DAY 01 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA / SHONGOLOLO EXPRESS
Today is the start of your 16 day Shongololo Rail Safari from Johannesburg, South Africa to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The tour includes breakfast and dinner daily.
The tour begins in Pretoria, the Jacaranda City. You'll visit the Union Building, followed by the house of Paul Kruger, the Voortrekker Monument and a variety of places of interest. Afterwards, visit Soweto, stopping at Nelson Mandela's house, the Hector Peterson Memorial, visit a local creche and end the day with a drive through Johannesburg.
DAY 02 SWAZILAND
Travel east today and disembark the train into your air conditioned vans and enter the Kingdom of Swaziland. You will be charmed by this small though majestic kingdom of tranquility with its rolling hills, temperate climate and friendly people.
Take a scenic drive through Piggs Peak, stopping at a rural Swazi home and visiting the Kingdom's highlights such as Mbabane - the capital, The Royal Village, Museum and Bushman Paintings, and crafts workshops including candle and glass manufacturers and grass weavers.
DAY 03 MAPUTO, MOCAMBIQUE
Continue your journey to Maputo, which offers a different African perspective with its Portuguese influence. The railway station that accommodates the Southern Cross is almost certainly Maputo's most prominent building. In this busy city, visit the Catholic Cathedral, and then the Casa do Ferro, an unusual prefabricated metal
building designed by Eifel and imported for the governor during the last century.
There's also the grave to Louis Trichardt, who died of malaria at the end of his trek in Mocambique.
Drop in on one of the largest markets in Africa. Later you can admire the work of local artists in the national gallery, and enjoy the "marginal," a palm fringed promenade adjacent to the Indian Ocean. Enjoy the vibrant night life of Maputo and the enchantment of the Indian Ocean.
Tour Add-Ons:
- Overnight on Inhaca Island
- Inhaca Island Day Trip
DAY 04 MOCAMBIQUE / KOMATIPOORT
You have 2 inclusive options to choose from today.
- Visit the beach with a chance to swim.
- Visit Maputo with an emphasis on culture.
DAY 05
and
DAY 06
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KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Spend two whole days game viewing in the Kruger National Park.
This is one of the world's most famous national parks and the oldest in Africa. It is 350km long from north to south with a maximum width of 90 km. The park harbors an unparalleled diversity of wildlife and is maintained by one of the world's most sophisticated management systems.
You can stay on board the train in Hazyview tonight and re-enter Kruger Park tomorrow for more game viewing, or train personnel can help you with other options for overnight, including a stay in a bush camp or at a private game lodge.
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Tour Add-Ons:
- Overnight at Private Game Lodge
- Overnight at bush camp in Kruger Nat'l Park
- Open Vehicle Safari in Kruger
DAY 07 KRUGER / PANORAMA ROUTE
Leave the train today and travel the Panorama Route, where you will explore the spectacular Eastern Escarpment mountains, forests and waterfalls. This is one of the most scenic days of the tour, with stops at Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, Mac Mac Falls and the weathered rock formations at Bourke's Luck Potholes. You'll also take in the pioneer gold mining town of Pilgrim's Rest.
DAY 08 SOUTPANSBERG / VENDA
Guests tour the spectacular Soutpansberg and travel North to Messina viewing the amazing Baobab landscape. Today's tour will focus on Venda. Visits will be to Dzata ruins, a tea estate, Papadi Falls and the market at Thohoyandou.
DAY 09 GREAT ZIMBABWE MONUMENT
An early morning drive to Great Zimbabwe to walk among the ruins and experience the timelessness that only Africa can provide.
The largest and most significant medieval city in southern Africa, Great Zimbabwe stands a mute testimony to the level of civilization reached by the tribes of this area long before European contact.
DAY 10 BULAWAYO / MATOBO NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast travel to the Matobos Hills, visiting the grave of Cecil John Rhodes on "World's View" followed by a visit to a Bushman cave.
There will be time for lunch before a tour of the Natural History Museum, one of the best in the Southern Hemisphere, before a drive through the City.
DAY 11 MLIBIZI & THE ZAMBEZI RIVER
Mlibizi is a scenic resort on the Zambezi River between Victoria Falls and Kariba Dam. This part of the river is famous for the fighting Tiger Fish, Baobab Trees and dramatic scenery. On arrival enjoy lunch and then embark on a three hour cruise up the river to Elephant Bay via the mouth of Mlibizi River (snacks are provided).
Tour Add-Ons:
Spend two days and one night at a lodge in the Hwange Game Reserve. You will leave the train after breakfast on day tour for a transfer to your lodge. Two game drives are included in your stay and recommend guests choose one this afternoon and the second tomorrow morning. Also included are lunch, dinner and breakfast. You will be transferred back to the train on the following afternoon.
Bookings are subject to availability of rooms and prices are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
DAY 12 HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
Enjoy a full day of game viewing in this spectacular game reserve, best known for its numbers of buffalo, elephant and lion.
DAY 13 LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA
This morning you enter the fifth country on your safari! At a leisurely pace, cross the Zambezi by van at the riverine village of Kazangula into Zambia. The Zambian side of the Zambezi River, undisturbed by tourist activity, will present you with a more authentic picture of the beauty of rural Africa.
Visit the Zambian side of Victoria Falls before continuing to Livingstone town to see the Livingstone Museum. Take a walk through the Murabama market. For the energetic, there will be a chance to walk through Palm Grove to the bottom of the gorge for a different view of this great river.
DAY 14 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA
Disembark the train and board 4x4 vehicles for your drive into the country of Botswana for a day of game viewing.
This is truly "Big Game Country," home of the largest concentration of elephants in the world and the annual zebra migration. In the afternoon, there's a leisurely boat ride up-river, where you can experience in comfort the sights of abundant elephant herds quenching mighty thirsts at the end of the day.
DAY 15 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
Today you will join a conducted tour through the Rain Forest to view the Falls. Find out about the history and geology of the area. Next, visit the craft market and traditional village and walk along the Zambezi River with our guides. Learn about the vegetation, birds, animals and insects that inhabit this beautiful region.
Tour Add-Ons
- White water rafting
- "Flight of the Angels" by micro light or helicopter over the Falls
- Elephant Back Safari
DAY 16 VICTORIA FALLS
The awe-inspiring roaring waters of the mighty Zambezi plunging over the Falls will be a spiritual experience you will never forget. -
The train staff will transfer you to the Victoria Falls Airport in time to check in for departing flight.
-Shongololo rail safari ends here
NORTHBOUND DEPARTURE DATES
(Johannesburg to Vic Falls)
2010
07-22 April
2010
15 - 30 September 2010
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SOUTHBOUND DEPARTURE DATES
(Vic Falls to Johannesburg)2010
28 April - 13 May
2010
06 - 21 October 2010
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| VIC FALLS / JOHANNESBURG or
reverse direction |
| 2010 PRICE PER PERSON SHARING:
Ivory Class |
R42730 |
| SINGLE PRICE: |
R45800 |
GOLD CLASS P/PERSON SHARING:
(Suite has private bathroom) |
R52030 |
| COMMODORE CLASS P/PERSON
SHARING: (MOST RECENT SUITES) |
R54000 |
EMERALD CLASS PP SHARING:
(Suite has lounge, bathroom and air-conditioning) |
R58000 |
15 nights are spent on the Train with breakfasts, all touring and
dinners daily. English speaking drivers/guides
throughout and transportation off the train each day in minivans. Optional
excursions like a night at a private game lodge on safari are additional.
The Southern Cross train operates in both directions, and accommodates
88 guests
in 6 Emerald Class Suites, 5 Gold Class suites, 5 Commodore Suites and 5 Ivory carriages. Each
Ivory carriage has one shower and two toilets. There is a fan, heater,
plug point, coffee machine, safe, hand basin with hot and cold water, folding
table and beds as opposed to bunks. The Emerald Class Suites offer a private bathroom, lounge and
air-conditioning. The Gold Class Suites offer a
Twin beds only, private bathroom with shower and AC. Commodore
Suites are similar to Gold but offer Twin and Double beds, and are the
latest, more up to date Suites. If
you wish to add Cape Town or anything before or after the Train journey,
this too can be arranged. Anything is possible.
FOR OUR LATEST 12-PAGE SHONGOLOLO BROCHURE, CALL 1-800-358-8530 OR SEND US AN E-MAIL. US citizens do not require visas for travel to South Africa,
Swaziland nor Botswana. Visas are required for Mocambique (US
$25), Zambia (US $135) and Zimbabwe (US $45) and all these are obtainable
upon entry into those respective countries. All other passport holders must check with their local Consulate
offices at time of booking.
Anti-malaria tablets must be taken throughout. No shots are required at this
time.
We would require a NON-REFUNDABLE deposit of 20% per person to proceed with
reservations and the balance will become due and payable 70 days before date of
travel. All major credit cards are accepted in our offices as well as cheques.
In US & Canada:
1 - 800 - 358-8530
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