Page 13 - The Villager July 2021

Travel

now 360km-long reserve, watching for
poachers.
This lower reach of the Sabie River is,
biotically, the richest river in Southern
Africa. Above and below its fast-moving
water, an abundance of wildlife flourishes
– just as it has for millennia.
Potentially, it is possible to see from the
bridge snatches of the richest wildlife show
on earth for this is the habitat of the world’s
three largest land mammals – elephant,
white rhino and hippo, as well as the world’s
tallest animal, the giraffe. I have seen along
this river the world’s fastest mammal, the
cheetah, and the world’s biggest bird, the
ostrich, as well as the world’s heaviest flying
bird, the almost 20kg kori bustard.
Driving along this river, one frequently
sees lion, leopard, buffalo, zebra, herds of
impala and wildebeest and several other
kinds of antelope. Not that one is assured
of seeing all this from the bridge. Even an
elephant can hide and a pride of lions,
from half-a-dozen metres away, can
blend invisibly into the savanna.
The wonder of the Train on the Bridge
experience is that all this wildlife is there
and at some stage might appear. Once
international tourism picks up, overseas
visitors are in for a treat but, in the interim,
South Africans are able to get in there at
hugely discounted prices.
Guests have access to the train’s smart
lounge carriage where drinks are served.
Breakfasts, lunches, afternoon tea and
dinner prepared by chefs are part of the
deal. One can bathe in the train’s circular
pool perched 15m above where crocodiles
and hippo are doing the same.
At a later stage, seven land-based family
rooms* will be available next to the bridge
in what will be known as Bridge House,
which will overlook the river and include
a honeymoon suite. (*Children are not
allowed on the bridge itself).
Kruger Station (the old Selati railway
station) down below is open to anybody
visiting Kruger Park and so are the Selati
Train Restaurant, a bar for casual meals, as
well as a novel play zone for children and a
360-degree family cinema.
For more information visit:
www.krugershalati.com.

The Villager • Issue 7 2021 • 11