Kruger2Canyons.com

HOEDSPRUIT - A shiny new Premier Classe train service between Johannesburg and Hoedspruit has been launched, providing an added attraction to Limpopo's big-five reserves.

The Premier Classe train offers visitors to Limpopo's game belt a five-star service including private cabins, five-course meals and spa facilities.

The service began on July 9 and operates once a week, leaving Park Station on a Thursday evening and arriving mid-morning on Friday in Hoedspruit. It returns on the Sunday evening, arriving back in Johannesburg on the Monday morning.

Premier classe

One of South-Africa's well-kept travel secrets, Premier Classe trains have been getting great reports from travellers who have used them on other routes.

Premier Classe started out in 1998 as an affordable deluxe service from Cape Town to Johannesburg, originally running once a week attached to the regular Shosholoza Meyl 'Trans-Karoo' train. But in May 2006 it was made into a completely separate train and increased to twice a week. In October 2008 they introduced a twice-weekly Durban-Johannesburg train, then a weekly Cape Town-Port Elizabeth train in December 2008.

Hotels on rails

Premier Classe trains are hotels on rails. They use standard South African railways sleeping-cars (in fact, the same 1960s-1970s type used by Shosholoza Meyl) which have been refurbished to deluxe standards, and passengers are given twice the normal amount of space per passenger: Solo passengers get sole occupancy of what would have been a 2-berth coupé, two passengers get sole use of what would have been a 4-berth compartment and so get two lower berths.

The sleeping-cars aren't air-conditioned, a big advantage for photographers as the windows open!

There's a deluxe Premier Classe restaurant car serving 3-5 course meals and a Premier Classe lounge car with armchairs, sofas and a bar. The fare includes all your meals and complimentary tea/coffee, although alcoholic drinks cost extra.

If you can't afford the famous Blue Train, but still want safe, civilised deluxe train travel at ground level through superb South African scenery that you can't see from 30,000 feet, take a Premier Classe train.

PRICES AND BENEFITS

Current prices are from R980 per person one-way to or from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit, around 30% cheaper than flying, but bear in mind that this also includes decent accommodation on the train and food (which you might otherwise pay for).

It also enables local visitors to leave after work with ease without wasting time, and caters for international arrivals coming in after the last daily Hoedspruit flights have departed Johannesburg after noon.

On a similar note, the evening Sunday return from Hoedspruit provides for more time in the bush and no accommodation worries in Johannesburg.

Premier Classe passengers can use the luxury 'Blue Train' VIP lounges at Cape Town and Johannesburg stations.

Comment

Viwe Mlenzana, CEO of Shosholoza Meyl, which owns Premier Classe, said the schedule was aimed at the weekend market. "The service allows guests to get away to the bush for the weekend but still arrive back on Monday in time for work."

He said the service was launched in response to demand from customers who wanted a new travel experience and was aimed primarily at the domestic market.

The train has been recently refurbished and Mlenzana said the product would continue to be refined, including a new point-to- point service for passengers to Johannesburg's Park Station.

Later this year further coaches catering to a more exclusive market would be added. However, Mlenzana said, the aim was to make the service affordable to a range of passengers.

Labels: blue train, hoedspruit, johannesburg, premier classe, Shosholoza Meyl, train, travel