Full Price: $5,360 to $7,000R56,700 to R74,000)
DAY 01 - DAY ON THE RAILS TO BEIT- BRIDGE ZIMBABWE
INCLUSIVE OPTION
On the rails to Beit-Bridge the Train Depart Johannesburg at 10H00
Guests
spend the day relaxing on the train as it travels through the
countryside of Gauteng and Limpopo Provinces. We cross the border into
Zimbabwe at Beit Bridge mid-morning the following day and head to
Rutenga Station where guests depart for the tour of the Great Zimbabwe
Ruins.
Light Lunch will be served on the train and our guides will host informative talks in the lounges.
DAY 02 - GREAT ZIMBABWE
INCLUSIVE OPTIONS
Largest Monument in Africa south of the Pyramids
We
travel from Rutenga through attractive granite hill country to Great
Zimbabwe, a hugely impressive monument situated on the south-eastern
edge of the central plateau and the largest pre-colonial monument south
of the Egyptian pyramids. A celebrated achievement of the African people
and a place where magical fables such as the story of King Solomon’s
Mines find their origins 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), before rejoining the train.
(Full day. Distance travelled: ± 300 km)
Guests rejoin the train at Burnocburn- Zvishavane and travel to Bulawayo overnight.
DAY 03 - BULAWAYO AND 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 the country 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. There will be time for lunch (guests’ own account) before joining a tour of 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.
(Half day. Distance travelled: ± 100 km)
The train departs Bulawayo at 16H00 for Victoria Falls.
DAY 04 - CHOBE NATIONAL PARK – BOTSWANA
INCLUSIVE OPTION
Chobe National Park
A
70-kilometre road trip 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 many hippos
which can be seen in large numbers basking 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 travelled: ± 200 km)
DAY 05 - VICTORIA FALLS ZIMBABWE AND ZAMBIAN SIDE.
INCLUSIVE OPTION
1. The Victoria Falls
Forming the largest single “curtain” of falling water on earth (on average the curtain is 92 m deep) The Victoria Falls’ 500m plume of spray can be seen from as far as 70 km 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 1 708 m, allows for many safe vantage points from where you will be able to get different views of the rolling 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 also 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. Guests will have an early lunch on the Zimbabwean side, depart after lunch to the Falls on the Zambian side.
Guests will cross the Zambezi River over the famous Railroad Bridge. We will first stop at the Zambian side of Victoria Falls before continuing to the town of Livingstone, named for 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.
Guests will meet the train back in Livingstone from where it will depart to Lusaka in the late evening.
DAY 06 - ON THE RAILS TO LUSAKA
Today will be spent on the rails through the south of Zambia towards its capital, Lusaka. You’ll be able to see rural Africa as it passes by – miles and miles of flat landscape dotted with green Mopani trees. The exciting prospect of deeper, darker Africa looming… Lunch (inclusive on this full-day of travel) is served on board.
After arrival, the train will remain stationary in Lusaka over night.
DAY 07 - LUSAKA – CHAMINUKA LODGE
After breakfast guests embark on vehicles for the city tour of Lusaka on route to Chaminuka lodge where they will overnight.
INCLUSIVE OPTION
1. Lusaka City and Chaminuka Lodge
The visit to the City provides a comprehensive view of the way of life in Lusaka, a typical African Capital City with a lot of history behind it, historical building includes the government and cultural sites and the main markets. Before heading to the lodge guests pass by the KASISI CHILDREN’S HOME. It is run by highly dedicated Catholic nuns and provides shelter for children of various ages whose parents died of AIDS. There are no charges for the tour but donation will be greatly appreciated.
Chaminuka offers a wide range of activities to keep you entertained during your stay at the lodge.
Tour of the Chaminuka Art Collection. You can marvel at the art and by special arrangement you can meet many of the artists in person. They can share their experiences with you and explain what motivates and inspires them .
Morning, afternoon and evening drives in open top safari vehicles, conducted by qualified guides, conversant with the wildlife, birdlife and the trees of Zambia. The Chaminuka Nature Reserve has more than 72 species of wildlife, a combination of mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
Interpretative Bush Walks, where in addition to the Wildlife and the Birds you can learn about the vegetation and the medicinal values of our plants and trees as they are used locally
The lakes are stocked with four varieties of Bream, Catfish and Nchenga (akin to whitebait). You can fish from the banks or from the floating pontoon. Sunsets are spectacular from the lake.
The diversity of the habitat at Chaminuka makes it a premier bird watching Location. More than 300 species of birdlife have been recorded in the area.
Guests spend a night at the Chaminuka Lodge.
DAY 08 - LUSAKA CITYAND CHAMINUKA LODGE
INCLUSIVE OPTION
1. Lusaka City and Chaminuka Lodge
A
second day is spent at the lodge partaking on the activities offered at
the lodge, guests later take a leisure drive to the train.
The train will depart for Serenje over night.
DAY 09 - SERENJE / LIVINGSTONE MEMORIAL / KUNDALILA FALLS
INCLUSIVE OPTION
1. Livingstone Memorial & Kundalila Falls
After
breakfast our journey on the tracks of Dr Livingstone continues to the
place where he died on May 4, 1873. It's a very pleasant drive from
Serenje, passing the Kasanka National Park. Along the way you will see
the creatively decorated houses of the Bemba people. The memorial itself
is simply a plaque placed on the former site of a ‘mupundu' wild fruit
tree under which Dr. Livingstone's heart was buried. His body was then
wrapped and carried for 1 500 km (over 11 months) to the coast by his
dedicated porters Sushi ad Chuma, from where it was shipped back to
England. Before returning to the train, we will visit the Kundalila
Falls (meaning "Crying Dove"). The Kaombe River falls 70 m here,
breaking into thin veils of spray. (Half day; distance travelled: ± 250
km).
Train departs in the evening for Kasama.
DAY 10 - SCENIC ESCARPMENT DROP
This full day train ride will be a highlight, as it includes a spectacular daylight drop off the escarpment. Lunch (inclusive on this full-day of travel) is served on board. Please note that we will be crossing the Border at Tunduma toTanzania.
DAY 11 - CROSS BORDER / MAKAMBAKO (TANZANIA)
INCLUSIVE OPTION
1. Stone Age Site and Tea Break in the town of Iringa
After
arrival at Makambako, we will visit the Isimila Stone Age Site near
Iringa. East Africa has always been important for the study of human
evolution. It has the longest record of fossil hominids, extending back
almost 5 million years. It also has a number of sites, which show that
the archaeological or cultural record goes back to 2.5 million years
ago. About 20 km south of Iringa, on the main road to Mbeya, some of the
richest finds of Stone Age tools were discovered in 1951. Many
fossilised bones were also found in the area, among them those of a
mammal related to the modern giraffe, but having a much shorter neck, as
well as an extinct hippopotamus with unusual periscope-like
projections. Lunch will be served at one the restaurants in Iringa. The
town dates back to 1896, during the colonial era it was a centre for the
German and British settlers who took up land and started farming. Today
Iringa is a bustling municipality and regional headquarters. After
lunch guests visit a thriving market usually well stock with fruit,
vegetables, flour, rice maize etc. Adjacent to the fresh food section,
stalls sell locally made baskets, mats, pots, metal utensils, brooms,
brushes and touristy "knickknacks". (Full day; distance travelled: ± 366
km)
The train departs in the evening for Kisaki Station, close by to
Selous Game Reserve, where guest will depart for a full day game drive.
DAY 12 - SELOUS GAME RESERVE
INCLUSIVE OPTION
1. Selous Game Reserve
Selous,
covering an area of roughly 50 000 km², is one of the largest game
reserve in Africa - 4 times the size of the Serengeti, and almost 6% of
Tanzania's land surface. It possesses a diverse landscape, ranging from
hot volcanic springs to sporadic lakes, channels from the Great Rhaha
and Rufiji Rivers. The reserve consists of 43 hunting blocks and 4
photographic zones for tourists in the north. These photographic zones
cover around 2 500 km², roughly the size of Luxembourg. Selous is famous
for its Elephant, Hippopotamus and Rhino (although depleted). Africa's
largest population of Buffalo can also be found here. Other species
include Nyasaland and Brindled Gnu, Hartebeest, Greater Kudu, Sable
Antelope, Eland, Reedbuck, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Warthog, Zebra, Giraffe
and Wildebeest. Predators include Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena and
Hunting Dog. Cheetahs are rare. Over 350 species of bird and reptiles
such as crocodiles and various snakes and lizards and 2 000 species of
plants are also to be found in this reserve. (Full day; distance
travelled: ± 120 km).
DAY 13 - KISAKI / OVERNIGHT TO DAR-ES-SALAAM
Today guests take a tour to the communal lands to experience the life
style of the indigenous people of this region the Masai people. This
tour will be half day, guests will return to have their lunch on the
train and afternoon spent at leisure.
The train departs over night for its final destination, Dar es Salaam.
DAY 14 - DAR ES SALAAM / BAGAMOYO
Dar es Salaam (meaning "Haven of Peace"), has Sultan Majid bin Said,
the 1860s sultan of Zanzibar, to thank for its existence. He saw its
potential as a deepwater port because of its strategic position at the
centre of the East African coast. The city is an eclectic mix of
Swahili, German, Asian and British architecture, reflecting its colonial
past and more recent history. Today it is a hustling and bustling
seaport at the crossroads of some of the most important sea routes on
the Indian Ocean. A fascinating pastime here is undoubtedly sitting at
the water's edge and being witness to the diverse vessels navigating the
waters of the port - not least of them being the traditional dhows,
going about there business as if there were no huge cruise liners and
cargo ships shadowing them.
INCLUSIVE OPTION
1. Bagamoyo
Apart
from having once been a slave and ivory port, this closest mainland
town to the island of Zanzibar, was once also the terminus for caravans
from the interior. Its name has a twofold meaning, with caravan porters
first calling it "bwaga moyo" (Swahili for "Throw off Melancholy").
However, as a terminus for the slave trade the words changed to "baga
moyo" ("Throw down your Heart") - despair expressed by those captured as
slaves, as they faced a long and uncertain future. Interesting
historical sites which can be visited include the Bomani (German
Colonial Administration Headquarters), the Bagamoyo Museum (which also
houses the small chapel where Dr David Livingstone's remains were laid
before taken to Zanzibar to be shipped to England) and the German
Graveyard. The first church on the East Coast of Africa also stands
here, as well as 15 mosques and many exciting Arabic and Indian
buildings - of particular interest those with old Swahili wooden carved
doors - once marks of status and wealth, but very scarce and mostly in
very bad condition today. (Full day; distance travelled: ± 144 km)
The train remains stationary in Dar es Salaam.
DAY 15 - TRANSFER DAY PLUS POST-TOUR DAYS
After breakfast you can stay on board until it is the time of your
airport transfer (depending on the flight organised by you), or we will
transport you to the starting point of your specialised activity, which
we'll be happy to help you organise.
We hope that you will have
had an unforgettable journey with us, following the traces of Dr
Livingstone. We hope to welcome you back aboard the Shongololo Express
for another exciting adventure soon.
Transfer to airport Approximately 30 minutes
BOOK NOW
