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Experience Luxury Accommodation on a Train-Hotel Above Kruger National Park

Melissa Sullivan04 mins

Experience the Unique Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge

The iconic Kruger National Park in South Africa will soon unveil a stunning new attraction; a hotel built inside train carriages that sit atop a bridge.

Overview of the Hotel

Called Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge, this hotel will be permanently stationed on the Selati Bridge above the Sabie River, offering unique luxury accommodation in a re-envisioned train. Travelers will choose from 31 rooms, including:

  • 24 carriage rooms with glass walls providing breathtaking views along the river.
  • Seven bridge house rooms located adjacent to the bridge.

Moreover, guests can enjoy an overhanging swimming pool that floats above the river, along with a walkway attached to the bridge, perfect for a sunset stroll along the bank.

Kruger Shalati
The hotel will offer incredible views of the surrounding area © Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge

Current Status and Wildlife Views

The hotel is currently under construction; however, due to government restrictions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, progress has been slowed for the past few months. The company, nevertheless, aims to complete the hotel by December 2020. The first carriage has been built, and upon completion, the hotel will be adjacent to the Skukuza Camp of Kruger National Park, where guests can spot the “Big Five” (lions, buffalos, leopards, elephants, and rhinos) on safari. Wildlife and various birds are expected to be visible directly from the rooms, providing an unparalleled experience for nature enthusiasts.

Africa Photographic, Francois van Zyl, Shalati Train, Mpumalanga, South Africa (117).jpg
The first carriage of the hotel has been completed © Francois van Zyl / Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge

Historical Significance

“The inspiration for this unique hotel came from the historical significance of the bridge. In the 1920s, when the national park was declared, guests could only visit by train, which would park on this very bridge overnight as part of the rail journey. This route was one of the most popular legs of the nine-day journey that used to run along this line. We’ve taken this historical concept and given it a contemporary interpretation,” a representative of the project shared.

More Information

For further details regarding Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge, visit the official website.

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