Kruger National Park Activities: Walking Trails

By: Getaway
7 March 2011
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There is more to Kruger than simple sightings of the Big Five as they saunter past your car windows. The Kruger National Park is home to myriad organisms all tied together in a finely tuned network creating the natural savanna ecosystems encompassed within its borders. Most of these pass unnoticed by the vast majority of visitors – and not through any fault of theirs. These delicate interactions along the food chain, and the smaller plants and animals, are invisible from the confines of vehicles. To appreciate them fully, you need to venture out on foot.

Guided morning and afternoon bush walks are available from most of the park rest camps, and all of the private concessions - Rhino Walking Safaris, in particular, makes walking the focus of activities in their concession (one of the only areas in the park designated as true wilderness).

SANParks also offers seven overnight wilderness trails (see overleaf) with SANParks rangers specially trained for this demanding and interactive activity. All these operate in roughly the same manner. A maximum of eight guests – from 12 to 60 years of age – are accommodated at a central base camp, from where they are guided by two expert trails guides, usually in the morning, returning to camp during the heat of the day and then setting out in the afternoon again. You are not restricted to the camp area, however, as walkers may be driven to the start of the walking trail each day.

Two groups (of four days and three nights each) are accommodated each week. Participants meet at the designated main rest camp (see individual entries) and are then transported in an open-sided vehicle to the base camp. These are all comfortable but rustic, at remote locations within special landscapes throughout the park. Trails are, to a certain degree, tailored to guest requirements, and although you don’t have to be exceptionally fit, you should at least be ‘walking fit’ – the average morning walk is a slow 12 km. Afternoon walks are generally shorter. No trails operate in December and January, because of the intense heat the park experiences during this midsummer period.

All meals and cooldrinks are included in the price, although participants must supply their own alcoholic drinks and snacks for the duration of the visit.

Wolhuter Trail

Situated between Berg-en-Dal and Pretoriuskop in the special floral reserve in the southwest of the park, this trails camp offers guests fantastic scenery, interesting plants and exciting gameviewing. The area is ‘thick’ with white rhino, which are often seen on foot. The area is also one of the few places in the park where you can see mountain reedbuck. Visitors meet their guide at Berg-en-Dal.

Bushman Trail

Although this trail is situated close to the Wolhuter Trail base camp (see previous page) and shares a common scenic backdrop, the two trails have very different feels. Activities at Bushman Trail are focused on the fascinating array of rock art found in the southwestern regions of Kruger. Of course, animals are not forsaken in the quest for art. Meet at Berg-en-Dal.

Napi Trail

Situated near the confluence of the Napi and Biyamiti rivers, this camp is also sited in a botanically diverse region in the south of the park. White rhino are commonly seen on walks from here, as are zebra and wildebeest. Occasionally, lion, elephant and even black rhino are to be seen too. The scenery is dotted with picturesque granite koppies and numerous rocky outcrops, which add a dramatic backdrop to the walks. Guests join their guide at Pretoriuskop.

Olifants Backpacking Trail

Located to the south of the Olifants River, near its confluence with the Letaba, this camp occupies one of the most spectacular sites in Kruger, with large rocky outcrops, the spectacular Olifants Gorge and majestic river views. Great sightings of hippo and crocodile are guaranteed, while birders are often rewarded with Pel’s fishing owl. The groups assemble at Letaba.

Metsi-Metsi Trail

Metsi-Metsi, northeast of Tshokwane Picnic Site, straddles the park’s gamerich eastern plains and the rocky Lebombo Mountain ecozones. Good game sightings are a certainty and if it’s your desire to walk with the Big Five, then this is the place to do it! Zebra, wildebeest, kudu and giraffe are common, while, if you’re lucky, you could see lion, leopard, rhino and cheetah. You will have good elephant sightings too. Guests meet at Skukuza. Sweni Trail Departing from Satara rest camp, this trail heads for the open grassy plains of the legendary N’wanetsi area, close up to the Lebombo range. When the large herds of grazers congregate here, you’ll more likely be dodging game than looking for it. The trails camp looks across the Sweni River to a busy waterhole.

Nyalaland Trail

This trail, in the botanically diverse sandveld of Kruger’s northern region, will appeal more to the botanically inclined. Many plants are rare and endemic, such as the sesame tree. The trail is based close to the Luvuvhu River and is probably the best way to experience the prolific birdlife of the Pafuri region, especially towards summer when migrants (rollers, beeeaters, kingfishers, cuckoos) return. Mottled spinetail, Pel’s fishing owl, crowned eagle and African finfoot are possible. Guests join their guide at Punda Maria.

More activities in Kruger Park

For bookings contact SANParks on phone 012-426-5117 or e-mail hestherv@parks-sa.co.za. No children younger than 12 years old are allowed on the trails. If you require accommodation at the beginning or end of the trail you must book this separately with central reservations – see page 14.

This is an extract from the Kruger Park Guide by Cameron Ewart-Smith and Sunbird Publishers. Want the whole guidebook? Buy the Getaway Guide to Kruger National Park here.