WINDHOEK TO SWAKOPMUND
| Itinerary in Brief (Departs Fri / Arriving Sat) |
Winter (Apr-Aug) |
Summer (Sep-Mar) |
Check in Windhoek Station
You will be handed your boarding pass |
11:00 |
12:00 |
Departure from Windhoek Station
Windhoek Station, Bahnhof Street, Windhoek |
12:00 |
13:00 |
| Late afternoon game drive |
Duration 2 hrs |
Duration 2 hrs |
| Enjoy drinks in the lounge/prepare for dinner |
. |
. |
| Dinner |
19:00 |
19:00 |
| View stars outside |
. |
. |
| Breakfast |
07:00 |
07:00 |
| Arrival at Rand Rifles for dune excursion |
08:00 |
08:00 |
| Departure from Rand Rifles |
09:17 |
09:17 |
| Arrival at Swakopmund Station |
10:00 |
10:00 |
* If two sittings for dinner is required depending on the number of passengers on board the train, then dinner will be served at 19:00 and 21:00
DAY 1
On arrival at Windhoek Station, listen for the boarding call for the Desert Express Train. Once you are onboard the train, you are welcomed with a refreshing drink and all initial logistics for check-in (or onto) the train follow.
The train departs slowly and your journey begins. Leaving the bustle of Windhoek city behind you, whilst you head off into a seemingly endless horizon of semi-arid savannah, wide expanses of gravel plains, and armed with the knowledge that a sea of golden sand dunes lie ahead for you to feast your eyes upon. This magical journey will stay with you long after you have reached your destination.
You enjoy an off train excursion in the late afternoon ? a fascinating game drive that will reveal some of the secrets Namibia wildlife. Back on board, the rhythmic swaying of the coaches will gently soothe and relax you.
As your journey progresses, vegetation along the way becomes sparser, revealing more of the rich ochre soil and rocks. The landscape changes along with the geology - mountain ranges give way to plains until only lone standing mountains are visible from time to time. This area is very rich in minerals with gold, marble, granite and semi-precious stones. Some believe that diamonds can be found towards the west. Many have come from afar and given up everything they've ever owned to find their fortune on these unforgiving plains. Until now their endeavors have proved fruitless.
This evening, travel of a different kind unfolds as the fragrant aroma floats in from the kitchen and you embark on a journey of gastronomic delight. Succulent offerings of the finest Namibian venison or seafood accompanied by an outstanding bouquet of choice wines.
As darkness sets in, the train comes to a halt. Stars appear like you have never seen them before, flickering in the sky, almost close enough to touch. The symphony of silence is interrupted only by the taunting of geckoes and the howling of jackals.
DAY 2
The following morning, as the rich gold and amber sunlight is cast over the landscape, as the train heads for the distant horizon. This leg of the journey takes you to the warm sands of the coastal Namib dune 'sea'.
Shortly after breakfast, you are taken on another off-train excursion and will find yourself standing on a giant sand dune feeling the sand under your bare feet. Make it all the way to the top and you are rewarded with the sight of the blue Atlantic Ocean in the distance, beyond the rows of rolling Namib dunes.
It is still morning when the train pulls into the picturesque coastal town of Swakopmund, where German architecture dating back two centuries echoes the town's rich history as an oasis in the world's oldest desert.