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Home | Victoria Falls Activities | Zimbabwe Safaris | Shongololo Express
Shongololo Express - Southern CrossAn incredible rail journey through South Africa,
Swaziland, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, the Southern Cross route offers unforgettable safari experiences, hikes and historic and cultural tours through urban and rural Africa
Introduction
The privately owned Rovos Rail run 3-star epic train journeys
through Southern Africa. The South African company known for the luxurious
Rovos Rail train trips took over the Shongololo
Express trains in 2016, and offer long trips of between 12 and 15 days through
various southern African countries. And although it is not the 5-star experience, the trips are still luxurious
rail safari experiences. As far as African train safaris go, the Shongololo
Express offers so much excitement in amazing destinations at a more reasonable
rate considering offerings and length of the trips.
A rail safari really is an ideal way to travel, especially through southern
Africa. Take a tour with a difference from Pretoria to
Victoria Falls and/or the other way. The Southern Cross trip is a 12-day journey, and can
be combined with awesome adventure in Victoria Falls at the beginning or end of
your holiday. In this trip, you will experience the vast scenic landscape of
South Africa, Eswatini (ex Swaziland), Mozambique and Zimbabwe while you retreat back to your
cosy cabin and other lodging along the way. Romance, culture, history, adventure, wildlife
and true African hospitality are things that you can expect during your trip on
the Shongololo Express. Take this tour while on
honeymoon, celebrating an anniversary, or as a family wanting to explore the
beautiful African landscape.
The Shongololo Express also takes guests on various off-board excursions (the same
concept as with cruise ships) often in their air-conditioned vehicles, or 4x4
game vehicles, which also
travel with the train. Professional multi-lingual guides take you for the
various activities during the day and you return to the train well before dinner
(sometimes by lunch time), so the train mostly travels during the night so that
passengers wake up each morning at a new destination!
 Over 2500kms of epic train safari from Pretoria to Victoria Falls
(or vice-versa) on the Shongololo Express
The route and adventure on the Shongololo Express Southern Cross route between
Pretoria and Victoria Falls go as follows (also see the map above):
| Pretoria to Victoria Falls |
Victoria Falls to Pretoria |
Day 1: Pretoria & Soweto
- Check-in at Rovos Rail Station
- Tour of Pretoria and Soweto seeing
sites such as colonial-time buildings overlooking the city, the Voortrekker Monument commemorating the Great Trek of 1830's, the
Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, and the Hector Petersen Memorial
- Transfer to Rovos Rail Station and train departs for Waterval Boven for
the overnight stop
|
Day 1: Victoria Falls
- Meet at the
Victoria Falls Hotel where
luggage will be taken to the train.
- Walking through the
Victoria Falls
rainforest
- Rendezvous at the hotel
then board the train at the nearby Victoria Falls train station
- Train departs for Dete near Hwange for the overnight
stop |
Day 2: Panorama Route
- Take a full-day panorama tour of
Pilgrim's Rest (now a living museum and national monument), Bourke's
Luck Potholes (deep cylindrical cavities formed by river erosion and
floodwater in Blyth River Canyon) and Graskop
- In the evening,
rejoin the train in Nelspruit and depart for Malelane |
Day 2: Hwange National Park
- Full-day game viewing in
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest wildlife reserve containing
a variety of animals and bird species
- After the drive, return to the train which will depart for
Bulawayo - Zimbabwe's second-largest city |
Day 3: Kruger National Park
- Full-day game
viewing drive in air-conditioned vehicles in the Kruger National
Park, unrivalled in diversity of life forms
- Return to the
train in Malelane and depart for Mozambique |
Day 3: Matopos National Park
-
Matobo Hills National
Park, for a visit to the grave of Cecil John Rhodes (the man who
gave Zimbabwe it's old name - Rhodesia) as well as bushmen caves
which house stone-age paintings
-Return to the train in Bulawayo
which will head for Dabuka.
|
Day 4: Maputo, Mozambique
- City tour of Maputo which boasts an architectural 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, plus an experience in
Indian Ocean cuisine prepared in an Portuguese-African way
- Return to the train for afternoon tea then border formalities
- Train
heads for Mpaka - Eswatini (ex Swaziland) |
Day 4: Antelope Park
- Drive to Antelope Park for the day
- Optional extras
include canoeing, game drive, horseback game viewing, elephant
interaction, bird-watching, etc.
- Return to the train and depart
for Bannockburn.
|
Day 5: Eswatini
- Depart in vehicles from Mpaka, Eswatini (ex
Swaziland) for visit
to Swazi Candles, Mantenga Cultural Village and Mantenga Lodge.
- Return to the train in the afternoon.
- The train departs for Hoedspruit |
Day 5: Great Zimbabwe Monument
- Board vehicles and drive to the
Great
Zimbabwe Ruins - learn and see Africa's oldest civilisation south of the
Sahara
- Lunch at Great Zimbabwe Hotel
- Return to the train and travel towards Beitbridge, crossing the bridge to
Messina and overnight there. |
Day 6: Kapama Reserve & Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre
- Morning game drive in Kapama
Game Reserve, visit to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.
- Return to the train for lunch
- Train departs for Tzaneen with an overnight stop at Louis Trichardt |
Day 6: Limpopo Province
- A travelling day on the train as it traverses
Limpopo and heads towards Hoedspruit. |
Day 7: Limpopo Province
- Travelling day on the train as it moves
into Zimbabwe, crossing the border at Beitbridge, then proceeding to
Oreti. |
Day 7: Kapama Reserve & Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre
- Morning game drive in Kapama Game Reserve, visit
to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.
- Return to the train for lunch. Depart for Mpaka. |
Day 8: Great Zimbabwe Monument
- Tour of the ancient
Great Zimbabwe Ruins – the largest precolonial
monument south of the Egyptian pyramids
- Lunch at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel
- Return to train in Oreti. The train departs for
Somabhula for an overnight stop. |
Day 8: Eswatini
- Depart in vehicles from Mpaka
- Visit Swazi Candles, Mantenga Cultural Village and Mantenga Lodge.
- Return to the train and depart for Maputo (Mozambique) |
Day 9: Antelope Park
- Take a ride to Antelope Park for the day.
- Optional extras
include canoeing, game drive, horseback game viewing, elephant-
interaction, bird-watching cruise, etc.
- After the day enjoying wildlife, return to the train which departs for Bulawayo. |
Day 9: Maputo, Mozambique
- City tour of Maputo which boasts an architectural 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, plus an experience in
Indian Ocean cuisine prepared in an Portuguese-African way
- Return to the train and travel to Komatipoort in South Africa
- After border
formalities the train heads for Malelane for the overnight stop. |
Day 10: Matopos National Park
- Full-day tour of Matobo Hills National Park - an area
with dramatic hills and granite rocks, visit the grave of
Cecil Rhodes as well as bushmen caves
- Return to the train and depart for Dete
near Hwange National Park. |
Day 10: Kruger National Park
- Relish a full-day game viewing in the famous
Kruger National Park which offers an unforgettable wildlife experience
- Return to the train in Malelane and depart for Nelspruit |
Day 11: Hwange National Park
Full-day game viewing in Hwange Game Reserve,
Zimbabwe, the nation's largest wildlife reserve and home to a variety of
animals and bird species
- Train departs for Thomson Junction. |
Day 11: Panorama Route
- Full-day panorama tour
of Pilgrim's Rest (now a living museum and national monument), Bourke's
Luck Potholes (deep cylindrical cavities formed by river erosion and
floodwater in Blyth River Canyon), God's Window
- Rejoin the train in Nelspruit and depart for Witbank. |
Day 12: Victoria Falls
- Arrive at Victoria
Falls Station and check out of the train. Walk across to Victoria Falls
Hotel (luggage will be stored on the train)
- Meet for a walking tour of the town and the Victoria Falls rainforest with
lunch
- Meet at the hotel
for pick-up to the jetty for a sunset cruise on the
Zambezi River
- Return to Victoria Falls Hotel where the tour ends. |
Day 12: Pretoria & Soweto
- Arrive at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria and check
out of train (Luggage stored at the station)
- Tour Pretoria and Soweto
seeing sites such as colonial-time buildings overlooking the city, the Voortrekker Monument commemorating the Great Trek of 1830's, the Chris
Hani Baragwanath Hospital, and the Hector Petersen Memorial
- Return to Rovos Rail Station where the tour ends |
While on a trip on the Shongololo Express, you will be taken for a tour of
the largest waterfall in the world and
of the town that has grown since its discovery by outside world. However, there are so many more
Victoria Falls activities on offer from blood-pumping
white-water rafting and bungee jumping to scenic helicopter rides, wildlife and specialised tours and activities. We also recommend a
day trip (or if you prefer an overnight
Chobe camping safari) to nearby
and impressive Chobe National Park in Botswana, to really make the most out of your stay in
Victoria Falls!
More About the Train
The Shongololo Express train consists of two dining cars which are
air-conditioned and non-smoking and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner; a bar
car, and an observation car with open air balcony at the back of the train -
best for sight-seeing. A maximum number of 72 guests can be accommodated in two
cabin categories - Gold and Emerald. Both cabin types have double and twin
configuration but differ in size - the Emerald being larger than the Gold
cabins.
Accommodation Aboard the Shongololo Express
Luxury cabins with a maximum capacity of 72 passengers
• Emerald cabins are top of the range with private lounge area - both twin
and double configuration - 10sqm
• Gold cabins are less spacious and do not have a lounge area - both twin
and double configuration - 7sqm
All cabins have:
• Air conditioning
• En-suite bathroom with shower, basin and toilet
• Small closets and storage space
• Safe
• 220V power supply - round 3-pin socket (South African)
• Hair dryers
• All Emerald Cabins have a small lounge area
Other Facilities and Services
• Bar carriage with air conditioning
• Laundry service (surcharge)
• Smoking lounge with library
• 2 Dining cars serving breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Observation car with open-air deck and air conditioning
• Transport and 4x4 game drive vehicles for excursions
• Mail service (except in Zimbabwe and Mozambique)
Dining
• The bar is open from early morning until midnight
• The dining carriages are air-conditioned and non-smoking. The total seating capacity is 72 and dress code for meal times is casual. Lunch is for guest's own account except when otherwise stated. Meal times
on the Shongololo Express depend on the activities planned for the day, but are generally served at the following times: Breakfast 07h00-08h30; Lunch 13h00; Dinner 19h30.
Rate Includes
• Accommodation aboard the Shongololo Express
• Dinner and breakfast
• Excursions accompanied by a qualified tour guide
• Entrance fees to places of interest
• Government tax
• Included in off-train accommodation: Accommodation; Meals at the lodges, hotels, clubs or resorts
Rate Excludes
• Laundry service
• Lunches off the train
• All beverages
• Gratuities
• Visas
• Travel insurance
• Gift/curio purchases
Travel Dates
|
|
|
Pretoria to Victoria Falls |
Victoria Falls to Pretoria |
|
2023 |
|
January |
5 |
|
|
March |
2 |
|
| April | 13 | |
| June | 8 | |
| September | 7 | |
| November | 3 | 16 |
What to bring
• When taking trips off the
train, guests are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses,
sunscreen and a hat for the outside activities. Warm clothing is essential for
the games drives as those are conducted early in the morning when it is still
quite cold.
• Make sure that you have your valid passport with you with a
valid visa
(if applicable). Be sure to check your itineraries so that you know which
countries you will pass through, and arrange for visas as required. Make sure
that you have at least 3 blank visa pages in your passport for border stamps,
and that your passport will be valid for at least six months from your
return-home date.
• Anti-malaria
preventions medication is recommended if you are travelling to Eswatini (ex
Swaziland), Kruger
Park, Northern Botswana, and Zimbabwe (especially
Victoria Falls and
Hwange).
Yellow fever certificates may be required if you are coming from
Tanzania.
• For your curio shopping, gratuities, lunches, etc, you will need to bring some cash on your trip. Although some places may allow you to use a credit card, small traders and rural sellers will not have point of sale machines. Some areas will not have ATMs or in worst circumstances, they may not be working. You are advised to carry South African Rands, US Dollars (in small denominations) or Euros (bank notes). In South Africa only Rands may be used. In Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique,
Eswatini (ex Swaziland) and Botswana it is possible to use US Dollars.
• It is compulsory for all guests to provide proof of comprehensive
travel insurance including but not limited to medical cost, emergency evacuation and repatriation, cancellation or curtailment, loss of baggage, personal possessions or money.
• You may want to bring along a travel adapter as the train has South African 3-pin round plug socket.
Note: There is no phone on the Shongololo Express train. Also, don't expect to get full mobile phone coverage, especially while the train is
in motion or stopped in the remote game parks. However, you may be able to
connect to the internet at some of the local internet cafes along the way.
Children
• Shongololo Express does not accommodate children under the age of 10 years old
• Children over 10 pay the full rate.
How to Get to the Shongololo Express
• If you are starting this exciting trip in Victoria Falls, you will need to get to
Victoria Falls Hotel for check-in on the morning of the departure date.
• Should you be coming from Pretoria (South Africa), you will need to check-in at the Rovos Rail Station on the morning of the departure date.
For a shorter and more luxurious journey to Victoria Falls by train, try the
Rovos Rail!
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Customer Feedback
Brilliant service and so helpful
by Sally (Blisworth, U.K.)
I stumbled across Victoria Fall Guide by accident, but I am so glad I did. Tony and Boo were so helpful, advising us on the best activities for us as I have mobility issues, and arranging our itinerary and booking everything.
I had no worries about using them, or sending a very large payment to someone I didn’t know. Everything they booked for us was so well organised, pick ups on time, knowledgeable and friendly guides, clean transport. We did the walking tour of the falls, the sunset dinner cruise, full day at Chobe, the team, lion encounter and the helicopter and every single one was faultless.
We were also due to do the lunar rainbow but unfortunately it was cancelled, however boo arranged the refund immediately. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone. We are so grateful to them for making our special holiday even more so.
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