6 Day Kruger Park Walking Experience

The focus of this safari is the walking. These will be done primarily during the early mornings which is also the cooler time of the day for being on foot. There will however also be game drives done. Be prepared for early starts

Accommodation for the 5 nights in the Kruger Park will be in an en-suit bungalow. These bungalows have their own toilet and shower and some may have a small kitchenette and or veranda. They typically consist of twin beds, but some may have three single beds.

Meals: Breakfasts and Dinners are provided for the duration of the safari (within the Kruger Park). The reason that lunches are excluded is because breakfasts may be later than normal and we have found most guests skip lunch or are happy to have a few snacks to last until dinner time. Light snacks are provided during the walks. Any additional snacks can be taken along during game drives, but should be kept out of site, especially near monkey and baboon sightings.

Photography: If you are a casual photographer, you will love this trip! Both mammals and birds are easy to take pictures of, and because the Kruger Park is home to such a big diversity of species that are tame and easily seen, there are plenty of opportunities for the casual photographer to indulge and enjoy shooting. It is important to be aware that the focus of this safari is not photography, so if you are a serious photographer, remember that you will be sharing a vehicle with others and bumps and general movement can and should be expected. While out on walks please consider the extra weight from carrying photographic equipment with you.

What to bring with: Cool comfortable clothing (preferably of a neutral colour for the walks); swimwear; comfortable hiking shoes (does not have to be hiking boots); sandals or other comfortable shoes during summer months. During winter months at least one warm jacket, gloves and a beanie for drives is recommended. Temperatures on an open safari vehicle can be very cold, especially with an added wind chill factor. Binoculars; camera; sunscreen; mosquito repellent; hat; spending money (can be cash or credit card); any personal medication and toiletries.

The camps throughout the park are fenced in order to keep dangerous animals out, but occasionally hyenas have managed to sneak into a camp. Some camps have various smaller species that roam through the camp both during the day and at night. Vervet Monkeys and occasionally Chacma Baboons will come into the camps. These animals can be aggressive and food should be properly stored away. They are only interested in food, so there is no need to worry that they will attack for no reason. Please do not approach any of the wild animals.

The camps we are staying at all have a shop, a restaurant and a swimming pool.

Most of the Kruger Park has a fair to good cell phone network. There are one or two public Wi-Fi hotspots at the bigger camps but these can be unreliable and should not be depended upon.

Day 1 – Transfer from Johannesburg to Skukuza Camp in the Kruger Park

Today you will make your way to Skukuza Camp within the Kruger National Park. You can either transfer to the camp by road, or fly-in direct to the camp. For those on the transfer by road, you will be met at the entrance gate to the park by your guide and transfer in an open safari vehicle to Skukuza Camp. A quick lunch will be enjoyed before checking into your rooms. After a short break you will be collected by your guide and taken on an afternoon game drive and the first real opportunity to see this natural heritage up close.

You will return to camp around sunset as the gates to the camps close. You then meet up for dinner to discuss the day and the program for the next day.

Day 2 – Skukuza Camp to Satara Camp

Skukuza Camp is situated in the southern section of the Kruger National Park and is on the banks of the Sabie River. Its proximity to one of the main rivers of the park as well as to a variety of vegetation zones ensures that this area is home to many different mammal and bird species.

This morning will be an early start as you depart camp on your first official walk guided by field rangers from the Kruger Park. These walks are a great way to experience the African bush on foot and is sure to get your adrenaline going too. Each walk is done with the focus on learning more about this fascinating ecosystem.

You return to camp to enjoy a much deserved breakfast before packing up and heading further north to Satara Camp. The road to Satara holds a lot of potential as far as sightings are concerned and several species can be seen along the way. You will stop along the way for a break and a quick bite to eat. After checking in to Satara you will enjoy some time to relax before your sunset drive conducted by a park ranger. Dinner will be served as soon as you return from the drive.

Day 3 – Satara Camp

Satara Camp is set in an area which is more typical of African savanna with open grasslands and scattered Marula and Knob-thorn trees. This is also arguably one of the better areas in the park for seeing the big cats, and hopefully you will have an opportunity to see these while in the area.

Your morning again starts early with a walk. The rangers usually drive out to a suitable area before you will be given a briefing on what to do and what not to do. These walks last around 4 hours, but the pace is generally relaxed with many stops along the way and a lot of interesting information will be shared.

Breakfast will be enjoyed upon arriving back at camp and you then have some time to relax, enjoy a swim, explore the camp or to perhaps catch up on much needed sleep. In the early afternoon your guide will collect you from your room to go out on an afternoon game drive. Elephants, Blue Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Giraffes and Zebras are all regularly seen and with some luck you may also be rewarded with a sighting or two of the more elusive cat species.

Day 4 – Satara Camp to Skukuza

This morning you have another opportunity to explore the Satara area on foot, and hopefully you will get to see and learn a lot more through this experience.

You will enjoy breakfast upon returning to camp. Your guide will then assist with loading your luggage as you check-out and make your way back south to Skukuza Camp. This will be another educational drive as your guide stops at various points to share information on the parks fauna and flora.

You will stop at a picnic site for lunch before getting to the camp in the early afternoon. Enjoy a drink sitting at one of the benches overlooking the Sabie River.

Day 5 – Skukuza Camp

The activities today will consist of two game walks. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. Having already done one walk from Skukuza you will have some idea on what to expect, but the truth is you never really can tell what to expect on these walks. There are always new encounters and fascinating things to learn.

Today you will also have some time to explore Skukuza Camp and its museum, go for a swim or sit at the river and watch for that leopard that comes for a drink. Breakfast and Dinner will be at the camp restaurant.

Day 6 – Skukuza Camp to Johannesburg

With a final opportunity to walk in this great wilderness you head out again to a designated area with the expectation of finding something new and unusual.

After returning to camp, having a quick breakfast and packing up you will return to Johannesburg via the incredible Panorama route. Stops will be made at sites such as the Blyde River Canyon (3rd largest green canyon in the world), a waterfall and Pilgrims Rest (gold mining town) before heading back to Johannesburg. You will get back to Johannesburg in the late afternoon.

Trip Considerations

Pace: This is a moderately paced safari, with walking being the main focus. Some time will be spent within open safari vehicles driving in search of various species. Days can be long with most mornings requiring a 05h00am or earlier start depending on the time of the year. Where possible we will have a break during the midday heat. Stops may also be made at picnic sites or other areas where leaving the vehicle is permitted.

Climate: The Kruger Park is at an average altitude of around 350m above sea level and is within a summer rainfall area. The summer months (October to April) can be warm to hot and balmy. Late afternoon and evening thundershowers can be expected. The winter months (May to August) are dominated by clear skies and warm weather. Early mornings and evenings can be cool and even chilly. Rain is not expected during these months. It is advisable to choose a departure date that suits the climate you would prefer.

** Terms & Conditions apply ** Valid from 1 Jan 2021 – 31 Dec 2022 only. **

 

Transfers from and to the airport, as well as to the Kruger National Park, is in a 12-seater bus, and game drives are guided and take place in open safari vehicles so as to offer the best possible game viewing experience. Our vehicles provide guests with the highest possible levels of safety and comfort.

• Road transfers to and from the Kruger Park from Johannesburg.
• Accommodation for 5 nights in an en-suite chalet while in the Kruger Park.
• Breakfasts, Dinners. Bottled water during drives.
• Coffee and tea before morning drives.
• Open safari vehicle for all drives within the Kruger Park.
• Daily conservation fees and entrance fees to the Kruger National Park.
• A professional, qualified field guide for the duration of your safari in the Kruger Park.
• Daily guided bush walks consisting of 5 x morning walks and 1 x afternoon walk.
• 1 x Sunset Drive.
• A printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings.
• The Panorama Route on the last day for people returning to Johannesburg.

• Flights to and from South Africa.
• Pre and post safari accommodation
  – See www.outlooklodges.com for accommodation close to the airport in Johannesburg.
• Lunches.
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Travel insurance.
• Personal items.
• Medical fees.
• Other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included.