Wild African Ventures

THE DUNE EXPRESS TRAIN CAPE TOWN TO WINDHOEK

Experience the magic of Namibia and South Africa in an affordable and fun-filled way aboard the Shongololo Dune Express train. This tour has now been extended to include Cape Town, offering you the best of both countries. Taking in the most popular attractions of Namibia and including remote and stunningly beautiful destinations in the western part of South Africa, such as Augrabies Falls and the Karoo, this is a truly spectacular tour! The Southbound journey travels exact opposite of the Northbound, which is listed below. Breakfasts, all sight-seeing with guides, and dinners included daily.

Day 1 & 2 Cape Town. Cape Town. Inclusive passenger transfers from the Airport or hotel to join the train. Two days to explore the city and superb Cape Peninsula. Tours include the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Hout Bay, Clifton, Chapmans Peak, Fish Hoek, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the penguin colony, District 6 museum, the Castle, Bo Kaap and its museum, and a city walkabout. Optional tours: Table Mountain and Robben Island cruise.

Day 3 Franschhoek winelands. Enjoy a three village walkabout in this scenically beautiful wine region - Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. Enjoy wine-tasting at a variety of wine estates and a visit to the French Huguenot Museum. Whale-watching offered from August to November.

Day 4 Klein Karoo. Today drive over the Seven Week Pass to Calitzdorp and on to the famous Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn.

Day 5 Graaff-Reinet/Beaufort West. More than 200 buildings in Graaff-Reinet are national monuments. Visit the Valley of Desolation, one of the country's panoramic phenomena. Morning walkabout of this historical Cape Dutch town visiting an Anglo-Boer block house, the jail and museum. In the afternoon, visit the Karoo National Park.

Day 6 Upington / Augrabies Falls. Augrabies is one of the great spectacles of this tour. Visit the National Park and Kakamas, with its waterwheels and irrigation canals, peach and date farms. Visit a dry fruit co-op, the local museum and Spitzkop Nature Reserve. Optional: river rafting.

Day 7 Fish River. Cross into Namibia today and visit Fish River Canyon, one of Africa's natural wonders and the world's second largest canyon.

Day 8 Luderitz /Aus. Drive from Aus to Luderitz and try to spot the herd of wild horses uniquely adapted to survive in such harsh conditions. In Luderitz, visit Goerke House, Diaz Point, the old whaling station and Kolmanns Kop, the ghostly remains of a diamond mining town.

Day 9 Kalahari. Visit the great Kalahari desert today and have the opportunity of meeting with members of the Bushmen tribe.

Day 10 Sossusvlei / Sesreim. Travel by road today from Mariental to Sesreim Canyon. Return to the dunes to catch the magical sunset at the end of the day. Overnight at a Rest Camp in tented accommodations. Campfire dinner after sundowner excursion.

Day 11 Sossusvlei / Windhoek. Rise early to reach Dune 45 for a desert sunrise. Then head for Sossusvlei, a huge pan surrounded by lower sand dunes. Return to camp for brunch before setting off for Windhoek, travelling via Spreetshoogte Pass. Optional: hot-air ballooning.

Day 12 Swakopmund / Walvis Bay. Namibia's premier holiday resort. Visit Walvis Bay, via the wetlands, feeding ground of pelicans and flamingos. Choose to climb Dune 7, one of the highest in the world. Afternoon at leisure. Optional: dune bikes.

Day 13 Seal colony. Travel north to visit the seal colony and turn inland to call on Spitzkoppe.

Days 14 & 15 Etosha - Outjo. "The Great White place of dry water" is an expanse of shimmering mirages and interesting diversity of trees and shrubs. The park is home to 114 mammal species, and over 340 bird species have been identified. Enjoy two days of excellent game-viewing, looking out for elephant, gemsbok, springbok, zebra, the elusive dik-dik as well as predators and the endangered black rhino. Optional: Overnight in Okaukeujo/Halali Rest Camps. Not to be missed! Both are famous for their floodlit waterholes where game can be viewed at night, whilst enjoying the African stars and the unforgettable Southern Cross!

Day 16 Windhoek. Depart Outjo early in the morning by car for a 3-hour drive to Windhoek arriving in time for lunch and a short rest before the afternoon tour, which includes visits to contemporary historical and architectural sites and museums, art collections, Alte Feste Castle and the meteorite exhibition. Transfers to the airport and optional extensions available.

NORTHBOUND 2009 DEPARTURE DATES
(Cape Town to Windhoek)

NO DEPARTURES IN 2009

SOUTHBOUND 2009 DEPARTURE DATES
(Windhoek to Cape Town)

NO DEPARTURES IN 2009

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The Dune Express train operates in both directions, and accommodates 82 guests in 6 sleeper carriages. Each Ivory carriage has 6 double and 2 single carpeted compartments, one shower and two toilets. There is a fan, heater, plug point, coffee machine, safe, hand basin with hot and cold water, folding table and beds as opposed to bunks.

The Commodore Suites are new since 2007 and they offer private bathrooms, twin beds, air-conditioning and heating.

15 nights are spent on the Train with breakfasts, all touring and dinners provided daily. English speaking drivers/guides throughout and transportation off the train each day in minivans. Optional excursions like a night at a private game lodge on safari are additional.

If you wish to add Victoria Falls or anything in Southern or East Africa before or after the Train journey, this too can be arranged. Anything is possible.

FOR OUR LATEST 20-PAGE TRAINS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA BROCHURE, CALL 1-800-358-8530 OR SEND US AN E-MAIL.

US citizens do not require visas for travel to South Africa nor Namibia. All other passport holders must check with their local Consulate offices at time of booking.

Anti-malaria tablets must be taken throughout. No shots are required at this time.

We would require a non-refundable deposit of 20% per person to proceed with reservations and the balance will become due and payable 60 days before date of travel. All major credit cards are accepted in our offices as well as cheques.

In US & Canada: 1 - 800 - 358-8530