Glide silently through the bush and feel the connection as your senses become heightened when purely surrounded by nature itself. Absorb the sounds and signs of the bush, able to notice the smallest clue and stop immediately for a sound or a footprint and decide what made it, when and where is it going? Is it nearby?
On this walking experience you will examine and come to understand how all the various components of the ecosystem interconnect and what impact some of these have on different animal species. From this, you will then be able to start reading signs and making connections to enable you to find and enjoy the rewards of your newfound skills by being amongst animals on foot.
A truly authentic and invigorating way to explore the bush, Graham looks forward to welcoming you to our lovely Rondavel Camp bordering the Kruger National Park. Make sure your batteries are charged and you have spares as there is no electricity at the camp, which will give you an opportunity to detox from the outside world and savour good food, good hospitality and, with many kilometres of prime river frontage to explore, prime wildlife experiences.
Please note that this trip requires a reasonable level of physical fitness. Guests may walk 5-10km per day in warm conditions.
Key features:
- 8 days
- Hosted by expert
- Small group (c. 6 people)
- Big Five game area
- Photographic safari
- Bush walks (2 a day)
- Game drives
- All-inclusive
- Comfortable rondavels
- Over 16s only
What’s included:
- International return flights from Heathrow to Joburg
- Local return flights to Phalaborwa or Hoedspruit
- Return road transfer to lodge
- Park fees
- All activities
- All taxes
- All meals and snacks at camp
- All beverages (excludes premium champagne and wines) at camp
- Wild Insight North Face base camp duffel bag
- Wild Insight safari shirt
- Wild Insight soft shell gilet
Not included:
- Tips
- Personal items (souvenirs, insurance etc)
- Connecting flights within UK to Heathrow
Itinerary
Day 1 – Overnight flight
Board your overnight flight at Heathrow and put your feet up ahead of the big adventure which awaits.
Day 2 – Camp
Arrive early into JNB and transfer onto your connecting flight to Phalaborwa, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to our rondavel bush camp on the border of Kruger National Park, which will be your home for the next 5 nights. Enjoy a welcome drink on arrival, followed by a brief tour of the site and a safety briefing. Then familiarise yourselves with your room and enjoy a chance for a refresh, before gathering for a drink ahead of setting out on a game walk to begin the exploration of the wildlife around.
We will stop to enjoy a sundowner before heading back into camp, where a fire will be waiting. Guests will have chance to change before a delicious dinner will be served.
Conversation and drinks of choice can then be enjoyed around the fire, before you head to bed to sleep soundly ahead of the first full day ahead.
Day 3 to 6 – Camp
Below illustrates the main daily routine, however depending on conditions and game activity we are likely to do a mixture of walking from camp, driving to a new area of the reserve to walk and explore further and we may also set up camps in the bush and walk between those each day, creating a continuously changing environment over the duration of the stay.
Awaken just before dawn and assemble to enjoy a hot drink and rusk whilst listening to the magnificent African dawn chorus. We will then head out on a long walk to discover the clues and tracks left during the course of last night and use these to track wildlife.
We will return to camp mid-morning for a delicious brunch and discuss the findings of the morning: What have we seen? What was nearby last night?
Guests will have time at leisure to rest or clock up the bird species from the camp grounds.
We will assemble late afternoon again for a drink before heading out on our evening walk and for a sundowner.
We will then return to camp where a fire will be waiting. Guests will have chance to change before a delicious dinner will be served.
Conversation about the day’s events and drinks of choice can then be enjoyed around the fire before bed.
Some walks may be replaced or supplemented with drives in an open vehicle to give aching legs a rest!
Day 7 – Overnight flight
This day starts as those before it have, with an early start and one last walk to unlock the secrets of the bush. By this point, you should be much more aware of the goings-on of the bush and feel a deep connection which is likely to drive a desire not to return home!
After breakfast, it is time to pack up and say goodbye before being collected by the road transfer back to Phalaborwa, for your flight back to JNB and the international overnight flight to London.
Day 8 – Arrive UK
Land early morning in Heathrow and depart for home.