15 NIGHTS SOUTHERN CROSS TRAIN SAFARI - wetu.comwetu.com/.../15_nights_southern_cross_train_safari1.docx · Web viewThe name of the province derives from the Sotho word meaning

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15 NIGHTS SOUTHERN CROSS TRAIN SAFARI

15 NIGHTS SOUTHERN CROSS TRAIN SAFARIJohannesburg

16 Days / 15 Nights2 Persons sharing

Date of Issue: 09 October 2015

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Overview

Destination Accommodation Nights Basis Room Type

Johannesburg to Victoria Falls

Shongololo Express 15 D, B&B Ivory room

KeyD, B&B: Dinner, bed and breakfast

PriceStarting from R49500.00 per person sharingIvory roomSet departures:13th April 2016 - Johannesburg to Victoria Falls04th May 2016 - Victoria Falls to Johannesburg19th October 2016 - Victoria Falls to Johannesburg

Included Arrival transfer: airport - train Departure transfer: train – airport Accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis (as per itinerary) A free choice of available Inclusive Options.

Excluded Airfares (National / International) Lunches Beverages Laundry Gratuities Purchases of a personal nature Optional Extras Pre-night accommodation Visas where applicable Travel insurance Transfers between the train and hotels

Day 1: Shongololo Express, Johannesburg

Day NotesShould you only arrive at Johannesburg International Airport today, you will be met upon arrival and transferred to the train. Please note that you should arrive no later than 08:00 at the airport in order to participate in the day’s excursions. Gauteng is the economic powerhouse of the Southern African region and home to some of Africa’s

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greatest cities. The name of the province derives from the Sotho word meaning “Place of Gold”, which is very suitable since much of the wealth of Gauteng has come from this precious metal. The train departs in the evening from Johannesburg to Nelspruit.

Overnight: Shongololo Express Shongololo Express provides a very special touring experience for travelers. From a warm welcome and transfer to the train at the start of the journey, to an exciting and varied program of touring, superb breakfasts and dinners on board, and a lounge full of new friends each evening - all these combine to create an unforgettable holiday.

ActivitiesSoweto Day Tour; Johannesburg Tour

OptionalPretoria Day Tour

Soweto Day TourA Soweto Day Tours takes in the highlights of this iconic township including Nelson Mandela’s former home and the Hector Pieterson museum (he was one of the school children who was shot in the 1976 Soweto Uprising).You will get close to Soweto Culture, meeting the people, trying local foods and maybe even some Omqombothi (our traditional beer) at a shebeen. This tour is one of a kind, the smell of pavement cooked meals and the buzz in the streets of people going about their daily chores. Come and experience township life, the humanity, hospitality and warmth of the people, the "Ubuntu" as it is known in South Africa.

Johannesburg TourJohannesburg Southern Africa's economic powerhouse and although it is the city of gold there are many attractions aside from mining. Much of the big business has moved from the old town but the fascinating stories and historical buildings remain. Major sites include the Carlton Centre (Africa’s tallest building), the iconic Brixton Tower, Newtown, the Constitutional Court, the Nelson Mandela Bridge and the Origins Centre.

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Pretoria Day TourPretoria is rich with history especially the history of the Afrikaner nation although more recently Freedom Park has highlighted the history of other sectors of South African society. Highlights include the Voortrekker Monument, Paul Kruger House, Church Square, Melrose House and South Africa’s seat of government the Union Buildings. Just outside Pretoria is the Cullinan Diamond Mine where the world’s largest diamond was found.

IncludedBed & Breakfast

Day 2: Shongololo Express

Day NotesAfter breakfast this morning, depart Nelspruit for a tour of Swaziland. The tiny Kingdom of Swaziland covers only 17 000 square kilometers, making it the second smallest country in Africa. PLEASE NOTE THAT GUESTS WILL NEED THEIR PASSPORT FOR THIS EXCURSION. Guests will enter Swaziland by road from South Africa. The drive will present amazing view of the Ezulwini Valley and the Komati River. This day in Swaziland will introduce you to everyday life in Africa’s smallest kingdom. The Swazi Market is a hive of activity and displays a wide variety of skillfully crafted woodcarvings, colourful textiles and superb basketwork for which Swazi's are renowned. (Full day; distance traveled: ± 400 km). Guests leave the train in Nelspruit and they will meet the train at Mpaka Station in Swaziland. The train departs in the evening to Maputo.



Day NotesMaputo, the capital of Mozambique, offers an exciting mix of culture and buildings reminiscent of trends set by African, Portuguese and early Colonial traditions. The city swings along to a beat that is like no other in Africa. It enables you to experience true African hospitality. Old Catholic churches rest side-by-side with Mosques and Fortresses, Victorian Mansions and other buildings from a bygone era. It’s a city of contrasts and excitement that provides an ideal meeting point for social and business ventures. Dinner will be enjoyed at a local seafood restaurant. The train remains stationary at Maputo Station overnight.



Day NotesGuests will get a good impression of the character of the city. A visit to the municipal market is followed by a stop at the old Fortaleza, which dates back to 1769. Other interesting city sites include the Catholic Cathedral, the Civic Centre, Louis Trichardt Trek Memorial, Samora Machel Statue, the Jardim Tunduru (Botanical Gardens) and the Iron

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House (Casa do Ferro). The Polana Hotel, built in the 1920s, with its striking white exterior and stunning decor, is the best-known landmark in the city. From the garden one can see Xefina Island. Next we visit an art gallery where furniture and sculptures are made out of old AK47 weapons. A drive along the marginal takes us to Costa do Sol. At Costa do Sol there is an opportunity to relax while having a cold drink. Lunch (guests’ own account) will be at Mundos restaurant or in one of the other restaurant or hotels in town. After lunch we head back to the train. An afternoon high tea will be served on board while we rock’n roll through the countryside. (Half day; distance travelled: ± 60 km).

The train departs from Maputo at around 15:00 and travels to Komatipoort where we will overnight.



Day NotesThe world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that equals the best anywhere. 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, e.g. 336 species of trees, 49 species of fish, 34 species of amphibians, 114 species of reptiles, 507 species of birds and 147 species of mammals. Game drives will be conducted in our air-conditioned vehicles. (Full day; departure time depends on the season, as gates open and close with sunrise and sunset; distance travelled: ± 220 km). Guests can enjoy an evening in a local pub in the company of local farmers and villagers.

Guests rejoin the train in Komatipoort where it will remain over night.

ActivitiesProtea Hotel Kruger Gate

Protea Hotel Kruger GateThis superior lodge-style hotel on the banks of the Sabie River offers an affordable luxury getaway where the Bushveld is your playground. From the time you are welcomed under the towering indigenous portico, you will know that you’re about to experience something different at Protea Hotel Kruger Gate. Savor the impression of being in a tree house, reinforced when you notice that the veranda and walkway to your air-conditioned room is at a level normally the sole domain of the variety of birds found in the area. In fact, the ambience of comfort is unforgettable in the context of the African bush. Situated only 100 meters from the Paul Kruger Gate of the Kruger National Park, the luxurious hotel provides the ideal location from which to experience wildlife first-hand.

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Day NotesMpumalanga means “Land of the Rising Sun”. It is a province of extraordinary natural beauty. Optional activities are available on this day for more game drives into Kruger or a tour of Nelspruit. Guests rejoin the train in Nelspruit and stable for the night.

ActivitiesKruger National ParkNelspruit

Kruger National ParkAt more than 2 million hectares the Kruger National Park is one of the world’s largest game reserves and a truly remarkable destination. Because of its exceptional size you can experience amazing diversity – from the scenery and ecosystems to the correspondingly amazing array of animals, trees and birds. A trip to the Kruger National Park is an unforgettable and potentially life changing experience.

NelspruitOnce a simple farming town, Nelspruit (also called Mbombela) is now the flourishing capital of Mpumalanga. Its popularity is largely due to its proximity to the Kruger National Park and Mozambique. Nelspruit is located in the hot lowveld valley of Crocodile River, featuring lush and colourful vegetation.



Day NotesGuests depart the train this morning from Nelspruit and return in the evening. The train departs this evening for the Zimbabwe Border.

ActivitiesPanorama Route

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Panorama RouteThe Panorama Route is one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa connecting the Lowveld and the amazing geological features of the Mpumalanga Drakensberg. One of the major highlights of the region is the Blyde River Canyon Reserve, the third largest canyon of its kind in the world and home to spectacular wildlife and birdlife. Other highlights include the breath taking waterfalls in Graskop and Sabie, Lisbon and Berlin Falls, Gods Window and the Gold Rush territory, Pilgrim’s Rest, home to the early gold prospectors.



Day NotesA day on the rails as the train heads north. Guests spend the day relaxing on the train through the countryside of the different provinces - Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Limpopo Province. We cross the border into Zimbabwe at Beit Bridge and head onto Rutenga Station where guests spend the night and depart for Great Zimbabwe the next morning. Lunch will be served on the train this day. There will be informative talks held by the guides on the train.



Day NotesWe travel from Rutenga through attractive granite hill country to Great Zimbabwe. Situated on the south-eastern edge of the central plateau, Great Zimbabwe is an impressive monument. It is the largest pre-colonial monument south of the Egyptian pyramids - a most celebrated achievement of the African people indeed. One can stroll amongst the ruins of an ancient city built by the Rozwi people and discover how they lived and how they mined gold and silver, which were ultimately taken out of Africa by Arabic and Portuguese traders. Magical fables such as the story of King Solomon’s Mines find their origins here. This tour is followed by lunch at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel (guests’ own account), before rejoining the train. (Full day; distance traveled: ± 300 km). Guests rejoin the train at Rutenga and travel to Somabhula over night.

ActivitiesGreat Zimbabwe Ruins

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Great Zimbabwe RuinsOnce Zimbabwe’s capital, the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe is the biggest and most significant stone archaeological complex in sub-Saharan Africa. It is also one of its oldest – thought to date back to the 11th century and second only to South Africa’s Mapungwe. Composed entirely of rectangular granite blocks stacked on top of one another without the use of mortar, the walls and towers of the city measure up to 12 metres in places, and it is unsurprising that Great Zimbabwe was designated a World Heritage Site in 1986.



Day NotesToday there is one highlight:- Walk with Lions in Antelope Park. This activity takes approximately one and a half hours and offers an amazing photo opportunity. The long-term project here aims to reintroduce the offspring of captive bred lions into the wild. The lions accompanying you on walks average between 3 and 15 months of age. No leashes, no collars - the lions roam free with you through the African bush. You may even be fortunate enough to experience a lion stalking some of the wildlife species which abound in Antelope Park. Back to the camp, you will also have the opportunity for about 20 min to view and interact with lion cubs. Guests rejoin the train at Somabhula and depart early evening to Bulawayo.

ActivitiesAntelope ParkWalk with Lions - Antelope Park

Antelope ParkThere is an earnest exquisiteness to the place that we call home. Set on over 3000 acres of open savannah grassland, Antelope Park is a unique game reserve and a haven of tranquillity set in the African bush. It gives us great pleasure to welcome guests and volunteer eco-tourists alike to Antelope Park. We have a wide range of accommodation options available, our facilities are extensive and our staff are here and on hand to ensure that your every need is attended to. We also have an array of activities on offer; walk with lions, ride through the wilderness on elephant or horseback, view the abundance of wildlife in the Park or canoe on the scenic lake. During the evening, our World Exclusive Night Encounters offer a truly amazing, close up experience of lions hunting in their natural environment. Alternatively, you can simply gather around the camp fire and enjoy an evening of gazing into the stars.

We are the ideal destination for weekend getaways, day visits, weddings and special events, as well as conferences, team building and similar educational based programmes. We can accommodate over 100 people at any one time, we have a team of professional and extremely proactive persons who will strive to ensure that your expectations are met and exceeded at every opportunity.

Where else in the world?

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Walk with Lions - Antelope ParkA walk will last around one and half hours and the cubs accompanying you on this incredible journey range in age from 6 to 18 months. You might even be lucky enough to witness them practicing their stalking skills on some of the abundant wildlife species found in the Park!You won’t want to miss out on this once-in-a lifetime opportunity as you roam free with the lions, interact with them and get closer than you ever thought possible, all under the supervision of our experienced guides and handlers.



Day NotesMatobo 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 his name to Rhodesia, as Zimbabwe was previously known, and an inspection of a Bushman cave. There will be time for lunch (guests’ own account) before visiting the Natural History Museum, which is one of the best of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Lastly, we take a drive through the city and visit an Art Gallery. (Full day; distance traveled: ± 150 km). The train travels to Dete Station overnight.

ActivitiesMatobo National ParkGrave of Cecil John Rhodes

Matobo National ParkThe Matopos Hills are rich in history dating back more than 300 000 years and in 2003 the area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over 3,000 registered San rock art sites are dotted across the area in caves and crevasses. In more recent times the hills were of great significance to the Ndebele people, their name meaning ‘Bald Heads” was given by their founder Mzilikazi. The Hills are the resting place of the country’s most famous colonial icons including Cecil Rhodes, Leander Starr Jameson and Allan Wilson and his ill fated Shangani Patrol.

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Grave of Cecil John RhodesOn the 26 March 1902 at the age of 49 Cecil John Rhodes died in Muizenberg, Cape Town. Despite the fact that the Boer War still raged, his body was sent on an epic railway journey through war torn South Africa to Rhodesia to be laid to rest at this spot.



Day NotesZimbabwe’s premier National Park is known for its Lion population. Situated in the north-west corner of Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park is the nation’s largest wildlife area and contains a variety of animals and bird species. Covering 1 462 000 hectares, Hwange is roughly the same size as Belgium. An early morning game drive in the park is followed by breakfast at the Sable Valley Lodge. After a morning of game viewing, lunch (guests’ own account) will be at the Sikumi Tree Lodge. There will be an opportunity to relax at the pool for a while before we resume our game viewing later in the afternoon. (Full day; distance traveled: ± 120 km). The train departs for Victoria Falls in the evening.



Day NotesGuests will walk across the Zambezi River over the famous Rail/road Bridge. Our first stop is on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls before continuing to the town of Livingstone, named after David Livingstone, the Scottish visionary, who had an insatiable appetite for exploration and a desire to open Africa to the world. The existence of the Falls had of course been known to local tribes people. Livingstone, upon hearing stories about “Mosi oa Tunya” (the smoke that thunders), arranged to be taken there by dugout canoe. On November 16, 1855 he came to the northern end of what is now Livingstone Island and from there crawled to the edge of the precipice and beheld the spectacle of the waterfall for the first time. We visit the Livingstone Museum before heading to the Waterfront Lodge for lunch. Our last visit in the afternoon will be at the Fifth Gorge for a spectacular view of the Zambezi River. (Full day; distance traveled: ± 70 km). The train remains stationary at Victoria Falls Station overnight.

ActivitiesDavid Livingstone Museum

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David Livingstone Museum Aside from a comprehensive collection of David Livingstone memorabilia the museum has interesting displays on the Stone Age people who first lived in this area and an African cultural section. Guided tours are available.



Day Notes Chobe National Park

A 70-kilometre ride brings us to the Botswana border, where we cross into the famous Chobe National Park. There is a great array of wildlife and the Chobe Elephants are well respected, as are the Hippos in the river. Highlights include a game drive in 4x4 vehicles and a river cruise on the Chobe River. Lunch (guests’ own account) will be taken at a waterfront lodge where there is a swimming pool. (Full day; distance traveled: ± 200 km).

The train remains stationary at Victoria Falls Station overnight.

ActivitiesChobe National Park Game Viewing

Chobe National Park Game ViewingThe Chobe National Park in Botswana is only a 1¾-hour drive from Victoria Falls. It is one of the greatest game reserves in southern Africa, famous for its elephant numbers. The Chobe River and Caprivi flood plains provide a haven for huge herds of buffalo, elephant, zebra, wildebeest and impala which are followed closely by lions, hyenas and leopards and the bird life is exceptional.



Day NotesThe Falls form the largest single “curtain” of falling water on earth measuring 1708 m wide. On average the curtain is 92 m deep. The spray plume can rise to 500 m and can be seen from as far as 70 km away. In full flood, over 550

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million litres of water per minute cascade over the brink. Because the Falls are so wide, there are numerous safe vantage points provided, from where you will be able to get various views of the Falls and the roiling water as it crashes into the gorge and the constant plume of spray that maintains the Rain Forest. The forest is an attraction on its own and many of the trees are marked to help identification. They include Fig, Mahogany, Date Palm, Milkwood and Ebony. The bird life is also prolific and species that may be seen include the colourful Sunbird and large Trumpeter Hornbill. The sound of the water can be heard from kilometers away and up close this muted ‘thunder’ becomes a roar. Craft and curio shops abound with enough variety for everyone to find something to take home as a souvenir. (Morning; distance traveled: ± 15 km).

The afternoon is spent at leisure. The train remains stationary at Victoria Falls Station overnight.

RecommendedFlight of the Angels

Flight of the AngelsFLIGHTS OF THE ANGELS

To put the Victoria Falls into true perspective, they must really be seen from the air. The sheer size and grandeur of the spectacle becomes all the more clearer from above. The huge Zambezi River flowing slowly south with hippos and crocodiles clearly visible in the shallow waters, elephant quietly browsing on bright green islands as the water spreads across the full width of a great rent in the earth before crashing over the lip in a burst of spray and then squeezing into a narrow, foaming, blast of water rushing down the zigzag funnel of the gorges.

From a Helicopter – United Air Charter

General Information • Minimum 4 pax and maximum 6 pax per flight. • Large groups may be accommodated on request. (Maximum number is 200 pax per day) • Children aged 3 and 4 years are ½ price. Children must have their own seat. • 2 years and under if seated on parents lap are free of charge • Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. • Maximum weight of a passenger is 120kg • Private flights can be confirmed on a minimum of 6 pax per flight. • Flights begin at 07h00 and continue until last light • A 12-15 minute flight will take you over the Falls and the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. • A 25-30 minute flight will take you into the Batoka Gorge hovering over rapids 21 to 26, over the Falls, the Zambezi River and the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. • 4 or 6 seater Eurocopters are used for the flights • The low windows on the helicopters allow guests to have a clear view and the ability to take pictures • Window seat cannot be guaranteed as guests are seated according to height and weight.

Excursion Includes • Park fees • Return transfers from hotels within Livingstone

What you need to bring • Camera • Sunglasses • Credit card / kwacha if you wish to purchase the DVD of your activity, curios or make use of the coffee shop

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Pick up times from the Day Activity Centre and the Royal Livingstone hotel. • Flexible depending on flight availability • 12-15 minute flight is ± a 1 hour round trip including transfers • 25-30 minute flight is ± a 1 hour 15 minutes round trip including transfers


Day 16: Departure

Day NotesIf guests are transferring to a hotel, this will be arranged for them in the morning. If guests are flying out of Victoria Falls, their flight may only be in the afternoon. In this case optional tours may be undertaken in the morning. END OF SERVICES

Documents

15 NIGHTS SOUTHERN CROSS TRAIN SAFARI - wetu.comwetu.com/.../15_nights_southern_cross_train_safari1.docx · Web viewThe name of the province derives from the Sotho word meaning