I am delighted that I have been asked to team up with one of Africa’s premier photographic companies and be allocated 16 spaces on what is, I believe, one of the most exciting and unique photographic adventures to be had in Southern Africa as we traverse the beautiful, haunting and always spectacular Namibia by luxury rail. This is the kind of trip people dream about – standing at the back of an African train, watching the track disappear into an endless horizon as you rumble your way along gently through a land of wide vistas and huge skies.

Following on from the massive success of the first of these outings in 2015, we have this time teamed up with arguably the finest train operator in Africa – Rovos Rail. Rovos operate from their own station in Pretoria, South Africa, and it is from here we will travel across the continent all the way to Swakopmund on the west coast of Namibia.

To put into perspective, Rovos is to Africa, what the Orient Express is to Europe…

We will be exploring the southern region of this incredible country over 12 days in July 2019 and have chosen these specific dates as it will be a New Moon. This allows for some spectacular night and star photography throughout the trip. We will be visiting some of the most iconic photographic locations that Namibia has to offer such as Fish River Canyon, Kolmanskop (ghost town), Luderitz, Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei, Windhoek, Spitzkoppe and finally Swakopmund.

Whether you are using a state of the art SLR camera or just the camera on your phone, you will be shown how to get the most out of each photo opportunity by the onboard professional photo guides. Your guides will be on hand to explain some fundamental photographic skills in an easy to understand way. Small tips from our guides will improve the way you take pictures immediately! There will also be some presentations on board the train, to discuss photographic techniques in a relaxed and informal manner as we travel from iconic photo destination to destination.

This photo safari will be co-hosted by a fine peer photographer of mine, Gerhard “Guts” Swanepoel and he will be accompanied by a professional team of Janine Krayer, Sabine Stols, Charl Stols and Liza de Villiers. Between them, they have lead countless tours in Namibia and will be on hand to help you discover and photograph all its gems!

Even more exciting is that we have chartered the ENTIRE train and requested that most of the carriages be configured with the amazing Deluxe Suites and two of the Royal Suites for two couples looking to spoil themselves a bit. For single travellers, we also have a limited number of five smaller cabins called the Pullman Suites. These will be allocated on a first come first served basis. If you click on any of the highlighted links you will be taken to the official Rovos website for all the details about the different suites. Please contact me to for all the available package options.

To view the train configuration, click on (or type in if this is printed!) the following links.

www.rovos.com/trains/deluxe-suites ; www.rovos.com/trains/royal-suites ; www.rovos.com/trains/pullman-suites

Photographically, this trip will be unsurpassed, and one that will provide the opportunities of a lifetime. For full information on this exciting adventure, download the factsheet from the website or drop me an email. With just sixteen spaces available to us out of a total of 60 on the entire train, this trip will fill extremely quickly.

In summary, the headlines are:

Price: UK£5,250; US$6,995 (per person based on sharing)

Start/End:   27 June – 9 July 2019 (13 days, 12 nights)

Start point: Pretoria, South Africa

End point:   Swakopmund, Namibia

Note: guests are responsible for all travel to/from the start end points, but we can advise on appropriate routings and timings, and also provide pick-up and transfers at an extra charge. If you would like to extend your trip, this can also be assisted with – please enquire at the time of reservation.

Booking: to secure your place on this trip, a 25% deposit is required by 30 April 2018, with the remainder payable 90 days before the trip is scheduled to take place. However, please confirm your intention to take part as soon as possible as I have very limited openings on this trip and a long waiting list.

Included:

• 8 nights on board the Namibia Photo Express (operated by Rovos Rail)
• 2 nights accommodation at Sossusvlei Lodge
• 2 nights at the Swakopmund Hotel
• All meals according to the above itinerary
• All drives & transfers according to the above itinerary in 2 x 40 seater buses with 2 guides
• All mentioned entrance fees/activities

NB: Please note that the above itinerary is subject to change and can be affected by unforeseen circumstances and timetable alterations up to and during the safari. In the unlikely event that we are delayed or diverted every effort will be made to ensure that we visit the destinations mentioned above. Fauna Vista LLP cannot be held responsible for such alterations to the itinerary.

Not included:

• Visa fees if applicable
• Gratuities
• Porterage
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Activities in Swakopmund (we can assist with booking these however)
• All flights (to Pretoria and out from Swakopmund)
• Meals not specified in the itinerary

TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE and VIEW THE ITINERARY (ONLY 16 AVAILABLE), SIMPLY SEND AN EMAIL IN THE FIRST INSTANCE DIRECTLY TO ME at ANDY@FAUNAVISTA.COM

 YOUR INTEREST WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED, AND A BOOKING FORM DESPATCHED WITHIN A FEW WEEKS. SPACES ARE THEN AWARDED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS ON RECEIPT OF FORMS WITH DEPOSITS.

ALTERNATIVELY, YOU CAN VIEW THE ITINERARY BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW:
NAMIBIAN PHOTO EXPRESS ITINERARY