I'm likely to be traveling solo after volunteering in South Africa in August and thinking of Namibia as a destination. Probably won't rent a car just for myself, so thinking of a 'small group tour' or bundling some adventures together to create a trip since the distances are vast across the country.
I'm wondering if anyone has taken the multi-day 'Desert Express' train from Windhoek to Swakopmund (or vice versa) that stops along the way to visit the dunes and see wildlife, and can share thoughts on the experience: train, demographics of people on board, accommodations, food.
And similarly, there's a shuttle van service that operates between the two cities, Sossusvlei Shuttle that spends two nights at a lodge near the dunes and a presserve, to give you easy access to them. Same questions on the experience.
Exploring this before looking at Etosha, Damaraland, Skeleton Coast possibilities.
Thanks.
Desert Express train / Sossusveli Shuttle
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The following is from a report I posted here a while ago:
"I wasn’t keen on driving myself over the gravel roads so I booked, through The Cardboard Box, the Sossusvlei Shuttle Tour, operated by African Extravaganza, with a pick-up at Windhoek and drop-off at Swakopmund (tour is available in any combination of Windhoek/Swakopmund). The tour begins with a pick-up at your hotel at 1-2 pm and includes the transfers, 2 nights at the Namib Naukluft Lodge, an excursion to Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon, a sundowner-drive on the 2nd night, all meals beginning with dinner on the first day and ending with breakfast on the 3rd day.
"Pros: Overall, I think this is a good value. The lodge is a very good mid-range place to stay, with good rooms, food and service. With all the driving being done by someone else, you can kick back and enjoy the scenery.
"Cons: Sossusvlei is about 130 km from the lodge. You are awakened at ~4:30 am for a 5:30 am departure to the dunes, a trip that takes about 2 hrs. If your main interest is photographing the dunes, which are stunning at and shortly after sunrise, I would recommend staying at or much closer to Sesriem so you can get into the park when the gates open. In my opinion the tour left only a very short time to enjoy the ‘good’ light necessary for some dramatic shots of the dunes."
The full report is here: http://www.fodors.com/community/africa-the-middle-east/finally-took-that-trip-to-namibia.cfm
Note that I did rent a car in Swakop to drive to Etosha and back to Windhoek. The roads were paved (other than within Etosha) and self-drive was not a problem. Self-driving from Windhoek to Sossusvlei and then to Swakop would have been mostly on gravel roads, so I decided to let the shuttle driver do that.
Good luck with your plans. Steve
P.S. If you wanted to see some pics they start here:
http://thesafariadvisor.com/thesafariadvisor_010.htm
Steve,
Thanks very much for your insights and travel report -- and amazing pictures. I will definitely consider the Shuttle, but would like to be closer to Sossusvlei for sunrise and early morning light. A delicate balance!
Liked hearing that you did the self-drive to Etosha. Had been thinking about that, too. Sounds like some long drives to get up there from Swakopmund and then back to Windhoek.
Phil
Phil-
Thanks for the compliment on the pics!
I was really tired after the trip from Swakop to Etosha, probably for several reasons: I was very anxious to get up there, I was driving for the first time in Namibia, so it was a new experience, and in truth I didn't find it the most stimulating scenery. It's truly amazing how far you can drive without seeing another car. Shorter by almost 2 hrs the drive from Etosha to Windkoek was fairly relaxed, owing in part to my now feeling a bit more comfortable on the roads.
I do think it's a good idea to have your own car in Etosha. The roads are gravel and white dust kicks up whenever a car goes over it. I'd look at visitors in open safari vehicles and couldn't imagine sitting in one with my photo gear being assaulted by all that grit (not to mention breathing it in). The car I had was air conditioned so I could keep the dust out and stay comfortable.
I agree with you about wanting to be closer to Sossusvlei. If I had to do it over I'd try to get closer. But taking pictures of sand dunes is not my highest priority so I didn't regret the shuttle. Besides I got to meet an interesting group of 4 other people who were entertaining company.
Best-
Steve