Pafuri Walking Trail
Walking Safari by day / Serviced camping at Pafuri
Trails Camp - 3 nights / 4 days
Northern Kruger National Park - South Africa
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The Pafuri (Makuleke) Concession is perhaps the best area for walking in the entire Kruger National Park. It is blessed with exceptional biodiversity, 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 two rivers lies 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.
View images of Pafuri Walking Trail: Pafuri
Walking Trail
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This trail is led by an experienced armed guide and tracker. Accommodation is in walk-in dome tents ensuring that guests are intimately connected with the surrounding wilderness and feel, rather than just hear the sounds of the African night - from lions roaring, to porcupines rustling in the undergrowth. The site of the camp is different each night, with trailists walking from one location to the next and having the freedom to explore or to adjust routes dependent on local conditions. This allows guests the opportunity to experience first-hand, the astounding diversity of Pafuri.
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 Dome style tents with en-suite bathrooms and separate showers, 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 professional, experienced and passionate guides. The guide will be accompanied by a skilled back-up trails guide and between them they will share their in-depth knowledge of the region and it's ecosystem with the guests.
Accommodation: Accommodation is in walk-in canvas dome tents ensuring that guests are intimately connected with the surrounding wilderness. The trails camp will have two bucket type hot water showers, and chemical toilets are provided. The site of the camp is the same each night, with trailists walking in different directions from the camp each day, dependent on local conditions.
Game Viewing: The Pafuri area 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 well-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 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.
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 between 1 April and 31 October each year on a scheduled departure basis; either Monday to Thursday or Friday to Monday. We can, however, offer tailor-made itineraries for longer than three nights or trips that depart on other days of the week.
Safari Style: Adventurer |
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SAFARI
COST (2012): ZAR 4,736 (3-night set departures).
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT (2012): ZAR 1,798 (3-night set departures). |
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, where they will meet their guide and go through a thorough safety briefing. The trails group will depart by road and/or on foot to the trails camp.
Upon arriving at our trails camp guests will have time for a hot shower and some drinks before the evening’s meal is prepared on an open fire. After dinner we relax around the fire before retiring to bed with the sounds of the African night. |
DAYS 2 & 3;
(2 Nights)
PAFURI TRAILS
CAMP - Northern Kruger National Park, South
Africa (Fully
serviced camping) |
 We are woken early by the sounds of the dawn chorus and after a light snack, coffee and rusks; we depart shortly after first light for a morning walk. Carrying only our snacks and water in our day packs and returning to camp for lunch. After a siesta we head out on either a short afternoon walk or drive. The directions of the walks and/ or drives will depend on local animal activity before returning to camp in the evening to enjoy warm showers, ice cold drinks and dinner.
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 Pafuri Camp itself, where the trail ends and we enjoy a hearty brunch.
Please note that we recommend an additional night at Pafuri Camp, which will allow guests a chance to relax further in comfort and enjoy game drives to the more remote regions of the concession and closer observation of the wildlife of the region. |
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
Laundry is not offered.
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 every Monday and Friday between April and October.
• Private departures are available (subject to availability) departing on any day of the week with a minimum of 4 guests.
• All guests need to check in at Pafuri Camp by 14h00 in order
to sign indemnity forms prior to the trail.
• Each set 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 16 are welcome on all scheduled departures. For guests over the age of 65, a certified medical certificate of full health must be submitted on booking confirmation.
• 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 in the trail camps, services of professional trails guides, all meals, purified borehole water, 14% VAT and the SATOUR Tourism Levy.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights or transport/transfers
to the concession, compulsory insurance, Kruger Park Conservation Levy of R40 pp for SA residents, and R160 pp for international guests, which must be settled direct at the Park gate entrance, all personal purchases (including curios, all drinks, telephone
calls etc.), gratuities, optional extra activities, pre and post trail
accommodation. An Honesty Bar is run during the trails and all personal accounts are to be settled at the end of the trail.
Suggested Equipment List for Guests
• Head Lamp with Spare Batteries and/or Torch
• 20lt Camel type day pack/ bag with a 2 - 3lt water bladder (big enough to carry snacks and water requirements for the walk)
• Walking shoes (an extra pair is advisable in case one pair gets wet or damaged)
• Sandals or flip flops for around camp
• General Toiletries (eco-friendly soap, shampoo and conditioner are supplied)
• Neutral coloured clothing, nothing too bright or white
• Sun block (SPF 35)
• Warm clothing for the evenings
• Rain Coat
• Costume
• Binoculars
• Camera with spare charged battery
• Hat
• Malaria tablets and other medication
• Insect Repellant e.g. Peaceful Sleep or Tabard for mosquitoes
• Tissues or Wet Wipes
• Spare contact lenses and or spectacles
• Sunglasses
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