The Great Valentine Steam Safari 15th -19th February 2003

Kenya Railways and East African Steam Safaris Ltd. announce a second steam safari from Nairobi to Mombasa and return between 15th and 19th February 2003, (subject to sufficient interest being shown) hauled by the largest operational steam locomotive in Africa, the Mountain Class Beyer-Garratt locomotive, 5918 named after 'Mount Gelai' in Tanzania. These huge articulated 252 ton locomotives were specially built for the railway in the mid 1950s to haul freight and passenger trains to and from Nairobi and were in service until 1979. After a number of years preserved in the Railway Museum, the locomotive was recently restored to full working order by a team of retired railway specialists.

The safari will commence with breakfast as we leave from Nairobi station on 15th February and head off across the Athi Plains. We will stop at a sweeping curve between Konza and Ulu where passengers will be able to disembark for a photographic ronpast before lunch. Then we shall stop at Kima where inspector Charles Ryall was dragged from his inspection coach and eaten by a man-eating lion in June 1900. The lion was eventually trapped and shot and a set of claws from the lion are on display in the Railway Museum. At around 5.30 we pull into Kibwezi for a night stop and a candle lit dinner. The locomotive takes on water and fuel.

The following morning we set off for Mtito Andei during which breakfast is served. The next major point of interest is the Tsavo River where we stop to view the bridge made famous by Lt. Cot. Patterson in his best selling book 'Man-eaters of Tsavo'. Lunch will be served as the engine waters at Tsavo station before setting off for Voi and the run to Mombasa via the Mazeras Spiral where the track crosses over itself. We arrive in Mombasa in the late afternoon before leaving the train for our hotels. The loco spends the next day being serviced in Mombasa in preparation for the return trip to Nairobi via Kibwezi on the morning of the 18th arriving back in Nairobi in the late afternoon of February 19th.

A total of 48 persons will be able to travel either way and the fare based on two people sharing a compartment is K. Shs.25,000/= per person each way. The fare includes five meals and bedding. Beer, wines, spirits and beverages are not included in the cost, but are available throughout the trip. On board will be the author / railway historian Kevin Patience who will talk on the building of the railway once referred to as the 'Lunatic Line'.

Details in Kenya from Roger Tanner Tel: Nairobi 3761715.

Details in U.K. from Kevin Patience Tel: 07974 350979. Email: saburi@hotmail.com

Click here for a report of the November 2002 excursion.