Rovos Rail Walvis Bay, Namibia to Pretoria, South Africa
Africas Premium Luxury Train
Embark on an unforgettable journey from Walvis Bay to Pretoria aboard the luxurious Rovos Rail, traversing some of Southern Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes. This epic adventure takes you through the coastal charm of Walvis Bay, the incredible Cheetah Conservation Project, and the wildlife-rich Etosha National Park. Marvel at the towering dunes of Sossusvlei, explore Windhoek’s vibrant culture, and visit the quiver tree forests of Keetmanshoop and Garas Park. Discover the haunting ghost town of Kolmanskop and the seaside beauty of Lüderitz before witnessing the grandeur of Fish River Canyon. As the train crosses into South Africa, you’ll cruise along the Orange River, stop in Upington, and visit the historic diamond mines of Kimberley before concluding your journey in Pretoria, all while enjoying the opulence and comfort of Rovos Rail.
Experience The Highlights
Itinerary Overview
Quick Summary
| Day 1 | Walvis Bay | Rovos Rail |
| Day 2 | Cheetah Conservation Project | Rovos Rail |
| Day 3 | Etosha National Park | |
| Day 4 | Etosha National Park | Rovos Rail |
| Day 5 | Sossusvlei | Sossusvlei Lodge |
| Day 6 | Sossusvlei and Windhoek | Rovos Rail |
| Day 7 | Keetmanshoop and Garas Park | Rovos Rail |
| Day 8 | Luderitz and Kolmanskop | Rovos Rail |
| Day 9 | Fish River Canyon | Rovos Rail |
| Day 10 | Upington and the Orange River | Rovos Rail |
| Day 11 | Kimberley | Rovos Rail |
| Day 12 | Pretoria |
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Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay
10:00: Check-in at Walvis Bay Station, Namibia.
11:00: Train departs for Otjiwarongo. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travelers in the lounge car or observation car at the rear of the train.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train travels across the Namib Desert towards Otjiwarongo.
16:30: Tea in the lounge and observation cars. The observation car will be leading the train until lunchtime tomorrow – a different aspect that our rail enthusiasts enjoy.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal
The Namib stretches for more than 2000 kilometers along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. The Geology consists of sand seas near the coast, while gravel plains and scattered mountain outcrops occur further inland. The name is of Khoekhoegowab origin and means “vast place.” Having endured arid or semi-arid conditions for roughly 55–80 million years, the Namib may be the oldest desert in the world.
- Accommodation: Rovos Rail
- Meals: L, D
Day 2: Cheetah Conservation Project
Cheetah Conservation Project
7:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
09:00: Transfer (±60 minutes) to a cheetah conservation project in Otjiwarongo. Founded in Namibia in 1990, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is dedicated to saving the cheetah in the wild.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars en route to Tsumeb.
16:30: Tea in the lounge car and observation car, which is at the rear of the train.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal
- Accommodation: Rovos Rail
- Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park
Please pack a small overnight bag for the stay in Etosha. Tog bags have been placed in your suite for your convenience.
07:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00 A.M. Transfer (±60 minutes) to an Etosha lodge for overnight. Check in and enjoy lunch.
15:00: Afternoon game drive (approximately 3 hours).
19:30: Dinner and overnight at the lodge. Dress: Casual
Etosha National Park (22270 square kilometres) offers great game viewing with many species of mammals, birds, and reptiles. It gets its name from the Etosha Pan (4760 square kilometres), which almost entirely lies within the park. Etosha is a large salt pan that forms part of the Kalahari basin and means ‘Great White Place’.
- Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park
Please ensure your overnight bag is ready to be collected from your suite and proceed to checkout by 10:45 A.M. Your bag will be loaded into the vehicles. The time of the game drive is yet to be confirmed.
6:00: Breakfast at the lodge until 7:00 A.M. followed by a game drive in the Etosha National Park. Return to the lodge to freshen up and check out by 10:45 A.M.
11:00: Transfer (±60 minutes) to the train at Tsumeb Station.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars.
16:30: Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Kranzberg. Dress: Formal
- Accommodation: Rovos Rail
- Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei
Please pack a small overnight bag for the stay in Sossusvlei. Tog bags have been placed in your suite for your convenience.
7:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10 A.M. en route to Windhoek. Transfer to the airstrip. Depart in a light aircraft for a one-hour flight to a Sossusvlei lodge for overnight. After check-in, enjoy lunch at the restaurant.
16:30: Afternoon desert drive and a bush dinner after sunset. Overnight at the lodge. Dress: Casual
The dunes of the Namib Desert were created by sand carried by the wind from the coast of Namibia. The sand It is over five million years old and is red in colour due to its iron-oxide content. As the light changes during the day, so does the appearance of the dunes’ characteristic colour, allowing for interesting photographs at any time. The wind in the Sossusvlei area blows from all directions, causing the sand to form a star shape with multiple arms, hence the name “star dunes.”.
- Accommodation: Sossusvlei Lodge
- Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Sossusvlei and Windhoek
Keetmanshoop and Garas Park
7:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00 A.M.
12:30: Lunch is served in the dining cars.
14:00: Visit Keetmanshoop and Garas Park (Quiver Trees), home to roughly 300 specimens of the aloe dichotomy. The prehistoric trees have forked branches that reach up to 5 meters, making for great photographic opportunities.
16:30: Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal
- Accommodation: Rovos Rail
- Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Keetmanshoop and Garas Park
Keetmanshoop and Garas Park
7:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00 A.M.
12:30: Lunch is served in the dining cars.
14:00: Visit Keetmanshoop and Garas Park (Quiver Trees), home to roughly 300 specimens of the aloe dichotomy. The prehistoric trees have forked branches that reach up to 5 meters, making for great photographic opportunities.
16:30: Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal
- Accommodation: Rovos Rail
- Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Luderitz and Kolmanskop
Luderitz and Kolmanskop
6:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
8:00: Transfer (±60 minutes) to the ghost town of Kolmanskop, followed by lunch in Lüderitz. Lüderitz is known for its museum, colonial architecture, and wildlife, including seals, penguins, flamingos, and ostriches. Look out for the illusive legendary horses rumored to roam the Namib.
18:00: Depart for Holoog. The observation car will be leading the train until after dinner.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: “Africa” Theme or Smart Casual
- Accommodation: Rovos Rail
- Meals: B, L, D
Day 9 : Fish River Canyon
Fish River Canyon
Border: Ariamsvlei, Namibia / Nakop, South Africa
6:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
8:30: Transfer (±60 minutes) to the Fish River Canyon.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars.
16:30: Tea in the lounge and observation cars. Border formalities with South Africa.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Upington. Dress: Formal
The Fish River Canyon
The Fish River rises in the centre of the country before flowing south into the Orange River on Namibia’s border. with South Africa. It has formed the great Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in the southern hemisphere. and probably only second to Arizona’s Grand Canyon in terms of size. The vast, rocky landscape breaks up into a series of spectacular cliffs. Its size is impressive: 161 kilometres long, up to 27 kilometres wide, and almost 550 meters at its deepest.
- Accommodation: Rovos Rail
- Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Upington and the Orange River
Upington and the Orange River
6:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
8:30: Enjoy a walking tour of Upington with a cruise on the Orange River.
11:00: Travel through the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region that was once an enormous inland sea. Over millions of years, volcanic matter was ground down and deposited as silt upon the seabed to form what geologists call the Karoo system.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars.
16:30: Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Kimberley. Dress: Formal
The observation car will be leading the train until breakfast.
The Orange River
The Orange River is the longest river in South Africa (2432 kilometres/1511 miles). It rises in the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho and flows westwards through South Africa to the Atlantic Ocean. It forms part of the border between South Africa and Lesotho and South Africa and Namibia. Except for Upington, it does not pass through any major cities. The Attorney General of the Cape, Sir Thomas Upington, was principally responsible for liquidating the business activities of all the Orange River pirates and capturing their leader, Klaas Lucas. When the desperadoes were finally chased away in 1884, the town was founded on the banks of the Orange River and named in his honour.
- Accommodation: Rovos Rail
- Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Kimberley
Kimberley
6:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
9:00: Enjoy a tour of Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole. The capital of the Northern Cape, Kimberley is well known for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train continues its climb to Pretoria.
16:30: Tea in the lounge and observation cars.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: “1920s” Theme or Smart Casual
- Accommodation: Rovos Rail
- Meals: B, L, D
Days 10: End of Trip
Pretoria
Please ensure luggage is ready for collection 15 minutes before arrival and that you have your passport.
7:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00 A.M. Travel through the goldfields of the Witwatersrand.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars.
17:00: Arrive at journey’s end at Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria.
- Accommodation: N/A
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Accommodation on This Tour
Accommodation overview: Where you will be staying on this tour.
Rovos Rail
Pretoria, South Africa
Rovos Rail offers a luxurious train travel experience in South Africa. Located in Pretoria, the heart of the country, guests can embark on a unique journey through stunning landscapes and unparalleled hospitality. With elegantly appointed suites, exquisite cuisine, and impeccable service, Rovos Rail ensures a memorable and refined adventure. Take in the beauty of the African scenery from the comfort of your cabin, indulge in gourmet meals in the dining cars, and unwind in the observation car with panoramic views. Whether you choose a short getaway or a longer expedition, Rovos Rail promises an unforgettable escapade steeped in comfort and sophistication.
Deluxe Suites
The Deluxe Suites accommodate one or two passengers in double or twin beds and have a lounge area and en-suite with a shower, toilet, and basin. A dedicated host/hostess is always available and services the suites daily. A bar fridge is filled with the onboard beverages of the passengers’ choice. • Double or split twin beds • En-suite with shower, toilet and basin • Small lounge area • Writing desk • Luggage shelf • Cupboards • Safe • Air conditioning • Fridge • Tea facilities • Bespoke amenities • Robes and slippers • Hairdryer (fixed or plug-in) • Shaver plugs (2-pin) • USB ports • Safety glasses • Emergency torch • Fire extinguisher • Laundry bag • Shoe bag • Internal telephone system • Room service
Sossusvlei Lodge
Sossusvlei, Namibia
Located in the heart of the Namib Desert, Sossusvlei Lodge offers a unique desert experience with stunning views of the surrounding dunes. The lodge provides comfortable accommodation in spacious rooms designed to blend in with the natural environment. Guests can enjoy delicious meals at the on-site restaurant, relax by the pool, or take guided excursions to explore the nearby Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon. The lodge also offers stargazing opportunities and cultural performances to enhance the experience. With its prime location near the famous Sossusvlei dunes, Sossusvlei Lodge is the perfect base for visitors looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Namib Desert and experience true desert hospitality.
Superior Room
The 44 Superior Units at Sossusvlei Lodge are designed to seamlessly blend with the natural desert landscape and offer stunning views of the Naukluft Mountains. Each spacious, air-conditioned unit features twin beds, a corner couch, luggage storage, an in-room safe, and a refreshment area with a fridge and tea/coffee facilities. The en-suite bathroom includes a corner bathtub, a spacious shower, a double vanity, and signature amenities. Two units are wheelchair-friendly with wider doors, no steps, and accessible bathrooms. One child under 12 can stay free with two paying adults, subject to availability and meal charges. Features: Air-conditioned Room, Twin Beds, Corner Couch, Bedding and Extra Blankets Included, Full En-Suite Bathroom, Signature Amenities, Towels Included, Refreshment Station with Fridge, Coffee and Tea-Making Facilities, Patio with views, Electronic Safe, Complimentary Turn-down Service Please note that we do not offer Wi-Fi at our units because we want our guests to slow down, pack away their electronic devices, and enjoy the tremendously beautiful landscape and wildlife that surrounds them. For those who need to work or wish to connect with friends and family, WIFI is available in the Bar, in the Beer Garden, at the Pool area, and in the Conference Centre.
Price Includes
All off-train beverages; international sparkling wine. gratuities; personal expenses; visas; travel insurance; pre- and post-tour transfers, accommodation and flights.
INCLUDED in off-train accommodation: Flights to/from Sossusvlei; overnight bag; accommodation; meals, water, tea/coffee, and breakfast juices.
MEALS ON BOARD (unless adjusted) Breakfast 07:00-10:00 • Lunch 13:00 • Tea 16:30 • Dinner
Price Excludes
All off-train beverages; international sparkling wine, gratuities; personal expenses; visas; travel insurance; pre- and post-tour transfers, accommodation and flights.
EXCLUDED from off-train accommodation: All other beverages; laundry; personal expenses.
Why African Signature
Curated Destinations
The Right Place We don’t do "everywhere." We focus on the corners of Africa where the fences are down and the wildlife is still truly wild. From the floodplains of the Zambezi to the dry pans of the Kalahari, we only send you to regions where the land is vast enough to get lost in and the sightings are worth the journey.
Tailored Experiences
The Ground Level Safari isn't just about sitting in a vehicle. It’s about the crunch of grass under your boots on a walking safari, the silent glide of a boat through a reed bed, or the patience of sitting at a waterhole for three hours. We design your days around the rhythm of the animals, not the schedule of a hotel.
Sustainable Stewardship
The Real Impact Travel here has to mean something. We partner with people who are actually on the front lines—the ones running anti-poaching units, protecting habitat, and ensuring local communities see the value in keeping these lions and elephants alive. Your trip is what keeps those boots on the ground.
Do You Have Questions About This Tour?
We Are Here To Help
Connect with an Africa Specialist to discuss this Signature Experience.
Travel Insurance
Protect your investment and don’t forget Travel Insurance! This is mandatory for all our bookings.
In addition to trip cancellation and interruption, most travel insurance plans include coverage for trip delay, missed connection, lost or delayed baggage, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation with repatriation of remains. 24-hour assistance services are included to help the traveller with things such as emergency medical assistance, lost baggage tracking, emergency cash transfer, emergency or last-minute travel arrangements, assistance with replacing lost travel documents and much more.
Why Buy a Travel Insurance Plan? Because Travel Mishaps Occur Every Day! No matter how hard you try, there are some things you just can’t plan for:
If a family member gets sick. If your baggage is lost. If your trip is delayed. Your passport is lost or stolen. If the weather prevents your travel. You need to see a doctor for a sudden injury – your health insurance may not be valid overseas, and medical evacuations can be really expensive. If you miss a flight connection (- e.g. only 80% of US flights arrive on time) You don’t want to lose all your money if you have to cancel your trip. Sometimes, even expert travellers need a little help.
Whilst we will provide you with a Temporary Membership to the Flying Doctor’s Emergency Evacuation scheme in Tanzania, this has to have a corresponding international insurance to cover hospital and emergency cover when you land at the nearest available medical facility.
Please be sure that the travel insurance that you have is right for you!
Explore Our African Signature Experiences
Our Concierge Is Here To Help
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask our concierge in the bottom right corner. They will assist you or put you in contact with one of our African Specialists.
