Dirty Boots | Adventure Sports South Africa
There is a world of difference between experiencing a safari in Africa on foot, "old style", than say, from the tinted windows of a luxury bus! To walk is to be out there with the African wildlife, sharing their paths and waterholes, the daily drama’s of their lives, sharing their space. To walk is to follow their tracks, feel the tingle of your own senses and hear the beating of your heart as you edge closer to a herd of elephant resting in the shade. To sleep in a tent under the trees with only the canvas between you and the bush is an experience not easily forgotten.
There is a world of difference between experiencing a safari in Africa on foot, "old style", than say, from the tinted windows of a luxury bus! To walk is to be out there with the African wildlife, sharing their paths and waterholes, the daily drama’s of their lives, sharing their space. To walk is to follow their tracks, feel the tingle of your own senses and hear the beating of your heart as you edge closer to a herd of elephant resting in the shade. To sleep in a tent under the trees with only the canvas between you and the bush is an experience not easily forgotten.
A safari is a journey of the body and the soul, a venture into the unknown and an opportunity to face some of the mysteries of nature. With over 20 years of experience, we still believe in the magic of the bush and strive to offer that “once in a lifetime experience” to all our guests.
Where?
Our operation is based in the bush in the Greater Kruger, but the safaris run JHB - JHB. Transfers are included in the package, but your safari only really starts on arrival at a lovely bush pub on the edge of the Greater Kruger National Park. From there, open 4x4 Landrovers transport you to one of our exclusive unfenced tented camps where you will stay during your safari. There are no fences between the Kruger National Park and the Reserves, hence the name Greater Kruger NP. The big advantage of these exclusive wilderness areas is their privacy, so no sharing sightings or camps with other tourists.
Who?
The safaris appeal to all with an adventurous mind, keen on a learning experience. Every walk is a book on its own, with the emphasis on information on all the wonders of nature, big and small. Because of the dangerous aspects of a walking safari, the minimum age is 16. Although there is no maximum age, the walks can last up to 4 hours and tracking might lead the trail through thick bush, riverbeds and gullies. Therefore an average fitness level is required, especially in the hotter summer months (Nov - March). A maximum of 8 people makes up a trail, no minimum.
How?
The safaris run every Mon-Fri (5 day / 4 night) and every Fri-Mon (4 day / 3 night). We operate throughout the year and all departures are guaranteed but bookings need to be made in advance. The unfenced camps are private and secluded and not open to day visitors. Each camp can sleep up to 12 people in large walk-in twin-bedded tents (linen and towels are provided, so sleeping bags are not needed) with sown-in mosquito screens. Ablutions are separate but close with hot showers and flush toilets.
Although there is no electricity, there is solar lighting, candles, lanterns and a campfire to guide you around the camp at night. Meals are prepared in the kitchen tent and served in the dining tent. Each safari is accompanied by one or two experienced and armed rangers and each camp is serviced by a chef. The combination of walks and drives in the open 4x4 Landrover are dependent on weather and animal movements and are conducted from camp in the early mornings, late afternoons and at night.
Each safari is basic and designed to experience the bush the way one should: on foot. After the first walk you’ll realise you’ve gone back in time – one with your ancestors who roamed these African trails. Although in Big Five areas, there are no guarantees on sightings – what you see is what you get. We do however guarantee a real bush experience!
The safari prices are inclusive of transfers to and from JHB and Pretoria (pick-up from a selected list of hotels, drop off at a hotel or JHB International), all meals and accommodation in our unfenced tented camps, all walks and drives. Excluded are drinks from the honesty bar in camp and the once-off payment of max R200 pp for Conservation Levies for the Reserves we operate in. This money goes back into conservation and is used for purposes such as anti-poaching, animal monitoring and research.
What is the difference between 5 days and 4 days?
The Mon-Fri 5 day 4 night walking safari will take you to two different camps in two different Reserves in the Greater Kruger NP, changing camps midweek. This adds on to that true safari feeling and will give you a chance to explore two different areas.
The Fri-Mon 4 day 3 night walking safari remains in one camp with an exciting optional sleep-out in a fly-camp in the same reserve. For the people who really want to go back to basics for a night, this is a must-do!
Cost:
Prices valid 1 November 2007 - 31 October 2008
Walking Safari Mon-Fri (5 day / 4 night) R5300 pp sharing
Walking Safari Fri-Mon (4 day / 3 night) R4500 pp sharing
No standard single supplement, but +50% if single tent is requested.
The above prices are all-inclusive, except drinks and the once-off payment of max R200 pp for Conservation Levies. The Conservation Fee and the drinks consumed in our camps will be paid for cash in Rand on the day you leave the safari. Drinks like beers, wine, ciders, Smirnoff spins, gin & tonic, cokes, juices and bottled water are provided in the camps. Coffee, tea and water from the tap are free of charge.
Mastercard / VISA are accepted, but an extra 5% is charged. No traveller cheques.
TIPPING
A tip as a gesture of appreciation is very much appreciated. It’s a sign of saying “thanks for a great time!” A suggestion or indication is R35 (U$5) pp per day. However, tipping should always reflect if the service was perceived poor or exceptional, so it’s up to you to decide how much you would like to tip or not at all.
Facts in a row!
Affordable and unique walking safaris in the exclusive Greater Kruger National Park
Scheduled guaranteed departures every Mon (5 day) and Fri (4 day)
Maximum 8 people per trail, no minimum
Maximum 12 people per camp
Minimum age 16 (in groups of 4 min age 12)
Includes transfers to and from Jo’burg or Pretoria
Includes accommodation in large walk-in Meru-style tents, bedding and towels provided
Includes two walk/drive combinations and night drive each day
Includes all meals and accommodation
Pick-up and drop-off information:
Pick up time from a selected hotel in JHB between 5 and 6 in the morning.
Everybody will be contacted the day before departure to confirm the exact time.
if your pick-up hotel has not been confirmed, please contact us two days before travelling!
Drop off time at your hotel or JHB International approximately 18.00 hours.
Daily Itinerary 4 or 5 Day Walking Safari
On the day of departure you will be collected from your selected hotel at first light and transferred to the reserve gate. The journey takes approximately 5 hours with stops along the way. You will meet your ranger at a lovely bush pub at the edge of the reserves, where you will sign the indemnity forms and have lunch together. After lunch, we transfer you into open safari vehicles to one of our bush camps in the Greater Kruger National Park making sure that you spend the maximum time out in the bush!
In the mornings we set off at first light after a snack breakfast of rusks and coffee or tea. Enjoying the cool morning air we may walk directly from camp or else use a vehicle to get further out. Your ranger will decipher the tracks and signs left by the passing animals during the night. The thrill of walking, tracking and getting up close to one of the creatures of the bush is an unforgettable experience. On the walks there is a lot of emphasis on all the interesting things seen such as trees, plants, insects and birds. A big breakfast is prepared back in camp and then there is time to unwind and siesta during the heat of the day. After lunch is served it is time to head out again.
The afternoon activity is a walk/ drive combination, looking for tracks and activity in other areas. After the walk we drive to a beautiful spot in the Reserve, where we’ll have sundowners while waiting for a stunning African Sunset. As the diurnal animals and birds anxiously get ready for bed, the stage and sounds change and a whole new world awakens. This is when we connect the spotlight and night drive back to camp, looking for the nocturnal creatures that are so rarely seen during the day. Back in camp a hearty supper and a warm campfire will be waiting for you. After a long day in the bush there is nothing more rewarding then to sneak off to bed and listen to the sounds of the night under a blanket of the overwhelming African stars!
On the last day you will still go out for one last walk. Sniffing the typical scents of the bush you’ll realise how much you’ve learned already! After breakfast it’s time to pack up and go back to the bush pub, where you will pay the Conservation Fee and the drinks you’ve consumed in our camps. Then we say our goodbyes and transfer you back to the city.
You will need the following on safari:
The Greater Kruger is a malaria area. Please take your own precautions.
Walking shoes and neutral coloured clothing (no white, black and bright colours)
Toiletries
Rain jacket
Warm jersey
Hat and sunglasses
Sun block
Insect repellent
Torch
Cash for Entry Fees/Conservation Fees and drinks (no ATM’s in the bush!)
Camera (bring extra batteries as there is no electricity) and loads of film!
