Kruger Shalati, the Train on the Bridge, stands as a unique gem in South Africa's luxury travel landscape, offering a distinctive blend of opulence and wildlife immersion. Nestled in Skukuza within Kruger National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's largest game reserves, the hotel repurposes renovated train carriages into 24 modern suites adorned with balconies and a pool overlooking the Sabie River.
The concept harks back to the park's early days, when steam trains traversed Kruger in the 1920s on the Selati Railway Line. The hotel's CEO, Jerry Mabena, explains the inspiration behind the venture, rooted in the historical significance of steam trains that once parked on the same bridge where the hotel now stands. Acquiring old carriages from Transnet in 2016, Motsamayi Tourism Group transformed them into luxurious accommodations with modern interiors, carefully avoiding a colonial aesthetic.
Guests at Kruger Shalati can relish the dawn and observe wildlife through floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Sabie River. The location serves as a wildlife hotspot, allowing guests to lounge on balconies, swim in the pool, and witness wildlife activity below. Mabena notes the unique appeal of having hippos grunting beneath the carriage, offering a wild experience without complete immersion.
Despite the luxury, the hotel integrates community involvement by hiring staff, including senior guides, from the local community. The hotel emphasizes guided game drives, providing guests with an experienced guide's insights into animal locations and behaviors. The local community is also engaged in maintaining indigenous gardens and a kitchen garden, contributing to the hotel's fine dining offerings.
Chef Vusi Mbatha emphasizes the philosophy of transforming simple ingredients into extraordinary dishes inspired by nature. Local delicacies such as crocodile, venison, and springbok carpaccio are showcased in the refined restaurant setting.
Kruger Shalati, opened in December 2020, is now entering its fourth summer season, offering international guests double and twin rooms starting at $530 per person per night. Rates include meals, certain drinks, two game drives, and airport transfers.
Beyond the hotel, Motsamayi Tourism Group owns Kruger Station, home to the last train that operated in the park. The South African Railway Class 24 steam locomotive, retired and repurposed, resides alongside a restaurant and bar, contributing to the re-emergence of steam train culture and historical appreciation.
Kruger Shalati, the Train on the Bridge, encapsulates the essence of luxury travel, providing an intimate connection with wildlife against the backdrop of historical railway charm, making it a distinctive and captivating destination in South Africa.
