We were lucky to be on the maiden voyage of the Shongololo Express "In the Steps of Livingstone " rail trip in May - June 2007. Shongololo have kindly allowed me to provide an itinerary that you can view here.

We had not realised the significance of this trip and can only say that it really was a wonderful experience.

We started from Johannesburg and travelled up to Zimbabwe. There we spent one day off the train walking with lions and visiting the Nalatale ruins dating back to the 17th - 18th century. I was really taken by the ruins - I think that it was because they were the first evidence of really sophisticated stone-work from antiquity that I remember seeing in Africa. It is most impressive - next time we go back I must visit Greater Zambezi.

On to the Victoria Falls for a day's sightseeing. They were fuller than they have been for 50 years which meant that the falls stretched from rim to rim (almost) and the power of the water was something to perceive. However, so much spray was generated that the complete falls were never visible - a helicopter ride sorted that.

The rail journey through Zambia was slow due to the quality of the track in the central and southern areas. However, it is very restful watching Africa slide slowly by!

We had two game "experiences", one in the east of Zambia at South Luangwa Park and the other at Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania. Both were wonderful and my photos cannot do them justice. The river trip on the Rufiji was particularly good.

Once into Tanzania we passed Mbeya and then spent a day around Iringa and actually drove past where I went to preparatory School in the Southern Highlands. We actually went looking for the school having seen a promising sign but to no avail ... well, will just have to go back there as well!

Other highlights of Tanzania were the rift valley wall mountains and Bagamoyo on the coast - this time ancient coral buildings over 500 years old.

The great joy of these Shongololo trips are the comforts the train provides, the friendliness and attentiveness of all the staff and the interesting, out-of-the way placesthey manage to show us ... we will be back!

REMEMBER - THE TOP PICTURE BANNER WILL MOVE YOU BACK TOWARDS THIS POINT!