This rail journey across South Africa offers visitors an easy and convenient way to see all that the Rainbow Nation
has to offer.
The Shongololo Express Safari Trains are very unique in that they only travel at night, thereby arriving each morning in a new and exciting destination. They carry their own fleet of mini coaches for sightseeing tours during the day. And - no need for packing and unpacking since your hotel travels with you.
ITINERARY:
Day 1. CAPE TOWN. Welcome to Cape Town, an area considered one of the most beautiful in Africa, and whose character results from the cultural melting pot of Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers, the local Khoisan (Bushmen & Hottentot) tribes and the Bantu tribes from the north. The paternal presence of Table Mountain, the pristine coastline with its white sandy beaches, the magnificent countryside with its bountiful rivers, vleis and dams, and the unique flora kingdom, together with the warm summer climate and friendly community, makes the Western Cape perfect for any vacation. Overnight on board – train stationary.
DAY 2 & 3. CAPE TOWN. Two days spent touring Cape Town and the Peninsula. The train stays stationary for these two nights.
Overnight on board – train stationary.
Touring options: ~ Table Mountain, The Castle, SA Museum and Company Gardens. Bo Kaap and its Museum, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. District 6 and its museum.
~Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, Boulders Penguin Colony, Chapman's Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and Kalk Bay fishing Harbour.
Day 4. WINELANDS – STELLENBOSCH, FRANCHHOEK PAARL. Today the train moves to Paarl station, while you visit the towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl. Board the train in Paarl for departure around 7:00pm. Overnight travel to Hartenbos, arriving in the morning. Overnight on board.
Touring options: ~Historical Village Walk, 4 Passes Route, Wine Tasting or Whale Watching.
Day 5. GARDEN ROUTE. Visit Knysna, the gem of the Garden Route and its picturesque lagoon and forest. This evening enjoy a South African “Fish Braai” (BBQ). Bring your cameras and video cameras, as the “Shongololo Choir” will be making an appearance. Overnight on board – train stationary.
Touring options: ~Old Passes Route and Knysna, Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe and Knysna, Robberg Hike and Knysna or Mossel Bay Leisure.
Day 6. KLEIN KAROO – OUDTSHOORN, Ostrich Capital of the world, lies in the heart of the Klein Karoo. Ascend through the inspiring Robinson pass by train. Tonight the train departs Oudtshoorn at approximately 10:00pm and travels 445km to Port Elizabeth.
Touring options: ~Enjoy Oudtshoorn and Swartberg Pass or Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn and Cango Caves.
Day 7. PORT ELIZABETH. nestled in Algoa Bay, abounds in national and historical treasures, dating from the days of the 1820 British settlers. The train departs in the early evening for an overnight journey of 700 km to Bloemfontein. Overnight on board.
Touring options: ~ Addo Elephant Park, Port Elizabeth City Tour, or a combination of the two.
Day 8. BLOEMFONTEIN AND KIMBERLEY. Visit the historical Boer capital of the Free State, Bloemfontein, with its fine examples of Sand Stone buildings, filled with stories of the Anglo Boer War, (1899 - 1902). Evening departure at approximate 7:30pm for the overnight journey to Ladysmith. Overnight on board.
Touring options: ~ Bloemfontein and Soetdoring Nature Reserve or Kimberley.
Day 9. LADYSMITH AND DRAKENSBERG. Awake to the mountain of dragons, South Africa’s highest mountain range offering breathtaking scenery. The Train departs late at approximately 1:00am from Ladysmith, and travels 324 km down to Durban. Overnight on board.
Touring options: ~ Battlefields or Drakensberg.
Day 10. DURBAN. Subtropical playground of South Africa with year round swimming and mild warm weather. Late departure from Durban about 1:00am, heading 150km up the North coast to Mtunzini. Overnight on board.
Touring options: ~ East meets West City Tour and Botanical Gardens (Half Day), Botanical Gardens and Natal Sharks Board (Half Day) or Durban Historical Tour (Full Day).
Day 11. SOUTHERN ZULULAND. Pristine nature and wildlife and the ancestral hunting grounds of Zulu royals await you today. Overnight on board.
Touring options: ~ Zulu Culture and Shakaland, Hluhluwe and Umfolozi Park, Walking Trails at own leisure or South African “Meat Braai” (BBQ).
Day 12. NORTHERN ZULULAND. Early this morning at approximately 4:00am, the train travels 80km, further up the coast to Mtubatuba, where you disembark. After the days touring we reach the South Africa / Swaziland border post at Golela and board the train. At approximately 10:00pm the train take us into Swaziland and on to Mpaka station, 90km. Overnight on board.
Touring options: ~ Hluhluwe and Umfolozi Game Reserve, St. Lucia Estuary and beach, or a combination of the two.
Day 13. SWAZILAND. The train takes you through picturesque Swaziland and after just 128km you re-enter South Africa. Overnight Swaziland.
Touring options: ~ Tour through Swaziland.
Day 14. KRUGER NATIONAL PARK. It's Safari Time and we search for animals in the Kruger National Park, while the train heads to Hazyview station. Overnight on board – train stationary.
Touring options: ~ Kruger National Park.
Day 15. PANORAMA ROUTE – NORTHERN DRAKENSBERG. A scenic drive along the breathtaking Panorama Route, with it’s many fantastic sights. The train depart at 7:00pm from Hazyview for Johannesburg.
Touring options: ~ Panorama Route or Kruger National Park.
Day 16. JOHANNESBURG. Explore Johannesburg the city of Gold, combining South Africa’s art, pride, history and culture. Overnight at Nasrec Station.
Touring options: ~ Pretoria and Soweto via Johannesburg.
Day 17. JOHANNESBURG. Tour concludes.
