A GOLDEN ERA Returns to Kruger

I rolled through Krugerʼs Orpen Gate in late spring, under a cloud on the brink of bursting with the first good rains of the season. The promising signs of summer were everywhere. The tree wisterias hung heavy with purple flowers, the schotias bloomed red and tiny blades of grass pushed hopefully up through the earth

I had 140-odd kilometres to go, first east towards Satara, then south down to Skukuza. All this time the clouds grew darker, finally bursting as I crossed the Sabie River. The veld soaked up the early rains gratefully and afterwards, the cicadas emerged in full chirp, signalling the start of summer in the Lowveld.

In Skukuza, the energy was much the same, as an exciting new project prepared to open its doors. The Kruger Station and Kruger Shalati Train on a Bridge have been in the works since 2016, and are finally now welcoming guests in late 2020.

Kruger Shalati is a first-of-its-kind, five-star train