When we heard there was a luxury hotel — which was a luxury train — on top of a railway bridge we said what you’re thinking — ‘we’ve got to see this’. The Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge in South Africa is something you’ve got to experience to believe.
Situated on the historically-rich Selati Bridge above the Sabie River — the hotel is in the exact spot where trains in the 1920s would stop overnight for panoramic views of the surrounding plains.
The hotel itself offers 31 rooms — 24 carriage rooms and 7 Bridge house rooms — tailored for comfort. The train rooms have glass walls that offer majestic views of the Sabie River, home to hippos, crocodiles and other extraordinary animals.
The bespoke deck pool lies in line with the train deck, from here views of the river with elephants and buffalos on the plains create a stunning vista.
Prices start at around $1200 dollars per room for a couple or $750 if you are solo. Rates include all meals, teas and coffee daily as well as house wines and spirits. Additionally, guests will be offered two game drives daily in an open safari vehicle.
This is the true highlight of the hotel. Take game drives and explore South Africa’s iconic wild spaces by day and watch sunsets while wine-ing and dining in the evenings. Kruger Shalati is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
To top it all off, transfers to and from the local Skukuza Airport are included in the price.
Located in Kruger National Park — one of the largest game reserves in Africa — guests can expect to see giraffes grazing near the hotel, elephants roaming in the distance and hippos lounging in the mud near the banks of the river.
Travelling into the national park proper, there are lions, gazelle, cheetahs, warthogs, hyenas — too many animals to name really. For anyone wishing to experience South Africa’s best-kept game reserve — this is the place to be.
The hotel is committed to the local people of the area and what they call “human-ness”. They explore cultural nuances leading to a holistic approach to things at the hotel. In short, everyone is welcome and guests are treated in the friendliest manner.
The hotel even commits to helping the country tackle youth unemployment by employing 162 local youths.
If you would like to see the natural treasures of Africa in comfort and luxury while staying in a culturally inclusive resort that gives back to the local community, Kruger Shalati is it.