A South African gem with a history that reaches back to the 1920s has claimed its place in Lonely Planet’s international list of the best travel experiences for 2026!
Kruger National Park, South Africa (03 November 2025) – Overland, underwater, or right beside a volcano. Lonely Planet’s 25 Best Experiences for 2026 celebrates all of the best travel experiences that deserve a spot on the bucket list.
This year, a proudly local experience out of the Kruger National Park has made the cut!
It’s right up there with rafting through the Grand Canyon in the US, spotting desert elephants in Namibia, cycling through the Batanes Islands in the Philippines, and sleeping beside an active volcano in Hawaii.
The Kruger’s famous ‘train on the bridge’ has a deep history that goes all the way back to the 1920s, when the first visits to the park were allowed. Back then, it was the exact spot where trains would stop overnight, allowing guests to sleep above the river as wildlife passed below.
Today, the train is permanently stationed on the century-old Selati railway bridge, completely reimagined into a luxury experience that earned its Lonely Planet status.
The Kruger Shalati’s suites are in fact remodelled train carriages, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Sabie River. Wildlife is especially active in this region and best viewed from the lodge’s infinity pool – a stand-out feature that demands an Instagram shot.
“There are no tired safari tropes at Kruger Shalati…Thoughtful touches are everywhere…Each detail is an invitation to linger. Some travelers will still rise before dawn to seek the Big Five on guided drives, and that’s wonderful. But at Kruger Shalati, you can have both – the magic of a safari and the quiet joy of staying put while the wildlife comes to you,” shares Lonely Planet.
It’s only fitting that a Kruger experience made the list. Our beautiful national park, the largest of its kind in SA, has been one of the world’s great bucket-list destinations for decades. Most travellers dream about going on a safari at least once in their lives. How lucky are we, having one of the best spots for it?
Sources: Linked above
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