Close Encounters on the Wild Side

‘If you want pictures of animals, goon a game drive. But if you want to get the real feel of Africa come on a walk.’ says Gerda-Melinda ‘Manzi’ Spruit, a game ranger at Jock Safari Lodge. Gerda-Melinda has worked in the bush for thirty years, and says walking safaris are gaining momentum as one of the most popular ways to experience the wild.

Choose Your Trek

An array of nature reserves, diversity of landscapes and wildlife means nature-lovers can find almost anything they’re looking for in South Africa, from the truly rustic to an ultra-luxurious outdoor safari adventure.

There are 3 basic types of walking safaris: full-blown wilderness trails, which include camping outdoors; portered safaris, with back-up vehicles to carry gear; and base camp safaris, where travellers use a lodge or tent-camp as a base for their daily adventures. Many reserves even offer a combination of these.

Close Encounters

‘People love the close encounters,’ Gerda-Melinda says. ‘Walking is as close to nature as you can get.’ Jock Safari Lodge focuses on game drives, but there’s also the option of a combination drive/walk, letting travellers explore at their own pace.

Jock Safari Lodge is one of the luxury private bush-lodges based inside the world famous Kruger National Park, a place renowned for its wildlife. Here, a typical walk takes in the surrounding fauna, flora and rock art. Game viewing is obviously part of the experience, but in the limited time of a morning walk it isn’t always a surety, so a longer stay is recommended. Of one thing you can be sure – no 2 walking safaris are ever the same!

Four days, Big 5

Transfrontiers Walking Safaris offer a 4-day safari, where they practically ensure you will view at least 4 of the Big 5, as well as a number of smaller animals. ‘On a one day safari it makes it harder to track animals, and you’d be very lucky to see something,’ says Ingrid Geertsema of Transfrontiers. ‘It’s all about being in the right place at the right time. So with our 4-day safari the odds are in your favour.’

A longer safari also gives the added benefit of night activities. These are usually in the form of game drives, as it would be more dangerous to walk after dark. But you won’t be ‘roughing it’ by any means. Based in the Klaserie and Timbavati private game reserves in Limpopo Province, a number of private reserves offer riverside sleep-in tents with comfy beds, hot showers, solar lighting and all the amenities you’ll need.

Under the Stars

But if sleeping under the stars is your idea of a perfect end to the day, Rhino Walking Safaris, also based in the Kruger, may just have what you’re looking for. It occupies a vast 12 000ha space within the park, two-thirds of which are suited to walking adventures.

Walks start early — immediately after sunrise — with breaks for lunch and later, sundowners overlooking a waterhole. But then comes the best part. Travellers walk for 1½ hours to get to the ‘sleephouse’, wooden structures built on treetops, with tents set up. There you can bunk in luxury under a starry African sky with a riverbed behind you and comfort all around, surrounded by the sounds of the African bush.

Walk with Bushmen

If you prefer bird trails and historical nature walks, Pakamisa Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal offers up to 8-hour long walks where you can take in a variety of smaller wildlife or go on a tree trail.

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in the Karoo in the Western Cape lets you walk the path that Bushmen took centuries before, taking in the indigenous plants and landscape while viewing authentic Bushman Rock Art. There are simpler and more challenging trails, depending on your personal preference.

Unforgettable Stories

‘And it’s addictive. Sometimes we walk and never see anything. But people still love it, because all their senses are awakened,’ concludes Gerda-Melinda “You hear, taste and smell nature. You see more than the animals you can ‘see’ from the vehicle. And the stories that come out of it are worth it too.”

The best way to experience all this is by walking it…

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