The newly introduced Bush Train Fiesta will be a scenic adventure tour with a party on board en route to a music festival to celebrate the festive season
GOSEGO MOTSUMI
Inspired by the Victoria Falls Carnival in neighbouring Zimbabwe which attracts over 25 000 participants from all over the world, the Coca Cola Bush Train is the latest calendar event to usher in the festive season. Pinned for 14 December, the event aims to improve urban and rural tourism with a scenic adventure tour by train, inclusive of a train party experience en route to the main event at the farm school of Crescent in Lobatse.
“We also want to revive the night life of Lobatse,” said event organiser Andre Mokopakgosi. “This is also an opportunity to visit tourist attractions and engage in the offered activities in Lobatse and surrounding areas. People can embark on a historical and scenic tour of Peleng Township and the dam, hike on the famous Lentswe la Baratani in Otse, and enjoy the new and first zip line activity in Botswana at the Big Valley Game Lodge.”
The organisers have partnered with Botswana Railways to avail the commuter train to ferry patrons from Gaborone to Lobatse and back to the city the next day. This will simultaneously be used as a party train because it has disco compartments on board as a dance floor. Patrons who wish to tour the surroundings have the option to return to the venue later on the night train that departs Lobatse on Sunday 15 December to Francistown. Aboard the train and at the event will be Wi-Fi, snacks, food, refreshments and various activities to make the journey enjoyable. The proposed departure times of the party train to Lobatse from Gaborone for its three runs will be 10 am, 3 pm and 6 pm.
Said Mokopakgosi: “The inspiration to use the train is promotion of use of passenger rail transport and to cater for revellers looking to enjoy themselves with a different but exciting adventure party since train parties are common in Botswana. It is also our desire to promote and contribute to zero road accidents during the festive season.”
As the headlining sponsor of the event, Coca Cola Beverages has also announced its one-year sponsorship of the Bush Train Fiesta. The 2019 festival will be at Crescent Sports Grounds in Lobatse and will feature the crème dela crème of the music industry across all genres. Traditional games, exotic table games, good food and various refreshments will complement the Bush Train Fiesta after the exciting thrill of the train party.
“We saw it fit to be a part of this event to create a memorable experience for patrons,” said Marketing Manager of Coca Cola Beverages, Joshua Mogotsi. “Coca Cola personifies, above all else, openness in all people, their authenticity and their inborn artistic expression. So both brands share and value freedom of expression and fun and are always looking to give individuals a platform to express that which they are passionate about.”
The inaugural Bush Train Fiesta is expected attract more than 2 000 revellers from across the country. To experience the adventure-packed event, patrons can purchase tickets priced at P250. VIP tickets are priced at P 750 inclusive of a cab to the train from home and back, the train party, festival entry, a welcome meal and activities of choice. VVIP tickets go for P2000 and are inclusive of accommodation, cab services, entry into the festival, the party train, a welcome meal and activities of choice.
-Patrons in Lobatse can buy their tickets for P150 for festival entry, the train party joy rides (limited seats) and a meal voucher. Tickets are sold at Webtickets and Nutickets.