EARLIER this year, The
Blue Train doubled its
services from Pretoria
to Hoedspruit as a result of
demand to experience the
luxury train’s offering en route
to safari. The train will make
four round trips to Hoedspruit
this year, with departures in
March, June, July and August.
From the moment travellers’
experience on the train
begins it’s clear they’re in
for a treat. Check-in for the
Pretoria-Hoedspruit trip
opens at 13h00 – departure
is scheduled for 15h00
which means there are
two hours to enjoy the
complimentary drinks and
snacks available at the
check-in lounge at Pretoria
station. On arrival, travellers
are greeted by butlers and
ushers who assist with
luggage and check-in, where
boarding passes, WiFi
vouchers and suite numbers
are handed out.
Once boarding begins at
14h30, guests are ushered
to their coach and cabin
by their designated butler.
Each cabin has a bathroom
and a lounge that later
converts into a bedroom at
the traveller’s request. Other
features include a wardrobe,
television (which offers films
and music) plug points and
a safe.
Once travellers have settled
in, they are invited to enjoy
drinks and hot snacks either
in the observation car at
the back of the train or in
the bar/lounge car at the
front. Drinks are offered
throughout the day in both
these cars. The observation
car is fitted with tables and
chairs ideal for dining face-toface,
whereas the bar area is
suited for travellers who want
to relax.
The Blue Train has two
sittings for dinner, at 18h30
and 20h30. “Usually the
first sitting is frequented
by families and older
travellers,” says Nomandla
Bobo, marketing and
communication, The Blue
Train. “The second sitting is
ideal for travellers who may
want to linger a little longer
into the early hours of the
morning,” she says. Cognac
and Cuban cigars are offered
after dinner in the smoking
car at the front of the train.
Between 06h30 and 09h30
next morning, guests have
a choice of a continental
breakfast or a selection of
hot dishes such as Eggs
Benedict, served either in
the dining carriage or in their
cabin if they so choose.
Upon arrival at Hoedspruit
station at around 10h30,
travellers can then continue
their trip at a lodge of their
choice.
Kapama Private Game
Reserve is ten minutes’ drive
from the station and has six
different lodges on offer. The
Thornybush Luxury Game
Lodge Collection operates
12 lodges in the four- and
five-star categories, all a
25-minute transfer from the
station.
These lodges are in the
Thornybush Nature Reserve,
now part of the Greater
Kruger National Park and
transfers can be arranged
through Eastgate Safaris.
“We have had very successful
charters in the past with the
Blue Train bringing a number
of guests to our varied group
lodges,” says Nic Griffin, ce
of The Thornybush Group.
Know what’s on offer
The luxury brand has two
trains and caters for leisure
and corporate clients. The
smaller train, set one, can
accommodate 52 guests,
the larger train, set two, 80
guests. Each set has De Luxe
and Luxury suites with either
twin or double beds with
baths or showers.
The train can also be
chartered for strategic
meetings, product launches,
VIP cocktail parties, lunches,
dinners and wedding
receptions, with a variety of
routes on offer.
The Conference Car, in
train set two, accommodates
up to 22 delegates and is fully
equipped with audio-visual
and technical equipment for a
high-level business meeting or
a small conference.
Corporate clients can also
tailor-make their own Blue
Train route, including a golfing
or safari charter, with the
train stopping at or near golf
courses or game lodges that
are situated along a rail route.
Other popular tailor-made
charters have included
stops at major South African
events like the Vodacom
Durban July, the Nedbank
Golf Challenge and the J&B
Met in Cape Town.
Time for facelift!
A newer Blue Train
is coming soon
says Nomandla. As
is customary, the
train undergoes a
refurbishment every five
years and is due for
its next one this year.
The refurb will be done
in stages – coach by
coach, to allow the train
to continue operating –
and will include changes
to the individual rooms
and common areas. The
refurb is expected to be
completed by the fourth
quarter of this year.
