Inside the abandoned train turned luxury lodge that costs up to R16,000 per night

·22 Nov 2025

Visitors are flocking to the Kruger National Park to stay at Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge, which is an old railway train turned into a luxury lodge.

Once part of the Selati railway line that carried visitors into the park a century ago, the train now stands permanently on the Selati Bridge at Skukuza.

The lodge recently earned global attention after Lonely Planet included it in its Best in Travel 2026 guide, ranking it among the top 25 travel experiences worldwide.

The recognition places the converted train alongside international landmarks and experiences that range from adventure activities to world-renowned hotels.

Staying there, however, comes at a steep price. Rates range from around R9,500 to R12,900 per person sharing for most visitors, while single rooms can pay as much as R16,000 a night.

However, this depends on the season and room type, as well as whether the guest is a local or international visitor.

Despite the high cost, the lodge attracts steady interest, especially from international guests drawn to its unusual setting and design.

The idea for the project originated from Thebe Tourism Group, which aimed to preserve the history of the old train while offering a unique way to experience the Kruger.

In the 1920s, visitors to the park would sleep overnight in the train on the bridge, often after a night of performances and storytelling.

The modern version revives that concept, but with comforts more in line with a five-star hotel than an old rail carriage.

Kruger Shalati offers two main accommodation types – 24 Carriage Suites on the bridge itself and seven Bridge House Suites nearby on the riverbank.

The train’s carriages have been redesigned to be far larger than traditional compartments, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that look directly over the Sabie River and surrounding bushveld.

What to expect

Guests often spot elephants, hippos, and other wildlife from inside their rooms or from the infinity pool, which is built into the timber deck of the bridge.

Inside, the décor combines local and natural materials, with carved wooden screens, woven rugs, and patterned blankets inspired by southern African designs.

The Bridge House Suites, positioned next to the bridge in a garden setting, provide the same views and access to the lodge’s main areas, including the dining and lounge spaces and two swimming pools overlooking the river.

The project has been praised for how it reuses an existing structure rather than building something entirely new in a protected area.

Its appeal lies not only in luxury but in the novelty of staying on a bridge in the middle of a national park, a rare setting even by global standards.

While traditional game drives are still offered, the experience at Kruger Shalati is less about covering ground and more about staying still.

The lodge’s fixed position encourages guests to watch and listen rather than chase sightings.

The recognition from Lonely Planet highlights the growing international appetite for South African destinations that combine heritage, creativity, and natural beauty.