.

What to know before you look closer

Flights to Cape Town and from Windhoek are not included in the price.
An optional excursion package is bookable in addition to the standard itinerary, at extra cost.
The evidence pack does not list specific departure dates; confirm scheduling and availability with railtour suisse.
The included list counts 8 nights aboard the African Explorer, though the day-by-day itinerary only assigns an on-train overnight to 7 of those days; confirm the exact train nights with railtour suisse.

Day by day

Day 1
Departure from Switzerland in the evening
Day 2overnight: Comfort hotel, Cape Town
Cape Town
You will arrive in Cape Town in the morning, where you will be greeted by your tour guide at the airport and accompanied to your hotel. The afternoon is at your leisure before you get to know your fellow travelers at the welcome dinner in the evening.
Day 3railovernight: African Explorer
Start of the journey with the African Explorer
After a city tour, it's time to board the train at Cape Town station! Make yourself comfortable in your compartment and enjoy the view of the passing landscape. After your train has passed through the tunnels of the Hexriver Mountains, the scenery changes to the fascinating mountain world of the Great Karoo and you pass the Victorian town of Matjiesfontein. After dinner in the on-board restaurant, you can round off the evening with a glass of South African red wine or a beer in the bar car.
Day 4overnight: African Explorer
From the coast to the hinterland
Day 5overnight: African Explorer
Augrabies Falls National Park
Day 6overnight: African Explorer
Namibia's lonely south - Fish River Canyon
Day 7overnight: Lodge, Namib Desert
Namib Desert
Day 8overnight: Lodge, Namib Desert
The highest dunes in the world
Day 9overnight: African Explorer
Swakopmund
Day 10overnight: African Explorer
Catamaran cruise
Day 11overnight: African Explorer
Spitzkoppe, the Matterhorn of Namibia
Day 12overnight: Safari lodge, Etosha National Park (gateway)
Etosha National Park
Day 13overnight: Safari lodge, Etosha National Park (gateway)
On safari
Day 14overnight: City hotel, Windhoek
Windhoek
Day 15
Return flight from Africa
Day 16
Arrival in Switzerland

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3Boarding the African Explorer in Cape Town, then passing through the tunnels of the Hexriver Mountains into the Great Karoo, past the Victorian town of Matjiesfontein.
Day 6Fish River Canyon, described as the second largest canyon in the world.
Day 8Sossusvlei, home to the highest dunes in the world, in the Namib Desert.
Day 10A catamaran cruise near Swakopmund.
Day 11Spitzkoppe, described as the Matterhorn of Namibia.

Included

8 nights on the African Explorer special train in the booked sleeping compartment
1 overnight stay in a comfort hotel in Cape Town
2 nights in a lodge in the Namib Desert
1 overnight stay in a spacious safari lodge at the gateway to Etosha National Park
1 overnight stay in a city hotel in Windhoek
Meals according to itinerary (F=breakfast, M=lunch, A=dinner)
Specialty dinner and biltong tasting
German-speaking tour guide for max. 25 guests each from Windhoek to Cape Town or v.v.
German-speaking doctor on board
All excursions and sightseeing including entrance fees according to the itinerary (without additionally bookable excursion program)
Excursions and transfers in air-conditioned coaches
Porter service from/to Windhoek / Cape Town airport
Entertaining short lectures on board
Detailed travel documents

Not included

Flights: air travel to Cape Town and return from Windhoek, or vice versa
Optional excursion package
Tips and personal expenses
Drinks and meals not mentioned
Travel insurance and cancellation insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From CHF 11,692 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $14,341 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. The tour includes 8 nights aboard the African Explorer special train between Cape Town and Windhoek; the day-by-day itinerary assigns the train overnight on 7 of those days.
Is this trip escorted?: Yes, with a German-speaking tour guide for a maximum of 25 guests, plus a German-speaking doctor on board.
What accommodation is included?: One night in a comfort hotel in Cape Town, 2 nights in a lodge in the Namib Desert, one night in a safari lodge at the gateway to Etosha National Park, and one night in a city hotel in Windhoek, in addition to the nights aboard the African Explorer.
What is not included?: Flights to Cape Town and from Windhoek, the optional excursion package, tips and personal expenses, drinks and meals not specified, and travel insurance are not included.