SOUTHERN CROSS - Northbound
Sample Itinerary shown below.
Please call for current itinerary
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Day 1:
Pretoria and Johannesburg & Soweto:
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS OPTION IS FOR GUESTS WHO SPENT A PRE-NIGHT ON THE TRAIN AND FOR THOSE GUESTS WHO WILL BE COLLECTED FROM THE AIRPORT ON DAY 1 PRIOR TO 09h00.
 We travel to
Sandton, the business centre of the greater Johannesburg. The tour takes us past the new Stock Exchange, before we continue to Houghton and past the home of Nelson Mandela. This drive is followed by a visit to Museum Africa in the heart of the Johannesburg
CBD. Onward to the Apartheid Museum, where the rise and fall of Apartheid can be viewed. We then proceed to
Soweto, with a stop at Somojo (a community project). Lunch (guest's own account) to be enjoyed before visiting the various sites.
The Hector Peterson Memorial of the 1976 riots is well worth a visit, before we drive through the street that once housed two nobel Laureates (Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the first home of Nelson Mandela).
Distance Travelled (Excursions): 150km
Apartheid Museum & Soweto:
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS OPTION IS FOR GUESTS WHO DID NOT SPEND A PRE-NIGHT ON THE TRAIN AND FOR THOSE GUESTS WHO WILL BE COLLECTED FROM THE AIRPORT ON DAY 1 AFTER 09h00.
Our tour begins at the recently opened Apartheid Museum, where the rise and fall of Apartheid can be viewed. We then proceed to
Soweto, with a stop at Somojo (a community project). Lunch (guest's own account) to be enjoyed before visiting the various sites.
The Hector Peterson Memorial of the 1976 riots is well worth a visit, before we drive through the street that once housed two nobel Laureates (Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the first home of Nelson Mandela).
Distance Travelled (Excursion): 50km
The train departs from Johannesburg to Kaapmuiden in the evening (390 km).
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Day 2:
Swaziland:
Covering a mere 17,000 square km, Swaziland is one of the smallest African countries. Surrounded by the giants of South Africa and Mozambique, this tiny, land-locked Kingdom has somehow retained its ancient Swazi culture.
 The following inclusive option is available on this day:
Guests leave the Train at Impala (Malelane area) and start the tour with a scenic drive to Piggs Peak. The focus today is on art and the cultural highlights of the Kingdom, starting with a visit to Mbabane (the Kingdom's administrative capital). Included is a visit to the National Museum, arts and craft shops, carpet weavers and decorative candle makers. Lunch will be in Ezulwini (guest's own account).
Distance Travelled (Excursion): 300km
Guests meet the Train at Mpaka (Swaziland) for departure to Maputo (Mozambique) - 126 km.
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Day 3:
Mozambique:
 The Portuguese influence in Mozambique is evident. It was gold that attracted the Portuguese to the area in 1505. Brisk trade was conducted in gold, ivory and slaves. The Portuguese remained in Africa for five centuries, after which they withdrew almost overnight. Mozambique was plunged into a 16 year civil war until 1992. Still emerging from a protracted war, this beautiful country is well on its way to rebuild its infrastructure.
The following inclusive option is available on this day:
Travel from Maputo in a northerly direction to Praia do Bilene, a seaside resort. The day can be spent at leisure on the beach or at the lagoon. Lunch to be taken at a restaurant in Bilene (guest's own account). Guests return to Maputo in the late afternoon. Dinner will be enjoyed at a beachfront seafood restaurant.
Distance Travelled (Excursion): 300km
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DAY 4:
Mozambique
The train will depart from Maputo after lunch. In the morning, guests visit the Catholic Cathedral and then the Casa do Ferro, an unusual prefabricated metal building, imported for the Governor in the 19th Century. There is also a visit to the grave of Louis
Trichardt, who died of malaria at the end of his trek to Mozambique. Guests also get to experience one of the largest markets in Africa.
Distance Travelled (Excursion): 20km
The Train will remain in Komatipoort overnight.
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Day 5 and 6:
The Kruger National Park:
 The world famous Kruger National Park offers a wilderness experience which ranks with the best in Africa. Riverine forests, thorny thickets and large grassy plains are typical of this region and make ideal habitats for a variety of animals. Wildlife includes the black and white rhino, leopard, lion and giraffe.
Guests spend Day 5 and Day 6 Game viewing in the Park.
Distance Travelled: 100kmOn Day 5 the Train will move from Komatipoort to Hazyview during the day. Guests are to meet up with the Train in the evening for dinner on board.
After a full day's Game viewing on Day 6, guests return to the Train in Hazyview for dinner and to overnight.
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Day 7:
Panorama Route:
 This day is spent touring the spectacular Eastern Escarpment with its waterfalls and forests. This is one of the most scenic days on our tour, with stops at Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, God's Window, Mac Mac Falls, Pilgrims Rest, etc.
Distance Travelled: 250km
The Train will depart Hazyview station for Klaserie in the moning, where guests will join it in the afternoon for the overnight journey to Louis Trichardt (318 km).
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Day 8:
Venda:
 The Soutpansberg is home to the giant Baobab trees, which flourish in semi-arid areas. Legend has it that in a frivolous mood, the gods planted Baobabs upside down with their roots exposed to the sky.
Please choose ONE excursion from the following inclusive options available on this day:
Visits in the Venda area include Tsonga Textiles where the fascinating process of screen-printing can be viewed (an all local women project). During a visit to the
Mashamba/Mukondeni Potters the process of clay pot making is exhibited. Lunch (guests own account) is to be taken at Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge, situated on the banks of the Albasini Dam and overlooking the Soutpansberg Mountains. This area is home to many of the local artists and crafters.
Distance Travelled (Excursion): 200km
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A visit to Schoemansdal, the first settlement of the Voortrekkers in this area.
Guests rejoin the Train at Louis Trichard before passing through immigration to Zimbabwe. The Train travels overnight to Rutenga (262 km).
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Day 9:
Great Zimbabwe:
 The granite ruins of Great Zimbabwe, the largest ancient stone building south of the Sahara, sprawl across two and a half square miles of a wide, grassy valley, surrounded by hills.
The following inclusive option is available on this day:
Guests travel from Rutenga through attractive granite hill country to Great Zimbabwe. Stroll amongst the ruins of an ancient city built by the Rozwi people. Find out how they lived and how they mined gold and silver. Vigorous trade transpired with Arabic and Portuguese traders. Fables such as the story of King Solomon's Mines found its origins here.
Lunch (guests own account) follows at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel. Guests are to meet the Train at Zvishavane after lunch.
Distance Travelled (Excursion): 300km
Once guests have re-joined the Train at Zvishavane, it travels overnight to Bulawayo (161 km)
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Day 10:
Bulawayo:
 Bulawayo was once the center of a thriving ranching community and is Zimbabwe's second largest city. A short stroll through the city center reveals how much it has largely escaped the commercial realities of demolition, high rise buildings and slick renovation.
The following inclusive option is available on this day:
After breakfast, the tour takes guests to Matobo Hills. Matobo means 'bald headed ones' and aptly describes the dramatic hills and balancing granite rocks of this area.
We visit to the burial place of Cecil John Rhodes, as well as an authentic bushmen cave. There will be enough time for lunch (guests own account) before joining a tour of the Natural History Museum, one of the best in the Southern Hemisphere. Guests then take a drive through the city.
Distance Travelled (Excursion): 150km
The Train travels overnight from Bulawayo to Dete station (278 km).
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Day 11:
Zambezi River:
 The following inclusive option is available on this day:
Visit the local village to experience the lifestyle of the Ndebele and the Tonga people before proceeding to Simbala Primary School.
Continue to Mlibizi, a scenic resort on the Zambezi River between Victoria Falls and the Kariba Dam. This part of the river is famous for the its dramatic scenery. There's an opportunity for lunch (guests own account) on arrival at the resort before embarking on a cruise up the river to Elephant Bay. Snacks will be provided.
Distance Travelled (Excursion): 180km
This evening we visit Detema Safari Lodge for a cultural experience. The Train remains in Dete overnight.
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Day 12:
Hwange National Park
 Hwange is almost the same size as Belgium and is Zimbabwe's premier wildlife showcase. It is also one of the African continent's last remaining elephant sanctuaries.
The following inclusive option is available on this day:
Depart early in the morning on a Game Drive in the Hwange National Park. Breakfast will be served at the Kennedy Picnic Site within the Reserve. After a morning of Game viewing, lunch will be taken at the Hwange Safari Lodge (guests own account). Guests can relax for a few hours at the poolside before returning to the Game Reserve for an afternoon Game Drive.
Distance Travelled (Excursion): 120km
The Train departs for Victoria Falls tonight (171 km)
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Day 13:
Zambia
 The name of missionary Dr. David Livingstone is synonymous with the early exploration of this part of Africa.
Please choose ONE excursion from the following inclusive options available on this day:
Livingstone: Cross the Zambezi over the famous rail-road bridge. Visas for entry into Zambia can be arranged on the Train. Kindly contact the Train Manager in this regard. We visit the Zambian side of Victoria Falls before continuing to the town of Livingstone for a visit to the Livingstone Museum. A walk through the Murabama market proves to be an interesting experience. For the energetic, there will be a chance to walk through Palm Grove to the bottom of the gorge. A lunchtime cruise has been arranged for today (cruise, buffet lunch and drinks are for guest's own account). This 2 hour cruise on the Zambezi River will be the highlight of the tour.
Distance Travelled (Excursion): 70km
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Drive to the Fifth Gorge for spectacular views of the Zambezi River.
The Train remains in Victoria Falls station overnight.
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Day 14:
Botswana:
 The Chobe Game Reserve is home to over 35 000 elephants. The Chobe River is surrounded by a wilderness of floodplain, dry lakebed, sandridges and forest. 'To gaze on the wildlife on the banks of the Chobe River is to experience the magic of Africa'.
The following inclusive option is available on this day:
Today we travel about 70 kilometers to the Botswana border, where we cross into
Chobe. Game Drives (4 x 4 vehicles) in the Chobe National Park and a river cruise are offered. A relaxing lunch (guest's own account) will be provided at a waterfront lodge with a swimming pool.
Distance Travelled (Excursion): 200km
Guests return to Victoria Falls for an overnight and dinner on the Train.
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Day 15:
Victoria Falls:
 'On sights as beautiful as this, angels in their flight must have gazed' - David
Livingstone.
Today's inclusive option includes a conducted tour through the Rain Forest to view the Victoria Falls, a visit to the Afican craft market and traditional village, as well as a walk along the Zambezi River. Our Guides will eleborate on the vegetation, birds, animals and insects that inhabit this region. The afternoon is spent at leisure.
Distance Travelled (Excursion): 15km
The Train will remain in Victoria Falls overnight.
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DAY 16:
If guests are transferring to a hotel in the Victoria Falls area, this will be arranged between 09h00 and 11h00 am. For those guests who are flying out of Victoria Falls, the flight may only be in the evening. Kindly discuss optional tours in the Victoria Falls area with the Train Manager.
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SOUTHERN CROSS (Accommodation)
The capacity on the train is 88 Guests.
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Emerald Class
There are two Emerald Class carriages, each offering three air-conditioned suites with en-suite facilities. Two suites have double beds and four have twin beds. All are carpeted. Emerald Class suites have a small lounge. Guests in Emerald Class receive a bottle of sparkling wine and a branded bathrobe - courtesy Shongololo Express.
Gold Class
There are two Gold Class carriages consisting of 5 twin compartments per carriage. Each Gold Class compartment has a private shower, basin and toilet.
Ivory Class
There are five Ivory Class carriages with various configurations. Each carriage has five double and two single compartments - all carpeted.
General
All carriages offer double and single accommodation. There is a 50% surcharge for single travellers in Emerald or Gold Class compartments. In Ivory Class, the Coupes are specially designed for single travellers (one single bed per coupe). All compartments have safes. Gold and Ivory Class compartments have fans, while Emerald Class carriages are air-conditioned. Windows in all compartments do open. Each compartment has a plug point (socket outlet).
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