Steam Trains in South Africa

Travel by Steam Train in South Africa - South Africa has astounding escarpments and terrains so take the opportunity to view it from a unique perspective: steam train trips. Encounter a range of scenic splendours such as the stark beauty of the Karoo region, the flourishing cane fields of KwaZulu Natal and the lush South African Garden Route.

There are numerous places in South Africa where one can go on a steam train trip and observe picturesque scenery whilst sipping on refreshing cocktails. Travel through the Drakensberg range; view the shimmering Magaliesberg waterfalls, the dazzling Johannesburg lights and the lush Cape Winelands.

KwaZulu Natal is home to several special trains where one can re-live the sights, sounds and smells of the old steam train times. For example, the Umgeni Steam Railway runs trips from Kloof up to Inchanga on the first and last Sunday of every month. The stations are set up to offer food to the hungry travellers or you can take your own picnic baskets.

In Port Elizabeth, be sure to ride on the Apple Express which will take you through the attractive city to Van Staadens where one can enjoy a lovely picnic and dazzling scenery. A steam train trip through the Garden Route in South Africa is an awesome experience, with its varying natural beauty, indigenous forests and glistening lakes.

South African Tour Companies will tailor-make your personal South African steam train trip to suit your interests. Whether you are looking for a tasty tour of the winelands, the thrill of the big 5 safari or an expedition through the lush Garden Route, these tours promise an unforgettable steam train experience.

Acknowledgement:

DanieVDM

If you wish to see the best of South Africa in style, then JB Train Tours in association with Friends of the Rail is definitely for you. Join Friends of the Rail on an incredible 15-day train adventure that will take you for a unique and interesting ride through South Africa. Also on the menu are visits to steam-train locomotive yards and the delight of travelling on steam trains. Many of the popular tourist destinations in our beautiful country will be visited namely Table Mountain, Robben Island and Spier Wine Estate in Cape Town, Durban and the uShaka Marine World, the friendly city of Port Elizabeth and the mystifying and famous Cango Caves at Outdshoorn.

If you wish for more luxury and to ride in style throughout South Africa then take a luxurious train safari on the magnificent Rovos Rail, the splendid Shongololo Express and for true lavishness, take a trip with the luxurious Blue Train. The Rovos Rail is one of South Africa's finest luxury trains and offers you a supreme luxury train safari. Rovos Rail operates 2 classic trains of 20 superbly restored coaches, half of which date back to the 1920s. It has over 36 luxurious suites in which to relax in.

No matter what your preference, be sure to ride on a steam train in South Africa. This gorgeous country promises picturesque views and an unforgettable time! Just relax, sip on a cocktail and enjoy the scenery.

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An African safari camp in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve

Umlani Bushcamp is a highly recommended, classic African safari camp located in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park.

African sunset

See the real Africa at Umlani: enjoy the ultimate experience of true wilderness and seclusion in a camp that accommodates just 16 guests, in traditional African reed and thatch huts.

Umlani's philosophy of simplistic luxury and 'getting back to nature' is enhanced by the romance of operating without electricity. Enjoy the warm atmosphere of candlelight and oil lamps and open-air bush showers fuelled by wood fires.

The accommodation offers you all the privacy and comfort you need for uninterrupted relaxation. Umlani's prize-winning cuisine will take you on a gastronomic tour of African styled food.

Umlani Bushcamp offers an exciting, safe experience in Big Five territory. View lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, in more than 10 000 hectares (24 000 acres) of traversing area. The camp is also home to more than 40 mammal species and 350 bird species.

Experience the thrill of game drives in open Land Rovers, guided bush walks and tracking game on foot with highly experienced rangers and trackers. At Umlani you are guaranteed an adventure of a lifetime in one of Africa's world-renowned, unspoilt wilderness reserves.

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Abloom Bush Lodge and Spa Retreat, Cullinan, Gauteng

In the beauty of an undiscovered bush valley you can find the 5 star equivalent Abloom Bush Lodge & Spa Retreat. Just outside of the world famous but small historical town of Cullinan, 30 min east of Pretoria, Carmen and Lowie run their unique and exclusive boutique hotel.

Abloom offers only 4 luxurious suites, build as romantic standalone thatched chalets. All suites are eco-friendly and magnificently designed, build and decorated by Lowie himself and you will be short of eyes to absorb all the creative, stylish and elegant details he has given the lodge. A sense of peace and tranquillity greets you on arrival as the dedicated owners, their 5 dogs and 6 horses welcome you with their gracious hospitality to a luxurious but relaxed and informal farm.

Abloom is centrally located between OR Tambo International Airport of Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park.

Accommodation

All four suites are luxurious, beautifully decorated and tranquil and offer 100% privacy, a hot plunge pool (heated to 36 degrees), outside shower with warm and cold water and outside fire place / bbq on the secluded outside deck.

The elegant standalone chalets all have a small but fully equipped kitchen, fire place, lounge suite, DStv, flat screen TV, romantic candle lit bath, double shower and his and her basin. The extra length king size bed is made with the freshest white linen, old fashioned home washed and sun dried, offers a variety of pillows and is decorated with fresh flowers and bush leaves upon arrival!

Abloom offers a choice between three Executive Suites - sleeping two and one Presidential Suite - sleeping two. The Presidential Suite is more luxurious, has a larger deck and the superior view.

Dining

Abloom does not have a restaurant but does offer exquisite meals for the connoisseurs! Dining at Abloom is a spectacular experience. Lowie serves his three course gourmet meals in your suite where the table has been set under the breath taking African star lit sky. All meals are prepared with the freshest local products which inspire Lowie to design and prepare a unique set menu that may differ daily, al subject to the available ingredients and Lowie’s creative mood!

Wellness

Carmen runs their award winning, exclusive wellness centre, where truly unique treatments and romantic full day spa packages are on the menu. All treatments are done in-suite on your private deck with stunning views of the bush. An experience you will not want to miss. Carmen mixes her own massage oils and uses the beautiful world renowned products of Theravine, a 100% South African eco-friendly product. Pre-booking is advised.

Eco-friendly

Abloom looks after the planet. All products used in the suites and the spa are produced in South Africa and are eco-friendly. The spa doesn’t use disposables and our water is of a good quality so we invite you to drink directly from the tap instead of the bottle! In our kitchen we pride ourselves to use as much organic ingredients as possible. When building our suites we used local and recycled materials, eco-friendly cement, rocks from the farm en local builders. We save up to 10% electricity by using laptops instead of desktops and our dream is to one day go off the grid completely!

THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA:

• Walking with lions

• Horseback safari

• Self-drive safari

• Visit to the picturesque town of Cullinan

• Cullinan mine tour

• Italian Prisoners of War graves

• Township tour

• Hot air ballooning

THINGS TO DO IN WITHIN 1.5 HOURS DRIVE:

• Constitution Hill (internationally awarded)

• Cradle of Mankind (World Heritage site):

• Maropeng

• Caves

• Visit Pretoria

• Visit Johannesburg

Cullinan

In 1902, Sir Thomas Cullinan found a diamond pipe, and by 1904 semidetached houses were built for mine workers. The town was therefore named after Sir Cullinan. On 25 June 1905, the small town made its way into history with the discovery of the legendary Cullinan Diamond. Frederick Wells, who worked for the Premier Diamond Mining Company as a surface manager, made the magnificent find that has remained the biggest diamond ever found in the world.

The Cullinan Diamond weighed 621.2 grams (or 3 106 carats) and was approximately 10 centimetres in length. The Transvaal government bought the diamond and gave it to King Edward VII, as a birthday gift. In 1908, the diamond was cut in half and the biggest piece can still be viewed today, as it is set in a sceptre that forms part of the Crown Jewels of Britain.

Amongst the attractions in Cullinan, visitors will still be able to see the semidetached houses built in 1904, visit the graves of the Italian POW's who perished here during the Second World War or admire the beautiful stone church that was designed by Sir Herbert Baker. One of the most popular activities in town is the tour of the Cullinan Diamond Mine. They are still the leaders in producing some of the best quality gems in the world, and together with a surface tour, visitors will be able to see the mine shaft, the diamond and replica display room, underground tunnel models and the hoist room. After exploring how these precious stones are mined, visitors are invited to the Cullinan Diamond Mine Market, where they can see diamonds being cut and are able to purchase diamonds and jewelery.

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