Forget about self-drive safaris or cruising along one of the main roads in your family sedan - this is how you can get to know this iconic park in South Africa up close and personal. 

Obivously, you can't go backpacking off into the Kruger unannounced and unguided... taking a walk in one of the wildest places in SA needs some guiding. 

That's why Kruger National Park require that you backpack alongside experienced, professional and armed guides who act as trail leaders and interpret the natural surroundings at regular intervals, to make the most of your guided activity. 

Pick from the following trails:

The Lonely Bull Backpacking Trail 

The Lonely Bull Trail is a primitive backpacking trail starting from Mopani Rest Camp. The trail is conducted in the large wilderness area between the Letaba low water bridge and the Mingerhout dam along the Letaba River. The trail stretches over four days and three nights, with departures every Wednesday and Sunday between 1 February and 30 November. 

The Lonely Bull Trail is a primitive Back Packing Trail which starts from Mopani Rest Camp and is conducted in the large wilderness area between the Letaba low water bridge and the Mingerhout dam along the Letaba River.

The activity will be conducted by two experienced Trails Rangers and the maximum number of participants will be kept to eight people per trail with a minimum of 4 people. 

The trail allows the trail leader to decide when & where to camp and how far & which route to follow. It allows its participants to spend three nights in this wilderness area without having the constraints of having to get to the next point or of following a prescribed route. 

Hikers can leave their cars at Mopani Rest Camp in the designated parking area. 

Guests are expected to provide their own camping equipment and food for the duration of the trail. There are no overnight huts on this trail. As the safety of hikers is of major importance, all participants have to bring tents and sleep in them every night while they are walking the trail. 

Participants will be responsible for setting up their own tents and for cooking their own food. No rubbish bins or toilets are provided at any of the overnight stops and the trail operates on a strictly “take it in, take it out” basis and strictly adheres to a “no trace camping” ethic. 

Only biodegradable products – including all soaps and detergents – are allowed on the trail.

Mphongolo Backpacking Trail

The Mphongolo Trail is also a primitive backpacking trail which starts from Shingwedzi Camp and is conducted in the large wilderness area between the Shingwedzi and Mphongolo rivers. 

The trail stretches over 4 days and three nights, with departures every Wednesday and Sunday between 1 February and 30 November. 

This trail allows its participants to spend three nights in this wilderness area without having the constraints of having to get to the next point or of following a prescribed route. The trail allows the trail leader to decide when & where to camp and how far & which route to follow. 

Hikers can leave their vehicles at Shingwedzi Camp in the designated parking area.

As with the Lonely Bull Trail, the activity on this trail will also be conducted by two experienced trails rangers escorting a maximum of 8 participants and a minimum of 4 people.

Guests are expected to provide their own camping equipment and food for the duration of the trail. There are no overnight huts on this trail.

Olifants River Backpacking Trail

For the more adventurous, the Olifants River backpack trail starts from Olifants Camp, stretches over four days and three nights and covers approximately 42km. 

It is advisable (but not necessary) that backpackers book accommodation at Olifants or Letaba camps prior to and after completion of the trail. 

Hikers can leave their cars at Olifants Camp in a special parking area demarcated for this purpose.

There are no overnight huts on this trail. The trail leader will choose a suitable camp site every night. 

Participants will be responsible for setting up their own tents and for carrying and cooking their own food. No rubbish bins or toilets are provided at any of the overnight stops – the trail strictly adheres to a “no trace camping” ethic. 

The first day is an easy hike of 4km to 5km until you get to a camp site. Hikers will wake up at the crack of dawn on the remaining days of the trail for the first stretch of that day’s hike. Generally no walking will take place during the heat of the day, this is a time for the siesta to be enjoyed.

This free time is perfect for birding, sun tanning, wildlife photography and just enjoying nature. After this hot time of day, a short hike covering the last few kilometres before the overnight camp is done.

On the last day hikers reach the end point of the trail at the beautiful old fig tree. The group is collected at approximately 12:00 and taken back to Olifants Camp on a short, 45 minute game drive. 

SHORTLY - for all trails 

Number of Guests: 4 minimum & 8 maximum (on the Mphongolo and Lonely Bull trails) 
Duration: 3 Nights & 4 Days
Age Limit: 12 years - 65 years (Doctors note for over 65’s)
Level of Fitness: Guests must be relatively fit
Food: Provide your own
Water: Collected from natural sources
Toilet: In the bush – wilderness accepted methods (eg. Cat scrape method)
Equipment: Guests to supply their own personal equipment for example sleeping bag, tent, back pack, eating utensils etc.
Sleeping at night: Guests and trails rangers to sleep inside lightweight hiking tent
Transport: Group will be dropped off and collected using existing camp based open vehicles (with off road trailer) & guides in the Nxanatseni north region.
Conservation: Only biodegradable products – including all soaps and detergents – are allowed on the trail.

Bookings: Email Bridget Bagley or Hesther Van Den Berg or phone them on 012 426 5117.

From: news24.com/ traveller

By: Louzel Lombard