Tourism Exploring Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Travel
BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE
Since the start of 2020, tourism and
travel across Africa has taken a huge knock, due to travel restrictions and
the implementation of lockdown. South Africa witnessed a drop in tourist visits of 71% - from just over 15.8 million
in 2019 to less than 5 million in 2020 (reported by Statistics South Africa).
Despite these sobering statistics, amid
This project pays tribute to
Africa’s excellence, as it solidifies
the work being done to remedy the
the continent’s fond investment
one of Africa’s biggest game reserves,
tourist offerings.
off a rather fanciful concept: building a
Jerry Mabena, CEO of Thebe
Tourism sector back to good health,
the Kruger National Park, has pulled hotel on a deserted railway.
KRUGER SHALATI LUXURY TRAIN HOTEL The launch of the Kruger Shalati - The Train on the Bridge - has been one
of the most anticipated and inspiring new projects of the celebrated
in its cultural heritage and future
Tourism Group, believes that
“The Kruger Shalati Train on a
Bridge takes people back to a
long-lost time and makes them
feel part of the history of the Park.” “It gives a truly memorable glimpse
Kruger National Park, in northeastern
into those early days of the Kruger
of our wildlife and fauna, along with
reigned supreme. We are looking
combined with newly revamped and
an equally exciting journey that is
hotel pays homage to the bygone era,
world”, commented Mabena.
South Africa. With gorgeous views
historical and archaeological sights, restored train carriages, the luxury suspended above the Sabie River.
73
TOP500 11th Edition
where the untamed African spirit forward to taking our guests on
not available anywhere else in the
SPEARHEADING THE #SAWILLTR #SAWILLTRAVELAGAIN MOVEMENT AVELAGAIN The announcement MOVEMENT of this exciting
The project announcement first came inof 2019, this exciting with social project media creating first came a buzz in 2019, about with how social the
media ‘train increating the air’ acould buzzbe about just how the boost the ‘train that the in the Tourism air’ could industry be just needed. the boost that Opening the Tourism its doors industry in December needed. 2020,
Opening the permanently its doorsstationed in December Shalati 2020, Train the has permanently received multiple stationed visitsShalati from local Train has travel received enthusiasts multiple andvisits international from local travel visitors enthusiasts alike. and international visitors alike.
Just recently, the prestigious Travel +
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atop selections the Bridge in theas ‘Best one New of their Hotels top in selections the World’ in category. the ‘Best The New train Hotels hotelin
the has World’ been recognised category. The as the train only hotel South has African been property recognised on the as list the-only a massive South accolade African to receive property lessonthan the alist year -a massive after its official accolade launch. to receive
