Discover the highlights of Namibia and South Africa on this fantastic holiday by rail. Explore Cape Town and Table Mountain, see magnificent wildlife in Etosha National Park, experience the mighty Sossusvlei and enjoy 6 indulgent nights aboard the incredible Pride of Africa - the world's most lavish and luxurious hotel train.
The maximum group number for this tour will be capped at 20, allowing for a more intimate, personal experience.
What’s included
We fly from London Heathrow to Cape Town, arriving on Day 2. We take an orientation tour before transferring to the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel for 3 nights, situated overlooking the ocean. Later, we head out to make a cable car ascent of iconic Table Mountain, where we enjoy city views (weather permitting).
Today we travel to Cape Point, situated on the Cape of Good Hope where we ride the Flying Dutchman funicular railway up to a vantage point to admire the views. Later, we visit Boulders Bay, home to a colony of African penguins who can be seen here at close quarters. We then continue to Simon's Town, one of South Africa's oldest towns.
Day 4's excursion takes us to 2 of South Africa's finest and most famous wine producing areas, the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch Valleys. Here we sample some of the finest local wines during a premium tasting session at the family-owned Hout Bay Vineyard.
Cape Peninsula - Day 3
Discover the incredible surrounds of Cape Town on an unforgettable coastal excursion. Witness stunning panoramas at Cape Point, the most south-western corner of the continent where endless ocean views take your breath away. Continue to Boulders Beach to get up close and personal with the resident African penguin colony, a truly extraordinary experience.
Hout Bay Vineyards - Day 4
Enjoy a fascinating excursion through the breathtaking scenery of South Africa's wine Capelands, traversing the lush terrain of the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch Valleys. We pause for a premium wine tasting experience at Hout Bay Vineyards, a boutique family-owned winery, accompanied by delicious, tapas-style food pairings.
This morning, we take a flight from Cape Town to Walvis Bay, on Namibia's Skeleton Coast. Home to a variety of rare sea birds, Walvis Bay is a very important coastal wetland and busy port. On arrival, we transfer to Swakopmund, a seaside town characterised by fine examples of German colonial architecture. We spend tonight at the 4-Star Hansa Hotel.
On Day 6, we board our luxury train - the Pride of Africa. This truly elegant locomotive, in luxurious air-conditioned suites, takes us across the African plains in comfort and style, providing a 5-Star service. Tonight, we celebrate the beginning of our journey with a welcome dinner on board.
This morning we arrive in Otavi. Here, we leave the train and transfer to Mokuti Lodge, located at the gateway to the Etosha National Park. Etosha is one of the finest game reserves in Southern Africa, home to elephants, giraffes, rhinos, lions, and cheetahs. We take an afternoon game drive to try to spot some of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. After a second game drive early on Day 8, we return to Mokuti Lodge for breakfast. We re-board the train and continue to Windhoek, enjoying a relaxing evening on board as we travel.
On Day 9 we enjoy a tour of Windhoek, Namibia's lush, lively and modern capital city, which sits in the middle of the desert. We continue by flying to Sossusvlei, a huge salt and clay pan enclosed by giant sand dunes. This is Namibia's most famous landmark, and tonight we are treated to a desert drive before dinner. We stay at Sossusvlei Lodge overnight.
Etosha National Park
Etosha, meaning 'Great White Place', boasts one of the finest game reserves in Southern Africa, and is home to 4 of the mighty 'Big Five' game animals. We enjoy 2 game drives here, enjoying the magnificent wildlife viewing opportunities. Look out for giraffes nibbling at lush trees, zebra and wildebeest roaming the plains, and majestic lions lounging in the sun.
We begin the day with another excursion into the desert, giving us the chance to view Sossusvlei at its very best, when the colours are strong and constantly changing. Here, we have breakfast and get some superb photo opportunities of the dramatic landscapes before we fly back to Windhoek and re-join the train.
On Day 11, we visit Garas Park Rest Camp, a camping site set within stunning ancient landscapes, where we see the striking trees of Quivertree forest, before continuing to Fish River Canyon, one of the world's largest river valleys. At its widest point, the canyon is 21 miles across, and makes for a truly breathtaking sight. This evening the Pride of Africa journeys along the southern reaches of the Kalahari Basin, making its way towards the South African border.
We cross into South Africa on Day 12, stopping in Upington, an attractive town on the banks of the Orange River. We enjoy a guided tour before returning to the train. Our afternoon is spent on board, giving you the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy the passing scenery from the comfort of your private suite or the luxurious public areas of the train.
Today, we reach Kimberley, a city founded on diamonds. Here, we take a guided tour of the city and visit the 'Big Hole' mine museum - a re-created townscape and museum that houses a fascinating collection of artefacts from the diamond rush of the late 19th century. As we leave Kimberley, be sure to look out for the town's shallow lake where flamingos can often be seen.
Following a leisurely morning on Day 14, we arrive in Pretoria, the seat of South Africa's government. We are welcomed at the Rovos Rail Station in Capital Park, which serves as the Pride of Africa's headquarters. We disembark and transfer to our base for tonight, the 4-Star Courtyard Arcadia Hotel, paying a visit to the famous Voortrekker Monument en route.
Today is at leisure until we transfer to the airport for our overnight flight to London Heathrow, arriving on Day 16.
Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.
All prices are per person and assume full occupancy of the room.
Please always refer to the website for up-to-date prices and availability.
The Pride of Africa offers unparalleled luxury and elegance, which recaptures the romance of the golden age of rail travel, whilst offering all the amenities one would expect from a 5-star hotel. Rohan Vos lovingly restored the carriages and steam locomotive which pulls us on the final leg of our journey.
We are served by an enthusiastic team of chefs who use fresh, local ingredients to create authentic regional cuisine.
The suites on board the Pride of Africa are the epitome of luxury. We include accommodation in the Pullman Suites, equipped with a comfortable sofa by day, which converts to double or twin beds at night. They feature an en suite bathroom with shower, shaver plug and hairdryer, writing table, personal safe for valuables and a bar fridge filled with beverages.
The 5-Star Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront is situated along the Atlantic Ocean, offering fantastic views of Table Mountain and Robben Island, with the magnificent Green Point Stadium, built for the 2010 World Cup, providing the backdrop. The hotel has a restaurant with an excellent reputation serving a range of cuisine, a bar and terrace. Leisure facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, fully equipped fitness room and a spa offering a selection of beauty treatments and therapies. The rooms are air conditioned and come with a king-sized bed or twin beds, telephone, satellite television, tea and coffee making facilities, a minibar and a hairdryer.
The Mokuti Etosha Lodge is situated at the gateway to the Etosha National Park. This luxurious 5-Star lodge offers two restaurants serving a selection of African and international cuisine, two bars, two outdoor swimming pools and floodlit tennis courts. Additionally, there is a Spa & Wellness Centre where guests can indulge in a range of therapies and beauty treatments (payable locally) or work out in the fully-equipped gym overlooking the wildlife at the nearby watering hole. There is also a gift shop selling a range of locally-made crafts and souvenirs. The beautifully furnished rooms, housed in thatched roof chalets and set amidst the tranquil gardens, blend European comforts with traditional African décor. They come equipped with climate control, ceiling fans, a telephone, television, minibar, tea and coffee making facilities, veranda and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The Sossusvlei Lodge lies in the heart of the Namib Desert, just outside the gates of the Namib Naukluft National Park and close to the famous sand dunes of the same name. The Lodge is spread over a number of buildings linked together by a network of footpaths and has a restaurant, bar, a souvenir shop and an outdoor swimming pool. Each guest room is housed in an individual 'bungalow' with a canvas roof which features a bathroom, fully air conditioned bedroom and a private veranda. All rooms are equipped with a safe, while complimentary tea, coffee and water are available to guests throughout the day in the Reception area.
Originally an early-twentieth-century manor house, the 4-Star Courtyard Hotel Arcadia in Pretoria has been restored into a delightful hotel, located close to many sights and attractions. The hotel features a bar and club lounge, a landscaped garden with a swimming pool and free WiFi.
The welcoming 4-Star Hansa Hotel is set in the very centre of Swakopmund, housed in a classical building dating from 1905. The hotel offers two very popular restaurants, as well as an inviting summer terrace and a bar. The rooms feature a television, telephone, hairdryer, safe, and tea & coffee making facilities.
We offer a selection of upgrades and 'add-ons' designed to help you make the most of your holiday - and make it even easier!
Upgrade your flight from Economy Class to World Traveller Plus Class from £500 per person each way
Upgrade from the Pullman Suite (included) to a Deluxe Suite on board the Pride of Africa.
Deluxe Suites accommodate two people in either a double or twin beds. They feature an en suite bathroom with shower, shaver plug and hairdryer, writing table, personal safe for valuables and a bar filled with beverages of the passengers' choice. The Deluxe Suites are larger than the Pullman Suites and have a lounge area.
From £2,250 per person (all prices per person, twin occupancy only)
Please note: an increased deposit may be required for upgrades and variations
Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.
We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.
Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.
We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.
For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.