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GGuided and self-drive tours of the Kruger National Park certainly have their charms. But if you’re looking for a more immersive experience that will change you in some way, or show you details that are impossible to see from a vehicle, then you should think about exploring the iconic national park and the private game reserves around it on foot.
If you’re planning on visiting the Greater Kruger National Park (the Kruger National Park and associated private reserves) on safari, chances are that you’re looking for a way to connect and interact with nature. Kruger walking safaris are a fantastic way to do this.
On organised trails that generally last between 3 and 4 days, you’ll be accompanied by highly experienced armed rangers who are trained to keep you safe and interpret the environment that you walk through.
No two trail experiences will be same as the guides lead you through different parts of the Greater Kruger National Park. And chances are, once you’re done, you won’t be the same either – it is, after all, an incredible experience.
There are a range of trails on offer.
Run over 3 nights and 4 days, the rustic Mphongolo Trail in Kruger National Park’s largest wilderness area (no tourist roads currently run through this area of the park) is a ‘bare essentials’ experience. You will carry everything that you need with you on your back, and when you’re done walking you will have left no trace on this pristine patch of wilderness.
You can also do the Lonely Bull Trail, a similar experience that takes you along the Letaba River; or the Olifants Backpack Trail, which is perhaps the most physically demanding of the 3 backpack trails on offer. Similar experiences are offered through private operators like Sefapane River Lodge, which runs its own trails along the Olifants River.
If this sounds a little too basic, you can up your comfort levels by opting for a less rustic experience. The Kruger National Park’s seven wilderness trails are catered and offer guests a simple, but comfortable, base camp from which to explore parts of the national park that few people get to see.
Private operators like Transfrontiers Wildlife Walking Safaris offer a similar experience in a private nature reserve in the Hoedspruit area, while Return Africa runs the Pafuri Walking Trail, which takes place in the north of Kruger in the private Makuleke concession.
There are also luxury options. Tanda Tula’s ‘field camp’ is the 5-star version of an immersive bush experience, while the Rhino Walking Safaris Plains Camp is a wonderful base from which to explore on foot. In both instances, you’ll be fuelled by delicious meals and rewarded with comfortable nights spent in luxury tents, offering all the comforts of home.
Did You Know?
TTravel tips & planning info
Who to contact
South African National Parks
Tel: +27 (0)12 428 9111
Email: reservations@sanparks.org
Sefapane River Lodge
Tel: +27 (0)15 780 6700
Email: reservations@sefapane.co.za
Tanda Tula
Tel: +27 (0)15 793 3191
Email: reservations@tandatula.com
Transfrontiers Wildlife Walking Safaris
Tel: +27 (0)83 653 0427
Email: sales@transfrontiers.com
Return Africa
Tel: +27 (0)11 646 1391
Email: res@returnafrica.com
Best time to visit
Some trails are not operational in the hottest months of the year (November to February), so be sure to check when you are booking.
What will it cost?
Trails can cost between R2 000 and R15 000, depending on the level of luxury and their duration.
What to pack
When booking your trail, request a comprehensive kit list.
Where to stay
On a walking safari you stay out in the bush overnight in either a small tent you have carried yourself, or in a more luxurious base tent. Some trails use a different campsite each night of the trail, while others provide a more permanent base.
What to eat
Take along light-weight, high-energy food that is easy to prepare. Good options include things like seed bars, nuts, dried fruit, couscous, pesto and biltong.
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