Namibia by Rovos Rail: Cape Town to Walvis Bay

Fly from the UK to Cape Town

Your adventure begins today when you board the British Airways overnight flight from London Heathrow to Cape Town, South Africa.

Arrival in Cape Town

On arrival in Cape Town this morning you are transferred from the airport to your chosen hotel, either in the heart of the city or close to the breathtaking Twelve Apostles Mountain Range. Choose between two handpicked 5* hotels, on a B&B basis.

Meals: Breakfast

Getting to know Cape Town

A free day in the 'Mother City'. Options include Table Mountain by cable car, Lion's Head hiking trail, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, or the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Optional excursions available at a supplement: Cape Town City Tour (Half Day), Winelands Tour (Full Day), Cape Point Tour (Half Day).

Meals: Breakfast

Exploring Cape Town

A second free day in Cape Town. Visit museums or art galleries in the historic 'Gardens' area, explore the coastline, browse Greenmarket Square, visit the V&A Waterfront, or enjoy South African cuisine. Optional excursions: Safari (Full Day), Walk to Freedom Tour (Half Day), Peninsula (Full Day).

Meals: Breakfast

Board Rovos Rail

Transferred from hotel to Cape Town station to board the iconic Rovos Rail train. The train departs at 10:00 am. Lunch served in the dining cars through the scenic winelands of the Western Cape. Afternoon tea in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner served in the dining cars. Evenings are themed.

Meals: Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner

Matjiesfontein

During breakfast the train arrives in Matjiesfontein, a Victorian-era village with the famous Lord Milner hotel. Optional visit to the village or museum on the platform. The train continues through the semi-desert Karoo region. Lunch and dinner served in the dining cars; afternoon tea in the lounge and observation cars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner

Upington and the Orange River

The train pulls into Upington. Disembark after lunch for a walking tour of this oasis in the Kalahari Desert. Take a sundowner cruise on the Orange River. Dinner served back on board the train.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Fish River Canyon

After a leisurely breakfast the train travels along the southern reaches of the Kalahari Basin. Lunch onboard. In the early afternoon disembark at the Fish River Canyon – 161 km long, up to 27 km wide and almost 550 m at its deepest. Return to the train before dinner onboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kolmanskop & Lüderitz

Early breakfast before the train arrives in the ghost town of Kolmanskop, followed by lunch in the colonial town of Lüderitz. Visit the museum, historical buildings or harbour (seals, penguins, flamingos). The train makes its way to Keetmanshoop; look out for wild horses roaming the Namib desert.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Keetmanshoop & Garas Park

Alight at Keetmanshoop to visit the Quiver Trees of Garas Park – striking Aloe trees with forked branches reaching up to five metres. Return to the train before lunch. Journey continues to Mariental. Tea in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner served en route to Rehoboth.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner

Overnight in captivating Sossusvlei

Step off the train after breakfast for a short transfer to the airstrip and a one-hour light aircraft flight to Sossusvlei. Check in to Sossusvlei Lodge. Lunch followed by afternoon at leisure. Afternoon desert drive into the dunes. Outdoor bush dinner after sunset.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sossusvlei & Windhoek

Early wake-up for tea/coffee before an exciting drive into the desert with possible wildlife sightings. Outdoor breakfast during excursion. Transfer back to airstrip for one-hour light aircraft flight to Windhoek. Lunch at the Windhoek Country Club. Afternoon city tour including Trans-Namib Transport Museum, Independence Memorial Museum, Lutheran Chapel, and Namibia Craft Centre. Return to the train and depart for Kranzberg. Dinner in the dining cars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cheetah Conservation Project

After a scenic breakfast in the dining cars, visit a cheetah conservation project near Ojiwarongo. Meet Ambassador Cheetahs at the Cheetah Run and livestock guarding dogs. Views of the Waterberg Plateau with herds of impala. Lunch served en route to Tsumeb. Relaxing afternoon on board. Afternoon tea in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner served en route from Otavi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner

Etosha National Park

Transfer to Etosha Lodge after a leisurely breakfast. Time to relax and enjoy the swimming pool before lunch and check-in. Afternoon wildlife safari in Etosha National Park – home to zebra, wildebeest, antelope, elephants, lions, leopards and giraffes. Possible flamingo sightings in rainy season.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Safari in the Etosha National Park

Early breakfast at the lodge followed by a morning drive into Etosha National Park. Check out and transfer to the train at Tsumeb Station. Lunch in the dining cars. Afternoon tea with views from the observation cars. Dinner served as the train travels southwest towards the Atlantic Ocean.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner

Crossing the Namib Desert to Walvis Bay

Leisurely final breakfast onboard as the train traverses the ancient Namib Desert and reaches Walvis Bay around midday. Transferred to hotel in the coastal town of Swakopmund for the night.

Meals: Breakfast

Walvis Bay to the UK (departure)

Free time in the city to explore before transfer from hotel to Walvis Bay airport. Catch overnight flight connecting through Johannesburg's Oliver Tambo International Airport back to London Heathrow.

Arrive London Heathrow

British Airways flight touches down in London Heathrow. Free to make your way homewards.