3 to 4 Day Flexible Walking Safaris - Greater Kruger

A walking safari in the African bush is the ultimate safari experience and one of the most exciting ways to get close to nature. Absorb the scents and sounds of the bush, track wild animals on foot, learn to read the "veld" like a book, and notice the smaller wonders of the wild that you'll miss on a game drive.

But there is a trade-off. Animals tend to run away from humans on foot, so game viewing is somewhat compromised on a walking safari. You won't get as close to the bigger animals as you do in a vehicle.

The solution we recommend is a flexible walking safari that combines guided bush walks with open vehicle game drives, so you get the best of both worlds. We offer this product in more than one location, as we partner with several different lodges that focus on walking safaris as a key activity.

Accommodation is in modern, luxury safari units. All meals are provided, except on travel days. Armed and experienced guides share their profound knowledge and love of the bushveld with you, explaining the habitats and habits of all the creatures who live and thrive here.

The following outline serves as a guideline only and activities may differ depending on the choice of lodge. Sometimes, action plans change last minute depending on the weather or local conditions.

Day 1

Road transfers or car hire will be arranged for you from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, or Hoedspruit's Eastgate Airport or Skukuza Airport inside Kruger National Park. All transfers are along very scenic routes.

On arrival at the lodge, you'll be shown your accommodation before enjoying a leisurely lunch. We generally set out on an afternoon game drive between 15h30 and 16h00, returning after dark with spotlights to try and spot the shy, nocturnal species.

A delicious, hearty dinner is served under the stars (weather permitting) in an open-air boma and it's the perfect time to chat about the day's highlights and plan tomorrow's choice of activities.

Days 2 and/or 3

Waking to the sounds of the African bush, your ranger or lodge manager will chat with you about what you'd prefer to do; for example, a bush walk or a game drive or a combination of both. They'll also be able to give you suggestions based on the weather, animal movements and so on.

Heading out early after coffee/tea and rusks (a uniquely South African biscuit), you may opt for a morning walk (weather permitting). To start our walk, we may head out directly from camp, or be dropped off by vehicle further out to explore different areas. This is an up-close-and-personal way to explore and experience the bush. Your ranger will help you decode tracks and signs showing which animals have recently passed by.

There's a thrill to being out in the open and getting up close to animals while being accompanied by a knowledgeable ranger. It's an excellent way to learn more about wildlife and its myriad elements: animals, plants, trees, insects, birds, and so much more.

The group may also decide to do a morning game drive, which gives us the option to cover more ground quicker and increases the chances of spotting more game.

You'll have every chance to see some of the larger plains game like elephants and buffalo in their herds, endangered rhinos, spectacular big cats and, on occasion, a pack of African wild dogs, also known as Cape hunting dogs or painted wolves. If you're lucky, you might even come across a predator kill that may have happened shortly before sunrise.