A Look At South Africa’s Newest Safari Suite, Vintage Train Carriage

There is something deeply nostalgic about buying a train carriage you used to travel in with your family and converting it into a hotel suite.

That’s exactly what South African conservationist Adrian Gardiner has done at Mantis Founders Lodge, the flagship safari hotel in a mini-empire that Gardiner launched in 2000.

Now, visitors to South Africa’s Eastern Cape can experience the thrill of sleeping on board a railway carriage – with the added bonus of big five game drives on the doorstep.

Mantis Founders Lodge is 72km from Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), about halfway between Cape Town and Durban.

The carriage dates back to the 1970s and from the outside, with its red and yellow livery, it still looks very much like a heritage train. But Mantis has made a few upgrades so guests feel like they’re travelling in first class.

The suite is permanently stationed on a hilltop within Mantis’ private safari concession, with sweeping views over the surrounding countryside where rhinos, warthog and giraffe roam.

Outside, a big decking area is perfect for al fresco dining alongside a private swimming pool.

Inside, parts of the original decor such as the bathroom and wood panelling have been preserved, so that guests can immerse themselves in rail nostalgia. There’s also an outdoor bathroom with spectacular views, playfully called the ‘Ticket Office’.

The suite can accommodate up to five guests in three cabins, arranged as a main compartment with double bed, a two-berth cabin and a one-berth cabin.

Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge hotel opened in Kruger National Park in 2020.