Classic Kruger Walking Safaris

Classic Kruger Walking safaris

This is an amazing adventure in the greater Kruger Park. Experience wildlife and the bush at its best with South African hospitality in rustic conditions. We can link this adventure with the Panorama route (from Satara and Orpen) or a cultural experience. So, get out the walking shoes, camera and binoculars and join us on perhaps the most exciting adventure of your life.

Kruger Walking safari

Itinerary

• We meet you at Oliver Tambo International and transport you in an air-conditioned vehicle to Kruger National Park. Time permitting, we do the Panorama route on the way and sleep over near the Kruger Park.
• Once you have completed the trail, we meet you at the nearest camp and either stay over in Kruger or at an accommodation near the Kruger Park.
• We return after breakfast and return to Johannesburg via the Panorama route. (some trails near the Panorama route)
• Please note that this adventure requires a lot of booking time and preparation so please give 1 year in advance to complete all the paper work etc.

About the Wilderness Trails

A small percentage of South Africa is classified as real wilderness areas. In the Kruger National Park 49% of the surface area of about 2 million hectares are zoned as wilderness and it is in these areas that the KNP conduct wilderness trails.

There are thousands of wildlife destinations on the African continent but few of them offer an authentic wilderness experience to tourists. Driving around in an open game drive vehicle the whole time and staying in a luxury lodge is not necessary the real thing. Staying in a rustic, primitive camp and experiencing the African bush on foot is much closer to an ultimate wilderness type of recreation. That is what we offer the more adventurous tourist – wildness, remoteness, tranquillity, peace and a big bonus: no other people!

Although the KNP conduct trails in big five areas the main aim of these trails is to have a wilderness experience. The KNP Wilderness Trails cannot compete with other expensive luxury destinations as far as guaranteed game viewing and service is concerned but we can offer vast open spaces and a special kind of atmosphere that very few other destinations can match. Everybody nowadays offers big five as part of the package. Few can offer an experience of real bush exclusivity. KNP Wilderness Trails sees dangerous animals as part of the bigger picture and not the whole picture.

There are so much more to see and to experience and we focus not only on the big aspects of nature but also on the smaller things that most people miss when they only drive around. Being on foot makes you feel part of the environment and not removed from it when you spend your time in a vehicle. It tunes you in to all facets of nature because you can see, smell, hear, touch, feel and even taste wild things. Driving is a visual experience – walking is a sensual experience.

Wilderness ethics and philosophy are very important aspects of the KNP’s presentation on trails. It is a sad fact that there are so few real wilderness areas left to the human race on earth and our mission is to create this awareness amongst our clients. The more people worldwide that stand up for our natural heritage the more we and future generations will benefit.

It is never the same people that we say goodbye to than the people that we’ve met. Simply because in a few days’ people relax and enjoy it so much that they forget their problems and the outside world where they came from to such an extent that they become rejuvenated and recharged.

Mathikithi

Please Note: The accommodation for each walk is different but comfortable.

Duration of the trail

• Wilderness trails start on either a Wednesday afternoon to a Saturday morning or a Sunday afternoon to a Wednesday morning.
• It is a three-night trail with the two days in between spent walking.
• Trailists arrive and book in at the reception of the rest camp from where the trail departs.
• The trail ranger meets the group at 15h30 in a designated parking area in the respective rest camp.
• At this point trailists must be ready and equipped as well as all last minute shopping done before the trail departs which only comes back after the three nights in the wilderness camp.

Trail – Camp – Gate

Bushmans – Berg & Dal-Malelane

Mathikithi – Satara – Orpen

Napi – Pretoriuskop – Numbi

Nyalaland – Punda Maria – Punda Maria

Olifants – Letaba – Phalaborwa

Sweni – Satara – Orpen

Wolhuter – Berg & Dal – Malelane

What to bring

• Clothing should be comfortable and durable. Neutral colors such as khaki are preferable. Light or bright colored garments should be avoided. T-shirts are not recommended as they provide little protection against the sun on the neck. A hat and an all-weather jacket should be taken along. A tracksuit, either woollen or lightweight depending on the season, is a useful garment.
• Footwear should be worn in prior to the trail, have thick soles and provide good ankle support. Sandals can be worn in camp.
• Cameras, binoculars, walking sticks, sunscreen lotion and reference books are optional.
• A good quality torch is essential for moving around camp at night. Lighting is provided in the form of kerosene lanterns, as there is no electricity.
• Malaria prophylactics are essential. Consult your chemist. Insect repellents can also help to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes or other insects.

Catering

• The trail provides simple but wholesome meals prepared by a cook on either an open fire or a gas stove. Trailists with special dietary requirements must please realize that although the trail can cater for some (e.g. vegetarians) it is very difficult to suit every individual’s special need. Prior arrangements in this regard are essential. We will help if it is in any way possible.
• Trailists provide their own liquid refreshments in the form of alcohol or any other cool drinks. Drinking water is provided as well as coffee and tea with a fruit juice as part of the bush breakfast. There are limited cooling facilities in each camp. Alcohol abuse will not and cannot be tolerated.

Important Tips

• A maximum of eight persons between the ages of 12 and 65 years may participate per trail. To derive the optimum benefit and enjoyment from a trail adventure, it is recommended that a group comprises persons of a similar age, with common interests and the same level of fitness.
• A reasonable level of fitness is required as up to 20 km may be walked per day. The distance is covered at a leisurely pace, however, to afford trailists an intimate encounter with the wilderness. Due to the terrain covered and the safety factor, handicapped persons should not participate in these trails.
• All participants have to complete an indemnity form before embarking on a trail. Minors must be in possession of a form signed by a parent or legal guardian. These forms should be handed to the trail ranger before departing on the trail.
• The general rules and regulations of the Kruger National Park also apply to trailists.
• Trailists depend on the trail ranger for their safety and for guidance. The trail ranger should therefore be obeyed at all times. Failure to co-operate in this respect could lead to the immediate cancellation of the trail.
• For safety and ethical reasons liquor may be consumed at the trail camp only. Excessive consumption of liquor is strongly discouraged.
• Trailists provide their own liquor and soft drinks.
• Limited space is available in a communal refrigerator.
• Malaria Prophylactics are essential. Please consult your chemist.

Routine

• Trailists arrive at the trail camp late afternoon after a slow drive from the individual restcamps. Upon arrival guests are orientated or introduced to the camp and then given time to settle in and relax. The trail leader will give the trailists a full briefing on the camp rules, routine for the next couple of days, what to expect, safety aspects and will answer any questions.
• After a wholesome meal the guests have the opportunity to sit around the fire, socialise, listen to night sounds and marvel at the stunning night skies.
• The mornings start before the crack of dawn with a cup of coffee, tea and a rusk after which the walk will start from camp or a drive might be taken out into the wilderness area to a point from where the morning walk will commence.
• We return late morning and after a well-deserved brunch a siesta is a welcome treat till mid afternoon. The afternoon activity consists of a short walk and traditional “sundowners”.
• We return to camp where once again a well cooked meal is served to restore body and soul.
• The second day is a repeat of the first day’s activities.
• The last morning trailists have the opportunity to enjoy the early morning bush chorus from the camp as no walking takes place. Guests are then returned to point of departure after a small breakfast.

Infrastructure

• The trail camps are rustic and spartan. There are no electricity or power generators. Accommodation consists of A-frame huts or tents, as is the case at Napi camp. There are four units that sleep two each. Ablution facilities are communal except the Napi tents where it is en-suite. All linen and towels are provided.
• Ablutions consist of flush toilets and gas geyser showers.
• There is a communal social area (lapa) with thatched roof or open campfire area.
• Cooling facilities consists of a fridge with limited space.
• The cook prepares all meals in a very basic kitchen with washing up basins and storing facilities.
• A fence surrounds the camp but it is basically only to tell animals and people where the camp boundary is.
• Water for washing gets pumped from boreholes close to camp. Water should not be wasted unnecessarily – especially in dry times.