Email us or call now to speak
to one of our specialist travel team

01728 685 971

The art of travelling with respect

The Fair Trade Travel™ company

We have some stunning photos on this website - places, people, wildlife and accommodation.

In order to see the photos you need Flash Player 9, which is very easy to install.

Install Flash Player 9

Walking Safari in Kruger

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.

Trip highlights

  • Traditional bush camping safari on foot in the Greater Kruger.
  • Small, personal camps in exclusive private reserve areas.
  • Fantastic wildlife sightings in a world famous part of Africa.
  • Amazing value for money
  • Can easily be linked to a self drive Kruger itinerary or longer tailor made itinerary.

Itinerary

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.

Price

£295 for the 3 night safari, £380 for the 4 night safari, per person based on twinshare accommodation. Single supplements will apply. These prices do not include flights.

Call us for single supplement details

Duration and details

4 or 5 days.

Is it for you?

Average fitness is required as the walks can last for up to about 4 hours.

Best times to go

This trip can be taken at any time of year. From October to March, Mpumalanga and Limpopo are hot and rainy. From April to September it is warm and dry.

View South Africa climate chart

Included

Transfers from/to Johannesburg by road, accommodation in 2-man tents (sharing), all meals (not drinks), all walks and game drives, armed ranger & guide.

Not included

Drinks,R200 pp conservation levy, flights, visas, travel insurance, tips. NOTE: you can fly to Hoedspruit or self drive and join the safari there if you prefer.

Getting there

There are direct flights from Europe to Johannesburg (about 10 ½ hours direct). Return flights from the UK cost from about £500 plus taxes depending on the time of year. Connections to Hoedspruit can be arranged.

View flight information

Comments

A great insight to the plant and animal life in the Kruger and was a fantastic mix of informative walks and exciting game drives, brilliant! The guides were all excellent, great experience and knowledge and ensured the walks were all safely carried out. Food in camp was terrific, the staff really looked after us.
D Watson

Shop at Tribes Trading

The Global Art of Ethical Living

The Tribes Foundation

Our charity aims to relieve the poverty of indigenous communities outside of the UK.

Receive our newsletter

Keep informed about superb places to stay, special offers and what is new. We send out our e-newsletter roughly bi-monthly.

Join
ATOL Logo AITO Logo