Rail Travel

Throughout southern Africa there is a good rail network and scheduled services operate between all main cities. In fact, the network stretches right up to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Due to the terrain to be traversed and the narrow gauge of the line (3'6'') journey times are lengthy. However, rail travel gives you the opportunity of viewing the ever changing countryside, the pleasure of meeting fellow travellers. On trains such as the Blue Train and ‘Pride of Africa’ you will have the opportunity of sampling fine cuisine and wines.

Operating in South Africa are some truly luxurious trains and a journey on one of these will no doubt be a highlight of your holiday. The Blue Train is ultra-modern and has a wealth of on board facilities such as butler service, personal portable telephones and television in your compartment. There are normally two sittings for meals. The ‘Pride of Africa’ is Edwardian in style and all coaches have great charm and character and everyone is accommodated at one sitting for meals. On both trains the compartments have twin or double beds with en suite facilities and the fare includes all meals, wines and drinks (excluding champagne).

SHONGOLOLO EXPRESS
Three itineraries operate throughout the year and on each train sleeping car accommodation is provided, mainly in compartments with a wash basin, with shower and toilet facilities located at the end of each coach. On the ‘SouthernCross’ train there are ‘Gold’ and ‘Emerald’ class compartments with shower/toilet whilst on the ‘Good Hope’ and ‘Dunes’ trains there are‘ Commodore’ class compartments with air-conditioning and shower/toilet. Each train has a lounge car and dining car.
The trains carry touring vehicles and at each stop you will have a choice of fascinating local tours, each being accompanied by an experienced and knowledgeable guide.
You have the option of travelling on a ‘plus’ basis which includes airport transfers, dinner & breakfast on board and all excursions or on a ‘lite’arrangement which only includes 5 excursions with the opportunity of purchasing additional tours locally.
The trains allow you to take a complete holiday using the train as your travelling hotel and are ideal if you wish to be ‘escorted’ throughout your holiday. They are also perfect for single travellers as you can enjoy the company of others throughout the journey.

SHONGOLOLO GOOD HOPE– 16 DAYS
A sixteen day railway adventure that offers the first time visitor to South Africa an easy and convenient way to sample all the Rainbow Nation has to offer. Of the 25 sights marked as ‘must sees’ by the National Tourist Association, the Good Hope takes in no less than 23, perfectly presenting the very essence of Africa’s new nation.

Route summary northbound:
Cape Town – Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek – Garden Route – KleinKaroo and Oudtshoorn – Port Elizabeth – Bloemfontein – the Drakensberg Mountains – Durban – Zulu Culture – St. Lucia - Hluhluwe/Umfolozi National Park – Mbabane (Swaziland) – Kruger National Park – Panorama Route –Pretoria and Johannesburg.

A similar route is operated in the reverse direction from Johannesburg.

SHONGOLOLO DUNES -  16 DAYS
A tour that incorporates extraordinary contrasts from the desert aridity to the vitality of the ocean and the wildlife of Etosha National Park.

Route summary:
Namibia: Windhoek – Etosha National Park – Lake Otjikoto/Tsumeb – Cape Cross – Swakopmund – Sesriem/Sossusvlei – Fish River Canyon; South Africa:Worcester – Klein Karoo/Breede River Valley – Swartland/Winelands/Hermanus– Cape Town. A similar route is operated in the reverse direction from Cape Town.

SOUTHERN CROSS – 16 DAYS
Travelling across six countries in 16 days, the route delivers stunning experiences, from Johannesburg to Swaziland, Mozambique, the Kruger National Park, Venda, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. As the tracks unfurl, you’ll gain rare insight into the cultural and geographical cocktail that makes Southern Africa so vibrant and exciting.

Route summary northbound:
South Africa: Johannesburg, Soweto and Pretoria; Swaziland: Mbabane; Mozambique: Maputo; South Africa: Kruger National Park – Panorama Route –Soutpansberg – Venda; Zimbabwe: Great Zimbabwe – Bulawayo (Matobo National Park) – Hwange National Park; Zambia: Livingstone; Botswana: Chobe  National Park; Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls.

A similar route is operated in the reverse direction from Victoria Falls.
 

‘IN THE TRACKS OF DAVID LIVINGSTONE’
On 28th May 2008 the ‘Southern Cross’ train will travel from Johannesburg to Dar es Salaam, a journey of 16 days. Various excursions will be available en route including Victoria Falls, South Luangwa National Park and Selous Game Reserve. The train will operate a similar itinerary in reverse departing from Dar es Salaam on 18th June 2008.