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Pafuri Wilderness Trails
Summary of Itinerary
4 Day Walking Trail. Guests walk +- 3-4 hours in the morning to a pre-prepared brunch site. Relax and siesta during the heat of the day. Then walk +- 1 and a half hours in the afternoon. A wonderful dinner is enjoyed and then overnight at the trails camp before they set off again the next morning with similar walking times before returning to the trails camp for dinner and overnight.
South African Safaris
Pafuri Wilderness Trails
Pafuri area - Kruger National Park
2 Night / 3 Day
Walking trail in the spectacular, private Makuleke concession of the northern Kruger National Park.
Wilderness Trails cater for both the international traveller as well as the traditional Kruger Park visitor. It is perhaps the best area for walking in the entire Kruger National Park and is blessed not only with exceptional biodiversity but also spectacular scenery, seasonally high densities of many large mammal species, a feeling of wilderness and remoteness, and a sense of history. Habitats include the life giving arteries of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers, both with well developed floodplains and a series of vitally important seasonal pans. Between the two rivers lies a ridge of hills with a network of drainage lines and secret perennial springs to which the area's game is drawn. Rugged baobab dotted kopjes jut from mopane woodland and endless vistas across palm-studded floodplains, acacia woodland and ethereal riverine forest soothe the soul.
Accommodation for a maximum of 8 trailists is in en-suite thatch and canvas tents raised on low platforms. A covered dining area overlooks the fire where all cooking takes place and from the shade of the central Nyala-berry tree, glimpses of the Limpopo floodplain are visible. A waterhole and nearby spring ensure that game is never too far away from this intimate and rustic camp.
The three-night walking trail is led by an experienced and armed guide and tracker with the emphasis of the experience on wilderness.
The Makuleke Concession is the extreme northernmost sector of the Kruger National Park and is located between the Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers in what is also known as the Pafuri region. To the north and east lies Mozambique and Zimbabwe. This area is destined to become the core of the new Transfrontier or "Peace" park that will straddle South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
The Makuleke / Pafuri is one of the few true wilderness areas left in South Africa and the vegetation is so different to anything else within Kruger, that one might be forgiven for thinking one was in Central Africa! The large trees in this area are usually nearly 50% taller than most baobabs, and scenically, the area is diverse, with stunning mountains, shady, deep gorges, forests of Yellow Fever trees and groves of Baobabs, Mopane woodland, and open savannah grassland. The area is a true contrast to the rest of the Kruger National Park and a visit here truly rounds off the Kruger experience of the southern lodges.
Although this 24 000ha area comprises only fractionally more than 1% of the total area of the 2.2 million-hectare Greater Kruger National Park, 75% of all species in this region occur at Pafuri: nearly 400 birds species and over 100 mammal species make up some of the more visible aspects of this incredible biodiversity.
Game Viewing
The Pafuri region boasts fully three-quarters of the Kruger's wildlife and vegetative biodiversity, with many large mammal species and incredibly prolific birdlife. It is famous for the large herds of elephant and buffalo that are resident most of the year round, which concentrate in particular around the permanent waters of the Luvuvhu River in the dry winter months. Leopard have been sighted hunting the strong population of nyala and impala that live alongside the Luvuvhu system. On the easternmost boundary at "Crooks Corner" the Luvuvhu supports a large population of hippo and crocodile.
The Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers host the highest density of nyala in Kruger and species such as eland, Sharpe's grysbok and yellow-spotted rock dassie, which are difficult to find further south in the Park, are regularly seen here. A drive along the floodplain and riverine fringe of either of the two large rivers usually produces good general game in the form of nyala, impala, greater kudu, chacma baboon, waterbuck, warthog and perhaps grey duiker or bushbuck, while careful searching may yield the more elusive residents of the area such as lion and leopard. Other areas hold steenbok, the agile klipspringer and herds of Burchell's zebra. Recently, and excitingly, species such as giraffe and white rhino have been relocated to the area, from which they have been locally extinct for almost a century.
The area has long been regarded as something of a Mecca for southern African birdwatchers. Some species are found nowhere else in South Africa and the serious birder will revel in being able to find Böhm's and Mottled Spinetails, Racket-Tailed Roller, Three-Banded Courser, and Southern Hyliota. Other specials are Black-Throated Wattle-Eye, Pel's Fishing Owl, Yellow White-Eye, Meve's Starling and Tropical Boubou.
Day One: [B, L, D]
14h00 - Arrive at Pafuri Camp in order to check in and park car. You will be met by your guide, Mark McGill.
14h45 - Depart by 4x4 for the trails camp.
15h45 - arrive at the trails camp, unpack and settle in.
16h30 - afternoon tea followed by a short afternoon walk during which Mark will introduce the guidelines for the trail. This walk may be out onto the Limpopo floodplain, to a nearby spring or up the ridge of hills behind camp in order to gain your bearings.
18h00 - arrive back in camp before dark for a shower and drinks while the evening's food is prepared on the fire. After dinner relax around the fire before retiring to an early bed and the night sounds.
Day Two: [B, L, D]
05h00 - wake up.
05h30 - coffee and rusks before heading out on the morning walk. The direction of the walk will depend on local animal activity, but is likely to investigate the nearby waterhole or spring for the tracks of the night before and where appropriate to follow these tracks with the intention of finding the animal. Walking along animal paths and investigating likely areas for game or bird activity should see a 3-4 hour walk arriving back in camp for brunch.
10h00 - hearty brunch cooked on the fire together with fruit and cereal, followed by a midday siesta listening to cicadas, emerald-spotted wood doves and other sounds of the heat of the day.
16h30 - afternoon tea followed by a short afternoon walk.
18h00 - arrive back in camp before dark for a shower and drinks while the evening's food is prepared on the fire. After dinner relax around the fire before retiring to an early bed and the night sounds
Day Three: [B, L, D]
05h00 - wake up.
05h30 - coffee and rusks before heading out on the morning walk. The direction of the walk will depend on local animal activity, but is likely to investigate the nearby waterhole or spring for the tracks of the night before and where appropriate to follow these tracks with the intention of finding the animal. Walking along animal paths and investigating likely areas for game or bird activity should see a 3-4 hour walk arriving back in camp for brunch.
10h00 - hearty brunch cooked on the fire together with fruit and cereal, followed by a midday siesta.
16h30 - afternoon tea followed by a drive to an area before an afternoon walk.
18h00 - return to the vehicle for sundowners followed by a night drive back to camp. Following a shower, meet for drinks while the evening's food is prepared on the fire. After dinner relax around the fire before retiring to an early bed and the night sounds
Day Four: [B, L, D]
05h00 - wake up.
05h30 - coffee and rusks before heading out on the morning walk or drive. The intention of this morning's activity is to arrive back in the main camp for a late brunch before checking out. A drive will allow access to parts of the concession not yet seen, while a walk may be the choice of the more energetic.
10h00 - brunch served at Pafuri Camp.
11h00 - check out and depart.
* Times are approximate and will depend on several factors such as the time of sunrise, the specific interests of the group and so on.
Inclusions / Exclusions and Limitations:
Rates Include:
Lodge in either a game or nature reserve.
Game drives and activities as per itinerary
Game or Park entrance fees and permits
Meals as per itinerary
Bedding, linen, towels
Qualified professional guide
Airport Tax, Departure Tax and / or Government Tax
Flight costs for specific routing
Trained cook who prepares meals whilst on tour
Transport provided by tour company
Fruit juices at breakfast
Rates Exclude:
Visas and visa fees required
Anti-malarial and vaccinations
Any items bought prior and during the tour for personal use
Insurance for the full duration of the tour
Optional additional excursions to be paid whilst on tour.
Gratuities/tips & porterage for tour guide and staff
Limitations
Luggage - 12 Kg
Maximum - 7 Per Vehicle
Children
Children of all ages are welcome. Please be aware that children under 6 have to do game drives in a closed vehicle and children under 12 are not allowed on the bush walks - an alternative activity will be arranged for them.
