Day 1: Pretoria

Today you´ll board 'the Pride of Africa' which will depart from Rovos Rail's own Capital Park station in Pretoria around 15:00. The spacious air-conditioned compartments, the atmospheric restaurant carriage, the lounges and the cozy bar guarantee an unforgettable journey through the varied African landscape. The train leaves in southern direction via Johannesburg and along the gold mines of Witwatersrand in the direction of Kimberley.

Day 2: Kimberley

In the morning the train stops in Kimberley, a city that experienced a true diamond rush at the end of the 19th century. This gave rise to the De Beers diamond empire founded by Cecil Rhodes. You can visit the restored buildings and have a look at the Big Hole from which almost 15 million carat diamonds were mined between 1871 and 1914. In De Aar, south of Kimberley, the train bends in a north-westerly direction.

Day 3: Upington

Arrival at Upington, an oasis city located on the Orange River in the middle of the Kalahari Desert and famous for its wines. After a walk through the city we continue our journey. In the beginning of the afternoon the train passes the border with Namibia at the town of Nakop. The journey continues through the Karoo, a semi-desert that is almost completely treeless.

Day 4: Fish River Canyon and Garas Park

In the morning you´ll visit the upper rim of the giant Fish River Canyon, the second largest in the world after the American Grand Canyon. The gorge is about 160 km long, up to 27 kilometers wide and at some points 550 meters deep. The views of the gorge with its jagged curves are breathtaking.

Continue the train ride along the southern edge of the Kalahari Basin. After lunch there´s an opportunity to visit Garas park. Afterwards, the train heads for Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.

Day 5: Windhoek and Sossusvlei

The day starts with a city tour in Windhoek, followed by a one-hour flight to Sossusvlei in the middle of the Namib Desert. The Sossusvlei is a valley with several parched tree trunks surrounded by over 300 meters high dunes, the oldest and tallest sand dunes in the world. It´s Namibia's most famous natural wonder. Arrival and lunch at the Sossusvlei Lodge.

At the end of the afternoon there´s a desert drive, followed by dinner under the stars. The next night you´ll stay in the luxurious Sossusvlei Lodge.

Day 6: Sossusvlei

The day starts early with an excursion in the desert. You´ll see the Sossusvlei at its best when the colors are intense and constantly changing, a feast for photographers. Breakfast in the valley during the excursion. Then fly back to Windhoek and continuation of the train journey aboard the "Pride of Africa" in northern direction to Otjiwarongo.

Day 7 and 8: Etosha National Park

Arrival at Otjiwarongo and transfer to the Mokuti Lodge located at the eastern entrance to the huge Etosha National Park. In the afternoon you´ll make your first game safari in the park in search of the 'Big 5': elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo. The dry salt plains are teeming with animals. Lunch, dinner and overnight stay in the Mokuti Lodge.

Day 8 starts with a morning safari in Etosha National Park where besides large animals also 340 bird species can be spotted. By lunchtime return aboard the train for the last part of the journey through Namibia towards the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 9 - Walvisbaai

A relaxing morning on board while the train crosses the Namib Desert. Around noon the train reaches the end station in Walvisbaai, an important seaport in Namibia. Then it´s time to say goodbye to the train crew.

Day 10 - Homebound

Stay overnight in a comfortable hotel on the day you arrive in Walvisbaai. The next day you´ll fly from Swakopmund, near Walvisbaai, to Johannesburg. Fly back home from there.