Shongololo Express

Zulu for millipede, The Shongololo is certainly a long and impressive train as it travels across the plains of Southern Africa. It began operation back in 1995 and continues to offer wonderful train journeys in Africa. Whilst not quite the luxury of its counterparts, it makes up it with its epic adventures of 12 to 15 days traversing South Africa, Namibia, eSwatini, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

There are comfortable cabins in two categories for 72 guests in total, two historically appointed dining cars where traditional local cuisine is on offer along with a selection of wonderful South African wines. There is the bar car, small smoking lounge and observation car with an open air balcony – very good spot for admiring the outlook.

A point of difference is that excursion vehicles are transported with the train so it is totally effortless.

The grand fifteen day journey weaves its way through South Africa from Pretoria to Cape Town. The first few days sees you travel through the Drakensberg Mountains to the Kruger region. Visit the famous Panorama Route and of course enjoy a safari. From here you head to the Kingdom of Swaziland and Hluhluwe wildlife reserve for more safari time.

World heritage site St Lucia Wetlands is worth a visit before arriving at the coastline and Durban. South bound now you travel through Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Graaff Reinet. In Oudtshoorn you’ll visit an ostrich farm and the Congo Caves plus traverse the Outeniqua Mountains. Knysna is a highlight with a stop, lagoon ferry ride to Featherbed Nature Reserve and then the garden route meander. The final day sees you arrive in Cape Town.