The Southern Cross (Shongololo Express)

Program

PRETORIA & SOWETO
Nástup do vlaku v Rovos Rail Station. Odjezd v 10:00. Hosté se mohou osvěžit ve svém apartmá, než se připojí k ostatním cestujícím v salonku. Vlak jede po východní trati směrem k drsné uhelné oblasti eMalahleni a Middelburgu, známému jako „hlavní město Afriky z nerezové oceli“. Nizozemská železniční stavební společnost NZASM postavila východní trať mezi Pretorií a Lourenço Marques (Maputo) v letech 1893 až 1895. Oběd se podává v jídelních vozech, čaj v salonku, večeře v jídelních vozech. Cesta do Mbombela, nocleh ve vlaku.

• 10:00 Depart from Rovos Rail Station, Pretoria.
• 13:00 Lunch is served in the dining cars. 
• 16:30 Tea in the lounge and observation cars. 
• 19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Program

PANORAMA ROUTE
Putování pohořím (vozy) Drakensberg. Navštěva Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke’s Luck Pathols a nakonec i Three Rondavel’s s výhledy na třetí největší kaňon světa Blyde River Canyon. Odjezd do Malelane, nocleh.

• 07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
• 09:15 Full-day tour of historical areas Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Graskop. The Graskop viewing lift takes visitors 51m down the face of the gorge into the forest below where wooden walkways and suspension bridges meander along a 600m trail through the indigenous forest with an interactive exhibit (lift for own account).
• 18:45 Return to the train in Nelspruit (140km). Depart for Malelane.
• 19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Pilgrim’s Rest is a living museum and declared a National Monument. Gold was discovered in this area in 1873 attracting 1500 prospectors. Today many of the restored miner’s houses serve as shops and restaurants. Bourke’s Luck Potholes are strange deep cylindrical cavities formed by river erosion and floodwater. Blyde River Canyon has spectacular viewpoints overlooking South Africa’s Lowveld, so-named because it is much lower than the high escarpment along which the Panorama Route runs.

Program

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Celodenní safari v Kruger NP, domova velké africké pětky – tedy lva, slona, nosorožce, buvola a levharta. Nocleh ve vlaku.

• 05:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
• 07:00 Full-day game viewing in the Kruger Park.
• 18:00 Tea in the lounge and observation cars. Depart for Maputo, Mozambique. Border formalities take place.
• 19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

The famous Kruger Park has 2-million hectares of an unrivalled diversity of life forms. It is a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and home to an impressive number of species, e.g. 336 species of trees, 49 species of fish, 34 species of amphibians, 114 species of reptiles, 507 species of birds and 147 species of mammals including the Big Five.

Program

MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE
Portugalský živel a noční život na břehu Indického oceánu – takové je Maputo. Návštěva nádraží, navrženého Eiffelem, budovy Casa do Ferro – stavby složené z kovových částí. Promenáda s restauracemi nabízí mořskou kuchyni v afroportugalském stylu. Odjezd do Mpaka, nocleh ve vlaku.

• 07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
• 09:00 City tour of Maputo, Mozambique, with lunch.
• 16:00 Return to the train.
• 16:30 Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
• 19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Capital of Mozambique, Maputo is a city of contrasts offering an exciting mix of cultures. Its architecture is a blend of African, Portuguese and early Colonial traditions with old Catholic churches side-by-side with mosques, fortresses, Victorian mansions and other buildings from a bygone era.

Program

SVAZIJSKÉ KRÁLOVSTVÍ
Malé království eSwatini (Svazijsko) má rozlohu pouhých 17 000 km2, z nichž většina je hornatá. Na tak malou zemi, je překvapivé, že udržuje dvě hlavní města: Mbabane je správním hlavním městem a Lobamba je městem královským. V dubnu 2018 Svazijsko změnilo svůj název na Království eSwatini („místo Svazijců“). Cesta údolím Ezulwini do Swazi Candles, kde jsou hosté zváni k interakci s řemeslníky při výrobě svíček a dřevořezeb. Vystaveny jsou také barevné textilie a nádherné košíkářské výrobky. Mantenga Cultural Village je živoucím skanzenem tradic, kde se dozvíte vše o svazijském životním stylu 19. století. Návrat k vlaku (±75 min). Odjezd do Hoedspruit, nocleh ve vlaku.

• 07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars.
• 08:30 Disembark at Mpaka. Transfer (90 minutes) to Swazi Candles and visit Mantenga Cultural Village.
• 13:45 Return to the train (75 minutes). Depart for Hoedspruit.
• 16:30 Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
• 19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

The tiny kingdom of Swaziland covers only 17 000m2 making it the second smallest country in Africa. Experience the vibrant Swazi Candles’ creative handmade product range. Continue through the Ezulwini Valley to Mantenga Cultural Village, a living museum of old traditions representing a classical Swazi lifestyle during the 1800s. With the traditional artifacts on display, the village illustrates many facets of the ancient Swazi way of life: social, economic and religious.

Program

KAPAMA RESERVE & HOEDSPRUIT ENDANGERED SPECIES CENTRE
Ráno safari v rezervaci Kapama, návštěva stanice pro odchov psů divokých a gepardů. Odjezd směr Tzaneen, přezdívanému “tropická zahrada” Limpopo. Rezervace Kapama se nachází v nejsevernější jihoafrické provincii Limpopo, která je známá svou plodnou a rozmanitou divočinou. Je domovem více než 40 různých druhů savců včetně Velké pětky a přibližně 350 druhů ptáků. Nocleh ve vlaku.

• 05:00 Continental breakfast is served in the dining cars until 05:30.
• 05:30 Game drive in Kapama Game Reserve followed by visit to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.
• 12:00 Return to the train for lunch. Depart for Tzaneen and Louis Trichardt.
• 16:30 Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
• 19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Situated in South Africa’s northernmost province of Limpopo, renowned for its prolific and diverse wildlife, Kapama Private Game Reserve is home to over 40 different mammal species including the Big Five, approximately 350 bird species and a myriad smaller species. The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre is a unique African wildlife facility focusing on conservation and the sustainability of rare, vulnerable and threatened species. Founded on passion, the centre has adopted a holistic approach to its conservation activities such as the educating of surrounding communities, tourism, breeding, rehabilitation and anti-poaching, to name a few.

Program

LIMPOPO PROVINCE
Přejezd do zimbabwského Rutenge.

• 07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. Day on board the train travelling to Rutenga in Zimbabwe. Border formalities take place.
• 13:00 Lunch is served in the dining cars.
• 16:30 Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
• 19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Limpopo Province is located in the far north of South Africa and shares borders with three neighbouring countries: Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. For this reason, the province is also known as the gateway to other African countries and also shares provincial borders with Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Northwest. The Limpopo landscape varies from one area to the other from tropical forests, bush and shrubs to semi-desert areas with small trees and bushes and mountains to flat land. Limpopo is divided into five regions, strategically located according to the cultural inhabitants. Capricorn is the central region predominantly occupied by the Bapedi people. Waterberg is the largest region with a majority of Tswana people. Vhembe in the far north is dominated by Vhavenda and Vatsonga. The Mopani region near the Kruger Park is Vatsonga whereas the Sekhukhuni region is dominated by Bapedi and Ndebele. Limpopo is the only province in South Africa with more than two cultural groups staying together in their original habitat in harmony. Other ethnic groups include English and Afrikaans people.

Program

GREAT ZIMBABWE MONUMENT
Záhadný původ 700 let staré, po egyptských pyramidách největší kamenné stavby Afriky, je přisuzován Féničanům či Římanům Během návštěvy ucítíte magické opojení klenotu seznamu světového dědictví organizace UNESCO. Odjezd do Somabhula, nocleh ve vlaku.

• 06:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
• 08:00 Transfer to the Great Zimbabwe Monument for a tour with lunch.
• 17:00 Return to the train at Oreti Siding. Depart for Somabhula.
• 19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Travel through attractive granite hill country to the Great Zimbabwe Monument, a hugely impressive monument situated on the southeastern edge of the central plateau and the largest precolonial monument south of the Egyptian pyramids. A celebrated achievement of the African people and a place where magical fables such as the story of King Solomon’s Mines find their origins amongst the ruins of an ancient city built by the Rozwi people. Discover how these ancient people lived and mined gold and silver, which were ultimately taken out of Africa by Arabic and Portuguese traders.

Program

ANTELOPE PARK
Návštěva unikátní rezervace Antelope Park, kde lze vybírat z řady volitelných aktivit: klasického safari ve 4x4, safari na koňském či sloním hřbetu, plavby v kanoích či pozorování ptáků. Odjezd do Bulawaya, nocleh ve vlaku

• 06:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
• 08:00 Depart for a full day at Antelope Park. Optional extras include canoeing, game drives, horseback game viewing, elephant interaction, bird-watching cruises and so on (see price list).
• 16:00 Return to the train. Depart for Bulawayo.
• 16:30 Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
• 19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Set in over 3000 acres of open savannah grassland, Antelope Park is a unique game reserve and a haven of tranquillity welcoming guests and volunteer eco-tourists alike. It is home to the world-famous African Lion and Environmental Research Trust (ALERT) lion rehabilitation programme, which is a multiphase lion conservation initiative. It is Africa’s first genuine programme working to ethically re-introduce the offspring of captive-bred African lions back into the wil

Program

MATOPOS NATIONAL PARK
Výprava do NP Matobo, ráje divokých zvířat a vzácných jeskynních maleb (UNESCO). Podnikneme výstup na žulový vrch Malindidzimu, který si legendární kolonizátor a zakladatel státu Rhodesie (dnes Zimbabwe) C.J. Rhodes vybral za místo posledního odpočinku. Odměnou bude dech beroucí výhled. Odjezd do Dete, nocleh ve vlaku.

• 07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
• 09:00 Full-day tour of Matopos National Park with lunch. Visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes as well as bushmen caves.
• 16:00 Tea in the lounge and observation cars. Depart for Kennedy.
• 16:30 Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
• 19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Matopos, meaning ‘bald heads’, was the name chosen for the area by the Ndebele King, Mzilikazi. He is buried in the Matopos hills just a short distance from the park. It is an apt description of the dramatic hills and granite rocks of this area. The park is also the site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave at the summit of Malindidzimu – ‘hill of benevolent spirits’. He referred to this hill as having a view of the world. His grave is carved out of solid granite and surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of boulders. A visit can be made to one of the more accessible bushman caves, of which there are many hidden amongst the hills.

Program

HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
Celodenní safari v NP Hwange, rezervace s největší populací buvolů a slonů v Zimbabwe. Odjezd do Thompson’s Junction, nocleh ve vlak

• 05:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until departure.
• 06:30 Full-day game viewing in Hwange National Park with a packed lunch (provided).
• 16:00 Tea is served in the lounge and observation car.
• 16:30 Depart for Thompson’s Junction.
• 19:00 Return to the train.
• 19:30 Dinner is served in the dining cars.

Situated in the northwest corner of Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park covers 1 462 000 hectares making it the nation’s largest wildlife area. It contains a variety of animals and bird species but is well-known for its prolific lion population.

Program

 VICTORIA FALLS: DÝM, KTERÝ HŘMÍ...
Objevitel D. Livigstone byl jimi ohromen. Ano! Viktoriiny vodopády! Po příjezdu přechod do Victoria Falls Hotel, následuje pěší výlet k vodopádům. Odpoledne plavba po řece Zambezi, kde se ve zlaté barvě zapadajícího slunce oddáte kouzlu mocné řeky. Návrat do hotelu.

CK ESO travel na vyžádání zajistí leteckou přepravu, ubytování a program před a po skončení cesty vlakem.

• 07:00 Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:00.
• 10:00 Arrive Victoria Falls Station. Check out of train and walk across to Victoria Falls Hotel (luggage can be stored on the train).
• 11:00 Meet for a walking tour of the village and the falls.
• 16:00 Meet at the hotel for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
• 18:30 Transfer back to Victoria Falls Hotel. Tour ends.

The little station of Victoria Falls was first reached by railway in June 1904. Old colonial buildings, bougainvillea and palm trees against the backdrop of the Victoria Falls Hotel form a charming oasis of soft sweetness after the rugged dryness of the landscape. The Victoria Falls is one of nature’s great revelations on a par with the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest and an erupting volcano. It is believed that there have existed no less than seven different Victoria Falls over the past two million years. These cascades correspond to the lower gorges of the Zambezi. The present falls is wearing from Devil’s Cataract northwards, eroding the softer material behind the present basalt base of the falls. When eventually all the soft matter has been removed, the Victoria Falls will move back, a fresh gorge will yawn and where the falls are now will become a new site for tourists. Although just over a mile long (1.7km), the falls are broken up by various small islands, including Livingstone Island. At their deepest, the falls are 108m deep at Rainbow Falls.