Great Train Adventures!A Journal of explorations through Africa Before we left...When we told our travel agent that we wanted a relaxing but interesting trip to Africa, he immediately recommended Shongololo Express. It’s a unique train safari holiday which eliminates all those hours and kilometres you spend in the bus on a traditional bus tour, and it also means that you don’t need to pack and unpack every day. The train travels at night, passengers are safe and secure and they arrive each day at a new and exciting destination.

What’s more, the train carries its own fleet of air-conditioned mini buses on board together with a team of multilingual guides (we heard English, French and German spoken, as well as Afrikaans – just one of South Africa’s 1 1 official languages!) Our travel agent told us that there would be a choice of excursions every day – all included in the price! If one of our group wanted adventure, they could choose a different excursion from someone else who wanted to experience history, or culture, or wildlife – we could all do something different and meet back up in the lounge in the evening! For the energetic amongst us there would also be a selection of additional tours, including something I’ve always wanted to do – hot air ballooning. There would be helicopter flips, elephant back riding – we couldn’t wait!

Breakfast and dinner would also be part of the package – we would only need to pay for our lunches, drinks and other personal expenses such as laundry. So we did some more research on Shongololo Express and found that they have more than fifteen years’ experience in operating these train safaris in southern Africa and that some of their staff have been with them from the beginning! We all agreed that in Africa, nothing beats hands on experience and so we were comfortable that these guys know what they’re doing! We were warned though that things in Africa don’t always go as planned and that after all, Shongololo Express calls their journeys ‘Great Train Adventures’ and that’s what we should expect!

We were sold! Now all we had to choose from was one of their four different routes...

All aboard! South African Hospitality

After a long day’s travelling we finally arrived at Victoria Falls International Airport, Zimbabwe. Not quite what we’re used to in an ‘International’ airport – it’s tiny by European standards but it meant we cleared customs and immigration quite quickly. A smartly dressed Shongololo Express guide was there to meet us – between his kindness and the sunshine – it was a warm welcome in every sense!

We were glad to arrive a day before the actual tour started – it gave us the opportunity to unpack, and because we arrived quite early in the day, we were able to choose an optional extra.

These were our choices: Flight of Angels in a helicopter over the Victoria Falls, a White Water Rafting trip down the mighty Zambezi, an Elephant Back Ride or a Bungee Jump off the Livingstone Bridge.

Here’s some pictures of our first afternoon...

Our extra day included dinner that evening and breakfast the following morning. Just about everybody taking this trip arrived for the pre-day so we all got to know each other after an excellent dinner.

Day 01 – Victoria FallsA couple more people arrived this morning, just in time to join the day’s tour. We were glad to have arrived a day earlier, because timing otherwise is a bit tight. We were taken to see the full splendour of the Falls from the Zimbabwean side – the locals call them “Mosi O Tunya” or the “Smoke That Thunders” because the spray looks more like smoke but its light mist cooled us down!

We were happy to learn that in the afternoon we could choose one from the same optional tours as yesterday, so we were able to do a second activity. Some folk returned to the train to rest, or to walk around the local markets. The train stayed overnight in Victoria Falls Station. Dinner on board.

Distance travelled: +/- 15km

Day 2 – Chobe National Park, BotswanaDay 2 and already we’re on to our second country! We travelled by road (about 70km) to the border and crossed into the famous Chobe National Park. We swapped from our air-conditioned Shongololo Express bus into an open game vehicle and set off in search of the Big Five! After a dusty but rewarding safari, we went on a river boat cruise and saw the most amazing bird life as well as literally heaps of hippos and plenty of elephants. We had lunch at one of the waterfront lodges and relaxed for a while by the pool, returning to the train a little later.

Dinner and overnight were once again at Victoria Falls station.

The Holiday - The Southern CrossAdventure Southbound

Flight of Angels

Hold tight!!!

The Smoke that Thunders

Our first sightingof the Big 5!

Day 3 – Livingstone, ZambiaDay three, country number three!! Today we crossed the famous bridge spanning the Zambezi which joins Zimbabwe and Zambia. We took in a different view of the falls and then went into the quaint town of Livingstone. The museum is amazing and has original letters written by Livingstone, as well as lots of other exhibits. Shongololo took us again to a great waterfront lodge for our lunch, then on our way back to the train we visited the Fifth Gorge for a truly memorable last view of the Smoke that Thunders!

Some of the guests took an optional boat cruise down the river at lunchtime, and others took off after lunch for an optional night at Sikumi Tree Lodge. They left after lunch to go to the rustic lodge in Hwange National Park. They will have had game drives in open vehicles this afternoon, as well as tomorrow, but they’ll be back on the train at Dete to tell us all about it tomorrow.

As for us – we’re having dinner on the train and then we can’t wait to be on the move to Dete!

Day 4 – Hwange National ParkOur first night on the tracks – we slept so well rocked to the rhythm of the train! Just as well as we were up early this morning for our game drive in Hwange but then we were rewarded with a breakfast at the Sable Valley Lodge. After more game viewing we had lunch at Sikumi Tree Lodge where some of the guests spent last night, and then took back off again in search of more animals!

A really full day where we travelled +/- 120kms. Tonight we leave for Bulawayo. Zzzzzzzz!

Day 5 – Bulawayo & Matobo National Park with Art Gallery or Railway MuseumToday we could choose between two variations of the same tour. We all were taken first to the majestic Matobo Hills and saw where Cecil John Rhodes is buried. We were also shown an ancient bushman cave, then we went off for lunch. The Natural History Museum was a real revelation – it’s one of the best of its kind in the southern hemisphere and we could have spent ages looking at all the exhibits. After the museum, some of us went to an art gallery, whilst the real train and rail enthusiasts amongst us chose the Railway Museum.

For the conservationists there was an optional trip to Chipangali, where they look after abandoned and orphaned wild animals.

We must have covered approximately 150kms today. Tonight the train travels to Somabhula.

Zimbabwe / Zambia Bridge Safari timeBaby Cheetah

Day 8 – Day on the trainToday we relaxed and watched the South African countryside roll by – through the provinces of Limpopo, Gauteng and Mpumalanga. We had lots of time to chat to other guests, and the guides took the opportunity to host informal talks on all sorts of subjects! We had lunch on the train – the waiting staff is amazing and never spills a drop of anything even though we travel at quite a speed sometimes!

Finally we arrived in Nelspruit, where we stopped for the night. Tomorrow we’ll be touring the famous Panorama Route.*Highlight of the entire trip

Day 6 – Antelope Park, GweruWe have so been looking forward to today and the opportunity to interact and walk with lions and lion cubs in their natural habitat. There were lots of different activities to choose from – we both went 2 up on an elephant ride which was amazing but here are the other choices:

1. Canoe Hire for a paddle on the river which runs through Antelope Park. 2. Game drives in open vehicles through the Park 3. Horseback game viewing – 90 minutes for experienced riders to see game from a different perspective! 4. Elephant back riding – see our pictures! Amazing! 5. Presentation of the Park’s Lion Breeding Programme – the park releases new generations of lions into the wild, thereby preserving their numbers. 6. For the ‘twitchers’ – a bird watching cruise in an open boat.

After lunch there was an opportunity to visit the Gweru Military Museum and Aviation Display with a Shongololo bus and guide.

One of the highlights of today was our visit to Somabhula Primary School. The staff and children had prepared a show for us – they were adorable and sang so beautifully! We were glad we had been asked in advance to bring any donations of clothes and stationery, but Shongololo Express also manages a fund for the school if guests want to donate money. A well deserving project and a wonderful opportunity to see some ‘real life’!

Distance travelled today was around 50km. Tonight we leave for Bannockburn Station and Great Zimbabwe.

*

Day 7 – Great ZimbabweGreat Zimbabwe is the largest pre colonial monument in Africa south of Egypt’s Pyramids!! We had an amazingly knowledgeable local guide who took us through all the passages and rooms. We couldn’t stop talking about it over a huge buffet lunch at the great Zimbabwe Hotel (worth every penny on our own account). After lunch we drove through the surrounding granite hill country all the way to Rutenga, covering a grand total of around 300km today!

We rejoined the train which had travelled to meet us at Rutenga and crossed into South Africa at the Beit Bridge border.

Local children

An awesome sight!

An experience I’ll never forget!

What a warm welcome!

Day 9 – Panorama RouteToday was a day of great natural beauty with views out of God’s Window, over the great Blyde River Canyon and deep into Bourke’s Luck Potholes. I don’t suppose the people who discovered gold here in 1873 cared much about the wonders of nature! They built up the quaint prospecting town of Pilgrim’s Rest which is now a living museum and a National Monument. It also has some lovely shops and preserved nineteenth century stores and homes.

We travelled back to Nelspruit station where we’re scheduled to stay for the night. Today we travelled +/- 280kms.

Day 10 – Kruger National ParkOver 2 million hectares of wildlife!! I doubt we’ll even cover a fraction of it, but the guides know where the best viewing sites are though there are never any guarantees!! We were glad to be in Shongololo’s air conditioned buses, travelling today’s 220kms in comfort! It was a very full and exciting day, though departure times from the train vary according to the season as the Park’s gates open and close at sunrise and sunset.

There are also a few optional extras to choose from again today including: Open vehicle safari – for a little more safari authenticity. On open game vehicles designed for safety and best game viewing. Lunch at a rest camp and more animal spotting in the afternoon.

For those who want to leave the train for a night, there is the opportunity to go to a private game lodge for lunch, evening game drive, dinner and an early morning safari, joining the Shongololo group again in the Park tomorrow afternoon. (Subject to availability).

For those staying on board, there is a shuttle to a local pub in town where guests can chat with the farmers and villagers! During the day the train moved to Komatipoort where we had another stationary night.

Day 11 – MpumalangaGuests had the choice today of another opportunity to see more animals in the Kruger National Park, once again in Shongololo Express vehicles, or to visit the unique Lowveld Botanical Gardens in Nelspruit with its many rare species of plant and the first man-made rain forest.Guests were taken for lunch and shopping in the Riverside Mall, then to a visit of the Sudwala Caves and Dinosaur Park in the afternoon.

Whatever the option you took, we all rejoined the train in Komatipoort for the crossing into Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique!

One of the Big 5! Wow!

Breathtaking!

Pilgrim’s Rest (Early days)

Bourke’s Luck Potholes

Day 13 - MaputoToday on our tour of Maputo I saw everything I had read about in the guide books. We started with the municipal market and then to the Fortaleza which dates all the way back to 1769. The imposing Catholic Cathedral was beautiful, we saw the Civic Centre and the Louis Trichardt Trek Museum, the statue dedicated to the memory of the great Samora Machel, the Botanical Gardens or Jardim Tunduru as they are known here, and the famous Casa do Ferro or iron house – another of Eiffel’s!

Mozambique’s more recent history is remembered in an art gallery where furniture and sculptures are fashioned out of AK47s!

We drove along the Marginal to the Costa do Sol, one of Maputo’s landmark restaurants and had a cold drink, then we chose a restaurant to enjoy more seafood! (but there were other choices for those who had had enough fish!) To cap today off, we were served high tea back on board the train which left late afternoon for a journey to Swaziland. What a great, exotic few days!

P.S. Today we covered just 60kms!

Day 14 - SwazilandLuckily our guides reminded us well in advance that we would need our passports for today’s tour from Mpaka where the train

stopped, in the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland. What a creative nation! We visited the Swazi market, where there were beautiful baskets for sale, then a candle and glass blowing factory to watch these ancient crafts being practised! We were taken for lunch on our own account to Mantenga Lodge. We covered a massive 350kms today there and back to the train.

Tonight we travel to the big city of Johannesburg!

Day 12 - Maputo, MozambiqueEver since it was known as Lorenco Marques I have always wanted to visit Maputo, and I wasn’t disappointed. Tomorrow we’ll see the city properly, but today we had a taste of Portugal on the Indian Ocean taking a ferry ride to a beach resort where we relaxed and swam. We ate delicious local seafood prepared in the typical African-Portuguese style.

For anyone who didn’t want to take the boat ride there was an (inclusive) option to stay in Maputo and walk along the colourful Marginal. Shongololo shuttle buses ran between the sea front and the train so we could stay as long as we wanted.

Luckily we saved enough room for another spectacular dinner which we were taken to in a Maputo restaurant. We stayed the night in the architecturally fascinating Maputo Station (designed by the same Eiffel as the tower in Paris!)

Although it felt like a lazy day, we nevertheless managed to travel around 160kms today.

Maputo Station - Eiffel

Casa do Ferro - Eiffel

Swazi market

Day 15 - Pretoria/Johannesburg/SowetoToday we could choose one of two city combinations – Pretoria and Soweto or Johannesburg and Soweto.

Pretoria’s visit includes a visit to the Union Buildings and the grand and impressive bronze statue of ‘Oom’ Paul Kruger. Even more imposing is the Vortrekker Monument and its views for ever!

Soweto’s tour takes in the Hector Petersen Museum, and the only street in the world which was home to two Nobel Peace Laureates, namely Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It was very humbling to walk in the steps of such freedom fighters and experience the warm welcome of today’s Soweto residents.

Johannesburg’s tour starts at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, the new home of the Constitutional Court and Johannesburg’s notorious Old Fort Prison complex. Museum Africa was previously the site of the old market but now has many interesting permanent exhibits. Guests are taken for lunch in the vibrant suburb of Rosebank and then repeat the tour of Soweto described above.

Either way, guests notch up around 150km today!

Mrs Ples Discovery

Hector Petersen MemorialOld Fort Prison

Lesedi Cultural Village

Day 16 - Transfer DaySome guests were lucky enough to be staying on and doing a variety of add on tours, and so they were taken to their hotels. We had a late flight out of OR Tambo International Airport, and so we managed to squeeze in some last minute activities.

To choose from there was:Cradle of Humankind: Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves. This is a World Heritage Site with many prehistoric fossils on display. These include the 2 world renowned hominid finds, Mrs Ples discovered in 1947 and Little Foot discovered as recently as 1997.

Lesedi Cultural Village: This is a multi cultural African Village set out near Hartebeesport Dam amongst pristine bushveld and rocky hills. Five of South Africa’s major indigenous tribes are represented here namely the Xhosa, Zulu, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele. Lunch is included in this option.

Gold Reef City & The Apartheid Museum: This offers a combination of the fun and the serious. Gold Reef City is a funfair and theme park located on the site of the old Crown Mine which closed in the 1970s. It showcases Johannesburg at the time of the Gold Rush and in addition to all the activities included in the entrance fee, guests can go down a mine shaft for a small extra cost. The Apartheid Museum is a dynamic and powerful multi media presentation of the history of South Africa’s political regime which was finally defeated in 1994.

East Rand Mall: For last minute retail therapy! Hundreds of banks, shops and restaurants all under one roof!

Home to 2 Nobel Peace Prize laureates

Cradle of Humankind

Sterkfontein Caves

The Good HopeAdventure Southbound12 nights/13 days

Arrival in JohannesburgToday we admired the efficient and modern O.R. Tambo International airport where we were met by a Shongololo Express Guide. And what a welcome! Arriving a day ‘early’ on a pre-day meant we were able to unpack and relax as our tour starts properly tomorrow. It also means we can do even more than the Good Hope itinerary includes and choose from some really interesting optional extras, such as:

Cradle of Humankind: Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves – this place is exactly what it says it is! The Cradle of Humankind! We got some background to the area at the ‘Maropeng Visitors’ Centre, and then at the Sterkfontein Caves we saw lots of prehistoric fossils, including the world famous Mrs Ples, discovered in 1947, as well as Little Foot which was found as recently as 1997. We went on this excursion and found out they are STILL making discoveries all the time!

Lesedi Cultural Village – A multi cultural village where you can experience five of South Africa’s major indigenous tribes’ way of life – the Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele. The place is located amongst pristine bushveld and rocky hills, and lunch is included!

The Apartheid Museum & The World of Beer – This is a great option with some fun and serious stuff combined! The Apartheid Museum is a multi media experience exposing visitors to the injustice which was the country’s political regime until 1994. The World of Beer is located in central Johannesburg and makes a great lunch stop, with tasting! (lunch not included but the tasting is!)

East Rand Mall or Emperors Palace – For all last minute shopping or banking or visit South Africa’s mini Las Vegas. A shuttle bus will fetch and carry passengers between 12h00 and 15h30.

Tonight we slept fitfully on the stationary train.

Day 01 - Pretoria/Johannesburg/SowetoWe were spoilt for choice today between 2 Two City Combinations! – either Pretoria & Soweto or Johannesburg & Soweto. But either way, everyone gets to see the most famous township in the world!

We were shown the Hector Petersen Memorial and Museum and the only street in the world that has been home to 2 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, namely Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The streets are peaceful these days but still bustling with activity!

In Pretoria, guests get to see the Union Buildings, designed by architect Sir Herbert Baker, as well as the imposing bronze statue of’ Oom’ Paul Kruger, finishing with the views from the Vortrekker Monument.

The Johannesburg Tour takes in the city’s old and new spaces - from Constitutional Hill and the forbidding Old Fort Prison complex to Newtown and Museum Africa which used to be the Johannesburg Market, then on to lunch at one of the many great restaurants in the vibrant suburb of Rosebank. There were street performers, a craft market and some great shops there with a really modern African vibe about the whole place.

Tonight the train left Johannesburg for the overnight journey to Nelspruit.

Meerkats

Family

Cheetahs

Day 3 – Kruger National ParkToday we all got to spend the day in the Park with our guides in our comfortable air conditioned buses. There are some 336 species of trees, 49 of fish, 34 of amphibians, 114 of reptiles, 507 of birds and 147 of mammals recorded in the park.

There was another opportunity, as an optional extra, to drive in an open safari vehicle today. We rejoined the train in Kaapmuiden, where we spent the night.

Day 4 – SwazilandLuckily we were reminded that we needed our passports to cross via the Jeppes Reef border post into Swaziland, which, covering only 17 000 square kilometres is Africa’s smallest country! The trip included a visit to the Swazi market, famous for its amazing baskets, and a visit to a glass blowing and candle factory. Lunch was at Matenga Lodge. A great day for gift and souvenir hunters!

The buses travelled about 280km today, taking us back to the train which was now in Mpaka but which pulled out overnight to journey to Golela.

Day 5 – ZululandToday’s visit for everyone was to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, which apparently was once the exclusive royal hunting ground of King Shaka. It’s at the heart of Zululand and is one of South Africa’s oldest established wilderness areas. Great game viewing from the Shongololo Express vehicles, an additional 250km to our total and a night on the train as it stood in the pretty Zulu town of Empangeni

Day 2 - Panorama RouteToday we were promised a day of great natural beauty with views out of God’s Window, across the Blyde River Canyon and deep into Bourke’s Luck Potholes. We weren’t disappointed! We also visited the quaint old mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest, founded in 1873 when gold was discovered in the area, and which has been turned into a living museum and is also a National Monument. This is a full day tour – full of interesting facts and places! And we travelled more than 350kms!

But that was just one of two inclusive options – the other choice was to visit the Kruger National Park - the ‘Game Reserve’, as the South Africans fondly call their world renowned national park, is 2 million hectares full of wildlife! Its opening and closing times vary according to the season – some visitors go in at sunrise and only come out at sunset but Shongololo’s day is a little more relaxed than that!

It’s amazing you get to see anything with so much space for the animals to roam in, but guests who chose this option saw some amazing sightings from the Shongololo air conditioned bus – the guides seemed to know just where to go to find the animals and we saw the photos to prove it! This is also a full day of some 220km.

As well as those 2 trips to choose from there were no fewer than 4 more optional extras – one was to go into the Kruger Park in an open safari vehicle with a game ranger. The second was to spend the night at the Protea Kruger Gate Lodge on the banks of the Sabie River. This special package includes an afternoon game drive, dinner and overnight plus another early morning drive and breakfast and more game viewing en route back to the train. The third was a more luxurious night out at a private game lodge which started with lunch, a lazy siesta afternoon followed by coffee and cake before departing on a sunset drive. Guests who chose this option had sundowner drinks in the bush, which they said they will never forget, then back to the lodge for dinner. The following day included an early morning game drive, breakfast and the transfer back to the train. It was hard to choose between this option and the Mountain Lodge located in an area well known for rhino, elephant, leopard and buffalo. This package included afternoon game drive, dinner, the overnight, early morning drive and breakfast.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Losses at Wagon Hill

Day 8 – Midlands/Southern DrakensbergToday is one of the best examples of the flexibility of the Shongololo Express concept. There were four different tours to choose from and so everyone could do just whatever they pleased, and still all meet back up in the lounge in the evening to compare notes. For history buffs, there was the Battlefield Tour which traces the course of the Anglo Boer War at the Siege Museum and then at sites of many of the most famous battles including Spioenkop. History really came alive as we imagined the fighting and heavy losses incurred on both sides at Wagon Hill. There were many famous personalities involved in this war, including Winston Churchill and Ghandi, and we heard exactly what roles they played from our guide. (This tour travels the furthest – 350kms!)

You can tell who the shopaholics are on board – they’re the ones that chose the Midland Meander option today! The meander is a unique mix of more than 160 places to shop, eat and drink (I don’t think they saw them all!) There is a selection of different local arts and crafts and guests who chose this option did a beer tasting at a micro brewery. Just for good measure, they went to visit the pretty Howick Falls too! (a 200km round trip)

A handful of bird watching enthusiasts (‘twitchers’!) got their hiking boots on and enjoyed a birding trail in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains in Pursers Bush, an indigenous forest of predominantly yellowwood trees. Guests were lucky enough to spot the rare Cape Parrot, amongst many other species. Apart from the distance walked, guests travelled around 250kms.

Day 6 – ZululandToday we had a choice of taking the inclusive tour option to visit a Zulu cultural village and then the iSimangaliso Wetland Park - St Lucia (one of four World Heritage Sites which you could see during this Good Hope trip!). The afternoon is spent in the heart of the wetlands on the St Lucia Estuary spotting hippo, crocs and hundreds of birds!

The optional extra as an alternative to this trip is (but best only between June-December) a St Lucia boat based whale tour. If we’d have travelled during this time we definitely would have gone. What a chance to see Humpback and Southern Right Whales just meters from the boat!

The train was waiting for us in Empangenibut travelled overnight to Durban.

Day 7 – DurbanLots to do today whilst the train goes into a yard for a routine inspection and service.

‘Durbs’ as the locals refer to this important sea port, is actually South Africa’s third largest city. The whole city is a curious mix of East meets West meets Africa. There were no fewer than three inclusive tours to choose from today.

First, an introduction to all the elements which make up this hot, humid and exotic city. Later, we had the choice to visit the Botanical Gardens or uShaka Marine World. Both are fascinating in their own way, so it was a tough choice! We paid our own entrances and lunch and were collected later in the afternoon by our guides.

For the spiritual amongst us, there was a great option for a day visiting the temples of the different faiths which are practised in Durban. A tranquil monastery, a Hari Krishna Temple, as well as Phoenix, the settlement created and founded by the great Mahatma Ghandi, who we learned has a great history in South Africa, plus the Juma Musjid which is the largest mosque in the country. Lastly there was the Kendra Hindu Temple and Community Centre. Lunch was squeezed in between!

The third choice was to spend some time at the beach at Umhlanga Rocks, plus some shopping time at the huge Gateway Shopping Centre nearby– a very relaxing option.

Tonight the train travels into the Natal Midlands and Nottingham Road.

Kimberley - Big Hole

Beautiful Winelands

Sani Pass

Day 9 – Bloemfontein & KimberleyThere were three different tours to choose from today. The first is an orientation tour of the city of Bloemfontein which we learnt is actually the judicial capital of South Africa, and is known also as The Rose City. The city has a lot of historical sites relating to the Anglo Boer War, including the Anglo Boer War Museum and Women’s Memorial. Lunch was at the modern Loch Logan Waterfront complex, then guests are driven back to Kimberley to rejoin the train.

For guests more interested in the diamond mining heritage of South Africa, the alternative tour to Kimberley is a must today. Open cast mining has left the famous ‘Big Hole’ which also has a museum. Guests visited an art gallery and Macgregor House War Museum before joining the train back on Kimberley station.

For those guests who are really loving the whole rail journey, there was also the opportunity to stay on board the train as it travelled from Bloemfontein to Kimberley and then do a tour of Kimberley.

Tonight the train travelled to Worcester.

Another energetic option was the Hiking Trails in the Cobham region of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Site, with its bushman paintings, refreshing pools and mountain streams. An extra 8.5km of hiking plus around 300km round trip on the bus.

And if those four choices weren’t enough, there is an optional extra today for those who want to collect stamps in their passport. This is an amazing ascent of the spectacular Sani Pass, which is the only road link between KZN and the tiny independent mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. The summit is at 2873m and we heard that the descent was just as amazing!

This evening we were all exhilarated and exhausted, and so were happy to sit back and relax after joining the train in Ladysmith for the journey to Bloemfontein.

Day 10- Winelands/Overberg RegionWhat a country of contrasts! As we looked out of our window this morning, we were greeted by fertile green valleys with mountains in the distance. We were excited to get out and try what are said to be some of the best wines in the world - both reds and whites as well as fortified wines – with a climate as mild as the Mediterranean and with winter rainfall, it’s no wonder that this area of South Africa competes with many of the old and new world wines!

Of the two inclusive tours on offer today, of course we chose the Historic Heart of the Winelands day which included a scenic drive to Franschhoek via the Franschhoek Pass. Also a visit to the Huguenot Memorial which commemorates the 1688 settlement of French Huguenots who fled religious persecution and who of course brought their wine making skills with them! The day continued over the Hellshoogte Pass through a beautiful landscape of fruit farms and vineyards to Stellenbosch and on to Paarl stopping en route for a delicious wine tasting and opportunity to buy direct from the vineyards!

The second option was one of great scenic beauty travelling over the mountain passes of Rooihoogte and Floorshoogte and via Villiersdorp and Botrivier on to the coastal town of Hermanus, once a famous whaling station. Now these seasonal visitors (between July and November) can be seen breaching and playing in the bay whilst Hermanus offers one of the top land based whale viewing sites in the world. Travelling back to join the train in Cape Town via Betty’s Bay, guests on this trip also enjoyed a wine tasting!

As an optional extra during the whale viewing season there is a boat cruise on offer today with the opportunity to view massive Southern Right Whales only meters from the boat.

During the day whilst we were touring, the train travelled on to Cape Town where the crew was waiting for us! Overnight in Cape Town station.

Hout BayClifton Beach

Two Oceans Aquarium

What a sight!

A whole host of optional extras filled up the rest of our time:

Two Oceans Aquarium – a well presented aquarium located on the waterfront with indigenous fresh and salt water sea creatures!

Robben Island tour – A 30 minute boat trip across the bay brings you to this island which for 400 years was a place of banishment and imprisonment. Home to prisoner Number 46664 Nelson Mandela - you can see the cell in which he was kept for so many years. Very moving experience!

Helicopter flight – A choice of short or longer flips over the Cape Table Mountain – If you couldn’t or didn’t go up during the city tour, guides will take you to try again!

Shark Cage Diving Gaansbaai- close up and personal with great whites from the safety of a strong cage submerged in the water!

We stayed for 2 nights on the train on Cape town station and there was always an evening shuttle service to and from the Waterfront so we could do last minute shopping!

Day 13 – Transfer day. Today we said goodbye to all our new friends as the buses pulled out of the station to drop them either at their hotels or at the airport. Whilst we were sad, we KNOW we’ll be back!

Day 11 & 12 Cape TownThis has to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world – with its coastline, fantastic beaches, and the dominance of its defining landmark – Table Mountain. A dream come true to be here!

The next 2 day passed in a whirl of activity carefully organised and managed by the train staff and guides. Many of the activities are weather dependant and so we had to take advantage of a lull in the wind, for example to go up Table Mountain. Here’s the list of things we saw and did – in no particular order!

Visit to Cape Point – starting with the unique flora and fauna of world renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, then on to Hout Bay with all its pretty fishing boats. We travelled up the steep and dangerous Chapmans Peak Drive to Simon’s Town, home of the SA Navy. Then on to the charming Boulders Penguin Colony where these funny birds are very untroubled by humans! Lastly we visited the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve which Sir Francis Drake described as ‘the fairest Cape in the whole circumference of the earth’ – high praise indeed by an intrepid navigator! (and we had to agree!)

The Cape Town City Tour included all the major features of this seaboard city including (if you’re brave enough to travel in the cable car!) a trip up Table Mountain. This tour gives the background to the melting pot of ethnic groups to be found in the Cape including the Cape Malays and coloured communities. The thriving commercial history of the city includes the harbour once used almost exclusively by the Dutch East India Company but which has now been transformed into the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The tour ended with a visit to the oldest surviving building in South Africa – namely the Castle of Good Hope – very apt given the name of this Shongololo Express trip! Shongololo Express Dining Room

Ready for the sunset

Shongololo Express vehicles, ready to go...

Etosha National ParkChristuskirche

Not content with two Shongololo Express adventures under our belts, we decided to try their third trip through Namibia. This 12 day route traverses great stretches of southern Africa and we would experience the wonderful topographic, social, historic, floral and wildlife diversity of the distinct south and west coast area, the central and southern regions and the northern and north eastern areas of this richly endowed sub-continent.

Day 1 - Windhoek City – Airport and hotel transfersAfter arriving in Windhoek yesterday and spending a night in a city centre hotel, we were collected bright and early by our Shongololo guide and taken to the train. It was so nice to be back and this time we had treated ourselves to an Emerald class cabin (double bed, en suite bathroom!) We unpacked and settled in, said hello to the staff who have become like family, and met our fellow passengers! It’s like the League of Nations with people from all over the globe – it’s such fun to make new friends!

We pulled out of the station at 14h00 headed for Karibib.

Day 2 – Etosha National ParkWe packed a small overnight bag and set off for Etosha National Park today entering via the Anderson Gate and we drove, spotting animals and birds along the way in the comfort of Shongololo’s air conditioned vehicles. Etosha was proclaimed a game reserve by German Governor von Lindequist in 1907. Not surprisingly, ‘Etosha’ means ‘place of dry water’ and we saw this at the centre of the park in the famous Etosha Pans, which is a huge, flat depression extending around 5 000km2. There are countless species of antelope in the park, the most impressive of which features on Namibia’s coat of arms – the oryx (or gemsbok). They were very obliging and looked straight at the camera for some awesome shots! We stopped for lunch at one of the camps, each buying what we wanted on our own account and spent the night off the train in a lodge just outside the park gate.

In the meantime, the train was travelling on to Otjiwarongo Station ready to pick us up again tomorrow. We covered around 350kms today - not bad for the first day!!

Day 3 – Etosha National ParkAnother chance to see more amazing animals in their natural habitat! Lunch in the park. Even with 2 days of game viewing it was hardly enough but we were lucky to see lots of different species of animals and birds and we took some great photos! At the end of the day we rejoined the train having travelled around another 350km!

When we got back to the train the staff had set up an amazing braai on the station platform and so we had a really festive supper al fresco!

The Dune ExpressEastbound

Spitzkoppe

Day 6 – Swakopmund & Walvis BayFor the next two days Swakopmund is our playground and we can choose from a whole host of activities! But first, included in the itinerary today was a drive into the Namib Desert for the Welwitschia Nature Drive - a huge photo opportunity! Herds of oryx, springbok and zebra roam this eerie landscape and we saw the 1 500 year old specimen of the Welwitschia Mirabilis! Lunch was in the busy fishing town and leisure destination of Walvis Bay, after which we visited the Lagoon, a 3 000 year old stretch of water where thousands of flamingos gather for the rich feeding grounds. The energetic amongst us also scaled the height of the world famous Dune 7 and enjoyed the fantastic view from the top.

There were also two optional extra tours today to choose from : The first combined the ocean & desert and included a seal and dolphin cruise around the bay, a lunch of fresh oysters and sparkling wine on the beach and adventure in the afternoon with a 4x4 vehicle drive through the dune landscape. Idyllic!

The second option was to do the Mola Mola Seal and Dolphin Cruise - A half day boat trip to feed seals by hand, to see dolphins leaping from the water alongside the boat. This trip also spoils guests with oysters and champagne on the tranquil waters of the Walvis Bay Lagoon.

Our tally of kilometres travelled was around 200 today but the train stayed in Swakopmund again overnight.

Day 7 - SwakopmundToday is a day at leisure - just check out our choices of optional tours: Sossusvlei Fly In- A flight over the Namib Desert and along the Kuiseb River, passing over Tsondabvlei, landing at Sessriem to take 4x4 vehicles into Sossusvlei, with lunch at the Sossusvlei Lodge. By far one of the most photogenic options!

Epupa Falls/Ovahimba Fly In- This flight soars over the Brandberg, Damaraland and Keokoland to Epupa Falls.

Sossusvlei- Classic flight- Another flying option this time over the desert and coastal scenery to Sossusvlei. Duration 2hrs 30m (and you need at least 5 people for this)

Conception Bay Flight – A stunning flight with views over Swakopmund, the Swakop River, Richthofen Farm, The Moon Landscape, Goanikontes Oasis, Namib Desert Park, Rössing Mines, Khan River, Walvis Bay, Kuiseb River, White Mountain, Conception Bay, the shipwreck of the Eduard Bohlen and Shaunee, seal colonies, the ‘Long Wall’ dune ridge, Sandwich Harbour, the salt pans, Walvis Bay Harbour and Guano Island – and all in around 1hour 20 minutes!

Day 4 – Omaruru – The San People & Omaruru, the Garden Town of NamibiaToday we drove to Omaruru and the Erongo Mountains to visit the living museum of the San people. These fascinating bushman were amongst the very first inhabitants of the land and have preserved much of their original way of life and customs (and an amazing language full of ‘clicks’) We walked with them in the bush as they pointed out medicinal plants and talked about their ancestors’ way of life. Afterwards, we set off for lunch to Omaruru, a small town of around 7 000 inhabitants which is also known as ‘the Garden Town’ of Namibia. We enjoyed a wine tasting at the country’s largest wine cellar, as well as a visit to the Tikoloshe root carving factory (great for unusual souvenirs).

Altogether we travelled around 250kms, rejoining the train at Omaruru. Tonight the train travelled overnight via Kranzberg to Karibib and we slept fitfully!

Day 5 – Swakopmund/Spitzkoppe and North CoastThe granite mountain of Spitzkoppe is known as the Matterhorn of Namibia – it can be seen from quite a distance away! After visiting this 100 million year old landscape, we travelled on to the thriving town of Henties Bay where we had lunch. Afterwards we visited the Cape Cross Seal Reserve which is teeming with seals! Apart from the immense geological significance of the area, there is also a history dating back as far as 1486 when the Portuguese explorer and navigator, Diego Cão planted a cross here.We travelled around 350km today, but the train stayed right where it was in Swakopmund overnight.

For those who wanted a change of pace, there was an option today to stay on board the train and enjoy the journey down the coast to the little ‘Bavarian town’ of Swakopmund. The station is close enough for guests to take a leisurely walk there and back for lunch (or there are taxis for the less energetic!) and to visit the Museum, Krystal Gallery and The Woermann House & Tower. (Full distance travelled: 2-4km on foot!!)

The pubs and restaurants of Swakopmund offer an optional alternative to dinner on the train with lots to choose from. The train stays in Swakopmund tonight and tomorrow.

Heroes Acre Sunset in the desert

What a day!

Fish River Canyon

Day 8 - WindhoekNamibia was formerly known as South West Africa and the country still has a distinct flavour of Germany whose colony it was for many years, and no more so than in Windhoek! Today’s morning city tour included a visit to the Trans Namib Transport Museum, the Alte Fest Castle and at the top of Robert Mugabe Avenue we visited the Christuskirche or Evangelical Lutheran Church. The old Breweries Building now houses the Namibian Craft Centre (luckily the brewery has relocated elsewhere – Namibia is renowned for its beer!)

Today we travelled just 50kms and the train headed out to Aus as soon as we got back at around 13h00.

Quad bikes – A three and a half hour fun filled drive through the dunes on individual quad bikes! No previous experience necessary!

Everybody chose one or the other of these options and when we got back to the train in time for its departure for Windhoek in the evening we had so much to tell each other!

Day 9 – Lüderitz and KolmanskopWhen we woke up this morning the train was still rocking and rolling westward via Keetmanshoop to Aus. We enjoyed breakfast a little later than usual whilst looking out over the vastness of southern Namibia. (That’s what we love about Shongololo – every day is different with a change of pace). Once we got to Aus, the guides off loaded the buses, and we set off through the desert to Lüderitz. On the way we visited the ghost town of Kolmanskop, nobody could believe that this small town, now deserted and heaped with drifting sand, was once a thriving community in the 1930s. They had electricity, ice makers and even an indoor ten pin bowling alley! Very spooky! We travelled on to Lüderitz, thinking of all those pioneers whose history is now submerged under sand. Before lunch we fitted in a visit to Shark Island in the middle of the harbour, and after we drove through this lovely town full of old buildings dating from the early 1900s. On the drive back we visited the Desert Horses view site and were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these wild creatures at the waterhole. We got back to the train at Aus and as we sat down for dinner it set off for Holoog. Once again we marvelled at the dexterity of the waiters and chefs preparing and serving food at high speeds!

Day 12 – Travel day to KlerksdorpWe arrived in Klerksdorp in the afternoon and sadly left the train to be taken to our hotel. Our flight home was booked for tomorrow – essential as the train only arrives late afternoon in Klerksdorp (not too far from Johannesburg) but if it’s held up along the way, we could have missed our flight, so make sure your travel agent is aware of the timing!

As usual we left Shongololo with an address book full of new friends, a camera full of pictures and a journal full of memories! We will definitely be back!

Day 10 – Fish River CanyonAnother day of natural phenomena - we spent the morning marvelling at the length and breadth of The Fish River Canyon, Africa’s second largest natural gorge which is 160km in length, has a width of up to 27km in places and a depth of 550m. It has taken hundreds of millions of years to evolve into its current shape and size! This was a morning excursion and when we got back to the train which was waiting at Holoog we had lunch on board as we left at noon for Ariamsvlei Border.

Day 11 - Augrabies Falls & Border CrossingAugrabies National Park Waterfalls are truly a natural wonder - what a way to end our trip! We chose the least difficult of three short hiking trails which lead from the rest camp to and around the falls and got some fantastic shots of cascading water! We were glad we brought our strong walking shoes! Only a half day tour but we calculated we travelled around 260km!

The train pulled out of Upington in the evening to travel through the night to Klerksdorp.Augrabies Falls

Dr Livingstone - SouthboundWe were thrilled to discover that Shongololo Express has introduced a brand new route and so we could travel once again on board this great adventure rail journey and see new sites and countries! This time we were going to travel all the way between Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to Livingstone in Zambia...Shongololo Express guides were on hand once we’d arrived in Dar to help us book any of these amazing pre trip tours...

1. Zanzibar The smell of spices...cinammon, cloves...what a rich history this tiny island has. From ancient Arab and Persian traders, to a transit for slave trading, bloody wars and revolutions, Zanzibar has many stories to tell.

2. Kilimanjaro The roof of Africa! And the highest free standing mountain in the whole world! This is just a visit to Kilimanjaro National Park...climbing the mountain will have to be for another time!

3. Serengeti The Serengeti conjours up such romantic images! The crater is home to just about every species of African animal in the most amazing concentrations. And the views...

Pre day – Dar es Salaam. Previous experience has taught us that a pre day is essential – get unpacked, settle in and acclimatise. We had dinner on board and slept quietly in Dar es Salaam.

This port, the closest mainland town to the island of Zanzibar has a sad history – it was a terminus for the slave trade and if you’re wondering what the name means, it evolved from the Swahili ‘bwaga moyo’ meaning ‘throw off melancholy’ to ‘baga moyo’ – that one letter difference now translates to ‘throw down your heart’ – we could only imagine the despair of the slaves as their lives were ripped apart and they were shipped off to the Americas. We saw evidence of the German influence on Tanzania in the German Colonial Headquarters and graveyard, visited the first church on Africa’s East Coast, now outnumbered by mosques, and saw some beautiful carved doors which sadly are now in a sad state of disrepair.

Today was a full day’s touring and we covered some 144km. We travelled overnight to Kisaki Station, close to the Selous Game Reserve.

Day 1 – Dar es Salaam/BagamoyoThe meaning of Dar es Salaam – Haven of Peace – may have applied when Zanzibar’s Sultan Majid bin Said founded the city in the 1860s, but now it is a hustling, bustling African city, where you can hear English and Swahili spoken and see architecture influenced from Europe and Asia as well as from Africa itself. Dar is a strategic and very busy sea port – vessels ranging from huge cruise liners to traditional dhows navigate the coastal waters. And we thought the train station was busy! Inclusive Option – Bagamoyo

The old ChurchSlave trade ruins

Bagamayo Beach

An old drawing I found...

Day 5 - Border crossing to Zambia and a scenic escarpment climb!No we didn’t scramble up the escarpment but spent the day on the train which was hauled up the steep incline! We were served lunch on the train and arrived at Kisawasi.

Day 6 - Serenje and the Livingstone Memorial and Kundalila FallsToday we truly felt the presence of Dr Livingstone when we visited the place where he died on 4 May, 1873. There is a small but poignant plaque affixed to the tree under which his heart was buried. Incredibly, his body was wrapped and carried for 1 500km (which took 11 months) back to the coast where it was transported to England. Before we got back to the train, we visited the Kundalila Falls, where the Kaombe River falls 70m.

The thin veil of spray made for beautiful pictures with rainbows over the river.Tonight we left for Lusaka, Zambia’s capital city.

Day 2 – SelousIf we thought South Africa’s Kruger National Park was large, then we were in for a surprise! Selous is Africa’s largest game reserve and covers approximately 50 000km2 which is about 6% of Tanzania’s land surface! The landscape is as diverse as its size – there are hot volcanic springs as well as cool lakes and channels from the Great Rhaha and Rufiji Rivers. The species of animals are too numerous to list (can’t wait to print our photos!) as well as reptiles, birds and plants. We had an amazingly full day and must have covered around 120km For optional extras, which Shongololo is famous for, we could choose from overnight in a lodge in Selous (although it depends on availability of rooms) or walking safaris which are offered to those staying in a lodge. We chose to stay on the train in Kisaki station.

Day 3 – Kisaki and Masai Village TourThe proud and majestic Masai tribe is indigenous to Tanzania. Today we spent half the day visiting communal lands and experienced some of their traditional lifestyle and customs. We had lunch on the train and spent the afternoon relaxing. Tonight we travelled to Makambako.

East Africa is rich in archaeological sites and has recorded fossil finds of up to 5 million years old. We were taken today about 20kms out of Iringa to the site of one of the richest finds of Stone Age tools and fossilised bones. Afterwards we visited the positively modern town (1896!) of Iringa which was a farming centre for both German and British settlers. We visited the colourful market where we challenged each other to name all the fruits and vegetables on sale but then we all gravitated to the local crafters market and bought some souvenirs!

Day 4 – Makambako and Iringa (Tanzania)

Kundalila Falls, absolutely breathtaking

Masai People

What a view!

A Huge Buffalo Bull

The beauty and power of the Zebras was awe inspiring

Home sweet home...

Day 7 – Lusaka – Chaminuka LodgeAfter our usual enormous breakfast we travelled on Shongololo vehicles to Lusaka, arriving later in the day at Chaminuka Lodge where we all spent the night. Lusaka is a vibrant African city with a lot of history which our guides told us all about during our city tour. We were privileged to be taken to a local children’s home, run by nuns, and which takes care of AIDS orphans. The work these dedicated women do is amazing and we were only too happy to make a donation to them.

At Chaminuka we visited their art collection and watched some of the artists at work. There were game drives on offer, fishing in the well stocked lakes, bush walks and bird watching. With more than 72 species of wildlife and 300 of birds we were constantly spotting something interesting! The overnight in the lodge was comfortable – but we still love to be rocked to sleep on the train!

Day 8 - Lusaka City and Chaminuka LodgeA leisurely day at the lodge doing just whatever we wanted, and then a drive back to the train. We pulled out of the station headed for Livingstone in the early evening, travelling right through the night and for some of the next day.

Day 9 - On the rails to Livingstone The train made its way through southern Zambia towards Livingstone and so we sat and watched rural Africa roll by. Miles and miles of flat landscape was punctuated with Mopani trees and scrub. We were served lunch on board – just as delicious as our dinners, but tonight’s supper in the bush was extra special. After the bush dinner we spent the night on board the train in Livingstone.

Chaminuka Art

Fish Eagle with its catch - possibly photo of the holidayGlossy Starling

really common in Africa

Shongololo vehicles

South African wine... mmmChaminuka at night

Chaminuka Lodge

Day 12 - Transfer DayAfter breakfast it was time to say goodbye to some fantastic new friends! See you guys back home! Some lucky folk stuck around for another day to do a variety of optional extras including: Flight of Angels in a helicopter over the Victoria Falls, a White Water Rafting trip down the mighty Zambezi, an Elephant Back Ride or a Bungee Jump off the Livingstone Bridge.

Before you leave home:• Finalise all visas – you will be visiting Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana . Check their embassies.• Malaria tablets – speak to your doctor.• Yellow fever jabs – ditto above.• Warm clothes for cold evenings and mornings.• Raincoat (useful at Vic Falls even if it doesn’t rain anywhere else!)• Sunscreen and hat – essential!• Clothing for a Livingstone theme dinner on board!• Pre arrival day highly recommended in order not to miss any of day’s activities. • Check train departure times with your travel agent – these might differ if you are travelling north or south bound.

Day 10 - Victoria Falls and LivingstoneOur first visit today was to see the falls from Livingstone on the Zambian side of the great Zambezi River. Although the falls are named after David Livingstone, of course the locals long knew about the might and strength of these magnificent waters, naming them ‘Mosi i Tunya’ or ‘the smoke that thunders’. We crossed the River over the famous Railway Bridge (bungee!) into Zimbabwe to visit the Falls from a different perspective... Some facts and figures: The Falls are 1708m wide. The spray plume can rise up to 500m an d can be seen from as far as 70km away! In full flood, over 550 million litres of water per minute crash over the brink.

Impressive! We walked through the rain forest marvelling at the wide variety of trees and birds. This was a full day and we covered around 60kms

Day 11 - Chobe National Park (Botswana!)We travelled the 70kms to the Chobe National Park in Shongololo buses and changed to 4x4 vehicles for a spectacular game drive and then a river boat cruise. We saw literally tons of elephant and hippo as well as antelope, birds and crocs. We had lunch on our own account in a waterfront lodge and cooled off by the pool. Including the drive to and from Chobe we travelled some 200kms today. We stayed overnight in Vic Falls station.

Vic Falls Rainbow

Chobe River Cruise

Lazy Hippo

The mighty Zambezi

TanzaniaOur driver/guide who was waiting at the airstrip took us to the Serengeti Wilderness Camp which would be our home for the next 3 nights. It’s a special semi-permanent or seasonal camp which moves every three to six months, re-pitching wherever the best game viewing is – what a great idea! Our tent was spacious, the beds had duvets, there was an authentic hot water bucket shower, eco-friendly toilet and shady veranda. Lighting was 12 volt, there were bedside lamps and paraffin lamps, plus limited battery recharging facilities for our video and camera. So comfortable!

We had 2 full days of game viewing, with picnic lunches and suppers back at the camp, then after 3 nights of paradise, we left for the Ngorongoro Conservation, again taking a picnic lunch with us. Our 4th night was spent at the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, which is perched on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano and World Heritage Site. The views of the herds of animals and magnificent sunset from our private glass fronted verandah were breathtaking.

An opportunity not to be missed!Shongololo Express has partnered with Wild Frontiers who are safari experts, to offer pre or post Dr Livingstone tours – we took the add on before we joined the train – here’s the itinerary:

We were met on arrival at the Kilimanjaro Airport and transferred to Arusha Airport (it took around an hour) from where we flew for just over 2 hours to Northern Serengeti. (We had a luggage restriction of 15kgs each including our hand luggage – luckily we know how to travel light!)

A journey to

in association with

Serengeti Wilderness Camp

Luxury tented camp

Our new neighbor

An amazing African sunset

The next morning we descended into the crater, one of the Natural Wonders of the World – and we saw why. We had another delicious picnic lunch after which we were taken to Arusha. Overnight tonight was at The Arusha Hotel (on a bed and breakfast basis) – the hotel has been a centrepiece of the town since 1894 and combines the best of modern amenities with colonial charm. The next morning we flew from Arusha to Dar es Salaam to join the train. This an experience we wouldn’t have missed for the world!

Our tour cost included our private driver/guide on safari, park fees, game drives, bottled water in the vehicle on game drives, Ngorongoro Crater visit, 4 nights full board safari accommodation, 1 night Arusha Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, airport/airstrip transfers, domestic flight Arusha – Northern Serengeti, domestic flight Arusha – Dar Es Salaam, but didn’t include dinner in Arusha or drinks. Check Visa requirements for your passport and we always recommend travel insurance! (Just incase!)

If you choose to do this tour after the train journey, the itinerary changes only on the last night which is spent in the Kia Lodge minutes away from Kilimanjaro International Airport, from where guests fly out back home.

Relaxing at the pool

The hotel at night

Zebra’s on the plain

Our room

Ngorongoro Crater

Shongololo winding through the mountains

Open safari vehicle

Fondest memory

Emerald Twin Cabin

Contact us formore informationor package prices:

Tel: +27 21 559 3099 orTel: +27 84 430 0830E-mail: info@travelsatleisure.com

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