DESIGN INNOVATION / MAKING THE MOST OF AN ABANDON RAILWAY BRIDGE

ALL ABOARD!

For those world travelers who can’t decide what side of the tracks to first explore first, there’s a new hotel in the nation of South Africa that straddles the tracks.  End of dilemma.

Yes, the 100+ year old tracks are real and were functional when the Selati railway line closed its railway bridge to Skukuza Rest Camp in order for the Train on a Bridge Kruger Shalati Hotel project to begin.

Unfortunately, the pandemic has pushed the grand opening until December 2020, which gives the adventurous plenty of time to book a stay.  The hotel is located in the Kruger National Park, a vast area of preserved wilderness “above” the Sabie River in the northeast corner of South Africa.

https://www.krugershalati.com/

Thirteen (maybe more) historic train carriages have been upgraded by Thebe Tourism Group and restored to rest permanently on the original tracks running across the bridge. The carriages provide attractive accommodations for up to 48 guests in 24 ensuite rooms, with an additional 14 beds in seven rooms in the Kruger Shalati Bridge Guest House next to the bridge.

The train has an external walkway attached to the bridge structure, allowing the rooms to be much larger than a traditional compartment-style room.  Rooms will have floor-to-ceiling windows with unrestricted views of the river and surrounding game. The old block-house next to the bridge will be used as a base for a pool deck designed with an overhanging pool above the river flowing below.

 The train coaches were restored in Johannesburg.

The hotel’s name has its origins in the history Chief Warrior Shalati, who lived near the river in the region of Skukuza and ruled over the Tebula Tribe.

Developer Thebe Tourism Group is the oldest black-empowered South African tourism entity.

For more information: krugershalati.com.

2H5W+7Q Skukuza, South Africa.