Kruger Park Trails
A walking safari in the Kruger National (and Greater Kruger, for that matter) is a popular and very sought-after activity that both local and international guests want to experience when on safari.
All walks in Kruger are guided by an experienced game ranger who knows the landscape well. They will provide safety, as well as informative facts about the area and the wildlife the guests will encounter.
Visitors will experience the untamed beauty of the wild with a walking safari - seeing nature and various animals up close and personal will definitely provide a few memorable moments on safari.
In the southern Kruger, near the Olifants River area, guests can embark on the 4-day Olifants River Backpacking Trail. It is approximately 42 kilometres and hikers are expected to carry and cook their own food. It is led by two experienced trail rangers with a maximum of eight hikers. There is no set route, so remember your sense of adventure!
The Lonely Bull Backpacking Trail starts in the western part of the Kruger at Shimuwini Camp. Here, hikers will explore the area surrounding the Letaba River. The Mphongolo Backpacking Trail is in the northern Kruger and follows a trail out into the wilderness between the Shingwedzi and Mphongolo rivers.
Whichever part of the Kruger you are staying in, you add a walking safari to your itinerary - it is a must for any nature lover, or those wanting to get that perfect picture of animals like zebra, giraffe, antelope, rhino, elephant and the surrounds.
Limpopo and Mpumalanga
Both the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces have gorgeous bushveld and thornveld landscapes, rocky outcrops and sparse, open grasslands. Thus it is home to an abundance of wildlife that will delight any guest on a walking safari.
The Waterberg Biosphere in Limpopo is a renowned massif where wildlife roam free and stunning scenery is the order of the day. Guests have various luxury safari accommodation options to choose from in the area, and each lodge hosts their own walking safari with an experienced guide. You’ll be led down into sandstone gorges, along rivers in the shadow of towering cliffs and into the heart of Big Five country.
The Mala Mala and Sabi Sand Game Reserves in Mpumalanga are part of the Greater Kruger, and also offer amazing safari experiences, such as multi-day walking trails. Guests will follow animal trails on foot through pristine bushveld with an experienced guide, where they will be able to see rhino, elephant, zebra, hyena, antelope, buffalo and other wildlife.
Desert Routes
On the western border of South Africa lies the semi-desert, arid Northern Cape province, typified by dunes, rocky hills and a sparse scattering of shrubs and quiver trees. Although the area is dry, there are many animals who call the province home and visitors who want to break away from a typical safari will be happy to know there are many other opportunities to see and interact with the country’s diverse wildlife.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a highly rated wildlife destination that offers stunning walking trails throughout the park. There are escorted walks from Twee Rivieren wilderness camp, which is an incredible experience for those wanting to see various species of wildlife such as gemsbok, springbok and klipspringer as well as smaller creatures such as the bat-eared fox, aardvark and meerkats.
Midlands Safari
The province of KwaZulu-Natal has lots of luxury safari experiences on offer, situated in lush greenery, wetlands, rolling hills and riverine forests. From the Midlands to Maputaland and the South Coast, there are various spots to enjoy a scenic walk in nature with a broad range of wildlife, birdlife and ecosystems.
Pakamisa Private Game Reserve in the Maputaland region offers daily walking safaris that lets guests up close and personal with the wildlife of the area. The trained guide will point out insects, plants and trees, as well as the behaviour patterns of the mammals and birds found in the region. You can look out for rhino, antelope, giraffe, zebra and birds like the cape vulture and various species of endangered cranes.
The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park also offers beautiful walking trails through bushveld. Lions, rhinos, giraffes, wild dogs, zebras and cheetahs call the reserve home, so guests are in for a treat when they visit the park.