Photo by Pannell's Tours
shongololo express with custom touring
UPDATE FROM ROVOS RAIL: CHANGES FROM 1 JANUARY 2024
We have successfully operated the Shongololo Express since 2016. Acquiring this business was beneficial as we were introduced to new guests and had the opportunity to run more excursion-led programmes. We have made the decision to merge the Shongololo train and its offerings into the Rovos Rail portfolio.
- The Shongololo Express name will be steadily phased out.
- The suites will match the level and be classed the same as on Rovos Rail with Traditional Pullmans, Pullman Golds, Deluxes and Royals.
In the meantime, treat yourself with this special offer from shongololo express
pretoria - windhoek from 9-15 feb 2023

GOLD CABIN - R63,000 per person sharing
EMERALD CABIN - R84,000 per person sharing
Single supplement on request
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Travel southeast across the Highveld towards the Drakensberg Mountains, first named by the Voortrekkers who thought the unbroken chain of heavily weathered peaks reminded them of the spines on a dragon’s back, hence the name ‘Dragon Mountain’ or Drakensberg in Afrikaans.
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Enjoy game viewing in Nambiti, a Big Five bush retreat with incredible biodiversity.
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Take a drive through Golden Gate National Park with its golden ochre sandstone cliffs.
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Explore the picturesque town of Clarens situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains.
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View Sandstone Estate's impressive collection of heritage trains, tractors, busses, cars and military vehicles.
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Tour Kimberley's Diamond Mine Museum and the extraordinary Big Hole.
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Travel through the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region that was once an enormous inland sea.
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Enjoy a walking tour of Upington followed by a boat cruise on the Orange River.
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Travel along the southern reaches of the Kalahari Basin to visit the Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in the southern hemisphere.
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Cross the untamed beauty of the Kalahari Desert to Namibia's capital and journey's end, Windhoek, a lively cosmopolitan city.
visit our rovos rail page for long journeys from 1 january 2023
SHONGOLOLO EXPRESS - SOUTHERN CROSS JOURNEY - 12 DAYS
PRETORIA - VICTORIA FALLS
A panoramic journey between Pretoria and Victoria Falls. Travel across the Drakensberg Mountains to join the Panorama Route with game viewing in Kruger National Park. Tour Maputo, capital of Mozambique, before exploring the mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland. Enjoy a game drive at Kapama and a visit to the Great Zimbabwe Monument. Tour Antelope Park and Matopos, site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave. Continue to Hwange for game viewing before arriving in Victoria Falls for a walking tour of the village and the thunderous falls. End with a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi.
Detailed itineraries available on request.

PRETORIA to VIC FALLS RATES & DATES
Per person sharing
2022
Gold Cabin R 116,000
Emerald Suite R 159,000
Single supplement: +50%
Pretoria to Victoria Falls Dates - 2022
14 - 25 Apr, 10 - 21 Jun
05 - 16 Aug, 16 - 27 Sep
Victoria Falls to Pretoria Dates - 2022
28 Apr - 09 May
SHONGOLOLO EXPRESS - GOOD HOPE / GOLF JOURNEY - 15 DAYS
PRETORIA - CAPE TOWN or REVERSE
A grand adventure offering amazing insight into well-known destinations across South Africa. Starting in Pretoria, travel across the imposing Drakensberg Mountains to visit the historical Panorama Route*. Enjoy a game drive at the world-famous Kruger Park* then explore the Kingdom of Swaziland*, Hluhluwe wildlife reserve and the world-heritage site, iSimangaliso Wetland Park*. After tours of Durban’s botanical gardens*, Bloemfontein (the city of roses) and Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum* (centre of one of the world’s famous diamond rushes), arrive in Oudtshoorn* to visit an ostrich farm and the incredible Cango Caves. Traverse the Outeniqua Mountains to the natural paradise of Knysna* for a lagoon ferry ride followed by a spectacular meander along the Garden Route towards Worcester. Travel by road over scenic mountain passes to Hermanus*, once a renowned whaling station, before arriving on the final day in Cape Town for a tour of the Mother City.
*Optional Golf Itinerary: Leopard Creek/White River/Nelspruit, Nkonyeni, Zimbali, Durban Country Club/Beachwood/Zimbali, Champagne Sports Resort, Kimberley Golf Club, Fancourt, Ernie Els Oubaai/Pezula and Arabella (additional)
Detailed itineraries available on request

2022 RATES & DATES
Per person sharing:
Gold Cabin R 129,500
Emerald Suite R 179,000
Single supplement: +50%
Cape Town to Pretoria Dates
29 Aug - 12 Sep 2022
21 Nov - 05 Dec 2022
SHONGOLOLO EXPRESS - DUNE EXPRESS JOURNEY - 12 DAYS
PRETORIA - WALVIS BAY or REVERSE
A spectacular odyssey starting in Pretoria and winding its way to the coast of Namibia, a country of compelling beauty, abundant sunshine and seemingly endless horizons. First stop is Kimberley to visit the Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum village before continuing across the Karoo to Upington for a walking tour and wine tasting. After crossing the border, visit the Fish River Canyon, second in size to the Grand Canyon, followed by tours of historical towns Lüderitz, Kolmanskop and Keetmanshoop. Enjoy a night at a Sossusvlei lodge surrounded by the dramatic dunes of the Namib-Naukluft Park with visits to the natural Sesriem Canyon and the 170m-high star dune “45”. Leave the vast stillness of the Kalahari Desert for a tour of Windhoek and an overnight stay in Etosha with game-viewing activities. Arrive at journey’s end in the seaside town of Walvis Bay.
Detailed itineraries available on request.

2022 RATES & DATES
Per person sharing:
Gold Cabin R 116,000
Emerald Suite R 159,000
Single supplement: +50%
Pretoria to Walvis Bay Dates - 2022
24 Mar - 04 Apr
Walvis to Pretoria Bay Dates
25 Mar- 05 Apr, 26 May - 06 Jun
11 - 22 Nov
SHONGOLOLO EXPRESS - AFRICAN TRILOGY - 15 DAYS
PRETORIA - WALVIS BAY
This panoramic 15-day sojourn winds its way across Southern Africa from the Indian Ocean in the east to the Atlantic coast in the west. Starting in Pretoria, descend the spectacular escarpment to the world-famous Kruger Park for a game drive. Explore the Kingdom of eSwatini followed by a game drive in Hluhluwe wildlife reserve and a tour of Durban and its botanical gardens. Traverse the Valley of a Thousand Hills and the imposing Drakensberg Mountains to visit the 1870s mining village of Kimberley, centre of one of the world’s notorious diamond rushes. Continue through the semi-desert region of the Karoo to Upington and the Fish River Canyon, second in size to the Grand Canyon. Cross the untamed beauty of the Kalahari Desert to see the Quiver trees at Garas Park, home to roughly 300 specimens of the Aloe dichotomy. Take a short flight to Sossusvlei for a lodge stay surrounded by the dramatic dunes of the Namib-Naukluft Park. Enjoy desert drives, a bush dinner and breakfast near Deadvlei where camel-thorn trees contrast against the white-clay pan floor. Visit Namibia’s lively capital, Windhoek, and a cheetah conservation project before overnighting in the game-rich Etosha National Park. Leave the vast stillness of the Namib Desert for the wild Atlantic coast and journey’s end, Walvis Bay.

2022 RATES & DATES
Per person sharing:
Gold Cabin R 175,000
Emerald Suite R 230,000
Single supplement: +50%
Pretoria to Walvis Bay Dates
29 Sep - 13 Oct 2022
Detailed itinerary available on request
Rates one way per person sharing include: Accommodation; all meals; all beverages on board; room service; limited laundry; excursions accompanied by a qualified guide (where applicable); entrance fees as per itinerary; government tax. Rates exclude: All off-train beverages; international/French Champagne; gratuities; personal expenses; visas; travel insurance; pre- and post-train transfers, accommodation and flights. Included in off-train accommodation: Flights to/from Sossusvlei; overnight bag; accommodation; meals; water, tea/coffee and breakfast juices. Excluded from off-train accommodation: All other beverages; laundry; personal expenses.

Gold Double

Gold Twin

Lounge Car

Emerald Double

Emerald Twin
