Overview
The Rovos Rail Namibia Safari from Pretoria to Walvis Bay (or vice versa) invites you on a twelve-day journey of discovery through some of the most historic and scenic areas of Africa. Each year this luxury train takes you in world-class style and comfort from the savanna and open Karoo Plains of South Africa to the Atlantic Ocean of Namibia.
Route Outline
The glorious 3800km Rovos Rail Namibia Safari takes the Pride of Africa train from Pretoria to Kimberley, centre of one of the world’s most famous diamond rushes. There’s an opportunity to visit the Big Hole and experience the atmosphere of the 1870’s at the mine museum and village. Next up is Upington, a town on the banks of the longest river in South Africa, the Orange River. Here, you will enjoy a walking tour of the town with a sundowner cruise on the river.
The train then traverses the stark vistas of the arid Northern Cape into Namibia at Ariamsvlei. There's an excursion to the Fish River Canyon – second in size to the Grand Canyon and truly a spectacular sight. You continue to the ghost town of Kolmanskop, followed by lunch in Lüderitz, a town known for its museum, colonial architecture and wildlife. In the early evening, the train departs for Keetmanshoop, where you'll visit Garas Park the next day. Garas Park is home to roughly 300 specimens of Aloe dichotomy.
You then leave the train and fly to the world-famous Sossusvlei, a stunning pan in the Namib Desert surrounded by enormous red sand dunes. After a night’s stay with desert drives and a bush dinner, you fly to Windhoek, Namibia's Capital. A lively, cosmopolitan city with a strong German flavour!
The next day, you visit a cheetah conservation project in Otjiwarongo. Then, you continue overnight to Otavi and the game-rich Etosha National Park. You spend the night at an Etosha Lodge. The train then continues southwest towards the Atlantic Ocean. After traversing the Namib Desert (the oldest in the world!), your journey ends in Walvis Bay.
Rovos Rail Namibia Safari - Choose from different compartment sizes, all en suite:
- Pullman suite (smallest compartment size),
- Deluxe suite (more spacious) or
- Royal suite (even more spacious with bath in the en suite bathroom).
2024 & 2025 Departure Dates for the Rovos Rail Namibia Safari
Please Note: There is a special offer in 2024 whereby 2 nights at Pelican Point Lodge are included for the same price making it a 13-night itinerary.
The Rovos Rail Namibia safari can also be taken in reverse starting in Namibia and ending in Pretoria.
Pretoria to Walvis Bay:
2024: 2-15 April, 30 April - 15 May (13 nights)
2025: 1st to 12th April (11 nights)
Walvis Bay to Pretoria:
2024: 13th to 26th April, 15th to 28th May, 13th to 26th Nov
2025: 21st Mar to 1st April, 14th to 25th April, 12th to 23rd May, 14th to 25th Nov (11 nights)
Our Digital Itinerary
Use the scroll button to see the full itinerary.
An idea of price
This is a set tour using specific camps. However many tours can be adapted. Chat to us about your options. It excludes international flights but includes an estimate for all domestic or regional flights within the tour.
Accommodation; all meals; all beverages on board; room service; limited laundry; excursions with a qualified guide (where applicable); entrance fees as per itinerary; government tax; flights to/from Sossusvlei; overnight bag
EXCLUDESAll off-train beverages; international sparkling wine; gratuities; personal expenses; visas; travel insurance; pre- and post-tour transfers, accommodation and flights; items of a personal nature
Gloria Darvall
AFRICAN TRAVEL SPECIALIST