| TRAINS & TRAVEL P.O. BOX 10625 RENO, NEVADA 89510-0625 Chris@traintrips.biz Jane@traintrips.biz Deborah@traintrips.biz | 1-800 359-4870 USA 1-800 752-1836 CANADA 1-800 266-8751 FAX (775) 453-1004 | |
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NOTICE ON SAFETY IN ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe is not a dangerous country regardless of what you may see on the internet. There is a lot of comment and misleading informaton posted on the internet and the press loves to print the worst news they can find. This tour will NOT encounter any of policital problems that has happened in the past. Tourists are not affected. The vast majority of the citizens of Zimbabwe enjoy a peacefull, very low crime existance - if an economically and politically frustrating one. The low crime rate in Zimbabwe is far below many other countries including the USA.
Geoff Cooke has run over 400 tours in Zimbabwe, the last was in 2007. Since then politics and the resultant economic climate made it difficult to offer a tour that had a reasonable chance of success. However, the political environment has improved, and it is now easier for the Railway and other service suppliers to offer a reasonable service. Geoff will be the Tour Manager for this Zimbabwe Steam adventure. He is well known in the railfan circles around the world. The National Railways of Zimbabwe Director for Operations recently wrote the following comment : "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. Once again, we cherish the support railfans have given us over the years. We wish this relationship to continue." From the National Railways of Zimbabwe 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." Encouraged by the support railfans around the world are giving, this tour will run in July 2010. Not as comprehensive as the tours offered in the past, it has been designed to give the railway a fair chance to perform well given their current constraints. The National Railways of Zimbabwe has emphasized that they have a limited number of Garratt locomotives in service, and that there can be no guarantee that these will all be available next year, or that they will not fail before or during the tour. Such caution is wise, but you should not be discouraged. 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 free 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.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY STEAM IN SOUTH AFRICA! BOTSWANA OPTION NOW SOLD OUT With a start time of 12:01pm from Johannesburg Airport on July 22 , most tour 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 have arranged a visit to Germiston and Capital Park, steam sheds home to of the Friends of the Rail preservation group, The Reefsteamers and the Rovos Rail Shed.
Pre-Tour July 21 Wedesday: Our charter coach will leave the airport at 12:01pm . We will visit Germiston and Capital Park in Pretoria. After lunch, We will also visit the adjacent Rovos Rail depot to see their immaculate fleet of steam and electric locomotives, including the impressive Class 25NC 4-8-4's. We will arrive back at the hotel in Johannesburg around 6:30pm. Price for this option is $98 per person.
The Selebe Phikwe mine in Botswana continues to use Class 19D 4-8-2 steam locomotives on their industrial operations, including a 14 km railway to the Selebe North Shaft. If there is enough interest a tour will be arranged that will drive from Johannesburg, spend two nights at Selebe Phikwe and return to Bulawayo in time for the start of the tour on 24 July. July 22 Thursday - This morning, motor coach from Johannesburg Airport to Selebe Phikwe Botswana. Overnight at the Syringa Lodge. Bed only, all meals on your own. July 23 Friday - A full day at the Selebe Phikwe Mine. 2nd Overnight Syringa Lodge. Bed only.
July 24 Saturday - Motor coach to Francistown, Botswana in time to catch the 9:00am 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. Cross the border into Zimbabwe just before Plumtree 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 is timed to arrive in Bulawayo at 15h00, but expect to arrive some time after that. Transfer to the Bulawayo Holiday Inn.
Day 1 Saturday July 24: Arrive in Bulawayo today on your own. There are flights from Johannesburg, South Africa or Harare, Zimbabwe. You will be met at the Airport and transferred to the Bulawayo Holiday Inn where we will stay for the next three nights. There should be time to relax, meet the rest of the participants and if you arrive early enough, to visit the railway. The Holiday Inn is adjacent to the Ascot Shopping Center a few miles from the city center. The shopping center 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 July 25: (B-D) Visit the steam depot this morning to see the sunrise at one of the last great steam depots in the world. Our first steam charter will take us from Bulawayo to Cement this morning. A freight train with a Class 14A Garratt will stage a number of run-bys as we make our way out of town on this double track section. We should return to Bulawayo by lunch, after which there will be time to visit the steam depot and railway museum. Dinner this evening will be 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.
In the afternoon we visit the Bulawayo Railway Museum. See photos below. 
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. Day 3 Monday July 26: (B-L-D) We will leave Bulawayo early this morning behind a Class 16A Garratt with a mixed freight and passenger coaches for Figtree. After sunrise our train will continue to Plumtree near the Botswana border before returning to Bulawayo this afternoon. 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 in the Tourist Option), visit the Chipanqali Wildlife Orphanage.. This evening you will be entertained by Livana, the internationally renowned KGVI Rehabilitation Center Band. The KGVI Center has for many years done outstanding work supporting physically disabled children in Zimbabwe.
Day 4 Tuesday July 27: (B-L-D) Our third steam charter out of Bulawayo will take us to Nyamandhlovu this morning with a Class 15A Garratt. After photographing the train on the Tenela Bank we will 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 included afternoon game drive. Lunch is not available for this option.
 Day 5 Wednesday July 28: (B-D) All tour participants will enjoy a morning and afternoon game drive in Hwange, one of the world's great game reserves and the largest in Zimbabwe. There will be no railway activity today, but it may be possible to arrange a visit to the Hwange Colliery to see their 15th Class Garratts. This will be at an additional cost, subject to adequate interest and approval from the Colliery.
Day 6 Thursday July 29: (B-L-D) 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 where our coach will meet us. Return by road to the Hwange Safari Lodge.
Tourist option: Enjoy a game drive this morning, and a visit to the local pottery village this afternoon. This option does not include lunch. Day 7 Friday July 30: (B-L-D) 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 baobab tree photo locations. This may be followed by a short visit to the Hwange Colliery steam shed before an afternoon charter to Zanguja where we will photograph the train on the Zanguja Bank, one of the best steam photo locations in Zimbabwe. Our coach will meet us at Zanguja Siding for onward travel to Victoria Falls. Our hotel for the next three nights will be the Kingdom Hotel. There will be 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.
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. This option does not include lunch. Day 8 Saturday July 31: (B-L-D) This morning we will ride with the Victoria Falls Safari Express and their Class 14A Garratt from Victoria Falls Station to the Victoria Falls Bridge. Photograph the train on the bridge from the Zambian side before we continue to Livingstone station in Zambia. Visit the railway museum (entry not included) and spend time with the Bushtracks train and their 12th Class locomotive.
And Zambia including the operation of their 12th class locomotive 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. This option does not include lunch. Day 9 Sunday August 1: (B-D) This morning, ride the Victoria Falls Safari Express Garratt to Masuie Siding on the line to Bulawayo. Run-bys will be arranged as we pass the gorges near the station, and along the Masuie River. Arrive back late morning, after which there will be free time to explore the Falls.
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. Diner tonight will be at the Bome Restaurant. A traditional meal in pleasant ethnic surroundings with entertainment and an Ndebele story teller. Day 10 Monday August 2: Your visit to Zimbabwe ends this morning after hotel check-out. Transfer to the Victoria Falls Airport included. |
Please note that the organisers will try to maintain this program, all of the services are subject to change. This applies particularly to locomotive availability and timekeeping. PRICES ALL PRICES ARE PERSON DOUBLE ROOM OCCUPANCY..................................$3398 SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT.................................$ 498 TOURIST OPTION.........................................$ 458 PRE-TOUR SOUTH AFRICAN STEAM...........................$ 98 BOTSWANA OPTION JULY 22-24.............................$ 428 BOTSWANA OPTION SINGLE SUPPLEMENT......................$ 138 VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL UPGRADE...........................$ 138 VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL UPGRADE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT.........$ 248 DEPOSIT DUE ONCE THIS TOUR IS CALLED A SURE-GO.........$1000 FINAL PAYMENT DUE BY APRIL 22, 2010 TOUR INCLUDES *21 MEALS *FULLY ESCORTED *PLENTY OF PHOTO RUN-BYS *ENTRY FEES PER THE ITINERARY *9 NIGHTS LODGING IN 3 STAR HOTELS *ALL STEAM CHARTERS PER THE ITINERARY *TRANSFERS AND BUS JOURNEYS PER THE ITINERARY |
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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 Zimbabwean visa is granted at the border. Please check the immigration rules for your nationality to avoid surprises. A Visa will be required for entry into Zambia to photograph the train on the bridge, and to visit Livingstone. This can be issued at the border, charges vary according to your nationality. Climate and Clothes: Winter is starting during June in the southern hemisphere: at night it can cool down to 32 degrees F and during the day temperatures rise to over 68 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. |
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TOUR PRICE: All tour prices are subject to change without notice at any time.
CHANGE OF ITINERARY: We reserve the right to substitute, change train routing, alter or modify the tour if any unexpected and unforeseen conditions beyond our control occur. As almost everyone knows, in the railroad industry last minute changes do occur.
RESERVATION CHANGES: A $50 per person charge will apply for any changes made to a reservation. This will also apply for any changes in credit cards usded.
DEPOSITS AND FINAL PAYMENTS: The required deposit is due in our office within 14 days of making a booking. For most tours the final payment is due in our office 90 days before the start of the tour. Due dates are posted for each tour and will also be on your invoice and in some cases we will vary the due Date depending upon the tour in question.
MILEAGE COLLECTORS: Mileage collectors please take note before you book! Trains and Travel does not cater just to mileage collectors. We cater to all people that enjoy the railroad hobby. We give strong warning that itinerary and route changes do happen and this is totally beyond our control when it does. If the only reason that you would want to book a tour with us is to collect the rare mileage, may we suggest that you be prepared for possible route changes.
RESPONSIBILITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: We assume no responsibility for injury, sickness, damage, loss, additional expenses, accidental delay or irregularities which may be caused through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of the companies providing or engaging in transportation, accommodations or services related to the accomplishment of the tour including Trains and Travel. We have no control on the timings of our charter trains and indeed passenger trains and charters can and do run late most of the time. Nor do we assume responsibility for natural disaster, social or political upheaval, acts of terrorism or acts of nature. The right is reserved to substitute hotels, tour leaders, equipment, motive power, trains, routes and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary without notice. We are not responsible for expenses incurred by tour members in preparing for the tour.
CANCELLATIONS: Trains and Travel does not accept cancellations on the phone. Cancellations must be received by postal mail, e mail or fax before any refunds will be processed. Be sure and allow enough time if sending your written notice by the very slow US mail postal system. When a written cancellation is received in the Trains and Travel office this will be the effective date of the cancellation. Please take note that it can take up to 60 days to process some refunds in but most cases refunds will be issued in half that time. Cancellation refund rules: 100 days prior to the start of any tour you will receive a full refund less a $200 per person administration fee. 99 to 75 days before the departure of any tour there will be a 80% cancellation penalty based on the full cost of the tour. Any cancellations received 74 or less days before the start of any tour will not receive any refund. These cancellations rules apply to everyone and will be enforced.
RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE: Trains and Travel reserves the right to refuse service to anyone we deem necessary, to insure that all of our clients will have the best possible tour.
PRE-DEPARTURE TOUR BULLETINS: Tour bulletins will be sent to clients that have booked on our tours. Bulletins include weather, packing tips, food, health, updates and much more. Tickets and a detailed itinerary booklet will be sent out about three weeks before the tour begins.
PAYMENTS: Payments can be made with personal check drawn on a U.S. Dollar account, money order for U.S. Dollars, bank wire transfer, or credit card. We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover or American Express. Final payment for all tours is due 90 days prior to departure. If final payment has not been received 7 days after the due date, a late fee of $50 may apply.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: All prices are based on double room occupancy. We will try and match you with a roommate. if one is available. If not, you may be charged the single room supplement listed for the tour you are booked on. Single rooms may not be available in some remote locations and on some trains.
TOUR REFUNDS: If for any reason tour members amend or delete any arrangements during travel, and leave the tour on their own, we cannot give any refunds on unused portions of the tour. If buses and trains are cancelled by the carrier or there is a labor strike or they go out of business, we cannot be held responsible and we cannot give refunds. Travel insurance will protect you for any of these reasons. If TU needs to cancel any tour everyone will receive a full refund. Please take note that refunds can take up to 60 days to process.
PARTIAL TOURS: We will allow passengers to join or leave a tour at certain points. It will all depend on the tour and the conditions. Give us a call and we will try and work up a custom option for you.
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