20 Day Rovos Rail Namibia Safari with Cape Town & Kruger

Welcome to Cape Town and the start of your African journey! After collecting your luggage, you will be met in the arrivals hall by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to take a stroll along the V&A Waterfront, explore local craft markets, or enjoy a relaxed meal at one of the many restaurants with views of Table Mountain. Alternatively, unwind at your hotel and take in the surroundings as you prepare for the incredible journey ahead! Special Information The standard check in is 2pm. Should you be arriving earlier in the day, the hotel can hold your luggage until your room is ready. Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed. If you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before meeting your local guide for a half-day tour showcasing the best of Cape Town. The city centre is rich in history and culture, alive with the sights, sounds and stories of its diverse communities. This immersive tour includes visits to some of Cape Town's most iconic landmarks, starting with the Castle of Good Hope, South Africa's oldest surviving colonial building. Stop by City Hall, where Nelson Mandela gave his first public speech after being released from prison, a powerful symbol of the nation's journey to democracy. Wander through the cobbled streets of the Bo-Kaap, famous for its vibrantly coloured houses and deep Cape Malay heritage. Weather permitting, you'll cap off your morning with a spectacular ride on the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, offering sweeping views of the city, coastline and beyond. Return to your hotel this afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or continue exploring Cape Town at your own pace. Inspiring Highlights Castle of Good Hope City Hall Bo-Kaap & Table Mountain (weather permitting) Special Information If Table Mountain is closed, the tour will travel to Signal Hill instead.

Enjoy a full day at leisure to relax, shop, or continue exploring this dynamic city at your own pace. Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional full day tour.

This morning, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your included flight to Walvis Bay. Welcome to Namibia! On arrival, you'll be met by a local representative and transferred to the coastal town of Swakopmund. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Swakopmund is a unique and picturesque town, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the rolling sands of the Namib Desert. Known for its German colonial architecture, laid-back charm, and scenic coastline, it's a great place to relax or dive into optional activities such as sandboarding, quad biking, or visiting local craft markets and museums. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

This morning you will be transferred to Walvis Bay Train Station in time for a 10am check-in. After settling into your private suite on board the luxurious Rovos Rail, there is time to freshen up and make your way to the lounge or observation car to meet fellow travellers and begin soaking in the desert views. At 1pm, lunch is served in the elegant dining cars as the train travels inland across the vast expanse of the Namib Desert towards Otjiwarongo. This afternoon, enjoy tea in the lounge or observation car. Uniquely, the observation car will lead the train until lunchtime tomorrow, offering a rare front-facing perspective of the dramatic landscapes and a detail sure to delight rail enthusiasts. This evening, enjoy a formal dinner on board as the train continues its journey through Namibia's hauntingly beautiful desert terrain. The Namib stretches for more than 2,000 kilometres (1,243 miles) along the Atlantic coast and is considered by many to be the oldest desert in the world, with arid or semi-arid conditions dating back over 55 million years. Its name, derived from the Khoekhoegowab language, fittingly means “vast place.” Expect ever-shifting scenery, from towering sand dunes to gravel plains and scattered mountain outcrops, as you dine in style and settle in for your first night aboard the train. Inspiring Highlights Begin your luxury journey aboard the iconic Rovos Rail Traverse the ancient Namib Desert in style Fine dining and elegant service aboard one of the world's most luxurious trains

Enjoy breakfast in the dining cars this morning before disembarking for a special visit to a cheetah conservation project near Otjiwarongo. The transfer takes approximately one hour. Founded in 1990, the Cheetah Conservation Fund is dedicated to protecting the wild cheetah and its habitat. This inspiring organisation works to ensure the survival of the species through research, education and community outreach, and your visit will offer a rare opportunity to learn about their vital efforts firsthand. After returning to the train, lunch is served in the dining cars as the journey continues towards Tsumeb. Spend the afternoon relaxing in the lounge or observation cars as the landscapes outside shift from dry grasslands to more lush terrain. Afternoon tea is served as the train rolls steadily onwards, offering another chance to take in the scenery from the rear of the train. This evening, enjoy another elegant dinner on board. Dress is formal once again as you wind down another memorable day travelling through the heart of Namibia. Inspiring Highlights Visit to the Cheetah Conservation Fund Scenic rail journey through northern Namibia Elegant dining and service aboard the Rovos Rail

Enjoy breakfast in the dining cars this morning until 10am. Please pack a small overnight bag for your stay at Etosha; tog bags will be placed in your suite for convenience. Disembark the train and transfer by road to Etosha where you will stay overnight in a lodge. Upon arrival, check in and enjoy lunch before heading out at 3pm for an afternoon game drive lasting about three hours. Etosha National Park spans 22,270 square kilometres (8,597 square miles) and offers exceptional wildlife viewing, with a diverse range of mammals, birds, and reptiles. The park is named after the Etosha Pan, a vast salt pan of 4,760 square kilometres (1,838 square miles), which means ‘Great White Place.' After your game drive, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Please note that alcoholic beverages are not included this evening. Dress is casual. Inspiring Highlights Afternoon game drive in Etosha National Park Exploring the vast Etosha salt pan Overnight stay at a comfortable lodge within the park Special Information Tonight you will stay in a lodge rather than on the train. Please note that alcoholic beverages are not included this evening. We recommend packing a small overnight bag for your stay at Etosha; tog bags will be provided in your cabin for your convenience.

Breakfast will be served at the lodge from 6am, before enjoying a morning game drive in Etosha National Park. A morning game drive in Etosha awakens with golden light, revealing herds of elephants, zebras, and springbok near shimmering pans. Predators linger from the night hunt, while birds soar above acacia-dotted plains. The crisp air buzzes with life as the bush comes alive in breathtaking, untamed beauty. After the drive, return to the lodge to freshen up before check-out. You will then transfer approximately 60 minutes to the train at Tsumeb Station. Lunch will be served in the dining cars at 1pm, followed by afternoon tea in the lounge and observation cars at 4.30pm. Dinner will be served in the dining cars at 7.30pm as you travel towards Kranzberg. Dress for dinner is formal. Inspiring Highlights Early morning game drive in Etosha National Park Elegant dining experience aboard the train en route to Kranzberg Special Information Please ensure your overnight bag is packed and ready to be collected from your suite prior to your game drive. Your bag will be loaded into the vehicles ready for transfer back to Rovos Rail.

Breakfast is served in the dining cars from 7am until 10am as the train travels towards Windhoek. Please pack a small overnight bag for your stay in Sossusvlei. You will be transferred to the airstrip for a scenic light aircraft flight of approximately one hour to your lodge in Sossusvlei. After checking in, enjoy lunch at the lodge's restaurant. In the late afternoon, embark on an exciting desert drive followed by a bush dinner under the stars after sunset. Dress is casual and it is recommended to bring a warm jacket. The towering dunes of the Namib Desert were formed by sand carried from the Atlantic coast by the wind and are over five million years old. Their striking red colour comes from iron oxide, which changes beautifully with the shifting light throughout the day, creating fantastic photo opportunities. The wind patterns in the Sossusvlei area shape the dunes into star-like forms with multiple arms, giving rise to the name ‘star dunes.' Inspiring Highlights Scenic light aircraft transfer to Sossusvlei Afternoon desert drive with stunning dune views Memorable bush dinner under the desert stars Special Information Tonight you will stay in a lodge rather than on the train. Alcoholic beverages are not included this evening. Please pack a small overnight bag ready for your stay in Sossusvlei.

Begin your day with an early wake-up call accompanied by tea and coffee before enjoying a serene desert drive with breakfast in the vlei. Please ensure your overnight bag is packed and ready to be collected from your suite prior to the drive; your bags will be stored in the lodge's baggage area before being loaded onto the aircraft. The time of the drive will be confirmed locally. After the drive, return to the lodge to freshen up, check out, and transfer to the airstrip. Depart Sossusvlei aboard a light aircraft for the one-hour flight to Windhoek. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at the Windhoek Country Club followed by a city tour. Visit key sites including the Trans-Namib Transport Museum, which highlights Namibia's railway history, the Independence Memorial Museum dedicated to the country's liberation struggle, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, a striking architectural landmark, and the Namibia Craft Centre housed in the historic old Breweries Building. At 6pm, the train departs south, travelling through the vast Kalahari Desert. Dinner is served in the dining cars at 7.30pm en route to Mariental. Dress is formal. Nestled in Namibia's central highlands, Windhoek is a charming city surrounded by rolling hills and the impressive Auas and Eros Mountains. Inspiring Highlights Desert drive and breakfast in the Sossusvlei vlei Windhoek city tour Evening train journey through the Kalahari Desert

Breakfast is served in the dining cars from 7am until 10am, giving you a leisurely start to your day. At 12.30pm, enjoy lunch onboard as the train continues its journey. In the afternoon, visit Keetmanshoop and the nearby Garas Park, home to approximately 300 remarkable Quiver Trees (Aloe dichotoma). These prehistoric trees feature distinctive forked branches reaching up to 5 metres tall, offering fantastic photographic opportunities and a unique glimpse into Namibia's natural heritage. At 4.30pm, relax with tea served in the lounge and observation cars as the train departs for Aus. Dinner is served in the dining cars at 7.30pm. Dress for the evening is African theme or smart casual. Inspiring Highlights Visit to Keetmanshoop and Garas Park's Quiver Trees

Breakfast is served in the dining cars from 6am until departure on your morning excursion. At 8am, you will transfer for approximately one hour to the ghost town of Kolmanskop for a fascinating visit. Afterwards, enjoy lunch in Lüderitz, a town renowned for its museum, striking colonial architecture, and diverse wildlife including seals, penguins, flamingos and ostriches. Keep an eye out for the elusive legendary horses said to roam the Namib Desert. At 6pm, the train departs for Holoog with the observation car leading until after dinner. Dinner is served in the dining cars at 7.30pm. Dress for the evening is formal. Inspiring Highlights Visit to the ghost town of Kolmanskop Lunch and wildlife spotting in Lüderitz Scenic train journey to Holoog with observation car leading

Breakfast is served in the dining cars from 6am until departure. At 8.30am, transfer for approximately one hour to the breathtaking Fish River Canyon. Carved over millennia by the Fish River, which rises in central Namibia and flows into the Orange River on the South African border, this is the largest canyon in the southern hemisphere and one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders. Measuring 161 kilometres (100 miles) in length, up to 27 kilometres (17 miles) wide, and nearly 550 metres (1,800 feet) deep, the canyon offers dramatic rocky landscapes and soaring cliffs that will leave a lasting impression. Return to the train for lunch at 1pm, followed by tea at 4.30pm in the lounge and observation cars. This afternoon also includes border formalities as you cross from Namibia into South Africa. Dinner is served in the dining cars at 7.30pm as the train travels towards Upington. Dress for the evening is formal. Inspiring Highlights Visit to the awe-inspiring Fish River Canyon

Breakfast is served in the dining cars from 6am. At 8.30am, set out on a walking tour of the historic town of Upington, located on the banks of the Orange River. This vibrant town has a colourful past, once home to river pirates and outlaws before its establishment in 1884. Named after Sir Thomas Upington, the Attorney General of the Cape Colony who brought law and order to the area, the town now thrives as a peaceful hub in South Africa's Northern Cape. After your tour, enjoy a leisurely river cruise along the Orange River, the country's longest, stretching 2,432 kilometres (1,511 miles) from the Drakensberg Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. At 11am, reboard the train and journey through the vast Karoo, a stark and beautiful semi-desert that was once an inland sea. Over millions of years, volcanic activity and sediment shaped the unique landscape now known as the Karoo system. Lunch is served onboard at 1pm, followed by tea at 4.30pm in the lounge and observation cars. Dinner is served in the dining cars at 7.30pm as the train continues towards Kimberley. Dress for the evening is formal. The observation car will be leading the train until breakfast. Inspiring Highlights Walking tour and river cruise in historic Upington Scenic journey through the dramatic Karoo landscape Cruise along the iconic Orange River, South Africa's longest

Breakfast is served in the dining cars from 7am until departure. At 9am, embark on a guided tour of Kimberley's Diamond Mine Museum and the world-famous Big Hole. Known as the capital of the Northern Cape, Kimberley rose to prominence in 1871 following the discovery of diamonds—ushering in South Africa's first major diamond rush. Explore the fascinating history of this mining town, view preserved period buildings, and peer into the vast Big Hole, one of the largest hand-dug excavation sites in the world. Return to the train for lunch at 1pm as you continue your journey north, climbing steadily towards Pretoria through the changing landscapes of the interior. Enjoy tea at 4pm in the lounge and observation cars, followed by dinner at 7.30pm in the dining cars. Dress for the evening is 1920s theme or smart casual. Inspiring Highlights Visit to the Big Hole and Kimberley's Diamond Mine Museum Discover the history of South Africa's diamond rush Scenic rail journey through the interior en route to Pretoria

Breakfast is served in the dining cars from 7am until 10am as the train winds its way through the historic goldfields of the Witwatersrand, once the centre of South Africa's gold rush era. Please ensure your luggage is packed and ready for collection at least 15 minutes before departure. Guests are also reminded to have their passports on hand for disembarkation formalities. At 12pm, the journey concludes with your arrival at the elegant Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. A complimentary shared transfer will be provided from the station to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore Pretoria at leisure. As South Africa's administrative capital, the city is known for its jacaranda-lined streets, grand architecture, government buildings, cultural diversity and academic institutions. Inspiring Highlights Travel through the historic goldfields of the Witwatersrand

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out. You will then meet your driver in the lobby for your transfer to Johannesburg Airport. From here, board your flight to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS), where you'll be met on arrival and transferred to your safari lodge, located on a Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger area. This wildlife-rich region is known for its exceptional sightings of the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, along with countless other species. Your lodge offers spectacular views across the bushveld and often attracts wildlife to the nearby riverbed. Relax in the spacious lounges, take a dip in the swimming pool, or simply unwind and soak in the natural beauty. If arriving at the lodge by 3pm, you'll head out on your first afternoon game drive in open safari vehicles, followed by dinner under the stars. Inspiring Highlights Stay at a luxury safari lodge on a Private Game Reserve Afternoon game drive (subject to arrival time) Special Information Flight time will be approximately 1 hour. Your included flight allows one checked bag up to 20kg (44lbs), and one 8kg (17 lbs) carry-on. Your flight will be unescorted.

Wake to the sounds of the African bush and prepare for another day of thrilling wildlife encounters. After your morning tea or coffee, set off in open safari vehicles as the reserve begins to stir. With expert trackers guiding the way, you'll venture into diverse landscapes in search of Africa's most captivating animals—from stealthy leopards in the treetops to elephants meandering by the riverbanks. Return to the lodge late morning for a generous brunch, then spend the warmest part of the day at your leisure. Whether you choose to relax by the pool, browse the lodge's boutique shop, or simply watch wildlife pass by from your veranda, the peaceful surroundings make for a restful retreat. As the light softens in the afternoon, head back out into the wilderness. Game viewing at this time of day is often especially rewarding, with predators becoming more active and golden light bathing the bushveld. Pause for sundowners in a scenic spot before returning to the lodge for another delicious dinner and a relaxed evening under the stars. Inspiring Highlights Morning and afternoon game drives with expert trackers

Your final full day in the Greater Kruger area offers more opportunities to immerse yourself in the rhythm of the bush. With two game drives scheduled, there's every chance to spot species you may have missed — or enjoy a second encounter with your favourites. Early mornings and late afternoons remain the most active times for wildlife, offering ideal conditions for sightings and photography. For those looking to experience the bush from a new perspective, consider joining a guided nature walk (optional, additional cost). Accompanied by a knowledgeable ranger, you'll explore the smaller wonders of the reserve — from animal tracks and fascinating insects to native plants and birdlife. In between excursions, relax at the lodge, soak in the surroundings, or chat with fellow travellers about the day's discoveries. Perhaps enjoy a spa treatment (additional cost, paid locally). Tonight's dinner is your final feast under the African sky, a chance to reflect on the extraordinary experiences of your safari. Inspiring Highlights Final game drives in the Greater Kruger

Today you will say good bye to the African bush as you transfer to the airport for your flight back to Johannesburg where your journey comes to an end. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special Information Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your included flight to Johannesburg. It is recommended to book your onward flight for departure after 6pm If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.