Shongololo - The Dune Express

Namibia is a country of compelling beauty, abundant sunshine and unconfined space. The wide horizons, the clear unpolluted skies and a population density, which is among the lowest in the world, generate a sense of freedom. This feeling of tranquility and stillness compliments a landscape, which is singular in its colours, full of contrasts of light and shade. The Dune Adventure offers a unique opportunity to experience the harsh realities of the desert landscapes as well as the extraordinary natural phenomena resulting from millions of years of erosion and volcanic activity.

Day	Region	Accommodation
1	Johannesburg	Shongololo
2	Augrabies Falls and Border Crossing	Shongololo
3	Fish River Canyon	Shongololo
4	Luderitz and Kolmanskop	Shongololo
5	Windhoek	Shongololo
6	Etosha National Park	Shongololo
7	Etosha National Park	Shongololo
8	Omaruru	Shongololo
9	Swakopmund / Spitkoppe and North Coast	Shongololo
10	Swakopmund / Walvis Bay	Shongololo
11	Swakopmund	Shongololo
12	Windhoek	Departure

Please note: Tour can be done in reverse. For full day tour descriptions please give us a call!

Do you want to create your very own African Safari? Talk to one of our experts now.

Namibia is a country of compelling beauty, abundant sunshine and unconfined space. The wide horizons, the clear unpolluted skies and a population density, which is among the lowest in the world, generate a sense of freedom. This feeling of tranquility and stillness compliments a landscape, which is singular in its colours, full of contrasts of light and shade. The Dune Adventure offers a unique opportunity to experience the harsh realities of the desert landscapes as well as the extraordinary natural phenomena resulting from millions of years of erosion and volcanic activity.

Shongololo Express provides a very special touring experience for visitors to Namibia. The trains travel comfortably and securely during the night and you awake each dawn to a different vista. No more packing and unpacking for the whole duration of the trip! The train carries a fleet of air-conditioned touring vehicles with professional guides on board ready to take guests on the daily inclusive scheduled tours.

Day 1: Johannesburg

Join the Shongololo Express at Boksburg East station from 08:00 onwards. After being welcomed by your tour guide and the Shongololo Express representatives you may enjoy a cup of coffee and a few biscuits. The train will depart at 10:00 and during your settling-in period, familiarize yourself with the detailed program and the exciting excursions on offer to you during your trip ahead to Namibia! Enjoy a drink at the bar before the train departs for Upington.

Day 2: Augrabies Falls and Border Crossing

Augrabies National Park: Visiting the Augrabies National Park is not only a highlight because of its waterfalls (even though they are the main attraction). The interesting flora as well as the small Klipspringer is also worth mentioning. Three short hiking trails lead from the rest camp at the park entrance to and around the waterfalls. They are not very difficult to walk, but solid hiking shoes are recommended, because of the rocky ground. In April / May when the Gariep (Orange) River's water level is at its peak, amplitude of 200 meters of water falls almost 60 meters down the granite ravine. The train departs from Upington and crosses into Namibia late in the evening.

Day 3: Fish River Canyon

Fish River Canyon, Giant’s Playground and Quiver Tree Forest: Enjoy an early-morning breakfast before we depart for the Fish River Canyon. Eroded over millennia, the Fish River Canyon is the second largest natural gorge in Africa. After a quick stopover at the famous Canyon Roadhouse, which is interestingly decorated with old car parts found in the region, we push further to Keetmanshop for lunch (guests’ own account). In the afternoon we visit Giant’s Playground, an impressive jumble of massive dolerite boulders of 160 - 180 million years old. We end our afternoon with a visit to the Quiver Tree Forest, where around 300 specimens of this prehistoric tree, Aloe dichotoma, can be found. The train journeys from Keetmanshop to Aus over night.

Day 4: Luderitz and Kolmanskop

Luderitz and Kolmanskop: Guests depart in the morning for a drive through the desert to visit the desert horses en route to Luderitz. On arrival guests tour the historical town including the Cross and the ghost city of Kolmanskop. Take a walking tour, and learn about electricity, ice makers and 10 pin bowling back in the 30's!! Guests rejoin the train at Aus Station. The train departs Aus for Windhoek in the evening.

Day 5: Windhoek

Situated in Namibia’s central highlands, Windhoek is an attractive city surrounded by clusters of hills and the impressive Auas and Eros Mountains. Windhoek City Tour: The city tour of Windhoek starts with a visit to the TransNamib Transport Museum. The museum is situated in the Windhoek Railway Station and was built from 1912 to 1913. The museum at the Alte Feste Castle offers a range of displays, including the Social History Gallery and the Independence Display. Both give an insight into Namibia’s complex history. At the top of Robert Mugabe Avenue is the Christuskirche or Evangelical Lutheran Church. Our last visit is the Namibia Craft Centre in the old Breweries Building. The train departs overnight for Tsumeb Siding.

Day 6: Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park: The tour departs to Etosha National Park, entering via the Namutoni Gate. The Etosha National Park is one of the major sanctuaries for wildlife in Africa and was proclaimed a game reserve by German Governor Von Lindequist in 1907. The heart of the park is the Etosha Pan (Etosha means “place of dry water. OPTIONAL EXTRAS: Etosha National Park and Overnight in a Tented Camp. The train remains stationary overnight at Oshivelo Station. Guests return to meet the train At Otjiwarongo Station on day 07.

Day 7: Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park: This morning is the last opportunity to experience the magic of Etosha’s animal kingdom (this time in the southern region of the park and once again in our air-conditioned vehicles). After lunch (guests’ own account) we depart for Otjiwarongo, where the train will await us for its southwards journey to Omaruru. Guests meet the train at Otjiwarongo station and the train departs to Omaruru.

Day 8: Omaruru

Omaruru the garden town of Namibia: Omaruru is a town and constituency in the Erongo Region of Namibia. Its official population is 6,792. The town is situated by the Erongo Mountains, on the usually dry Omaruru River. The town grew around a mission built in 1872 by Gottlieb Viehe, now a museum, and was attacked in 1904 during the Herero and Namaqua Genocide. Hardly any visitor leaves this place without a souvenir bought at this fascinating venue. Enjoy a ride on a traditional donkey cart – available at the station. The ‘braai’ on the station’s platform is another highlight. The train departs early evening from Omaruru via Kranzberg and Usakos to Swakopmund.

Day 9: Swakopmund / Spitkoppe and North Coast

Spitzkoppe, Henties Bay and the Cape Cross Seal Reserve: Spitzkoppe is known as the 'Matterhorn of Namibia'. It rises to an altitude of about 1 800 m. However, it is by no means Namibia's highest mountain. Due to its striking features and outlines, it is the most famous mountain in the country. Situated in an endless dry landscape, the island of mountains can be seen from quite a distance. The enormous granite rocks were created more than 100 million years ago due to volcanic activities and subsequent erosion. We continue to the small, thriving town of Henties Bay. We make our way back to the train in Swakopmund in the late afternoon. The train remains stationary in Swakopmund over night.

Day 10: Swakopmund / Walvis Bay

Swakopmund, Namibia’s seaside resort on the West Coast, is a place of singular charm. It resembles a small Bavarian village nestling between the desert and the sea and enjoys a restful and relaxing atmosphere. Moon Landscape, Welwitschia Drive, Walvis Bay and Dune 7: Our day starts with a drive past Walvis Bay into the Namib Desert and a stop at a lookout point over the valley known as the Moon Landscape. We then return to Walvis Bay for a lunch break (guests’ own account). Dune 7, located on the outskirts of Walvis Bay, is the highest sand dune in the area. It is an unforgettable experience for those who feel inclined to challenge the height of this outstanding landmark to admire the view from the top. OPTIONAL EXTRAS: Ocean and Desert Combination Tour; or Mola Mola Seal and Dolphin Cruise. The train remains stationary in Swakopmund over night.

Day 11: Swakopmund

The day is spent at leisure. OPTIONAL EXTRAS: Sossusvlei Fly-in; Epupa Falls / Ovahimba Fly-in; Sossusvlei – "Classic Flight"; Conception Bay Flight: or Quad Bikes. The train departs Swakopmund midday for Windhoek.

Day 12: Transfer Day

A late breakfast will be served on board the train. If guests are transferring to a hotel, this will be arranged for them in the morning. Transfers to the airport will be done as per the flight schedules.

Departures	Twin	Single
Ivory Class	$3,375	$3,510	Enquire Now
Gold Class	$4,690	$POA	Enquire Now
Commodore	$4,960	$POA	Enquire Now
Emerald	$5,445	$POA	Enquire Now

Inclusions:

• Eleven nights accommodation
• Breakfast and dinner daily
• Choice of daily scheduled off-rail excursions
• Return airport transfers

• 17 – 28 July 2012 ex Johannesburg
• 01 – 12 August 2012 ex Windhoek

You can choose to extend your trip by adding the following options.
Or talk to one of our experts now.