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Captain's Choice · Privately Chartered Rovos Rail

South Africa & Namibian Adventures With Rovos Rail

Chartered Rovos Rail journey from Cape Town through Namibia to Botswana

Illustration of South Africa & Namibian Adventures With Rovos Rail

Captain's Choice runs this 16-day rail journey across South Africa and Namibia, chartering the entire Rovos Rail train for the trip. The tour begins with two days in Cape Town, staying at the Mount Nelson hotel, before boarding the train on day 3 for the crossing north. Over the following days the train stops at Matjiesfontein, Upington, and the Fish River Canyon on day 6, then Kolmanskop and the town of Lüderitz on day 7, before reaching Keetmanshoop, Garas Park, and Mariental on day 8. From there the route continues into the Namib Desert and Etosha National Park by lodge and light aircraft. With just 36 guests aboard, this suits travellers who want a fully arranged journey through remote desert and wildlife country rather than a city-hopping itinerary, and who are comfortable with several nights sleeping aboard the train.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence for this tour only details the first 8 of 16 days; the remaining route through the Namib Desert, Etosha National Park, and Swakopmund is confirmed by the destination and hotel lists but not laid out day by day.
  • A light aircraft transfer, not rail, is used to reach the Namib Desert lodges, so the trip is not all-rail.
  • Only one departure is currently listed, for May 2027.
  • The Okavango Delta stay at Belmond Eagle Island Lodge is a three-night post-tour extension, separate from the main 16-day itinerary.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Cape Town (South Africa)

  2. Day 2

    Cape Town

  3. Day 3rail

    Embark Rovos Rail

  4. Day 4

    Matjiesfontein

  5. Day 5

    Upington, Ariamsvlei (Namibia)

  6. Day 6

    Fish River Canyon

  7. Day 7

    Kolmanskop, Lüderitz

  8. Day 8

    Keetmanshoop, Garas Park, Mariental

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The group boards the Rovos Rail in Cape Town to begin the rail crossing into Namibia.
  • Day 6The itinerary reaches the Fish River Canyon, one of the trip's named highlights.
  • Day 7The train stops at Kolmanskop and the town of Lüderitz.
  • Day 8The route passes through Keetmanshoop, Garas Park, and Mariental.

Questions travellers ask

Which train is used, and where does it run?
This tour is a privately chartered journey on the Rovos Rail, running from Cape Town, South Africa, to Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Is this an independent trip or a fully organized tour?
It's fully organized. Captain's Choice privately charters the entire Rovos Rail train, and the trip is reserved for just 36 guests.
Which countries does the itinerary cover?
South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. The route runs from Cape Town to Maun, with an optional extension into Botswana's Okavango Delta.
What hotels are used when the group is off the train?
Stays include Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, in Cape Town, Sossusvlei Lodge in the Namib Desert, Mokuti Etosha in Etosha National Park, and the Strand Hotel in Swakopmund.
Is there an option to extend the trip?
Yes, a three-night post-tour extension to the Okavango Delta in Botswana is available, staying at Belmond Eagle Island Lodge.
When does this tour depart?
The evidence lists one departure, in May 2027.

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