Wilderness Trails in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

The vast Kruger National Park covers almost 19 500 square kilometres, extending across both the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces in South Africa. For decades, this park has been one of the most popular reasons for visiting South Africa. Due to its size, positioning and status, Kruger (as it is known informally) is home to an astounding variety of animal and plant species.

Visitors to the park often indulge in a number of game drives at different times of the day in order to witness as much of the natural abundance that the park has to offer as possible. However, there are several wilderness trails through the park that give tourists a very special insight into the flora and fauna by being able to explore the park on foot.

Of course, this is the home of the wild animals, and not humans. Therefore, experienced rangers that are armed are absolutely essential to this type of experience. Unguided, independent walks should never be undertaken.

Groups of no more than eight people are formed. By limiting the number, the rangers are able to answer personal questions and help each individual to have an intimate experience with the bushveld. By doing this, you get to see and experience so much that is missed when travelling through the area in a vehicle.

The safari trail camps are chosen for their beauty and variety in terms of the wildlife and vegetation. The groups will spend three nights in rustic huts with reed showers and flushing toilets. At night, the entire group can enjoy a crackling fire outside with a background orchestra of animal sounds. Meals, snacks and tea or coffee are provided on these trails so that visitors do not have to carry much with them. However, alcoholic beverages are for the guests to bring.

The trails comprise of leisurely walks of up to 20 kilometres a day. Therefore, those wanting to embark on such explorations need to be fit enough to handle this. The trails are not suitable for wheelchairs or those with a walking aid.

Here are the trails that are made available:

•    Bushman Wilderness Trail – see the Bushman paintings that tell an intricate story of yesteryear and some of the first African residents. Common animals along this trail are the White Rhino, elephants, buffalo and other antelope.

•    Metsi-Metsi Wilderness Trail – just six kilometres from Mozambique, this trail camp is secluded at the foot of the N’wamuriwa Mountain.

•    Napi Wilderness Trail – located between Skukuza and Pretoriuskop, this area is famous for its spectacular views and granite hills. Wild residents include the White Rhino, elephant, buffalo and lion.

•    Nyalaland Wilderness Trail – with the trail camp perched on the bank of the Madzaringwe Stream, this trail is certainly a beautiful one. The famous Fever Tree and Baobab Tree are both found along this trail, and the newly-discovered fossil sites remain firm favourites.

•    Olifants Wilderness Trail – views of the Olifants River, riverine bush, deep gorges and Lebombos mountains and foothills really are quite magical on this trail. This area is home to large predators, elephant, buffalo and a huge variety of birds.

•    Sweni Wilderness Trail – this trail camp overlooks the Sweni Stream and boasts views of the magnificent Marula and Knobthorn savannah. The Sweni lion pride has made this its home and is quite a sight for fortunate trail-walkers.

•    Wolhuter Wilderness Trail – situated in the very midst of White Rhino Country, this trail is a commemoration to Harry and Henry Wolhuter, who patrolled the area for years.

Please note that it is essential for all those wanting to go on wilderness trails in the Kruger to be on anti-malarial prophylactics.