Kruger National Park - Backpacking Trails.
Lonely Bull Back Packing Trail
Mphongolo Back Packing Trail
Olifants River Back Packing Trail
The phrase ‘Take only pictures, leave only footprints’ embodies the idea of enjoying the great outdoors while minimising your environmental impact. If that is your philosophy, then here is a perfect adventure for you: The Kruger National Park Backpacking Trails.
The Kruger National Park, South Africa’s first national park, is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It extends 360 kilometres from north to south, is home to the Big Five as well as more species of large mammals than any other African game reserve.
Walking in the Kruger National Park with an experienced guide is a sought after activity. This wild, untamed part of Africa invites you to experience nature up close and personal on a multi-day backpacking trail. It is nature at its purest and you need to be reasonably fit and not scared to leave the creature comforts behind for a few days.
So combine your love of nature with your spirit of adventure and book one of three backpacking trails.
Near the border to Mozambique and picturesquely positioned against the Olifants River is the start of the Olifants River Back Packing Trail. This trail covers approximately 42 kilometres and stretches over 4 days and 3 nights. Hikers bring their own tents and are responsible for carrying and cooking their own food. Hikers are also expected to make use of biodegradable products and there are no rubbish bins or toilets on the trail or at the overnight stops.
This type of trail offers the perfect opportunity to experience the raw wilderness of the Kruger Park. Two experienced trail rangers lead a maximum of eight hikers. There is no set route so remember to bring your sense of adventure!
Following the success of the Olifants Back Packing Trail, the Kruger National Park introduced the Mphongolo Back Packing Trail.
This trails starts from Shingwedzi Camp in the northern end of the park and takes hikers out into the wilderness between the Shingwedzi and Mphongolo rivers.
The Lonely Bull Back Packing Trail starts in the western part of the park, at Shimuwini Camp. Here, hikers explore the area surrounding the Letaba River.
All three trails stretch over four days and three nights with departures every Wednesday and Sunday between February and October.
A wilderness hike is for the adventurous spirit that is not content with viewing wildlife from the safety of an enclosed vehicle. If the thought of hearing the sounds of the wild in the night with nothing but a thin tent canvas between you and the wilderness or creeping up to a herd of zebra, is your idea of fun – then these trails are the ultimate adventure for you!