Shongololo Rail Holiday

A rail holiday aboard the Shongololo Express is one of the most riveting rail-based adventures you can ever imagine. Train holidays conjure images of long-forgotten romance and splendor, which is exactly what the team at Shongololo Express wishes to recreate.

The Good Hope - Shongololo

The name Shongololo translates to "millipede" in Zulu, and was given to the first trains in East Africa by the indigenous people. When viewed on the horizon, trains resembled the movement and length of the Shongololo.

Today, the Shongololo Express is a unique charter division rail holiday provider that can put together any vacation package you require. There are certain pre-scheduled Shongololo Express rail holidays that have been planned to coincide with regional travel patterns and seasonality of South Africa in particular, however any of the trains may be chartered for a bespoke travelling experience. Anything is possible: from experiencing the Tri-Nations rugby series in style to visiting the Namaqualand flowers or the North Sea Jazz Festival.

Shongololo Train Tours

Southern Cross Good Hope Dune Express

DIRECTORY OF SERVICES

ACCOUNTS:

Train guests will be required to sign for on-board purchases throughout their train holiday. This includes drinks, additional excursions, purchases of a personal nature and more. All accounts are to be settled on the evening before final departure.

Accounts may be settled by means of:

South African Rand
Major foreign currencies
Travellers Cheques
Credit Cards

Kindly note that credit card payments will be converted into ZAR at the exchange rate of the day.

AIR-CONDITIONING:

Air-conditioning (where applicable) will be available while the generator is running (usually from 05h00 to 09h00 and 16h30 to 24h00).

BANKING:

For your convenience, it can be arranged that an American Express Foreign Exchange Representative meets you on board at the beginning or at the end of your rail holiday. This service is dependent on passenger demand and to us having full details of your exchange requirements prior to the arrival of the representative.

BAR:

The bar will be open daily from 17h00.

CORKAGE:

As Shongololo Express is a licensed establishment, the following corkage fees apply:

SOUTHERN CROSS USD 5.00 per bottle
GOOD HOPE and DUNE EXPRESS ZAR 50.00 per bottle

Guests who have special requests with regards to liquor are requested to notify their reservations agent or the Shongololo Express itself well in advance. If notified timeously, Shongololo Express will make every effort to obtain the requested brand/s.

DRESS CODE:

As a relaxed atmosphere prevails during a train holiday, comfortable clothing is recommended. Please note that winter in South Africa can be very cold and it is therefore advisable to bring warm clothing along for early mornings and evenings, especially on days that we plan to disembark.

ELECTRICITY:

The electric current on board is 220 volt. Each compartment is fitted with a round pin socket (SA-style). Adapter plugs and extension cables are available from GUEST SERVICES. Power is supplied by a generator.

Please treat sockets as live at all times.

FIRST-AID:

Although first-aid equipment and supplies are carried on board, limited medical facilities are available in some areas. We therefore request that the Train Manager is advised immediately in the event that you should require medical assistance.

GAME DRIVES:

Game Drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles can be arranged as an optional excursion in certain areas. Early mornings and evenings can become chilly when driving in an open vehicle; we highly recommend that guests bring along warm clothing to make the journey more comfortable.

GUEST SERVICES:

A Shongololo Express staff member will be available in the Guest Services area to answer any questions or to discuss activities every day.

Guest Services will be open from 07h00 to 08h15 and from 18h00 to 21h00.

GUIDES:

Guides and vehicles will be rotated on a daily basis. Language groups will be considered. Please feel free to discuss questions or queries with your Guide at any time.

INCLUSIVE OPTIONS:

Daily excursions will be entered onto the white board, which is located in the Guest Services area. Please make a note of your choice of activity in the space provided. The Train Manager will add a vehicle number next to your choice.

Daily departure times depend on the nature of the excursion. Some excursions may depart at 08h00, while others may depart either earlier or later.

In the event that various inclusive options are offered and only a small number of passengers choose a specific tour, that particular excursion may have to be cancelled at the Train Manager's discretion. Please keep this in consideration throughout your journey.

KEYS:

Compartment- and safe keys will be handed to you by the Train Manager upon checking in.

As lost keys will have to be replaced, it will be charged for as follows:

SOUTHERN CROSS: US$ 5.00
GOOD HOPE and DUNE EXPRESS: ZAR 50.00

LAUNDRY:

A laundry service is offered on board our trains. A laundry bag will be provided in your compartment. Clean laundry will be returned within 24 to 48 hours - the return time is dependent on weather conditions and the amount of laundry received on any given day.

MAIL:

Mail can be sent by using a post box, which is located in the GUEST SERVICES area. Items to be mailed can also be handed to the Train Manager. Wherever possible, mail is posted every day.

MAINTENANCE:

Should you discover that something in your carriage or compartment does not work or appears to be broken, please let the Train Manager know immediately in order for it to be repaired as soon as possible.

MEALS:

If you have any special dietary requirements, kindly advise your reservations agent or the Shongololo Express timeously. This information will enable the Train Manager to provide for your request in advance.

RAILWAYS:

The Shongololo Express uses the railway tracks of the National Railways of Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland and Namibia. Therefore the possibility exists that the trains will run late from time to time.

Should any of the trains be delayed, land-based activities may have to be shortened, the schedule thereof altered or cancelled.

SAFE:

There is a small safe located in each compartment. The key will be handed to you by the Train Manager at the start of your journey, together with the key to your compartment.

SAFETY:

As the railway environment can be dangerous, please do take care when looking out of open windows.

In order to avoid accidents, we request that guests adhere to the following:

Never open exterior doors while the train is moving.
Never jump off or onto the train while it is moving.
An emergency communications cord is located half way down each corridor. This cord is to be used when the Train Manager or another member of staff cannot be reached.
Please ensure that all valuables, documents and cash are kept in a safe place.
Do not stray to quiet areas after dark.
Change foreign currency at an authorised dealer only.

SHEETS, TOWELS and PILLOWS:

Sheets are changed every third day and towels are changed every second day. Extra pillows and blankets are available on request.

SHOWERS and TOILETS:

The water used on the trains is carried in tanks under each coach. These tanks are filled every day, but cannot be topped up while the trains are in transit. Please assist us by using water sparingly.

SMOKING:

Smoking is not permitted in the dining car or bathrooms. Smoking of pipes/cigars is not permitted on any of the trains.

TELEPHONE:

Due to poor reception in some areas, we do not have a telephone service on board. Should you however need to contact your Train Manager urgently while on tour, herewith is a list of mobile numbers:

SOUTHERN CROSS (Andrew Gaul):

(when in South Africa): +(27) 82 419 0296
(when in Zimbabwe): +(263) 11 231 833

GOOD HOPE (Garry Webbstock):

(when in South Africa): +(27) 82 419 0293

DUNE EXPRESS (Petra Lucas):

(when in South Africa): +(27) 82 419 0298
(when in Namibia): +(264) 811 248 684

TIPPING - GRATUITIES:

Tipping is entirely at the guest's discretion. Tips will be divided equally between members of staff.

Our recommended gratuity for the full train holiday is:

SOUTHERN CROSS: US$ 55.00 per guest
GOOD HOPE and DUNE EXPRESS: ZAR 550.00 per guest

Gratuities may be added to the final account or can be handed to the Train Manager. Please do not tip staff members individually.

TOILETRIES:

Please feel free to ask the Train Manager for assistance with regard items that may have been forgotten.

TOUR ADD-ONS:

As many optional excursions are subcontracted to Tour Operators, certain options may not be available from time to time and are subject to price adjustments.

Kindly advise the Train Manager timeously if you would like to book any of the additional excursions available on a particular day.

UPGRADES:

Your Train Manager will gladly discuss upgrading to more spacious accommodation, provided that it is available. The cost for the upgrade is payable directly on the train.

WATER:

We strongly advise against drinking the water in the compartments or bathrooms. Bottled water may be purchased from the bar.

ACCOMMODATION:

General Information

Beds with mattresses are used in compartments, as opposed to bunks.
All compartments on all three trains have a hand basin with hot and cold water.
Some carriages on the SOUTHERN CROSS have basins with cold water only (Ivory Class).
Basins are covered by a folding table, which converts into a bedside table at night.
Each compartment has hanging space, a safe and plug points.
On the Good Hope and Dune Express clients share shower facilities. There is one shower and two toilets per carriage.
The Southern Cross has three types of accommodation. Please see "Southern Cross Accommodation" for more details.
There is no air-conditioning in any of the compartments, except in SOUTHERN CROSS Emerald Class.
All other compartments on all other trains have fans.
The Good Hope features a heater in each compartment.
Windows on all trains open.
Extra carriages that could be different to current rolling stock may have to be added onto any of the trains from time to time.

SOUTHERN CROSS (Accommodation)

The capacity on the Southern Cross train is 78 guests. Three types of accommodation are available, namely Emerald, Gold and Ivory.

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.
Emerald Class guests receive a bottle of sparkling wine and a branded bathrobe in their cabins on arrival.

Gold Class:

There are two Gold Class carriages, consisting of 5 twin compartments per carriage - all carpeted.
All Gold Class compartments have en suite shower and toilet facilities.

Ivory Class:

There are five Ivory Class carriages with various configurations.
Three carriages have five twin and two single compartments - all carpeted.
One carriage has four twin and two single compartments - all carpeted.
One carriage has five twin and no single compartments - all carpeted.
Guests in Ivory Class share shower- and toilet facilities with the other travellers in their carriage.

GOOD HOPE (Accommodation)

The capacity on the train is 106 guests.
There are 9 sleeper carriages.
Each carriage has five twin and two single compartments - all carpeted.

DUNE EXPRESS (Accommodation)

The capacity on the train is 78 guests.
There are 6 sleeper carriages.
Four carriages have six twin and two single compartments, one carriage has five twin and two single compartments and one carriage has four twin and two single compartments - all carpeted.

DINING CARRIAGES (All trains)

The total seating capacity on all of the trains is 38 guests. This means that there will be two or three meal sittings per trip.
Meal times largely depend on the activities planned for the day, but meals are generally served at the following times:
Breakfast from 06h15 to 08h15
Dinner from 18h15 to 21h00
Cuisine on board includes traditional Cape Malay, as well as Central -, West - and Southern African specialities. For breakfast there is a choice between traditional English- or Continental breakfasts.

More useful information:

Dining carriages are air-conditioned.
The dress code for meal times is casual.
All dining cars are non-smoking areas.
Please inform your reservations agent or Shongololo Express directly of any special dietary requirements.

LOUNGE BAR CARRIAGE

All lounge / bar carriages have the following features:

All accommodate approximately 40 guests.
All are fully licensed.
All are air-conditioned.
All are smoking areas.
The dress code is casual.
Kindly advise your booking agent or Shongololo Express in advance if you would like us to obtain a certain brand of liquor for your consumption.
Lounge / bar carriages on the Good Hope and Dune Express are fully air-conditioned.

VEHICLES

All vehicles are fitted with a radio/tape deck and PA system.
Vehicles are carried on board the Train, which makes Shongololo Express a unique concept worldwide.
Specially adapted, fully air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinters (12-seaters) are used.

If you require any further information with regard to South African rail holidays or train holidays, please do not hesitate to contact a Shongololo Express representative. We will help you to put together the African holiday of your dreams.