Namibia Safari: Walvis Bay to Pretoria
Eleven nights from the Atlantic coast to Pretoria, with Etosha, Sossusvlei, the Fish River Canyon and Kimberley.
- Walvis BayDay 1
- OtjiwarongoDay 2
- Etosha National ParkDay 3
- TsumebDay 4
- SossusvleiDay 5
- WindhoekDay 6
- KeetmanshoopDay 7
- KolmanskopDay 8
- LüderitzDay 8
- Fish River CanyonDay 9
- UpingtonDay 10
- KimberleyDay 11
- PretoriaDay 12
Overview
Starting on Namibia's Atlantic coast, this journey crosses the Namib to a cheetah conservation project and a night in Etosha, then flies to Sossusvlei and tours Windhoek. Heading south it visits Garas Park's quiver trees, Kolmanskop and Lüderitz, the Fish River Canyon, Upington on the Orange River and Kimberley before ending in Pretoria.
- Cheetah conservation project near Otjiwarongo
- Night and game drives in Etosha National Park
- Light-aircraft flights and a night at Sossusvlei
- Windhoek city tour
- Quiver trees at Garas Park
- Kolmanskop ghost town and Lüderitz
- Fish River Canyon
- Orange River cruise and Kimberley's Big Hole
Day by day
Day 1Walvis BayOn board
Check in at Walvis Bay Station and settle into your suite as the train heads inland across the Namib Desert towards Otjiwarongo. The observation car leads the train until the next day.
Meals: Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 2Cheetah conservation projectOn board
Transfer about an hour to a cheetah conservation project near Otjiwarongo. Lunch is served on board as the train continues to Tsumeb.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 3Etosha National ParkEtosha lodge
Pack an overnight bag and transfer about an hour to a lodge in Etosha. After lunch, head out on an afternoon game drive of about three hours, then dine at the lodge.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 4Etosha National ParkOn board
Breakfast at the lodge is followed by a morning game drive in Etosha. Transfer back to the train at Tsumeb for lunch as it heads south towards Kranzberg.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 5SossusvleiSossusvlei lodge
Fly about an hour by light aircraft to a lodge at Sossusvlei. After lunch, enjoy an afternoon desert drive and a bush dinner after sunset.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 6Sossusvlei & WindhoekOn board
An early desert drive ends with breakfast in the vlei. Fly to Windhoek for lunch and a city tour, then rejoin the train as it heads south through the Kalahari.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 7Keetmanshoop & Garas ParkOn board
Visit Keetmanshoop and Garas Park, home to about 300 striking quiver trees.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 8Lüderitz & KolmanskopOn board
Transfer about an hour to the ghost town of Kolmanskop, then lunch in Lüderitz. The observation car leads the train towards Holoog. Tonight is an Africa-themed evening, or smart casual.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 9Fish River CanyonOn board
Transfer about an hour to the Fish River Canyon, then return for lunch. Border formalities take place as the train re-enters South Africa en route to Upington.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 10Upington & the Orange RiverOn board
Enjoy a walking tour of Upington and a cruise on the Orange River, then cross the Karoo towards Kimberley.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 11KimberleyOn board
Tour Kimberley's Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole before the train continues its climb towards Pretoria. Tonight is a roaring-twenties themed evening, or smart casual.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Afternoon tea · Dinner
Day 12Pretoria
Travel through the Witwatersrand goldfields over breakfast and lunch before arriving at the train's station in Pretoria.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch
- Night 1On board
- Night 2On board
- Night 3Etosha lodge
- Night 4On board
- Night 5Sossusvlei lodge
- Night 6On board
- Night 7On board
- Night 8On board
- Night 9On board
- Night 10On board
- Night 11On board
The map is schematic. Dashed lines are excursions by road.
Royal Suite
- Takes up half a carriage
- Private lounge area
- Victorian bath plus separate shower
- Double or split twin beds
- Minibar, safe and air conditioning
Deluxe Suite
- Own small lounge area
- En-suite shower, toilet and basin
- Double or split twin beds
- Writing desk, fridge and tea facilities
Pullman Gold Suite
- Lengthways twin beds set as sofas by day
- Converts to a lengthways double
- En-suite shower, toilet and basin
- Fold-up writing desk
Pullman Suite
- Comfortable sofa-seat by day
- Side-by-side double or upper and lower bunks at night
- En-suite shower, toilet and basin
- Safe, small fridge and air conditioning
Suite configurations depend on availability, and some Royal and Deluxe suites have a room divider.
- Accommodation on board
- 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 and from Sossusvlei
- Overnight bag
- Off-train stays: accommodation, meals, water, tea, coffee and breakfast juices
- Deposit
- 25% of the total at booking
- Final payment
- 65 days before departure
Dates and prices
Live availability. Choose a cabin type, then select Book Now to reserve online, or Join waitlist on sold-out dates.
Royal Suite
Deluxe Suite
Pullman Suite
Join the waitlist
This departure is currently sold out. Leave your details and we will contact you the moment a cabin becomes available.
Questions about this journey
How long is the Walvis Bay to Pretoria journey?
It is 11 nights and 12 days. Two nights are spent off the train, in lodges in Etosha National Park and at Sossusvlei.
Where does the journey begin?
It starts at Walvis Bay Station on Namibia's Atlantic coast, and ends at the train's own station in Pretoria.
Are the flights to Sossusvlei included?
Yes. The light-aircraft flights to Sossusvlei and on to Windhoek are included, along with the lodge stay and meals there.
Which game drives are included?
There are two game drives in Etosha, one on arrival and one the next morning, plus desert drives at Sossusvlei.
Is this the same as the Pretoria to Walvis Bay journey?
It covers the same classic route and highlights in the opposite direction. The order changes, so Etosha and Sossusvlei come early and Kimberley comes at the end.
How do I check dates and fares?
Live dates and fares are shown on this page, and our reservations team can help on (866) 484-7882.



