Desert Express-Namibia
Jun 12, 2007 | 12:56 pm
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
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Desert Express-Namibia
Am just starting to think about a trip to Namibia later this year, likely go mid-late Oct. Has anyone ever done the Desert Express train tour? Looks like it can be organized to take a few days and see a fair bit, but not sure if it can take the place of a destination safari. Any thoughts? Thanks! Sid
Jun 13, 2007 | 6:35 pm
#3
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posts: 296
I think that may be just the Windhoek to Swakopmund but there are add on packages to Etosha and and other spots. Still only a couple of thousand US$ I think. Part of the motivation is that my significant other loves trains, and to get him to go that far I need a hook! Maybe my birthday is enough, but I would like for him to like it too. He also loves desert environments.
BTW, while I think Helen is good and competent public servant, there is virtually no chance she will be President. Wrong race and wrong gender. Not my opinion, but my perception of the opinion of South Africans. If a woman happens, as Mbeki says he wants, it will be Phumzile, who I think is also quite good.
BTW, while I think Helen is good and competent public servant, there is virtually no chance she will be President. Wrong race and wrong gender. Not my opinion, but my perception of the opinion of South Africans. If a woman happens, as Mbeki says he wants, it will be Phumzile, who I think is also quite good.
Jun 15, 2007 | 5:58 am
#4
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Have a look at Seat 2A's trip report Windhoek to Swakopmund Aboard The Desert Express ~ Luxury Train Travel Across Namibia
Another of Seat 2A's TR From NAMIBIA to NEVADA ~ The Long Way
Another of Seat 2A's TR From NAMIBIA to NEVADA ~ The Long Way
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Jun 15, 2007 at 6:03 am
Jun 16, 2007 | 9:29 pm
#5
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posts: 296
Thanks Mwenenzi. I had actually looked at 2A's post, which is of course great and gives me a feel for the train and its facilities. I should have been more specific that I was interested in whether the following packaged itinerary on their website is an acceptable subsitute for a real Namib safari:
Day 1. Depart Windhoek 14:30. Dinner & overnight on the train.
Day 2. Arrive Swakopmund 10:00. Excursions around Swakopmund.
Dinner, overnight & breakfast on the train.
Day 3. Sight seeing tour around Walvis Bay to the lagoon, salt works and dune 7. Depart 14:00 for Otjiwarongo for overnight.
Day 4. Depart 05:00 for Etosha. Transfer to Etosha 12:00. Afternoon game drive with sundowner in the veldt.
Dinner (BBQ). Evening around waterhole.
Day 5. Early game drive with breakfast in the veldt. Transfer to train and depart for Windhoek. Dinner and overnight on train at Otjiwarongo.
Day 6. Depart for Windhoek with breakfast and lunch on the train. Arrive Windhoek 14:00
The package price is about US$1000 per person, which is amazingly inexpensive for the apparent quality. Just wondered if anyone had any point of reference to compare.
Thanks!
Day 1. Depart Windhoek 14:30. Dinner & overnight on the train.
Day 2. Arrive Swakopmund 10:00. Excursions around Swakopmund.
Dinner, overnight & breakfast on the train.
Day 3. Sight seeing tour around Walvis Bay to the lagoon, salt works and dune 7. Depart 14:00 for Otjiwarongo for overnight.
Day 4. Depart 05:00 for Etosha. Transfer to Etosha 12:00. Afternoon game drive with sundowner in the veldt.
Dinner (BBQ). Evening around waterhole.
Day 5. Early game drive with breakfast in the veldt. Transfer to train and depart for Windhoek. Dinner and overnight on train at Otjiwarongo.
Day 6. Depart for Windhoek with breakfast and lunch on the train. Arrive Windhoek 14:00
The package price is about US$1000 per person, which is amazingly inexpensive for the apparent quality. Just wondered if anyone had any point of reference to compare.
Thanks!
Jun 18, 2007 | 2:11 pm
#7
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Depends on what exactly you mean. Namib and Namibia are not synonyms, the former being a desert along the west coast of the latter.
Given the size and diversity of Namibia, a single safari can't possibly suffice, unless it lasts six month to a year. A six day jaunt by train can obviously not even begin to scratch the surface. Just properly exploring Etosha would require that much time.
The Desert Express is certainly not expensive though, and it may well show you enough to whet your appetite.
Johan
Given the size and diversity of Namibia, a single safari can't possibly suffice, unless it lasts six month to a year. A six day jaunt by train can obviously not even begin to scratch the surface. Just properly exploring Etosha would require that much time.
The Desert Express is certainly not expensive though, and it may well show you enough to whet your appetite.
Johan