The Elephant Express: Zimbabwe’s Stunning 80km Safari Train

The Elephant Express is an extraordinary train journey. This novel method of transporting visitors from one resort to another mixes an old-fashioned tram ride with a chance to watch wildlife to provide a unique experience. On this one-of-a-kind safari journey, Imvelo customers may now be ferried between lodges in the Hwange national park.

The Elephant Express travels between Ngamo Sliding and Dete Railway Station on a regular basis. Guests can anticipate seeing elephants crossing the tracks, various plains game grazing peacefully on the plains, and many other fascinating sights.

PEARL JURIST-SCHOEN/ Journeys | Elephant Express features an array of mouth-watering Asian dishes at a very affordable price

Imvelo Safari Lodges has officially unveiled The Elephant Express, a unique safari experience for visitors to Hwange National Park, after months of preparation and testing.

This rail transfer option, introduced in late 2014, takes visitors on an exhilarating excursion into the bush between the Dete and Ngamo sidings, offering a picturesque and leisurely transport to the camps of Bomani and Camelthorn in lieu of the lengthy and hard road transfer.

Making Traveling Easier

The Elephant Express travels between Ngamo Siding at Bomani and Camelthorn and Dete Railway Station near Hwange Main Camp on a regular basis. Guests traveling from Bomani and Camelthorn to Nehimba or back to Victoria Falls will embark from Ngamo Siding at roughly 11:00 and enjoy a gentle trip (approximately 2.5 hours) up the railway line before arriving at Dete.

The return trip to Ngamo departs Dete at 14h00 and arrives between 16:00 and 16:30 in Ngamo. Imvelo has one daily scheduled slot on the national railway line. Thus, it is essential to consider the timing when organizing Elephant Express transfers. Imvelo proposes that your guests enjoy the romance of African rail travel in far greater luxury than their predecessors!

Details About the Express

Imvelo Safari Lodges/ Victoria Falls | After months of assembly and testing, Imvelo Safari Lodges finally launched a unique safari experience for its guests to Hwange National Park

The locomotive and transmission are located on both ends of the railcar, allowing it to operate in any direction down the track. It provides ample space for luggage and a spacious aisle for customers to comfortably observe the game. In addition, there is a chemical toilet for your convenience. Drinks and snacks are supplied on board, and lunch is offered while the train is halted on the return trip. The railcar fits just 22 passengers, making it incredibly comfortable, and guests may walk up and down to enjoy a nice view or take photographs.

Two trained conductors operate the train, which goes at a safe pace. As with any safari, each excursion includes a trained guide who points out flora and animals. Although Imvelo strives to keep the schedule as consistent as possible, delays and cancellations may occur due to unforeseen situations. Guests are discouraged from using the railway as a transfer option if they have a flight connection.

 Safety

Stacey McKenna/ Imvelo Safari Lodges | The Elephant Express takes guests on an exciting journey into the wilderness between the Dete and Ngamo sidings

Since of the necessity to manage train traffic on the Hwange rail lines, the National Railways of Zimbabwe determines departure timings. Therefore, accurate departure timings for the trips are unavailable. The staff at Imvelo, however, has a liaison who communicates between lodges and transfer businesses.

The drivers of the safari train are seasoned engineers with years of expertise on that specific rail route. “They are in continual connection with any nearby trains and the traffic controllers” in order to ensure that everything works well. There are also instructions on the train because this is really a game. The train pauses every 10 kilometers to enable vehicles to cross the intersections along the route.