Shongololo Express : 12 day Dune Express : Africa Rail Travel

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Namibia is a country of compelling beauty, abundant sunshine and unconfined space. The wide horizons, clear unpolluted skies and a population density which is among the lowest in the world, generate a sense of freedom. This feeling of tranquillity and stillness complements 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 extraordinary natural phenomena which have resulted from millions of years of erosion and volcanic activity.

Day 1 – Windhoek City- Airport and Hotel Transfers

Situated in Namibia’s central highlands, Windhoek is an attractive city surrounded by clusters of hills and the impressive Auas and Eros Mountains. Join the Shongololo Express at Windhoek station from 08h00 onwards. After being welcomed by your tour guide and the Shongololo Express representative you will have time to relax and settle in as well as familiarise yourself with the detailed programme and the exciting excursions on offer to you during your trip ahead.

The train departs at 14h00 for Tsumeb.

Day 2 - Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park

The tour departs to Etosha National Park, entering via the Namutoni Gate. The Etosha National Park, covering an area of 22 270 km², 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”), an extensive, flat depression of about 5 000 km². Game viewing takes place from air-conditioned vehicles. There are 144 mammal species in the park including elephant, giraffe, blue wildebeest and black rhino. Among the predators are lion, cheetah, leopard and several species of wild cat.

Hyena and jackal are the scavengers. Antelope species range from the majestic eland to the shy little Damara dik-dik but the most striking, and which is featured on the Namibian coat of arms, is the gemsbok or oryx, with its dramatic black and white markings. Bird life is prolific and some 340 species have been identified, including Namibia’s national bird, the crimson-breasted shrike. Lunch (guests’ own account) is enjoyed in one of the camps. We meet the train back at a siding outside the park in the Oshivelo region.

Etosha National Park and overnight in a tented camp

Guests spend two days and one night in the park viewing wildlife from the safety of air-conditioned vehicles (this time around the central region of the pan). Lunch (guests’ own account) can be enjoyed in the park. The night is spent in a tented camp inside or close to the park. (Full day, including an overnight in a tented camp. Distance travelled: 250 km)

The train remains stationary overnight at Oshivelo Station. Guests return to meet the train At Otjiwarongo Station on Day 3.

Day 3 - 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 air-conditioned vehicles). After lunch (guests’ own account) the group departs for Otjiwarongo, where the train awaits for its southward journey to Omaruru. (Half day. Distance travelled: 350 km)

Guests meet the train at Otjiwarongo station and the train departs the same evening for Omaruru.