Kruger Shalati The Train On The Bridge
South Africa
Only a handful of trains worldwide are known for offering luxury accommodation and a decent night’s sleep, but Kruger Shalati beats all of these, with views of lions and leopards into the deal. It’s a permanent hotel made of 24 converted train carriages, sitting high up on the disused former rail bridge spanning the Sabie River, in the Kruger National Park. This isn’t a modern affectation; back when the train and bridge were both in use, it would stop on the bridge overnight. Though refashioned to contemporary levels of luxury, the train retains the glamor of the 1920s with its art deco interiors and a sense of the excitement of pioneering travel. Adjacent to the bridge are seven further suites, the dining areas, and two pools - there’s a third on the bridge.
