#TheRoyalLivingstoneExpressZambia
#РойялЛивингстонЭкспресс
The Royal Livingstone Express offers a unique steam train dining experience while watching the Victoria Falls.
Description
Fulfil your romantic fantasy, escape on a late afternoon train journey amidst the untamed natural Zambia bushveld. Sun International is proud to announce the inauguration of the Royal Livingstone Express, a joint venture between Sun International and Bushtracks Africa.
The Royal Livingstone Express is a unique dining experience combining the luxury of Sun International's Royal Livingstone hotel with the charm of rail travel. The train is an all inclusive luxury rail experience rooted in the nostalgia of a bygone era. Passengers travel leisurely as the sun sets.
This is a journey into a timeless world of grace, elegance and romance, where the natural splendour will stir your imagination and the luxurious comfort soothes your soul. This unique luxury rail restoration is an extension of the five-star Royal Livingstone Hotel. The train provides fine wining and dining as you travel through the picturesque Zambezi Valley in Pullman style coaches which have been lovingly restored to their former glory.
The Royal Livingstone Express consists of 5 air-conditioned carriages, 2 dining cars, a club/kitchen car, lounge car, and an observation car and is pulled by either a 10th class No. 156 or a 12th class No. 204 locomotive. One of the dining cars, The Wembley, was built by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company, and went on display in London at the British Empire Exhibition in 1924. It was shipped to the Union of South Africa and entered service on 19th May 1926 and hence acquired the name - The Wembley.
The ambiance of the dining carriage offers more than warm elegance. The sash windows allow for panoramic views of the passing parade, while the incandescent lighting adds intimate warmth from individual lamps on each table gently illuminating the beautifully detailed wooden interiors. The silver cutlery, crystal glassware and damask linen provide the ideal backdrop to the exquisite cuisine created by the Royal Livingstone Hotel chefs.
The journey begins when you're collected from the Royal Livingstone Hotel at 17h00 and transferred to the Bushtracks Private Station, where guests board the immaculate vintage first class Lounge carriage.
There are two dining cars with a seating capacity for 92 passengers and a fully equipped kitchen car to produce a 6-course gourmet dining experience.
Scheduled Departures for FIT & Small Groups:
Wednesday &Saturday remain as the set departure dates for the Bridge Run, which gives the flexibility to book individuals and small groups. The Minimum number of guests is 2.
Groups and Private Hire:
For a Minimum of 20 or more guests the train will run on any day of the week, if the train is available and will utilise the original Mulobezi line or if available, the Bridge Run.
Pick up Times and Drop off times
Due to the most popular sunset timings the train will now depart from the Bushtracks Station;
Summer Season 1st Nov to 31st March
4:30pm Pick up from the hotels/lodges.
5:00pm Train departs Bushtracks station, returning to the station at 8:30pm
Winter Season 1st April to 31st Oct
4:00pm Pick up from the hotels/lodges.
4:30pm Train departs Bushtracks station, returning to the station at 8:00pm
Immigration and Border Formalities
On booking the Bridge Run passengers need to provide their passport details being;
Name as it appears on the passport
Passport Number
Date of Expiry
The information is recorded by the train staff onto a Manifest. The manifest is handed by the guard to the immigration officer as the train pauses at the Zambian Border post. There is no need for passengers to individually present themselves to immigration however passengers must be in possession of their passports in case an officer who boards the train wants to see it.
Detailed Itinerary – The Bridge Run
Pick up as per the above timings: Guests will be picked up from their hotel in Luxury Bushtracks Vehicles and enjoy a short road transfer to the Bushtracks Station. A safety brief will be given by the Bushtracks guide en-route to the station. Tickets will be issued to all guests that include an indemnity on the reverse. On arrival at the Bushtracks Station, the locomotive will be ‘in steam’ thus giving a photographic opportunity to anyone who wishes. Guests will be welcomed aboard with a drink and red carpet, boarding the train through the Lounge Car where more drinks and snacks will be offered.
(Please note children are fascinated by the train however they should not under any circumstances be encouraged from approaching too near to the train as it is a moving vehicle and can be dangerous!).
The Shunt to the Cape to Cairo Mainline – Through a series of ‘switches’ the train makes its way to the Cape To Cairo mainline, which will take it to the bridge.
Victoria Falls World Heritage Site - Once on the mainline the train leaves the outskirts of Livingstone and travels into The Victoria Falls World Heritage Site. Game such as elephant and antelope are often spotted en route to the border post.
The Palm Grove Run Around –On arrival at Palm Grove and In preparation to travel onto the bridge, the locomotive will detach from the front of the train from the Observation car and ‘run around’ Palm Grove loop (once it has been fully installed) and attached to the opposite end of the train. This will give guests the same opportunity as the Sinde Siding on the Mulobezi line to see the locomotive in action, photographic opportunities and even possibly take a ride in the cab.
Sunset on The Victoria Falls Bridge - The train will pause at the border post for the train guard to carry out formalities and then continue on its route to the bridge.
The train will pause on the bridge for 20-30 minutes giving guests the opportunity to alight and take photographs if they wish and explore the bridge.
Palm Grove Loop for dinner – Having left the bridge and heading back towards Livingstone, a dinner bell will sound and the train manager will announce dinner and lead guests through to the dinning carriages, where a five course meal, lovingly prepared and served by Sun International’s Royal Livingstone team, awaits.
The Return Journey - The train will depart the Loop and travel back to Livingstone to draw into the Bushtracks Station approximately 3 ½ hours after departure. A Bushtracks guide will be waiting to transfer guests back to the hotel.
For a Minimum of 20 or more guests the train will run on any day of the week, if the train is available and will utilise the original Mulobezi line or if available, the Bridge Run.
Detailed Itinerary – The Mulobezi Run
From departure the train moves directly onto the old Mulobezi Line, which has also been restored. It was once the largest privately owned railway network in the world and was set up by the Zambezi Sawmills in 1916.
The journey commences through Dambwa suburb towards the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, running parallel to the Zambezi River. Guests have the opportunity to catch glimpses of white rhino, buffalo, elephant and other wildlife. From there, the train crosses out of the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park over the Sinde River and comes to pause some 17 kilometres from Livingstone. By this time darkness would have descended on the Zambezi Valley and guests will be invited to dinner by the train manager in the dining cars. The train will then slowly push back to the Sinde 'run around' to afford the locomotive driver a good view of any obstacles in his path for the return journey in darkness, including of course elephants! The journey finishes back at the old Mulobezi Siding at approximately 21h30.
The companies involved in the resurrection process are Sun International Zambia, Bushtracks Africa, and the National Heritage Conservation Commission.
#РойялЛивингстонЭкспресс
The Royal Livingstone Express offers a unique steam train dining experience while watching the Victoria Falls.
Description
Fulfil your romantic fantasy, escape on a late afternoon train journey amidst the untamed natural Zambia bushveld. Sun International is proud to announce the inauguration of the Royal Livingstone Express, a joint venture between Sun International and Bushtracks Africa.
The Royal Livingstone Express is a unique dining experience combining the luxury of Sun International's Royal Livingstone hotel with the charm of rail travel. The train is an all inclusive luxury rail experience rooted in the nostalgia of a bygone era. Passengers travel leisurely as the sun sets.
This is a journey into a timeless world of grace, elegance and romance, where the natural splendour will stir your imagination and the luxurious comfort soothes your soul. This unique luxury rail restoration is an extension of the five-star Royal Livingstone Hotel. The train provides fine wining and dining as you travel through the picturesque Zambezi Valley in Pullman style coaches which have been lovingly restored to their former glory.
The Royal Livingstone Express consists of 5 air-conditioned carriages, 2 dining cars, a club/kitchen car, lounge car, and an observation car and is pulled by either a 10th class No. 156 or a 12th class No. 204 locomotive. One of the dining cars, The Wembley, was built by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company, and went on display in London at the British Empire Exhibition in 1924. It was shipped to the Union of South Africa and entered service on 19th May 1926 and hence acquired the name - The Wembley.
The ambiance of the dining carriage offers more than warm elegance. The sash windows allow for panoramic views of the passing parade, while the incandescent lighting adds intimate warmth from individual lamps on each table gently illuminating the beautifully detailed wooden interiors. The silver cutlery, crystal glassware and damask linen provide the ideal backdrop to the exquisite cuisine created by the Royal Livingstone Hotel chefs.
The journey begins when you're collected from the Royal Livingstone Hotel at 17h00 and transferred to the Bushtracks Private Station, where guests board the immaculate vintage first class Lounge carriage.
There are two dining cars with a seating capacity for 92 passengers and a fully equipped kitchen car to produce a 6-course gourmet dining experience.
Scheduled Departures for FIT & Small Groups:
Wednesday &Saturday remain as the set departure dates for the Bridge Run, which gives the flexibility to book individuals and small groups. The Minimum number of guests is 2.
Groups and Private Hire:
For a Minimum of 20 or more guests the train will run on any day of the week, if the train is available and will utilise the original Mulobezi line or if available, the Bridge Run.
Pick up Times and Drop off times
Due to the most popular sunset timings the train will now depart from the Bushtracks Station;
Summer Season 1st Nov to 31st March
4:30pm Pick up from the hotels/lodges.
5:00pm Train departs Bushtracks station, returning to the station at 8:30pm
Winter Season 1st April to 31st Oct
4:00pm Pick up from the hotels/lodges.
4:30pm Train departs Bushtracks station, returning to the station at 8:00pm
Immigration and Border Formalities
On booking the Bridge Run passengers need to provide their passport details being;
Name as it appears on the passport
Passport Number
Date of Expiry
The information is recorded by the train staff onto a Manifest. The manifest is handed by the guard to the immigration officer as the train pauses at the Zambian Border post. There is no need for passengers to individually present themselves to immigration however passengers must be in possession of their passports in case an officer who boards the train wants to see it.
Detailed Itinerary – The Bridge Run
Pick up as per the above timings: Guests will be picked up from their hotel in Luxury Bushtracks Vehicles and enjoy a short road transfer to the Bushtracks Station. A safety brief will be given by the Bushtracks guide en-route to the station. Tickets will be issued to all guests that include an indemnity on the reverse. On arrival at the Bushtracks Station, the locomotive will be ‘in steam’ thus giving a photographic opportunity to anyone who wishes. Guests will be welcomed aboard with a drink and red carpet, boarding the train through the Lounge Car where more drinks and snacks will be offered.
(Please note children are fascinated by the train however they should not under any circumstances be encouraged from approaching too near to the train as it is a moving vehicle and can be dangerous!).
The Shunt to the Cape to Cairo Mainline – Through a series of ‘switches’ the train makes its way to the Cape To Cairo mainline, which will take it to the bridge.
Victoria Falls World Heritage Site - Once on the mainline the train leaves the outskirts of Livingstone and travels into The Victoria Falls World Heritage Site. Game such as elephant and antelope are often spotted en route to the border post.
The Palm Grove Run Around –On arrival at Palm Grove and In preparation to travel onto the bridge, the locomotive will detach from the front of the train from the Observation car and ‘run around’ Palm Grove loop (once it has been fully installed) and attached to the opposite end of the train. This will give guests the same opportunity as the Sinde Siding on the Mulobezi line to see the locomotive in action, photographic opportunities and even possibly take a ride in the cab.
Sunset on The Victoria Falls Bridge - The train will pause at the border post for the train guard to carry out formalities and then continue on its route to the bridge.
The train will pause on the bridge for 20-30 minutes giving guests the opportunity to alight and take photographs if they wish and explore the bridge.
Palm Grove Loop for dinner – Having left the bridge and heading back towards Livingstone, a dinner bell will sound and the train manager will announce dinner and lead guests through to the dinning carriages, where a five course meal, lovingly prepared and served by Sun International’s Royal Livingstone team, awaits.
The Return Journey - The train will depart the Loop and travel back to Livingstone to draw into the Bushtracks Station approximately 3 ½ hours after departure. A Bushtracks guide will be waiting to transfer guests back to the hotel.
For a Minimum of 20 or more guests the train will run on any day of the week, if the train is available and will utilise the original Mulobezi line or if available, the Bridge Run.
Detailed Itinerary – The Mulobezi Run
From departure the train moves directly onto the old Mulobezi Line, which has also been restored. It was once the largest privately owned railway network in the world and was set up by the Zambezi Sawmills in 1916.
The journey commences through Dambwa suburb towards the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, running parallel to the Zambezi River. Guests have the opportunity to catch glimpses of white rhino, buffalo, elephant and other wildlife. From there, the train crosses out of the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park over the Sinde River and comes to pause some 17 kilometres from Livingstone. By this time darkness would have descended on the Zambezi Valley and guests will be invited to dinner by the train manager in the dining cars. The train will then slowly push back to the Sinde 'run around' to afford the locomotive driver a good view of any obstacles in his path for the return journey in darkness, including of course elephants! The journey finishes back at the old Mulobezi Siding at approximately 21h30.
The companies involved in the resurrection process are Sun International Zambia, Bushtracks Africa, and the National Heritage Conservation Commission.
Photos: #TheRoyalLivingstoneExpress
