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| Page updated on: 22 March 2012 |
| Zimbabwe and Zambia 2012 |
| 02 to 11 June 2012 |
| Manchester machinery and Matabele muscle come together again for another memorable tour We continue our journey across Africa with Garratts from Bulawayo in Zimbabwe to Livingstone in Zambia. Geoff' Cooke has run steam trains over this route since 1986, and is without question the regional specialist. The National Railways of Zimbabwe have advised that due to fire risk on fully dieselised lines, future tours may be restricted to the months between December and April (This is the rainy season, reducing the fire risk but also those classic winter morning photographs). Railway management remains committed to our tours, but there can be no guarantee these unique, large and costly machines will be retained in working order beyond next year. If you want to see the Garratts in action, join this tour! |
| 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. |
If your partner is travelling with you and would like to see a little of Zimbabwe away from the railway, we can arrange the following tours Only available with the nine night hotel accommodation option. These are recommended tours, others are available - please ask. 03 June Bulawayo City tour, including the Natural History Museum, Art Gallery and markets. Free for one person per couple booking. Otherwise per person - US$10. Transport and guide only, all entrance fees extra. 04 June Matobo Hills Full day tour to the Matobo Hills National Park. Includes a picnic lunch. Free for one person per couple booking. Otherwise per person - US$90 Minimum of 4 needed to confirm 05 June Hwange game drive Travel with our coach from Bulawayo to the Hwange Safari Lodge this morning. No charge. Join a game drive at the Hwange Safari Lodge this afternoon. Free for one person per couple booking. Otherwise per person - US$50 06 June Hwange to Victoria Falls Leave the hotel after breakfast and travel by road to Victoria Falls. No charge. 07 June Victoria Falls Morning tour of the Victoria Falls, including the Rail Forest, Main Falls, Railway Bridge and Big Tree. End your tour with a visit to a craft market. Free for one person per couple booking. Otherwise per person - US$45 08, 09 and 10 June Victoria Falls There are a number of options, including rafting, elephant rides, lion walks and full day tours to Chobe in Botswana. Please ask. 09 June Join the sunset boat cruise this afternoon. Free for one person per couple booking. Otherwise per person - US$45 Please note The free offers listed here must be booked with the main tour. Later bookings will be charged. All tourist options are subject to availability and no cash alternative can be offered for services not taken up. |
Your tour includes:
Nine nights accommodation.
Meals as described in the programme.
Transfers as described.
Participation in the steam charters described in the programme.
The services of Geoff Cooke as your tour manager.
Your tour does not include:
Air travel.
Gratuities.
Items of a personal nature such as drinks, phone calls and laundry.
Visas and national park entry.
Meals not detailed in the programme.
Useful information:
Flights: There is one daily flight from Johannesburg to Bulawayo, and one from Harare to Bulawayo.
The direct Johannesburg flight, operated by South Africa Airways, is recommended. If you wish, you
can fly from Johannesburg to Vic Falls on 01 June, and travel down to Bulawayo in our coach on the
morning of 02 June. This gives the benefit that you fly into and out of Victoria Falls airport. Extra costs
would be a night at Victoria Falls and the coach.
There are a number of flights from Victoria Falls, but your best option may be the South African
Airways flight direct to Johannesburg. This is at lunch time, and so connects well with most overnight
long-haul flights. There is also a BA / Comair flight at about the same time. Booking South African
Airways from London and including the regional flights may give you a good rate. If the Victoria Falls
flights are looking expensive, you can also consider flying from Livingstone airport in Zambia. It
requires an extra visa fro Zambia, but this is often offset by cheaper flights, of which there are three
every day. Airport transfers are no problem.
Dress code: Casual dress is appropriate. The temperature should be mild to warm, but there is
always a possibility of rain. A light weatherproof jacket is recommended.
Hotels: Geoff's Trains reserves the right to change hotels for one of a similar or better standard.
Health: The Zambezi Valley around Victoria Falls is a malarial area, precautions are recommended.
South Africa requires a current Yellow Fever certificate from anyone travelling from countries with even
a low Yellow Fever risk, including Zambia.
Booking deadline: Geoff's Trains makes every effort to confirm a tour as early as possible, and it is
not our policy to cancel a tour already confirmed. All tours are confirmed at least 60 days prior to
departure.
Detailed information will be sent to all participants about two weeks prior to the start date.
South African and regional residents wishing to join this tour should contact Geoff's Trains.
This tour is confirmed.
To book:
Click here for our booking form
Our booking conditions can be found here
If you have any questions, please click here
On receipt of your booking request, an invoice will be sent to you.
A deposit of 10% will be requested with the balance being due two months before the tour departs.
Nine nights accommodation.
Meals as described in the programme.
Transfers as described.
Participation in the steam charters described in the programme.
The services of Geoff Cooke as your tour manager.
Your tour does not include:
Air travel.
Gratuities.
Items of a personal nature such as drinks, phone calls and laundry.
Visas and national park entry.
Meals not detailed in the programme.
Useful information:
Flights: There is one daily flight from Johannesburg to Bulawayo, and one from Harare to Bulawayo.
The direct Johannesburg flight, operated by South Africa Airways, is recommended. If you wish, you
can fly from Johannesburg to Vic Falls on 01 June, and travel down to Bulawayo in our coach on the
morning of 02 June. This gives the benefit that you fly into and out of Victoria Falls airport. Extra costs
would be a night at Victoria Falls and the coach.
There are a number of flights from Victoria Falls, but your best option may be the South African
Airways flight direct to Johannesburg. This is at lunch time, and so connects well with most overnight
long-haul flights. There is also a BA / Comair flight at about the same time. Booking South African
Airways from London and including the regional flights may give you a good rate. If the Victoria Falls
flights are looking expensive, you can also consider flying from Livingstone airport in Zambia. It
requires an extra visa fro Zambia, but this is often offset by cheaper flights, of which there are three
every day. Airport transfers are no problem.
Dress code: Casual dress is appropriate. The temperature should be mild to warm, but there is
always a possibility of rain. A light weatherproof jacket is recommended.
Hotels: Geoff's Trains reserves the right to change hotels for one of a similar or better standard.
Health: The Zambezi Valley around Victoria Falls is a malarial area, precautions are recommended.
South Africa requires a current Yellow Fever certificate from anyone travelling from countries with even
a low Yellow Fever risk, including Zambia.
Booking deadline: Geoff's Trains makes every effort to confirm a tour as early as possible, and it is
not our policy to cancel a tour already confirmed. All tours are confirmed at least 60 days prior to
departure.
Detailed information will be sent to all participants about two weeks prior to the start date.
South African and regional residents wishing to join this tour should contact Geoff's Trains.
This tour is confirmed.
To book:
Click here for our booking form
Our booking conditions can be found here
If you have any questions, please click here
On receipt of your booking request, an invoice will be sent to you.
A deposit of 10% will be requested with the balance being due two months before the tour departs.
| Bulawayo is 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. |
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| IMPORTANT In some countries, you may experience laws and standards that might not be the same as you are used to in the UK. We visit countries with less advanced infrastructure, an open yet cautious mind and a flexible approach can help your enjoyment of the experience. By their nature, preserved steam locomotives and older diesel electric locomotives are prone to unexpected failure. Should this occur, we will ask the service supplier to substitute the most appropriate alternative equipment or service consistent with the advertised programme. The railways over which these tours operate are often single track with passing loops, possibly with infrastructure maintained to a lower standard than in the UK. Any delays or cancellations caused by the failure of such plant and machinery beyond the direct control of Geoff's Trains will be dealt with as quickly as possible, but no compensation can be offered for such failure or delay. |
| Arrive in Bulawayo If you joined our tour in Botswana, arrive in Bulawayo this afternoon by train from Botswana. If you fly to Bulawayo today, transfers can be arranged (extra cost). Overnight: Bulawayo Holiday Inn. Meals included: Dinner Sunday, 03 June Cement with class 14A Garratt. Steam shed barbecue. Railway Museum Visit the Bulawayo steam shed for sunrise before crossing to the station to join a steam charter train to Cement station with a Class 14A Garratt.. Arrive back in Bulawayo late this morning, with time to visit the railway museum before returning to the steam depot for an evening barbecue and night photography. Overnight: Bulawayo Holiday Inn. Meals included: Breakfast, dinner. Monday, 04 June Plumtree with class 16A Garratt. Travel by road this morning to Plumtree, where our charter train will have been positioned for an early morning departure with a Class 16A Garratt. The Plumtree to Bulawayo line faces east, making this the best time of the day for photography. With an expected arrival back in Bulawayo shortly before lunch, there will be free time this afternoon. Overnight: Bulawayo Holiday Inn. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Tuesday, 05 June Bulawayo to Dete with a class 15A Garratt Leave Bulawayo early this morning with a charter train to Dete, half way to Victoria Falls and in the Hwange Game Reserve. A 15A Garratt will be at the front of our train, followed by ten wagons and a guard's van. This will be followed by a diesel electric locomotive that will haul the support cabooses, wagons and our coaches and dining car. At runpasts, the diesel locomotive and support coaches will be kept back, making it possible for you to photograph the authentic steam operated goods train without coaches, water tanks, etc. This system will be used between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. Overnight: Hwange Safari Lodge (14 kilometres from Dete Station) or on the train at Dete. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Wednesday, 06 June Dete to Thomson Junction with a class 15A Garratt Our train will continue from Dete to Thomson Junction this morning. On arrival, transfer by road to Victoria Falls (100 kilometres). Overnight: The Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls or on the train at Thomson Junction. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Thursday, 07 June Old Hwange loop and Hwange Colliery Return by road to Thomson Junction this morning for a charter with the Class 15A Garratt down the main line and through Zimbabwe's only tunnel to Hwange Station. From there, continue to Old Hwange and back to Thomson Junction on the old main line. This afternoon, visit the Hwange Colliery to see their Class 15A Garratts. As this is an industrial operation, any movements using the steam locomotives will be determined by the colliery and cannot be guaranteed. Return to Victoria Falls by road this evening. Overnight: The Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls or on the train at Thomson Junction. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Friday, 08 June Colliery. Thompson Junction to Zanguja We will again return by road to Thomson Junction, visiting the Colliery this morning to take advantage of the different lighting conditions. Later this morning, join a charter train with the NRZ Class 15A Garratt to Zanguja. We will focus our photography this afternoon on the area around the Zanguja horseshoes. Return by road to Victoria Falls. Overnight: The Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls or on the train at Thomson Junction. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Saturday, 09 June Thompson Junction to Victoria Falls Early this morning, return by road to Thomson Junction where our charter train will depart for Victoria Falls. If the train runs to time, there will be an option to join a sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi River this afternoon ( US$45 or GB£28.12). This has proven very popular on previous tours. Overnight: The Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Sunday, 10 June Victoria Falls to Livingstone (Vic Falls Bridge) with a class 14A Garratt. Livingstone shunt with 12th Class 4-8-2. This morning we will take the Victoria Falls Steam Train company Class 14A Garratt #512 across the Victoria Falls Bridge to Livingstone in Zambia. Stop on the bridge for the iconic photograph of the train crossing the bridge, with good fortune the rainbow will make an appearance. At Livingstone the Zambia Railways 12th Class #204 should join us for some shunting re-enactment before we return to Victoria Falls this afternoon. Overnight: The Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Monday, 11 June Your tour ends at Victoria Falls There will be an optional opportunity this morning to explore the Bridge with an informative talk and a walk under the bridge deck. Return to the hotel in time for your airport transfer. (See side panel for details and price). A transfer to the Victoria Falls airport is included. The flight back to Johannesburg should be booked with your longhaul flight. Meals included: Breakfast. There will be options to extend your Zimbabwe visit to spend more time at Victoria Falls and to visit a game reserve. One option will be to stay for one extra night and join a day trip to Chobe in Botswana. Please ask for more details. |
| Our 2011 Zimbabwe Tour Find a report here Find photographs here Our 2010 Zimbabwe Tour The 2010 tour was a success. Over 50 participants enjoyed a journey that was completed as planned, with the biggest problem being poor weather Find photographs of the tour here Find a Blog report on the tour here Buy a video of the tour from Belhurst Productions here |
| Click the images below for more information |
| Photography Runpasts are arranged on all of our chartered steam trains. We arrange as many photo runpasts as is practical for each day, with some of them being repeated more than once to satisfy stills and video photographers. There are many extra photographic opportunities, and participants on these tours are generally more than satisfied with the quality and quantity of their results. Safety is paramount and you will be asked to adhere to simple rules that make the experience safe and pleasant for all. |
| Train overnight accommodation Our train between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls will include a first class sleeper coach to provide toilets and space in which to relax away from the dining car. A limited number of tour participants may use this coach overnight. This is possible at Dete and Thomson Junction, but not at Bulawayo or Victoria Falls. The coach has three x 2 berth coupe's, and four x 4 berth compartments. Bedding and meals will be provided by the National Railways of Zimbabwe. The coach will be used by all tour participants during the day, and you will not have exclusive use of the accommodation when all participants are on board. The 1920's built balcony coach is normally used for day trips. There are no showers and whilst the toilet, plumbing and lighting should be functional, this cannot be guaranteed. |
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| King George VI Rehabilitation Centre Bulawayo Our 2010 and 2011 Zimbabwe tours supported Bulawayo's King George VI Centre. In 2010 we supported one child for a year, in 2011 our donation paid the school fees for two children from destitute families. We also asked books for the library, books being expensive to buy in Zimbabwe. We will once more support this worthy cause in 2012, and again ask you to bring a few books with you. Watch the KGVI Christmas message here. To find out more about KG VI, click here. |
| Discounts apply for 2011 Africa Steam season participants |
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| 11 June Options You are collected from your hotel and transferred by vehicle through customs and immigration to the Victoria Falls Bridge Visitors Centre. (No extra visa required) After a refreshment and registration the tour begins with an entertaining performance by an actor impersonating Mr Georges Imbault who was the chief engineer during the construction of the bridge. This show last about 45 minutes as he regales stories of how and why the bridge was constructed, the enormous problems they encountered and how they overcame them. After the Visitors Centre walk is completed, there is an under the Bridge tour, where you get the rare opportunity to walk on the catwalks used in the original construction. After a short safety briefing and the donning of a safety harness by which you attach yourself to safety ropes under the bridge, you are then led on a guided walk which gives you a real opportunity to marvel at the Bridge's construction. Per person: US$50 Chobe Day Trip Optional on 11 June Depart from your hotel between 07h00 and 07h30. Transfer across the Botswana border via the Kazungula border, completing immigration and customs formalities before continuing to the Chobe National Park. Enjoy a cruise on the Chobe River with a chance of spotting elephant and other game species coming to drink and bathe in the river, as well as many bird species. An included lunch is served at a lodge (drinks not included). The afternoon continues with a game drive in open vehicles into the Chobe National Park, with a chance to spot lion, leopard, giraffe and buffalo as well as numerous plains game species. Transfer back across the Zimbabwe border late afternoon. Per person: US$165 |
| with great success. Information on 2013 available soon |
