The Southern Cross (Northbound) 12 days Rail Tour on the Shongololo Express

The Southern Cross (Northbound) 12 days Rail Tour on the Shongololo Express..... An impressive 12-day journey between Pretoria and Victoria Falls stopping at carefully selected locations in South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Shongololo Express

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The Southern Cross (Northbound) 12 days Rail Tour on the Shongololo Express

PRETORIA TO VICTORIA FALLS 12 DAYS

13-28 Apr 2016
5-16 Jan 2017
13-24 Apr 2017
20-31 Jul 2017

Distance of rail tour 2450KM

THE SOUTHERN CROSS – NORTHBOUND

PRETORIA TO VICTORIA FALLS – 12 DAYS

The Southern Cross Northbound is a luxury train that offers passengers a African luxury rail tour by the Shongololo Express. Southern Cross Northbound makes a impressive 12-day journey between Pretoria and Victoria Falls stops at carefully selected locations in South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Starting in Pretoria, this magnificent sojourn will spend the first few days taking guests east through the Drakensberg Mountains to the Kruger Park for game viewing and the historical areas of Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window. On day four guests tour Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, before moving on to explore the Kingdom of Swaziland. Enjoy a game drive in the famous wildlife reserve of Kapama followed by a relaxing day on the train as it heads for the Great Zimbabwe Ruins for a visit. On days nine and 10, guests tour Antelope Park and Matobas National Park, site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave, before continuing on to Hwange for game-viewing activities. The final day has the train arriving in Victoria Falls where guests enjoy a walking tour of the village and the falls with an afternoon sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.

Rail Journey Available in Reverse.

(click on image below to make bigger)

The Southern Cross (Northbound) 12 days Rail Tour on the Shongololo Express

THE SOUTHERN CROSS – NORTHBOUND - SHONGOLOLO EXPRESS

PRE AND POST TRAIN TOURS: Individually tailored packages are available upon request.

Options around Johannesburg include: the Cradle of Humankind, Lesedi Cultural Village, the Apartheid Museum and the World of Beer, for example. (email: sales @ interrailticket.com with any special requests)

DAY 1 – PRETORIA AND SOWETO TOUR

08h00 Check-in at Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria.
09h00 Tour of Pretoria and Soweto.
16h00 Transfer to Rovos Rail Station. Train departs for Nelspruit.

Gauteng is the economic power house of the Southern African region and home to some of Africa’s greatest cities. The name of the province is a Sotho word meaning “Place of Gold”, which is very suitable since much of the wealth of Gauteng has derived from this precious metal.

Pretoria
Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa. We visit the Union Buildings designed by the famous colonial English architect, Sir Herbert Baker. Completed in 1913, it now houses the offices of the President and Ministers. The buildings overlook the city towards the once fortified hills to the south. A grand bronze statue of “Oom Paul (Kruger)”, the patriarch president of the ZAR or old Transvaal Republic, surrounded by his Boer fighters, dominates Church Square, at the centre of the city. Before leaving the capital behind, we visit the Voortrekker Monument, which commemorates the Great Trek of the 1830s.

Soweto
Comprising one million people, Soweto was made famous by the laws of Apartheid. We pass the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (the largest hospital in the Southern Hemisphere) and also drive past the only street in Africa that once housed two Nobel Peace Laureates – Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. We visit the Hector Petersen Memorial, named after the first student to lose his life in the 1976 uprising against the Apartheid government.

DAY 2 – PANORAMA ROUTE

09h00 Full-day panorama tour of Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window.
17h00 Rejoin train in Nelspruit and depart for Malelane.

Panorama Route
In 1873, gold was discovered in the area around the quaint town of Pilgrim’s Rest, now a living museum and national monument. The find attracted 1500 diggers and today, many of the restored miners’ houses serve as shops. Further along the escarpment we find the great Blyde River Canyon, a gorge 26km in length and 800m deep, carved into the face of the escarpment. The Three Rondavels, three huge rock spirals rising out of the far wall of the canyon and resembling African huts, present an unforgettable sight. Bourke’s Luck Potholes are strange deep cylindrical cavities formed by river erosion and floodwater. From the vantage point of God’s Window we gaze across the sweeping landscape of the Lowveld, where subtle fragrances of the lower region rise to merge with the crisp winds of the Highveld.

DAY 3 – KRUGER PARK GAME DRIVE

08h00 Full-day game viewing in the Kruger Park.
18h00 Return to the train in Malelane and depart for Mozambique.

Kruger National Park
The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience second to none. Its 2 million hectares are unrivalled in diversity of life forms and the park is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques. The park is home to an impressive number of species: about 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 species of mammals. Game drives are conducted in our air-conditioned vehicles; open-air vehicles optional.

DAY 4 – CITY TOUR OF MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE

09h00 City tour of Maputo, Mozambique.
15h30 Return to the train for afternoon tea.
18h00 After border formalities the train heads for Mpaka in Swaziland.

Maputo
Maputo, the capital of Mozambique is a city of contrasts and offers an exciting mix of cultures. The city swings along to a beat like no other in Africa offering true African hospitality. Its architecture is a blend of African, Portuguese and early Colonial traditions with old Catholic churches side-by-side with mosques, fortresses, Victorian mansions and other buildings from a bygone era. Along the colourful beachfront there are many cafés and restaurants that specialise in Indian Ocean cuisine with its emphasis on the freshest seafood dishes prepared in traditional African-Portuguese ways.

DAY 5 – KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND TOUR

08h30 Depart in vehicles from Mpaka. Visit Ngwenya Glass, Mbabane and Manzini.
18h45 After border formalities at Tjaneni, rejoin the train in Kaapmuiden. Depart for Klaserie near Hoedspruit in Limpopo.

Swaziland
The tiny Kingdom of Swaziland covers only 17 000 square kilometres, making it the second smallest country in Africa. Travel to Manzini enjoying amazing views of the Ezulwini Valley and the Komati River en route. This excursion into Swaziland will introduce you to everyday life in Africa’s smallest kingdom. The Swazi Market is a bustling hive of activity and displays a wide variety of skilfully crafted woodcarvings, colourful textiles and superb basketwork for which Swazis are renowned.

DAY 6 – KAPAMA GAME DRIVE AND WILD DOG & CHEETAH PROJECT

07h00 Morning game drive in Kapama Game Reserve followed by visit to the Wild Dog and Cheetah Project.
13h00 Return to the train for lunch. The train departs for Tzaneen with an overnight stop at Louis Trichardt.

DAY 7 – DAY ON BOARD EN ROUTE TO SOUTH AFRICA

Day on board the train travelling to Rutenge in Zimbabwe. Clear customs and immigration at Beitbridge.

DAY 8 – GREAT ZIMBABWE RUINS VISIT

09h00 Board vehicles and drive to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins.
17h00 Rejoin train in Bannockburn.

Great Zimbabwe Ruins
Largest monument in Africa south of the Pyramids Great Zimbabwe, a hugely impressive monument situated on the south-eastern edge of the central plateau is the largest pre-colonial monument south of the Egyptian pyramids and is a celebrated achievement of the African people. Magical fables such as the story of King Solomon’s Mines find their origins here amongst the ruins of an ancient city built by the Rozwi people. Discover how these ancient people lived and mined gold and silver, which were ultimately taken out of Africa by Arabic and Portuguese traders. The tour is followed by lunch at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel (guests’ own account), after which we travel through attractive granite hill country to Rutenga.

DAY 9 – ANTELOPE PARK VISIT

09h00 Full day at Antelope Park.
Optional extras include canoeing, game drive, horseback game viewing, elephant-back riding and a bird-watching cruise.
17h30 Return to the train and depart for Bulawayo.

Antelope Park
Wildlife abound in Antelope Park.

DAY 10 – MATOBO NATIONAL PARK VISIT

09h00 Full-day tour of Matobo National Park. Visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes as well as bushmen caves.
18h00 Return to the train and depart for Dete.

Matobo National Park
“Matobo” means ‘bald headed ones’ and aptly describes the dramatic hills and granite rocks of this area. Highlights include a visit to the burial place of Cecil John Rhodes, who gave Zimbabwe its previous name of Rhodesia. Afterwards, we will go and visit one of the more accessible bushman caves, of which there are many hidden amongst the hills.

DAY 11 – HWANGE RESERVE GAME DRIVE

06h30 Full-day game viewing in Hwange Game Reserve.
19h00 Depart for Thompson’s Junction.

Hwange National Park
Situated in the northwest corner of Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park is the nation’s largest wildlife area and contains a variety of animals and bird species, but is most well known for its prolific lion population. Covering 1 462 000 hectares, Hwange is roughly the same size as Belgium.

DAY 12 – VICTORIA FALLS TOUR

10h00 Arrive Victoria Falls Station. Check out of train and walk across to Victoria Falls Hotel (luggage will be stored here).
11h00 Meet for a walking tour of the village and Victoria Falls.
16h00 Meet at the hotel for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
18h30 Transfer back to Victoria Falls Hotel. Tour ends.

The Victoria Falls
Forming the largest single curtain of falling water on earth (on average the curtain is 92m deep), the Victoria Falls’ 500m plume of spray can be seen from as far as 70km away. The sound of the water can also be heard from kilometres away and up close this muted ‘thunder’ becomes a roar. In full flood, over 550 million litres of water per minute cascade over the brink. The vast width of the Falls, extending 1 708m, allow for many safe vantage points from where you will be able to get different views of the roiling water as it crashes into the gorge and whose constant spray maintains the rain forest. The forest is an attraction on its own with many of the trees marked to help identification. These include fig, mahogany, date palm, milkwood and ebony. The bird life is prolific and species that may be seen include the colourful sunbird and large trumpeter hornbill. Craft and curio shops abound with enough variety for everyone to find something to take home as a souvenir.

THE SOUTHERN CROSS – NORTHBOUND

TRANSFERS:

DAY 1 and DAY 12: Transfers can be arranged at an additional cost.

MEALS ON THE TRAIN:

(unless adjusted) Breakfast 07h00-08h30
Lunch 13h00
Dinner 19h30

RACK RATE one way per person sharing INCLUDES:

Accommodation on a dinner, B&B basis
Excursions with a qualified tour guide
Entrance fees as per itinerary
Govt tax.

RATE EXCLUDES:

Lunches off the train
All beverages
Laundry
Gratuities
Visas
Travel insurance.

Included in off-train accommodation:

Accommodation
Meals at lodges.

Excluded in off-train accommodation:

All beverages
Laundry
Personal expenses.

Children:

We regret we cannot accommodate children under age 10.
Children over 10 pay full rate.

RATES 2016 & 2017

Emerald Cabin - sharing (±10sqm dbl/twin)
Gold Cabin - sharing (±7sqm dbl/twin)
Single Supplement +50%

Choice of double or twin beds. All cabins have an en-suite bathroom.

DEPARTURE DATES ARE SPECIFIC Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. As the Shongololo Express uses the national railway facilities of Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland and Mozambique, the possibility exists that trains could be delayed, stopped or rerouted at any time. Daily activities could therefore be shortened, altered or cancelled.

The Shongololo Express does not accept any responsibility for any changes to the daily programme. However, the company will always endeavour to complete the programmes to the best of its ability. We caution against same-day air travel on departure or arrival days due to
possible delays with flights or the train.

CANCELLATION AND MEDICAL INSURANCE ARE COMPULSORY. Cancellation conditions will not be waived. We offer insurance to SA residents. For international guests, we suggest contacting your credit card service provider or local travel agent for assistance.

PASSPORTS & VISAS:

The onus is upon guests to ensure passports and visas, as may be required, are valid prior to departure for Africa. Visas available through booking agents (email: sales @ interrailticket.com)

Please also check with relevant embassies in your country for individual requirements.

HEALTH:

Passengers are advised to take anti-malarial precautions and vaccinations as might be prescribed. A Yellow Fever or Medical Exemption Certificate is essential if travelling to/from Tanzania.

The Southern Cross Cabins 12 days Rail Tour on the Shongololo Express

EMERALD DOUBLE
+10sqm - Double bed with a small lounge area and en-suite. Bed: 190 x 150cm

EMERALD DOUBLE +10sqm - Double bed with a small lounge area and en-suite. Bed: 190 x 150cm

EMERALD DOUBLE +10sqm - Double bed with a small lounge area and en-suite. Bed: 190 x 150cm

EMERALD TWIN
+10sqm - Twin beds with a small lounge area and en-suite. Beds: 190x 75cm

EMERALD TWIN +10sqm - Twin beds with a small lounge area and en-suite. Beds: 190x 75cm

GOLD DOUBLE
+7sqm - Double bed with en-suite bathroom (shower, basin and toilet). Bed: 190 x 190cm

GOLD DOUBLE +7sqm - Double bed with en-suite bathroom (shower, basin and toilet). Bed: 190 x 190cm

GOLD TWIN
+7sqm - Twin beds with en-suite bathroom (shower, basin and toilet). Beds: 190 x 75cm

GOLD TWIN +7sqm - Twin beds with en-suite bathroom (shower, basin and toilet). Beds: 190 x 75cm

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