African Explorer | © Julia Nieratschker African Explorer | © Julia Nieratschker
Price per person from
9'685
CHF

Jewel of the desert Cape Town - Namibia

From Cape Town to the natural wonders of Namibia
  • African Explorer
  • 16 days / 15 nights

From Cape Town, you travel over 3,600 km on the African Explorer special train through the impressive natural wonders of Namibia to Windhoek. Endless expanses, breathtaking landscapes, the highest dunes in the world, fascinating wildlife in Etosha National Park and numerous reminders of German colonial history in Lüderitz, Swakopmund and Windhoek await you along the way.

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Highlights

  • Unique, almost 3000 km long rail journey from Cape Town to Windhoek or vice versa
  • Relaxed travel in the African Explorer
  • Exclusive charter with German-speaking tour guide
  • Excursions in small groups with a maximum of 12 guests in a minibus
  • Overnight stays in stylish lodges in the Namib Desert and near the Etosha Park
  • The unique wildlife of Namibia
  • Fish River Canyon - Second largest canyon in the world
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site Namib Desert: Sossusvlei with the highest dunes in the world
  • Bizarre rock formations and lunar landscapes in the Namib-Naukluft National Park
  • Game drives in Etosha National Park
  • Gone with the wind: the ghost town of Kolmanskop
  • German small-town romance: Swakopmund
  • Windhoek: Modernity and German tradition
African Explorer | © Julia Nieratschker
Travel itinerary
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Travel details

Travel programm

  1. 1

    1

    Departure from Switzerland in the evening.

  2. 2

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    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. (A)

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    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. (FMA)

  4. 4

    4

    Your train has left the coastal region overnight and is on its way to the northwest of South Africa. Familiarize yourself with your destination during entertaining on-board lectures or enjoy the passing landscape panoramas. (FMA)

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    5

    You leave the train in Upington and travel by bus to Augrabies National Park (approx. 120 km). The nature reserve stretches along the Orange River and is known for the 56-metre-high Augrabies waterfalls. Various game species such as klipspringers, antelopes and black rhinos can be found in the park. Afterwards you will return to your train. (FMA)

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    At Holoog station, actually just a stop in the middle of solitude, you change to the waiting buses and drive through untouched semi-desert landscape to the Fish River Canyon. If you wish, you can take a short hike along the edge of the canyon and enjoy magnificent views of the 500 m deep and 160 km long gorge. Afterwards, there is time for a short excursion to the quiver tree forest before sunset. A biltong tasting awaits you, where you can sample different types of the popular dried meat. (FMA)

  7. 7

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    In the morning, your train arrives in Mariental, situated on the edge of the Kalahari in southern Namibia. You disembark with small luggage and travel by bus for approx. four hours (295 km) to your lodge, where you immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the Namib Desert for two days. (FA)

  8. 8

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    The early morning hours are the best time to experience the glowing giant dunes. We travel in off-road vehicles to the main gate of Sossusvlei, which is about 60 km away and has been part of the Namib Sand Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013. The climb up a dune is rewarded with sweeping views of a sea of sand. At sunset, you can enjoy a drive through the desert landscape. (FA)

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    Eine fünfstündige Fahrt (ca. 300 km) führt Sie mit dem Bus durch den Namib-Naukluft-Nationalpark an die Atlantikküste. Unterwegs machen Sie Fotostopps an den bizarren Felsformationen des Gaub-Passes und des Kuiseb-Canyons. Alternativ zur Busfahrt können Sie die Strecke in einem Kleinflugzeug zurücklegen und bei diesem Panoramaflug (gegen Aufpreis) die Wüstenlandschaft aus der Vogelperspektive bewundern. Weiter geht es entlang der Küstenstraße nach Swakopmund, das an vielen Stellen an eine deutsche Kleinstadt erinnert. Gebäude aus der Gründerzeit, wie das Hohenzollernhaus, das alte Amtsgericht und die Brauerei, lassen die koloniale Vergangenheit noch sichtbar werden. Es bleibt Zeit für einen Bummel entlang der Uferpromenade oder für ein Stück Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte im Café Anton, bevor Sie am Abend wieder an Bord Ihres Sonderzuges erwartet werden. (BD)

  10. 10

    10

    Today's program takes you to Walvis Bay. Here you set off on a relaxed catamaran cruise with brunch on board. With a bit of luck, you will see sea lions, pelicans, seals and flamingos. Back on land, you have free time in Swakopmund before ending the day with a sundowner. (FMA)Today's program takes you to Walvis Bay. Here you set off on a relaxed catamaran cruise with brunch on board. With a bit of luck you will see sea lions, pelicans, seals and flamingos. Back on land, you have free time in Swakopmund before ending the day with a sundowner. (BLD)

  11. 11

    11

    Early in the morning, your train leaves Swakopmund and heads east back to the inland plateau. The lonely wonderland of sand dunes passes in front of your window, often still bathed in the mystical-looking coastal mist at sunrise. The line between Swakopmund and Windhoek was completed in 1902 and is the oldest railroad line in the country. Your train stops at Ebony for an excursion to the 1,700 m high Spitzkoppe. Here you can discover centuries-old rock paintings of the San Bushmen. In the evening, enjoy a typical African braai (barbecue) on the tracks in the middle of the wilderness under the breathtaking starry sky of the southern hemisphere. (DLB)
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  14. 14

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    In the morning, your train finally rolls into Windhoek station, where you say goodbye to the train crew. During a city tour of Windhoek, you will see the Christ Church and the so-called Ink Palace, today the seat of the Namibian parliament. With just under 300,000 inhabitants, tranquil Windhoek is the largest city in the country. Windhoek fascinates with its mixture of African and European ways of life. Here you will encounter Herero women in their Victorian costumes and young girls with artfully braided hairstyles as well as young people and farmers from the provinces. An excursion takes you to the township of Katutura, where you visit a self-help project for women. Afterwards, you will drive to your hotel on Independence Avenue, the city's boulevard. A farewell dinner awaits you in the evening. (FMA)

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    In the morning, you will have time to explore the city on your own or go on a shopping spree. At midday, it's time to say goodbye to your tour guide before your flight home. (B)

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Do you have any questions?

Sales team
Fabienne Jegge & Chloé Gutknecht

We will be happy to answer your questions personally.

Impressions

Impressions

Sustainability | © shutterstock / 1190139652

Services

Included in the price

  • 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

Dates of Travel

Namibia - Capetown

29.11.2024

20.02.2025

Fully booked

16.10.2025

06.12.2024

Capetown - Namibia

20.01.2025

05.03.2025

29.10.2025

23.11.2025

04.03.2026

Prices

Indicative prices spring 2025
Cabin Elephant in double occupancy from CHF 10'390 Price per person
Cabin Leopard in double occupancy from CHF 12'330 Price per person
Cabin Elephant in single occupancy from CHF 15'325 Price per person
Indicative prices fall 2025
Cabin Elephant in double occupancy from CHF 10'610 Price per person
Cabin Leopard in double occupancy from CHF 12'770 Price per person
Cabin Elephant in single occupancy from CHF 15'435 Price per person

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