Train, Coast & Desert

Enjoy an unforgettable experience through the world’s oldest desert on board Namibia’s Desert Express. Luxury is evident from your first step on board the train; each compartment has individually controlled air-conditioning and heating as well as en suite facilities.

Passengers have access to an elegant lounge, unique bistro bar and spacious restaurant that serves the best in Namibian cuisine.

On arrival in the coastal town of Swakopmund look out for the dolphins that frequent the waters, take a cruise, or for the brave hearted, try some of the adrenaline-filled activities such as sand boarding and quad biking.

Your final destination on this contrasting tour is Namibia’s most famous destination Sossusvlei. With its towering sand dunes and magnificent scenery, it is a must see for all visitors to Namibia.

DAY 1 WEDNESDAY HEATHROW-WINDHOEK
Fly overnight from Heathrow via Johannesburg to Windhoek.

DAY 2 THURSDAY WINDHOEK
On arrival in Windhoek you are met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight: Kalahari Sands Hotel, or similar.

DAY 3 FRIDAY DESERT EXPRESS
From Windhoek station, board the luxurious Desert Express for a train safari across the Namib Desert. Enjoy a game drive at Oropoko Lodge, then dinner and overnight in comfortable sleeping compartments. Overnight: Desert Express. (b,l,d)

DAY 4 SATURDAY SWAKOPMUND
After breakfast disembark the train for a dune excursion. Arrive into Swakopmund mid morning where the remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight: Sam’s Giardino, or similar. (b)

DAY 5 SUNDAY SWAKOPMUND
A free day to explore this idyllic coastal town. Overnight: Sam’s Giardino, or similar. (b)

DAY 6 MONDAY SWAKOPMUND
Push your adrenaline to the limits and try skydiving over the desert, quad biking or sand boarding or perhaps something more relaxing such as a cruise. Overnight: Sam’s Giardino, or similar. (b)

DAY 7 TUESDAY SOSSUSVLEI
Drive through the Namib Desert with its monumental dunes and ever-changing colours to your lodge (280 km). Overnight: Namib Naukluft Lodge, or similar. (b,d)

DAY 8 WEDNESDAY SOSSUSVLEI
Enjoy Sossusvlei at dawn with all the amazing colours of sunrise. After a picnic lunch under camelthorn trees return to your lodge via the awe-inspiring Sesriem Canyon. Overnight: Namib Naukluft Lodge, or similar. (b,d)

DAY 9 THURSDAY WINDHOEK-HEATHROW
Return to Windhoek (330 km) where you will be transferred to the airport for your flight via Johannesburg to Heathrow or your chosen extension. (b)

WHAT’S INCLUDED
A shared tour with a minimum of 2 people
Driver/guide throughout (except on train)
Air-conditioned minibus or microbus
7 breakfasts (b), 1 lunch (l) and 3 dinners (d)

Established in 1968, Somak Holidays is an independant Tour Operator specialising in holidays to East Africa.

Somak Holidays aim to offer inspiring holidays to the most superb locations in Africa. Above all they pride themselves on being a family-owned and run company. That means they are solely focused on the holidays they arrange, and not on appeasing shareholders. Somak Holidays continually inspect hotels and airlines, and test itineraries in order to improve some aspect or another.

Somak Holidays is a multi-award winning operator, winning such accolades as “Best Independant Tour Operator to Africa” in the Travel Weekly Awards 2010.

Our Opinion
“Somak Holidays has been arranging safaris to Kenya for over 40 years and have built an excellent reputation as the number one independant tour operator to East Africa.”