Pafuri Wilderness Trails - South Africa Safari
Walking Safari by day / Serviced camping at Pafuri
Trails Camp - 3 nights / 4 days
Northern Kruger National Park - South Africa
The Makuleke Concession is perhaps the best area for walking in the entire Kruger National Park. It is blessed not only with exceptional biodiversity but also spectacular scenery, seasonally high densities of many large mammal species, a feeling of wilderness and remoteness, and a sense of deep history. The 24 000 hectare area is sandwiched between the life giving arteries of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers, both with well developed floodplains and a series of vitally important seasonal pans. Between the floodplains lie a ridge of hills with a network of drainage lines and secret perennial springs to which the area’s game is drawn. Rugged baobab dotted kopjes jut from mopane woodland and endless vistas across palm-studded floodplains, acacia woodland and ethereal riverine forest soothe the soul.
Undoubtedly the best way to experience the biological wealth of the area and its timeless wilderness is on foot and Wilderness Safaris is proud to be offering a limited number of trails that will allow up to 8 trailists at a time access to this most valued of Kruger’s assets.
Explorations remote campsites on this itinerary provide serviced Meru style tents, designed for comfort in remote wilderness areas. Cotton linen and bedrolls (with duvets) with a lantern complement the atmosphere in this pristine and wild area. En-suite flushing toilets and bucket shower areas all add to the “old style’ atmosphere, while bush comforts and amenities are elegantly provided..
By means of lively campfires, hurricane lanterns and a warm atmosphere permeating the camp (and its simplicity), Luxury camping brings the guest closer to nature. Such camps are specifically outfitted to create that sense of wilderness with a clear emphasis on essential camp comforts and maximum wilderness experience.
Guide: The entire safari is guided and hosted by a professional, highly experienced and passionate armed guide, who shares in-depth knowledge of the region and it’s ecosystem with the guests, to present a seamless, well-rounded experience.
Exclusive experience: Each campsite within the Mana Pools National Park that we use is reserved for the exclusive use of our guests and while on the river or on foot on its banks we have the wild expanse mostly to ourselves.
Recommendation: Over-nighting at Pafuri Camp either before or after the three night walking trail allows for exploration into the region on game drives. In this way guests are able to rest and relax, at the same time as viewing the wildlife at closer quarters within the magnificient northern Kruger National Park.
ITINERARY
Trails operate on a scheduled departure basis; either Tuesday to Friday or Friday to Monday.
Safari Style: Discoverer |
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SAFARI
COST (2008): ZAR 3,150
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT (2008): ZAR 1,200
All rates
are in South African Rands. |
DAY 1;
(1 Night)
PAFURI TRAILS
CAMP - Northern Kruger National Park, South
Africa (Fully
serviced camping) |
 All guests need to check in at Pafuri Camp by 14h00 and after meeting their guide and going through a thorough safety briefing, depart by road to our Trails camp in an open 4x4 vehicle. . Shaded parking is available at Pafuri Camp for self driving guests.
After arriving and settling in at our trails camp, we enjoy a short afternoon walk during which your guide will introduce the guidelines for the trail. This walk may be out onto the Limpopo floodplain, to a nearby spring or up the ridge of hills behind camp in order to gain your bearings. Upon arriving back in camp before dark for a shower and evening drinks, our evening’s meal is prepared on the open fire in front of us. After dinner we relax around the fire before retiring to an early bed and the night sounds
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DAYS 2 & 3;
(2 Nights)
PAFURI TRAILS
CAMP - Northern Kruger National Park, South
Africa (Fully
serviced camping) |
 We are awoken early and after a light snack, coffee and rusks, we depart at approximately 05h45 on the morning walk. The direction of the walk will depend on local animal activity, but is likely to investigate the nearby waterhole or spring for the tracks of the night before and where appropriate to follow these tracks with the intention of finding the animal. Walking along animal paths and investigating likely areas for game or bird activity should see a 3-4 hour walk arriving back in camp for brunch. A hearty brunch cooked on the fire together with fruit and cereal is followed by a midday siesta listening to cicadas, emerald-spotted wood doves and other sounds typical during the heat of the day.
Our shorter afternoon walk departs after high tea at 16h30 and possibly takes in some of the regions magnificient scenery and look out points on kopjes close to camp.
On both Day 2 & 3, we walk in different directions, showcasing the regions immense diversity of habitats, from kopjes, to palm studded floodplains, gorges, ravines and woodlands. |
DAY 4
After a customary early wake up and snack, we depart on a shorter morning walk, arriving back at camp for a late brunch served at Pafuri Camp itself, where the Trail ends. Please note that we recommend an additional night at Pafuri Camp, which will allow game drives to the more remote regions of the concession and closer observation of the wildlife of the region |
INFORMATION:
GAME VIEWING
The Makuleke concession set within the Kruger National
Park is one of the few true wilderness areas left in South Africa. Large
herds of elephant occupy the area during the dry season, while several
herds of buffalo are resident. There are resident prides of lion and
the Luvuvhu riparian system supports a healthy population of leopard.
A small white rhino population also exists. The area is best known for
its strong nyala and eland population however, as well as other regional
specials like four-toed elephant shrew, Sharpe’s grysbok and even
a small herd of sable. On the easternmost boundary at “Crooks Corner”,
the Luvuvhu supports a large population of hippo and crocodile. The concession
is also widely regarded as one of the best birding areas in South Africa,
with specialties such as Pel’s fishing owl, black-throated wattle-eye,
three-banded courser, racket-tailed roller and Dickinson’s kestrel
seen regularly.
Bar Facilities
Guests need to provide own soft and alcoholic drinks. These can be bought at
the main camp on check in or sourced outside the concession. Gas fridges keep
all drinks cool on site.
Drinks Policy
The costs of all drinks not privately sourced are for the guests
account and must be settled directly at the main camp.
Electricity & Water
• Fridges are gas powered and cooking is done
on the fire.
• No power to the tents where lighting is provided by paraffin
lanterns.
• Potable water to the camp comes from 2 strong boreholes
Laundry Policy
No laundry service is offered at this remote camp.
Extras Payment
Extras can be paid for by cash, MasterCard, visa, Amex and diners club.
Checks are not accepted. Foreign currency and rand traveler’s
cheque's are also accepted. Payment can be made on check-out at the
main camp.
Flying Times
Private charter from Johannesburg approximately 1hr 40 minutes.
Schedule flights between Johannesburg and Phalaborwa (~1 hour) followed
by a seat rate on Sefofane to the camp (~1 hour) are also available.
Airstrip Details
The airstrip is 1000 meters long, north south facing and is lined with
gravel. Transfer to the main camp is a short 10 minutes
Temperature & Climate
The concession has mild winters from May to September with occasional
chilly evenings; however, summers are generally very warm.
Driving Times
To / from:
Phalaborwa airport ±5hrs
Timbavati camps ±5.5
hrs
Johannesburg airport ±6.5-7
hrs
Nelspruit ±6
hrs
Gratuity Schedule
The following is the suggested gratuity schedule only and is subject
to service standards:
ZAR 50 per guest per day for guiding staff
ZAR 15 per guest per day for housekeeping and porterage.
Gratuities are
solely dependent on the guest’s satisfaction with
the level of service provided, there is no obligation to tip.
SAFARI NOTES:
• The Trails operate on
a scheduled departure basis; either Tuesday to Friday or Friday to
Monday.
• All guests need to check in at Pafuri Camp by 14h00 in order
to sign indemnity forms prior to the trail.
• Each departure is guaranteed
from a minimum of 2 confirmed guests, with a maximum of 8 guests per
trail.
• Age Limits – Children from the age of 12 are
welcome on all scheduled departures, kindly note that no triple rooms
are allowed. For guests over the age of 70, a certified medical certificate
of full health must be provided.
• Luggage limitation of 20 kgs per person in a soft bag. This limit includes camera equipment and hand luggage. Passengers weighing more than 100kg (220 lbs) must please advise us in advance, as an extra seat will then have to be costed into the package for safety purposes.
• Flashlights/ torches: Please ensure that a minimum 2-D cell flashlight is brought on safari, with spare batteries. Head lamps are also useful. Wilderness Safaris does not supply flashlights.
• Camera battery charging facilities: Unfortunately no charging facilities are available on the walking trail, due to the remoteness of the area.
• Dietary requirements and special occasions: Due to remote locality of Explorations camps, please ensure that full dietary requirements and special occasions are advised at the time of your booking confirmation.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Accommodation on a shared basis, transfers to the trails camp from the
main camp at 14h00, all meals and activities as specified in the detailed
itinerary.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights or transport/transfers
to the concession, compulsory insurance, the Parks conservation
levy as follows: R120 per person per night if guests are driving to Pafuri
or R30 per person per stay if they are flying in (this levy
must be pre-paid to us), all relevant entry and departure government
taxes, all personal purchases (including curios, all drinks, telephone
calls etc.), gratuities, optional extra activities, pre and post trail
accommodation.
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