| 22 July to 02 August 2010 |
Zimbabwe and Zambia
If you do not book the Selebe Phikwe trip, your tour will start in Bulawayo today.
Day 1. Saturday. 24 July.
Arrive in Bulawayo today. You will be met at the Airport and transferred to the Bulawayo Holiday Inn, where we will stay for the next three
nights. If you prefer, you can transfer directly to the steam depot, station or railway museum and your luggage will be taken to the hotel. All
necessary permits and indemnities will be available.
The Holiday Inn is adjacent to the Ascot Shopping Center a few miles from the city centre. The shopping centre includes two
supermarkets, a restaurant, Post Office, chemist, clothes shops and a craft market. The hotel offers a steakhouse, restaurant and an
outdoor swimming pool (the water may be cold in July).
Day 2. Sunday. 25 July.
Visit the steam depot this morning to see the sunrise at one of the last great steam depots in the world with a lineup of all available
locomotive types. Our first steam charter will take us from Bulawayo to Cement this morning. A goods train with a Class 14A Garratt will
stage a number of runpasts as we make our way out of town on this double track section. This train re-creates the Cement Pickup Goods
train that served the Cement Factory. There will be 10 wagons and a museum based guards van that provides accommodation for our
group, space for the guard (conductor to the Americans) and support equipment and consumables for the locomotive, supplied by Geoff's
Trains. We should return to Bulawayo by lunch, after which there will be free time to visit the steam depot and railway museum before
dinner this evening, a barbecue at the steam shed hosted by the National Railways of Zimbabwe Catering department, a fun meal with a
Garratt as a backdrop and a great night photographic opportunity.
Tourist option: Enjoy a tour of the City of Bulawayo this morning. Included will be the City Hall, Natural History Museum and Art Gallery.
After lunch (not included), visit the Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage.
Meals included: Breakfast. Special barbecue dinner at the steam depot.
Day 3. Monday. 26 July.
We will leave Bulawayo early this morning behind a Class 16A Garratt with a typical Rhodesian Railways mixed (goods and passenger
coaches) train to Figtree. This type of train operated right across the railway system. On main lines they were effectively passenger trains
that were able to carry goods wagons with parcels, mail or perishables. On less busy lines they were goods trains with a few coaches
attached to accommodate limited passenger demand. They often operated with a single dining or buffet car. Our train will use 10 wagons,
the guards van, a Rhodesia Railways balcony ended dining car and, if necessary, a first class coach to provide extra seating and toilet. In
addition, there will probably be a fitter's and an enginemen's caboose. These are essential for operational reasons, but they are also
entirely authentic as during steam days this line operated with cabooses between Bulawayo and Mafeking in South Africa, a three day
round trip using one locomotive and two crews who rested and worked alternatively. This is how our tour will operate throughout our visit, it
represents a style of train working that operated throughout the steam era. We plan to see sunrise at Figtree Siding where the locomotive
will take water. We will then continue to Plumtree with runpasts en-route before turning and servicing the locomotive and reversing the train
for our return to Bulawayo this afternoon. Trains Working Regulations require that a mixed train be made up with empty wagons behind the
locomotive, followed by loaded wagons, coaches (lower classes to the front and upper classes of accommodation to the back, and the
guards van trailing (because of vacuum braking). Staff cabooses are positioned behind the locomotive and in front of the goods wagons,
this is for convenience and because they are considered part of the traction and not the load. We do, however, position them with the
passenger coaches at the back of the train where it is felt this will improve photographs. On shorter trips cabooses are not always used.
Tourist option: Enjoy a full day tour to the Matobo National Park. See amazing scenery, bushman cave paintings, Cecil Rhodes Grave and
the game reserve before joining the rest of the group at the steam depot for dinner. A picnic lunch will be included.
This evening you will be entertained by Liyana, the internationally renowned KGVI Rehabilitation Centre Band. The KGVI Centre has for
many years done outstanding work supporting physically disabled children in Zimbabwe, and Geoff''s Trains is pleased to be able to
support them during this tour. Geoff's Trains will sponsor at least one child for one year.
Meals included: Breakfast (may be packed). Light lunch (on train only). Dinner with special entertainment.
Day 4. Tuesday. 27 July.
Our third steam charter out of Bulawayo will take us to Nyamandhlovu this morning with a Class 15A Garratt, 10 wagons, the dining car, an
extra accommodation coach to accommodate the catering crew, security, train manager, etc., and the van. We will leave Bulawayo early
enough to be at Nyamandhlovu soon after sunrise, giving the best photographs on the Tenela Bank before we continue to Dete, travelling
this afternoon through the Hwange Game Reserve where it is common to see a variety of big game from the train. This evening we will
transfer to the Hwange Safari Lodge where we will spend the next three nights.
Tourist option: After breakfast, motor to the Hwange Safari Lodge. Arrive by lunch with time for an afternoon game drive (optional).
Meals included: Breakfast (may be packed). Lunch (train only). Dinner.
Day 5. Wednesday. 28 July.
Visit the Hwange Colliery to see their 15th Class Garratts shunting around the colliery and operating trains to the exchange sidings at
Thomson Junction. This is the only industrial steam in Zimbabwe and well worth visiting for steam enthusiasts. The number of workings
to the exchange siding are determined by the availability of wagons for loading and the production capacity of the colliery. Negotiations are
ongoing with the Colliery, traditionally they only finalise arrangements immediately before a tour starts. An alternative is to remain at the
Safari Lodge and enjoy a morning and afternoon game drive in Hwange, one of the world’s great game reserves and the largest in
Zimbabwe. These game drives are included in your tour price, but if you prefer the Colliery option the value of the game drives will be used
to offset the colliery charges. There may be an additional charge if the colliery cost is higher than that for the game drives.
Dinner tonight will be a special bush dinner served under the stars.
Meals included: Breakfast. Dinner.
Day 6. Thursday. 29 July.
Early this morning, drive to Thomson Junction. We will take our Class 15A Garratt and train to the horseshoe curves at Zanguja before
returning to Thomson Junction. This afternoon, head out in the opposite direction through the tunnel, around Baobab Hill and past 404
curve to Lukosi Siding in the game reserve for sunset photographs on the Lukosi Bridge. Our coach will meet us there for our return by
road to the Hwange Safari Lodge and the train will return to Thomson Junction with the Garratt running backwards. Both charters will be
goods trains with 15 wagons and participants will use the guards van for accommodation. Runpasts will be arranged in the most popular
locations, and no doubt a few new ones as well.
Tourist option: Enjoy a game drive this morning, and a visit to the local pottery village this afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast. Lunch (train option only). Dinner.
Day 7. Friday. 30 July.
Early this morning, drive to Thomson Junction for a morning train from Thomson Junction to New Hwange, Old Hwange and back to
Thomson Junction on the old main line past the well known tunnel, Baobab Hill and baobab tree photo locations. This will be followed by a
short visit to the Hwange Colliery steam shed before an afternoon charter to Zanguja to photograph the train on the Zanguja Bank, one of
the best steam photo locations in Zimbabwe. We will again use goods trains with 15 wagons and a van, with different wagons to those
used yesterday being requested. Our coach will meet us at Zanguja Siding for onward travel to Victoria Falls.
Tourist option: Early this morning you will drive to Thomson Junction with the train group and then continue to Victoria Falls, arriving before
lunch. Check into your hotel and relax for the rest of the day
Our hotel for the next three nights will be the Kingdom Hotel, with an upgrade option to the famous Victoria Falls hotel, located adjacent to
the Kingdom in the same attractive and extensive grounds. Both hotels are over the road from the railway station, in easy walking distance
to the 'Falls and town.
Meals included: Breakfast. Lunch (for the train group). Dinner at the Kingdom Hotel.
Day 8. Saturday. 31 July.
This morning we will ride with locally based Class 14A Garratt number 512 from Victoria Falls Station to the Victoria Falls Bridge.
Photograph the train on the bridge before continuing to Livingstone station in Zambia. The train will be made up with traditionally coloured
period coaches operated, as is the Garratt, by the Victoria Falls Safari Express company. The coaches we have used between Bulawayo
and Thomson Junction will not travel with us beyond Zanguja because at present the difficulty associated with stabling an NRZ steam train
at Victoria Falls outweighs any advantage to be gained. For those interested, there will be an opportunity to visit the Livingstone railway
museum (entry not included). Alternatively, remain at Livingstone Station where we will set up shunting operations using a Zambian 12th
Class 4-8-2 steam locomotive number 204 and the 14A Garratt. Final arrangements will be made later, taking best advantage of the
photographic opportunities that present themselves. Return over the border to Victoria Falls station by train, enjoying the included drinks
(free beer) and snacks, a feature of all the Safari Express journeys today and tomorrow.
Tourist option: After breakfast, join a conducted tour to Victoria Falls . See Livingstone’s Statue, the Rain Forest and the Big Tree. This
afternoon, visit the Crocodile Ranch.
Meals included: Breakfast. Light lunch (train only). Dinner.
Day 9. Sunday. 01 August.
This morning, ride the Victoria Falls Safari Express Class 14A Garratt to Masuie Siding on the line to Bulawayo, using the Victoria Falls
Safari Express coaches and any available wagons. Runpasts will be arranged as we pass the gorges leaving the station, and along the
Masuie River. Arrive back late morning, after which there will be free time to explore the ‘Falls with an opportunity to walk on the Victoria
Falls Bridge (see box on left).
Tourist option: Enjoy some free time in Victoria Falls this morning. A number of activities can be booked (at extra cost) that include game
drives, boat cruises and rafting, helicopter rides and bunji jumping, walking with elephants and lions.
Later this afternoon, gather for a sunset cruise up the Zambezi River. Enjoy an enchanting sunset as you look for elephant, hippo and
crocodiles as well as fascinating bird life on the Zambezi above the Falls. Drinks and snacks are included (more free beer). Dinner tonight
will be at the Bome Restaurant. A traditional meal in pleasant ethnic surroundings with entertainment and an Ndebele story teller. A fitting
African end to your African steam safari.
Meals included: Breakfast, Special theme dinner.
Day 10. Monday. 02 August.
Your visit to Zimbabwe ends today. Visit the rain forest for a last look at the Falls before your included transfer to the Victoria Falls Airport.
Alternatively, stay in Victoria Falls for a day or two. Your accommodation booking can be extended on request.
If you do not book the Selebe Phikwe trip, your tour will start in Bulawayo today.
Day 1. Saturday. 24 July.
Arrive in Bulawayo today. You will be met at the Airport and transferred to the Bulawayo Holiday Inn, where we will stay for the next three
nights. If you prefer, you can transfer directly to the steam depot, station or railway museum and your luggage will be taken to the hotel. All
necessary permits and indemnities will be available.
The Holiday Inn is adjacent to the Ascot Shopping Center a few miles from the city centre. The shopping centre includes two
supermarkets, a restaurant, Post Office, chemist, clothes shops and a craft market. The hotel offers a steakhouse, restaurant and an
outdoor swimming pool (the water may be cold in July).
Day 2. Sunday. 25 July.
Visit the steam depot this morning to see the sunrise at one of the last great steam depots in the world with a lineup of all available
locomotive types. Our first steam charter will take us from Bulawayo to Cement this morning. A goods train with a Class 14A Garratt will
stage a number of runpasts as we make our way out of town on this double track section. This train re-creates the Cement Pickup Goods
train that served the Cement Factory. There will be 10 wagons and a museum based guards van that provides accommodation for our
group, space for the guard (conductor to the Americans) and support equipment and consumables for the locomotive, supplied by Geoff's
Trains. We should return to Bulawayo by lunch, after which there will be free time to visit the steam depot and railway museum before
dinner this evening, a barbecue at the steam shed hosted by the National Railways of Zimbabwe Catering department, a fun meal with a
Garratt as a backdrop and a great night photographic opportunity.
Tourist option: Enjoy a tour of the City of Bulawayo this morning. Included will be the City Hall, Natural History Museum and Art Gallery.
After lunch (not included), visit the Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage.
Meals included: Breakfast. Special barbecue dinner at the steam depot.
Day 3. Monday. 26 July.
We will leave Bulawayo early this morning behind a Class 16A Garratt with a typical Rhodesian Railways mixed (goods and passenger
coaches) train to Figtree. This type of train operated right across the railway system. On main lines they were effectively passenger trains
that were able to carry goods wagons with parcels, mail or perishables. On less busy lines they were goods trains with a few coaches
attached to accommodate limited passenger demand. They often operated with a single dining or buffet car. Our train will use 10 wagons,
the guards van, a Rhodesia Railways balcony ended dining car and, if necessary, a first class coach to provide extra seating and toilet. In
addition, there will probably be a fitter's and an enginemen's caboose. These are essential for operational reasons, but they are also
entirely authentic as during steam days this line operated with cabooses between Bulawayo and Mafeking in South Africa, a three day
round trip using one locomotive and two crews who rested and worked alternatively. This is how our tour will operate throughout our visit, it
represents a style of train working that operated throughout the steam era. We plan to see sunrise at Figtree Siding where the locomotive
will take water. We will then continue to Plumtree with runpasts en-route before turning and servicing the locomotive and reversing the train
for our return to Bulawayo this afternoon. Trains Working Regulations require that a mixed train be made up with empty wagons behind the
locomotive, followed by loaded wagons, coaches (lower classes to the front and upper classes of accommodation to the back, and the
guards van trailing (because of vacuum braking). Staff cabooses are positioned behind the locomotive and in front of the goods wagons,
this is for convenience and because they are considered part of the traction and not the load. We do, however, position them with the
passenger coaches at the back of the train where it is felt this will improve photographs. On shorter trips cabooses are not always used.
Tourist option: Enjoy a full day tour to the Matobo National Park. See amazing scenery, bushman cave paintings, Cecil Rhodes Grave and
the game reserve before joining the rest of the group at the steam depot for dinner. A picnic lunch will be included.
This evening you will be entertained by Liyana, the internationally renowned KGVI Rehabilitation Centre Band. The KGVI Centre has for
many years done outstanding work supporting physically disabled children in Zimbabwe, and Geoff''s Trains is pleased to be able to
support them during this tour. Geoff's Trains will sponsor at least one child for one year.
Meals included: Breakfast (may be packed). Light lunch (on train only). Dinner with special entertainment.
Day 4. Tuesday. 27 July.
Our third steam charter out of Bulawayo will take us to Nyamandhlovu this morning with a Class 15A Garratt, 10 wagons, the dining car, an
extra accommodation coach to accommodate the catering crew, security, train manager, etc., and the van. We will leave Bulawayo early
enough to be at Nyamandhlovu soon after sunrise, giving the best photographs on the Tenela Bank before we continue to Dete, travelling
this afternoon through the Hwange Game Reserve where it is common to see a variety of big game from the train. This evening we will
transfer to the Hwange Safari Lodge where we will spend the next three nights.
Tourist option: After breakfast, motor to the Hwange Safari Lodge. Arrive by lunch with time for an afternoon game drive (optional).
Meals included: Breakfast (may be packed). Lunch (train only). Dinner.
Day 5. Wednesday. 28 July.
Visit the Hwange Colliery to see their 15th Class Garratts shunting around the colliery and operating trains to the exchange sidings at
Thomson Junction. This is the only industrial steam in Zimbabwe and well worth visiting for steam enthusiasts. The number of workings
to the exchange siding are determined by the availability of wagons for loading and the production capacity of the colliery. Negotiations are
ongoing with the Colliery, traditionally they only finalise arrangements immediately before a tour starts. An alternative is to remain at the
Safari Lodge and enjoy a morning and afternoon game drive in Hwange, one of the world’s great game reserves and the largest in
Zimbabwe. These game drives are included in your tour price, but if you prefer the Colliery option the value of the game drives will be used
to offset the colliery charges. There may be an additional charge if the colliery cost is higher than that for the game drives.
Dinner tonight will be a special bush dinner served under the stars.
Meals included: Breakfast. Dinner.
Day 6. Thursday. 29 July.
Early this morning, drive to Thomson Junction. We will take our Class 15A Garratt and train to the horseshoe curves at Zanguja before
returning to Thomson Junction. This afternoon, head out in the opposite direction through the tunnel, around Baobab Hill and past 404
curve to Lukosi Siding in the game reserve for sunset photographs on the Lukosi Bridge. Our coach will meet us there for our return by
road to the Hwange Safari Lodge and the train will return to Thomson Junction with the Garratt running backwards. Both charters will be
goods trains with 15 wagons and participants will use the guards van for accommodation. Runpasts will be arranged in the most popular
locations, and no doubt a few new ones as well.
Tourist option: Enjoy a game drive this morning, and a visit to the local pottery village this afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast. Lunch (train option only). Dinner.
Day 7. Friday. 30 July.
Early this morning, drive to Thomson Junction for a morning train from Thomson Junction to New Hwange, Old Hwange and back to
Thomson Junction on the old main line past the well known tunnel, Baobab Hill and baobab tree photo locations. This will be followed by a
short visit to the Hwange Colliery steam shed before an afternoon charter to Zanguja to photograph the train on the Zanguja Bank, one of
the best steam photo locations in Zimbabwe. We will again use goods trains with 15 wagons and a van, with different wagons to those
used yesterday being requested. Our coach will meet us at Zanguja Siding for onward travel to Victoria Falls.
Tourist option: Early this morning you will drive to Thomson Junction with the train group and then continue to Victoria Falls, arriving before
lunch. Check into your hotel and relax for the rest of the day
Our hotel for the next three nights will be the Kingdom Hotel, with an upgrade option to the famous Victoria Falls hotel, located adjacent to
the Kingdom in the same attractive and extensive grounds. Both hotels are over the road from the railway station, in easy walking distance
to the 'Falls and town.
Meals included: Breakfast. Lunch (for the train group). Dinner at the Kingdom Hotel.
Day 8. Saturday. 31 July.
This morning we will ride with locally based Class 14A Garratt number 512 from Victoria Falls Station to the Victoria Falls Bridge.
Photograph the train on the bridge before continuing to Livingstone station in Zambia. The train will be made up with traditionally coloured
period coaches operated, as is the Garratt, by the Victoria Falls Safari Express company. The coaches we have used between Bulawayo
and Thomson Junction will not travel with us beyond Zanguja because at present the difficulty associated with stabling an NRZ steam train
at Victoria Falls outweighs any advantage to be gained. For those interested, there will be an opportunity to visit the Livingstone railway
museum (entry not included). Alternatively, remain at Livingstone Station where we will set up shunting operations using a Zambian 12th
Class 4-8-2 steam locomotive number 204 and the 14A Garratt. Final arrangements will be made later, taking best advantage of the
photographic opportunities that present themselves. Return over the border to Victoria Falls station by train, enjoying the included drinks
(free beer) and snacks, a feature of all the Safari Express journeys today and tomorrow.
Tourist option: After breakfast, join a conducted tour to Victoria Falls . See Livingstone’s Statue, the Rain Forest and the Big Tree. This
afternoon, visit the Crocodile Ranch.
Meals included: Breakfast. Light lunch (train only). Dinner.
Day 9. Sunday. 01 August.
This morning, ride the Victoria Falls Safari Express Class 14A Garratt to Masuie Siding on the line to Bulawayo, using the Victoria Falls
Safari Express coaches and any available wagons. Runpasts will be arranged as we pass the gorges leaving the station, and along the
Masuie River. Arrive back late morning, after which there will be free time to explore the ‘Falls with an opportunity to walk on the Victoria
Falls Bridge (see box on left).
Tourist option: Enjoy some free time in Victoria Falls this morning. A number of activities can be booked (at extra cost) that include game
drives, boat cruises and rafting, helicopter rides and bunji jumping, walking with elephants and lions.
Later this afternoon, gather for a sunset cruise up the Zambezi River. Enjoy an enchanting sunset as you look for elephant, hippo and
crocodiles as well as fascinating bird life on the Zambezi above the Falls. Drinks and snacks are included (more free beer). Dinner tonight
will be at the Bome Restaurant. A traditional meal in pleasant ethnic surroundings with entertainment and an Ndebele story teller. A fitting
African end to your African steam safari.
Meals included: Breakfast, Special theme dinner.
Day 10. Monday. 02 August.
Your visit to Zimbabwe ends today. Visit the rain forest for a last look at the Falls before your included transfer to the Victoria Falls Airport.
Alternatively, stay in Victoria Falls for a day or two. Your accommodation booking can be extended on request.
| Whilst the organisers will try to maintain this programme, all of the services are subject to change. This applies particularly to locomotive availability and timekeeping. |
Prices:
Zimbabwe and Zambia
£1,980: For the tour starting in Bulawayo on 24 July and ending at Victoria Falls on 02 August.
£266: Single room supplement. May be avoided if willing to share.
£260: Supplement for the tourist option.
For one person when two bookings are received.
£69: Upgrade to the Victoria Falls hotel for three nights. Per person sharing.
£138: Upgrade to the Victoria Falls Hotel for three nights. Per single person.
Botswana
£242: Selebe Phikwe option. Starting in Johannesburg on 22 July and ending in Bulawayo on 24 July
£75: Single room supplement. May be avoided if willing to share.
South African depot visit and pre-tour night
£66: Per person for the afternoon visit to Germiston and Capital Park including entry fees and transport
£66: City Lodge Airport for one night. Per person in a twin shared room, Bed and breakfast
£27: Single room supplement
Victoria Falls post-tour night
£57: The Kingdom. Per person in a twin shared room, Bed and Breakfast
£48: Single room supplement
The Tour will include:
The tourist option will also include:
The Tour will NOT include:
Immigration rules:
All participants need a passport which is still valid at least 6 months after the travel date and needs to have at least 2 free pages,
preferably facing each other. The following links offer information on visa requirements and costs, but Geoff's Trains accepts no
responsibility for their contents.
Click here for Zimbabwe Visa requirements.
Click here for Zambia Visa requirements (PDF File).
Click here for Botswana Visa requirements
Extra costs:
Zimbabwe.
There is a charge of US$20 per entry to visit the Victoria Falls National Park. This is not required for any train charter activity, but you will no
doubt wish to see the 'Falls whilst you are there. Click here for more details.
For the time being, Zimbabwe uses either US Dollars or SA Rand to pay for items like meals and drink. This may change at any time, and
you will be advised if this occurs. Bring small denomination notes. A beer should cost you around US$2 in a bar or hotel, expect to pay
about the same for meals as you would at home.
Zambia.
It is necessary to enter the Zambian Mosi oa Tunya National Park to take the classic photograph of the train on the Victoria Falls Bridge.
This must be paid in US Dollars at the point of entry, and presently costs US$10.
Entry to the Livingstone Railway Museum may cost about US$5.
You should not need to buy anything else in Zambia, refreshments on the train are included.
Note added on 11 March 2010.
Both Zimbabwe and Zambia have advised that they will increase their National Parks entry fees by an estimated 50%. This will probably
affect entry to the Victoria Falls parks on both sides of the border, as well as the cost for any activity that uses the river. Details will be
posted here as soon as they are known.
Botswana.
Botswana uses the Botswana Pula, and other currencies are not normally accepted. Hotel extras can be settled by credit card.
Tips and gratuities.
Service charges are not normally added to restaurant bills, and a 10% tip for good service is appreciated but not demanded.
If you wish to tip for particularly good service at an included meal, US$2 is appropriate. However, this is not expected.
The National Railways of Zimbabwe support our tour with a team ranging from footplate crew who volunteer for the service, a Train
Manager who works with us for at least six months in the run-up to the tour, steam fitters, permanent way teams for fire protection, loco
servicing assistance, security, etc. To reward this team in a fair and reasonable way, we request that all participants contribute US$50 that
will be distributed to the team (about 24 people in total). This will be given to the crew at a small ceremony near the end of the tour. The
dining car crew and steam shed barbecue team are not included in this collection.
Climate and Clothes:
Winter is starting during June in the southern hemisphere: at night it can cool down to 0 degrees Celsius, during the day temperatures
rise to over 20 degrees. It rarely rains and you should enjoy a blue sky with scattered white clouds. A warm pullover, long trousers and long
sleeve shirt will protect you against cold nights and mosquitoes. A hat and sun-block will protect you against the African sun. Please do not
forget to consult your doctor on how to prepare against Malaria, Victoria Falls is in a malarial area.
Tour Manager:
Geoff Cooke.
Geoff has arranged and hosted more than 400 tours in Zimbabwe, as well as in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia.
Bookings:
Click here to book this tour.
Deposits and Final Payment:
A 10% deposit will be requested when you make your booking. Final payment will be required 60 days before the start of the tour.
Our booking conditions can be found here.
Maximum number on the tour: 48.
This tour is confirmed. Bookings still being taken.
Zimbabwe and Zambia
£1,980: For the tour starting in Bulawayo on 24 July and ending at Victoria Falls on 02 August.
£266: Single room supplement. May be avoided if willing to share.
£260: Supplement for the tourist option.
For one person when two bookings are received.
£69: Upgrade to the Victoria Falls hotel for three nights. Per person sharing.
£138: Upgrade to the Victoria Falls Hotel for three nights. Per single person.
Botswana
£242: Selebe Phikwe option. Starting in Johannesburg on 22 July and ending in Bulawayo on 24 July
£75: Single room supplement. May be avoided if willing to share.
South African depot visit and pre-tour night
£66: Per person for the afternoon visit to Germiston and Capital Park including entry fees and transport
£66: City Lodge Airport for one night. Per person in a twin shared room, Bed and breakfast
£27: Single room supplement
Victoria Falls post-tour night
£57: The Kingdom. Per person in a twin shared room, Bed and Breakfast
£48: Single room supplement
The Tour will include:
- All steam charters as described in the programme, with as many run-pasts as is possible given operational, geographical and
timing constraints. - Cab rides.
- Accommodation in double rooms with private facilities or single rooms with a supplement. Hotels will be to a minimum of three
star standard. - Meals as advertised in the programme, some may be packed.
- Transfers, train and bus journeys, visits according to the program including most entry-fees.
- The services of Geoff Cooke as tour manager.
- Local guides at Victoria Falls.
The tourist option will also include:
- Touring in the Bulawayo, Hwange and Victoria Falls areas as described in the itinerary under 'Tourist Option'.
- The services of Sheelagh Cooke as a tour manager. (Sheelagh is an experienced Zimbabwe tour guide).
The Tour will NOT include:
- Flights.
- Entry into the Zambian Victoria Falls National Park (Currently US$10, but subject to change) .
- Personal expenditure (telephone calls, laundry, drinks, gifts, etc),
- Tips and gratuities.
- Visa, airport departure fees and park entry fees not listed as included in the programme. Please check the immigration rules and
costs for your nationality.
Immigration rules:
All participants need a passport which is still valid at least 6 months after the travel date and needs to have at least 2 free pages,
preferably facing each other. The following links offer information on visa requirements and costs, but Geoff's Trains accepts no
responsibility for their contents.
Click here for Zimbabwe Visa requirements.
Click here for Zambia Visa requirements (PDF File).
Click here for Botswana Visa requirements
Extra costs:
Zimbabwe.
There is a charge of US$20 per entry to visit the Victoria Falls National Park. This is not required for any train charter activity, but you will no
doubt wish to see the 'Falls whilst you are there. Click here for more details.
For the time being, Zimbabwe uses either US Dollars or SA Rand to pay for items like meals and drink. This may change at any time, and
you will be advised if this occurs. Bring small denomination notes. A beer should cost you around US$2 in a bar or hotel, expect to pay
about the same for meals as you would at home.
Zambia.
It is necessary to enter the Zambian Mosi oa Tunya National Park to take the classic photograph of the train on the Victoria Falls Bridge.
This must be paid in US Dollars at the point of entry, and presently costs US$10.
Entry to the Livingstone Railway Museum may cost about US$5.
You should not need to buy anything else in Zambia, refreshments on the train are included.
Note added on 11 March 2010.
Both Zimbabwe and Zambia have advised that they will increase their National Parks entry fees by an estimated 50%. This will probably
affect entry to the Victoria Falls parks on both sides of the border, as well as the cost for any activity that uses the river. Details will be
posted here as soon as they are known.
Botswana.
Botswana uses the Botswana Pula, and other currencies are not normally accepted. Hotel extras can be settled by credit card.
Tips and gratuities.
Service charges are not normally added to restaurant bills, and a 10% tip for good service is appreciated but not demanded.
If you wish to tip for particularly good service at an included meal, US$2 is appropriate. However, this is not expected.
The National Railways of Zimbabwe support our tour with a team ranging from footplate crew who volunteer for the service, a Train
Manager who works with us for at least six months in the run-up to the tour, steam fitters, permanent way teams for fire protection, loco
servicing assistance, security, etc. To reward this team in a fair and reasonable way, we request that all participants contribute US$50 that
will be distributed to the team (about 24 people in total). This will be given to the crew at a small ceremony near the end of the tour. The
dining car crew and steam shed barbecue team are not included in this collection.
Climate and Clothes:
Winter is starting during June in the southern hemisphere: at night it can cool down to 0 degrees Celsius, during the day temperatures
rise to over 20 degrees. It rarely rains and you should enjoy a blue sky with scattered white clouds. A warm pullover, long trousers and long
sleeve shirt will protect you against cold nights and mosquitoes. A hat and sun-block will protect you against the African sun. Please do not
forget to consult your doctor on how to prepare against Malaria, Victoria Falls is in a malarial area.
Tour Manager:
Geoff Cooke.
Geoff has arranged and hosted more than 400 tours in Zimbabwe, as well as in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia.
Bookings:
Click here to book this tour.
Deposits and Final Payment:
A 10% deposit will be requested when you make your booking. Final payment will be required 60 days before the start of the tour.
Our booking conditions can be found here.
Maximum number on the tour: 48.
This tour is confirmed. Bookings still being taken.
| This tour is ideal for railway enthusiasts and photographers with options for their partners We will work hard to ensure that a good number of runpasts and other photographic opportunities are offered, it is not the policy of Geoff's Trains to include excessive runpasts that projedice good timekeeping or relations with services providers. Participants should be able to board and leave trains, and walk some distance, without assistance. It is essential to advise us if you have any pre-existing disability of medical condition that may affect your participation. All nights will be spent in hotels that are a minimum 3 star standard offering en-suite facilities. Most meals are included. We use professional and fully insured ground tour operators, but their vehicles may be older than those we would expect in Europe. Please contact us if you are unsure if this tour will be suitable for you. |
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Zimbabwe Steam - Garratts to Victoria Falls
| Presentations Geoff Cooke can offer a PowerPoint presentation on Zimbabwe's steam railways and future tours to clubs and other interested groups. If you would like to discuss a presentation for your group, please let Geoff know. |
| The BCL Fleet comprises a number of ex - South African Class 19D and Zimbabwean 19th Class locomotives. |
| Eighteen of this class were built by Beyer Peacock in 1953/54. Some remain in use in Bulawayo, we plan to take one to Cement. |
| Seventy four of these fine locomotives were built between 1940 and 1952. We expect to use a locomotive of this class to Thomson Junction. |
| Thirty of these locomotives were built by Beyer Peacock between 1952 and 1953. We plan to use one of them on our train to Plumtree. |
| The Locomotives |
| In Botswana Selebe Phikwe |
| In Zimbabwe Class 14A 2-6-2+2-6-2 Garratt |
| Class 15A 4-6-4+4-6-4 Garratt |
| Class 16A 2-8-2+2-8-2 Garratt |
| Page updated on: 11 March 2010 |
| Click here for Geoff Cooke's Fotopic website |
| There is nowhere else in the world that offers the same experience that Bulawayo does; if you would like to see the last commercial (non-tourist railway) Garratts in action, this is the best opportunity to do so before the last great Garratt steam shed knocks out the fires for the last time. You will receive a photographic permit and Indemnity that will give access to the majority of the Railway's motive power establishments as well as footplate (cab) rides which will be free, but controlled by the tour manager to ensure fair access for everyone. Charter steam trains are planned to maximise photographic quality, they will use authentic wagons and coaches and will run wherever practical at the optimum time of day for photography at interesting locations. Our most recent Zimbabwe tour offered a similar number of charter trains, there were no locomotive failures and all of the trains ran close to the correct time. This year's programme has been planned in a way that enables the railway to repeat the same good service. Geoff' Cooke has run over 400 rail tours in Zimbabwe. Recognised as the leading authority on tourism on Zimbabwe's Railways, he will happily share information and anecdotes as he hosts you on this Zimbabwe adventure. Geoff started photographing this railway in the early 1970's, his depth of knowledge and close working relationship with the Railway and it's employees help to maintain an enviable record of operating success in a country that can repay inexperience with frustration and failure. This tour is also ideal for anyone wanting to visit the western part of Zimbabwe. With a non-train option on most days and you can choose how many trains you would like to photograph and travel on. The tourist option will operate separately from the train option, and it will in no way affect the interests of railway photographers. It will, however, enable your partner to visit the Matobo Hills, Hwange and Victoria Falls national parks. Enjoy a tour of Bulawayo and the Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage. View animals in Hwange, both in the game reserve and on private estates. Join a hosted tour of the Victoria Falls, take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi and ride a steam train to the well known Victoria Falls Bridge. Accommodation will be in three and four star hotels and road transport will be in modern coaches, fully licenced and insured for tourist use. Most meals are included, as described in the programme below. |
| Bulawayo is the start point for our tour, and the headquarters of the Railway. Bulawayo 1872 is a website that features the City with an excellent selection of articles, maps, photographs and much more. |
| Zambian action. Class 14A Garratt at Livingstone Station, on the Victoria Falls Bridge and on the line between Victoria Falls Station and the Bridge |
| Decided? Great! Booking is easy Just fill in a booking form. We will get back to you to confirm availability and price If you have any questions about booking with us, look at our Booking Q & A. If you cannot find the answer, we would like to hear from you. Click here or phone: 44 (0)1562632000 |
| The NRZ Director for Operations wrote the following comment to Geoff's Trains: "Please be advised that the NRZ is more than willing to participate in these tours, as we have done over the years. While we have had challenges with our steam locomotives, this shall be overcome. I have instructed (my Business Manager, Passenger Services) to respond to all your queries. In case of further problems, please get in touch with the writer. Once again, we .......cherish the support you have given us over the years. We wish this relationship to continue." And from the NRZ Business Manager, Passenger services: "I am glad to advise that ..... we are prepared and committed to operating the proposed tour. The tour requirements for each day have been examined in detail and anticipated challenges identified and discussed." |
| Victoria Falls Bridge With time to spare on the afternoon of 01 August, why not explore the Victoria Falls Bridge? Starting at 14h15 and lasting for about 90 minutes, the tour is hosted by a dedicated guide who will walk you on and under the bridge. You have an opportunity to walk on both sides of the lower arch of the bridge with an opportunity to take pictures of the magnificent Batoka gorge and the Falls. The guide gives the guests a talk on the bridge from the time it was built to date, it’s relationship to Victoria Falls Hotel, the railway and the people that have been associated with it. The price for this unforgettable experience is US$50 per person, paid at Victoria Falls on the day. Advance booking is recommended so that we can reserve space. A DVD of your daredevil walk will be available following the experience for US$15.00. |
| In Zambia 12th Class 4-8-2 straight locomotive |
| The only working locomotive in Zambia, ex Rhodesia Railways 12tn Class number 197 operates dinner trains for local hotels on a short section of the Mulobezi Branch. We will use it at Livingstone Station to bring together the Garratt and straight in shunting re-enactments. |
| This tour is confirmed |
Add steam in South Africa!
With a start time of 10h30 from Johannesburg Airport on 22 July, most participants have decided to arrive the previous day to avoid the risk
of delay on overnight flights. To make the day in Johannesburg more interesting we will arranged a visit to Germiston and Capital Park as
follows:
21 July 2010
Our charter coach will leave the airport at 12h00, noon. It will take us about 30 minutes to reach the Germiston dept of Reefsteamers.
Following a short visit, continue to Capital Park in Pretoria. Visit the Rovos Rail depot to see their immaculate fleet of steam and electric
locomotives, including the impressive Class 25NC 4-8-4's before walking over to the Friends of the Rail base. Leave Capital Park around
sunset, arriving at the hotel at about 18h30.
Prices for visit and hotel can be found below.
With a start time of 10h30 from Johannesburg Airport on 22 July, most participants have decided to arrive the previous day to avoid the risk
of delay on overnight flights. To make the day in Johannesburg more interesting we will arranged a visit to Germiston and Capital Park as
follows:
21 July 2010
Our charter coach will leave the airport at 12h00, noon. It will take us about 30 minutes to reach the Germiston dept of Reefsteamers.
Following a short visit, continue to Capital Park in Pretoria. Visit the Rovos Rail depot to see their immaculate fleet of steam and electric
locomotives, including the impressive Class 25NC 4-8-4's before walking over to the Friends of the Rail base. Leave Capital Park around
sunset, arriving at the hotel at about 18h30.
Prices for visit and hotel can be found below.
| Capital Park |
Botswana
22 July 2010.
This morning, motor from Johannesburg Airport to Selebe Phikwe where the BCL Mine continues to use Class 19D 4-8-2 steam
locomotives on their industrial operations, including ore trains on the 14 km railway from the Selebe North Shaft. Departure will be around
10h30 to accommodate overnight flights, but cannot be delayed because the journey is lengthy and the Botswana border closes at night.
We will use the Syringa Lodge, Selebe Phikwe, for the next two nights. No meals have been included in Botswana as this gives us
maximum flexibility to fit in with mine operations.
23 July.
Visit the steam depot as early as possible this morning and spend the rest of the day in the mine area and chasing trains to the more
remote shafts. This is an industrial operation, and it is not possible to state in advance how many trains will be seen. However, past visits
have not been disappointed with the amount of action they were able to photograph.
24 July.
Motor to Francistown for the 09h00 National Railways of Zimbabwe passenger train to Bulawayo, arriving this afternoon. This train is one of
the few cross - border passenger services in Africa and is an experience in itself. The train is operated by the National Railways of
Zimbabwe using a rake of their newer (blue) coaches. Traction will be diesel electric, normally changed at Plumtree on the border, where
we will wait as returning Zimbabweans deal with customs and immigration. There should be a dining car attached with a limited range of
refreshments and food. The train arrives in Bulawayo late afternoon, when we will transfer to the Bulawayo Holiday Inn.
22 July 2010.
This morning, motor from Johannesburg Airport to Selebe Phikwe where the BCL Mine continues to use Class 19D 4-8-2 steam
locomotives on their industrial operations, including ore trains on the 14 km railway from the Selebe North Shaft. Departure will be around
10h30 to accommodate overnight flights, but cannot be delayed because the journey is lengthy and the Botswana border closes at night.
We will use the Syringa Lodge, Selebe Phikwe, for the next two nights. No meals have been included in Botswana as this gives us
maximum flexibility to fit in with mine operations.
23 July.
Visit the steam depot as early as possible this morning and spend the rest of the day in the mine area and chasing trains to the more
remote shafts. This is an industrial operation, and it is not possible to state in advance how many trains will be seen. However, past visits
have not been disappointed with the amount of action they were able to photograph.
24 July.
Motor to Francistown for the 09h00 National Railways of Zimbabwe passenger train to Bulawayo, arriving this afternoon. This train is one of
the few cross - border passenger services in Africa and is an experience in itself. The train is operated by the National Railways of
Zimbabwe using a rake of their newer (blue) coaches. Traction will be diesel electric, normally changed at Plumtree on the border, where
we will wait as returning Zimbabweans deal with customs and immigration. There should be a dining car attached with a limited range of
refreshments and food. The train arrives in Bulawayo late afternoon, when we will transfer to the Bulawayo Holiday Inn.
| Selebe Phikwe steam. A day of genuine industrial steam action on 23 July! |
| Sunrise at Figtree |
| En route to Cement |
| Baobab Hill, near Thomson Junction |
| Rovos Rail depot |
| Germiston depot |
