A look at the Kruger Park’s new luxury ‘train lodge’ opening in December

New luxury accommodation housed inside a restored train is set to open in the Kruger National Park at the end of 2019.

The train will feature 24 rooms offering 48 beds in train rooms, stationed on the Selati Bridge, spanning the Sabie river from bank to bank.

The train lodge features a lounge carriage with bar and deck and pool for relaxing, and lounging space with game viewing opportunities from the vista atop the river.

According to developers, the Thebe Tourism Group, the train in its stationary position with an external walkway attached to the bridge structure allows the Kruger Shalati’s rooms to be much larger than the expected traditional train compartment-style room – complete with floor-to-ceiling windows.

The lodge also boasts seven land-based rooms in Bridge House – right next to the train – overlooking the river and the train on the bridge.

One of these rooms can be set up as family suites with dedicated children areas and a honeymoon suite, the developers said.

The bridge house dining and lounge areas include decked seating and a pool overlooking the Sabie river.

Reservations and booking

The Thebe Tourism Group said that the train lodge will first open with 16 carriage rooms (32 beds) and seven land rooms (14 beds) in December 2019.

This will ultimately be increased to 24 carriage rooms (48 beds) by March 2020.

The rates will be inclusive of the following:

• Luxury accommodation in a unique setting;
• All meals during your stay;
• House beverages during your stay;
• Two game drives per day.

“This is an exciting addition to our portfolio of tourism products in the Kruger”, said SANParks managing executive for Tourism Development and Marketing, Hapiloe Sello.

“We are particularly excited about its uniqueness which will be a major attraction for domestic and international tourists alike.

“As with all tourist product developments within the National Parks, the developers have followed the key Responsible Tourism principles and are touching the earth lightly by adhering to the National Environmental Management guidelines and policies on which their environmental authorisation was granted to proceed with the development”.

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