Kruger Shalati - Train on the Bridge

Kruger Shalati: luxury accommodation on the Selati Bridge in Kruger National Park

Kruger Shalati is a luxury hotel located in a restored train, permanently stationed on the historic Selati Bridge, which crosses the Sabie River in Kruger National Park, South Africa. The property presents itself as a gateway to the park and combines railway heritage with contemporary African-inspired design.

Rooms and suites

The hotel offers a total of 31 rooms, distributed as 24 Train Carriage Suites situated on the bridge, and 7 Bridge House Suites located next to the bridge in a garden setting. Two of the rooms are adapted for universal access. All accommodations are designed to provide immersive comfort in a unique location within the park.

Dining and common areas

The dining offering is based on African-inspired dishes, served in the Bridge House restaurant, with a seating capacity of 66. Rates include all meals, house drinks and two game drives daily. The arrival lounge, reception and dining areas, along with two of the three swimming pools, are located next to the Selati Bridge, overlooking the Sabie River.

Experiences and services

The hotel organises guided game drives led by professional rangers, who share their knowledge of the wildlife and the environment. It also features an overhanging pool with a viewing deck on the bridge, a boutique gift store and a pool with a deck at the Bridge House. The hotel's location, in the heart of Big Five territory, allows guests to spot wildlife and birds from the rooms and during game drives.

Surroundings and access

Kruger Shalati is located next to Skukuza Camp. Distances of interest include: 0.4 km from the Kruger Station lifestyle precinct, 2 km from the Stevenson-Hamilton Memorial Library, 5.2 km from Skukuza Golf Course and 4.9 km from Skukuza Airport. Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport is 110 km away (2 hours). Access to the park is via the Paul Kruger and Phabeni Gates, and Johannesburg is a 5-hour drive away. The hotel offers complimentary airport transfers to Skukuza Airport.

History and name

The train is named after Shalati, a 19th-century African warrior queen. According to oral tradition, she was one of the first female warrior chiefs of the Tebula, a clan of the Tsonga people who lived in the area of the Murchison Range, in what is now Limpopo Province. The accommodation pays tribute to the first visitors to the park who stayed in train carriages in the 1920s, in the same location where the hotel now stands.

Location and contact

Selati Station & Bridge, Skukuza Rest Camp, Kruger National Park · Phone: +27 (0) 13 591 6000 · Email: info@krugershalati.com