One of the most fantastic ways to get a realistic and exciting experience of the African bush is to walk through it. Combining walks with game drives, you get the most out of your time in the Greater Kruger.
To walk is to be out there with the African wildlife, sharing their paths and waterholes, the daily dramas of their lifes and their space. Walking, you follow their tracks and feel the tingle of your own senses and hear the beating of your heart as you edge closer to herds of elephant .... sleeping in a tent uder the trees with only the canvas between you and the bush is a fantastic experience never to be forgotten!
These walks are based in the bush in the Greater Kruger - they can road transfer you by picking you up and taking you back to Johannesburg. Once you get to the bush pub on the edge of the Greater Kruger on the transfer you are taken in open 4x4 landrovers to one of the exclusive unfenced camps where you stay for the safari. There are no fences between the Kruger National Park and the Reserves, hence the name Greater Kruger NP. The big advantage of these exclusive wilderness areas is their privacy, so there is no sharing sightings or camps with other groups of tourists.
The unfenced camps are private and secluded and not open to day visitors. Each camp can sleep up to 12 people in large walk-in twin-bedded tents (linen is provided, so sleeping bags are not needed) with sown-in mosquito screens. Ablutions are separate but close with hot showers and flush toilets. The two camps are Madach Camp in Timbavati and Tusker Camp in Klaserie.
Tusker Tented Camp is situated amongst lush riverine forest on the banks of Klaserie River, it's name refers to the Elephant's tusks - this camp often receives visits from these magnificent animals! Madach Tented Camp is on a small riverbed surrounded by Mopane, Acacia and Leadwood trees. The name Madach means Wild Dog in the Shangaan languarge given to the camp when it was constructed as a pack of these endangered animals moved around the area.
Although there is no electricity, there is solar lighting, candles, lanterns and a campfire to guide you around the camp at night. Meals are prepared in the kitchen tent and served in the dining tent or under the stars. Each safari is accompanied by one or two experienced and armed rangers and each camp is serviced by a chef. The combination of walks and drives in the open 4x×4 Landrover are dependent on weather and animal movements and are conducted from camp in the early mornings, late afternoons and at night.
Scheduled departures are guaranteed every Monday (5 day) or Friday (4 day). Maximum 8 people per trail, no minimum. Maximum 12 people per camp. Minimum age 16. Let us know if you want transfers from Johannesburg or will make your own way to Hoedspruit.
Every Friday (4 days) and Monday (5 days) of the year.
Duration: 4 or 5 days.
ITINERARY FOR 4 NIGHT GROUP TRIP (TWO CAMPS)
Day 1: You will be picked up from Johannesburg at first light (between 5-6 am) and driven to a Kruger gate (about 5-6 hours). Lunch just outside the park at a bush pub, where you also meet your guide. Transfer in open 4x4 vehicle to a bush camp in either Klaserie or Timbavati Reserve. Introductory walk/drive.
Day 2: Walks in the bush with your armed guide, tracking wildlife and learning about the environment. Sometimes we take game drives. Lunch in camp is followed by a siesta, then afternoon walks and drives. Evening game drives are also possible. Evenings with dinner round the fire before overnight in your tent (2-man walk-in tents with beds and linen. Separate loo/shower tent).
Day 3: Today you will transfer by game viewing on the way to your next camp in the other reserve. Lunch and siesta in camp then an afternoon walk and night drive.
Day 4: Game walks in the bush early morning and late afternoon with a siesta at lunchtime as before.
Day 5: A last morning walk before heading back to Johannes’burg.
THE THREE NIGHT ITINERARY REMAINS IN ONE CAMP WITH AN OPTIONAL SLEEP OUT IN A FLY CAMP IN THE SAME RESERVE.
A tab system operates for the honesty bars in the camps. At the end of the safari when you exit the reserves, you will pay the conservation levy (currently R200 per person) and settle your drinks bill. Mastercard / Visa is accepted at a 5% commission fee. Drinks available in the camps usually include beer, wine, ciders, smirnoff spins, gin and tonics, cokes, juices and bottled water. Coffee, tea and tap water are free of charge.
