Page 41 - Waterfall Issue 8 2021

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, 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).
THE TR AIN ON THE BRIDGE
historians believe the name given to him team that manages the Train on the Kruger Station (the old Selati railway
by the tribe living there and who, for Bridge. They also patrol the now 360km- station) down below is open to anybody
centuries, had freely hunted using bows long reserve, watching for poachers. visiting Kruger Park and so are the
and arrows, spears and, later, rifles, was Selati Train Restaurant, a bar for casual
less complimentary. Their translation This lower reach of the Sabie River is, meals, a novel play zone for children
was ‘the man who wrecks everything’. biotically, the richest river in Southern and a 360-degree family cinema.
Africa. Above and below its fast-
Their descendants are, nowadays, moving water, an abundance of wildlife For more information visit:
conservationists and form most of the flourishes – just as it has for millennia. www.krugershalati.com.

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