Backpack Trails in Kruger Park
There are 3 different backpack trails in Kruger.
Lonely Bull Backpack Trail
Mpongole Backpack Trail
Olifants Backpack Trail
They depart every Wednesday and Sunday from February to November.
You get dropped off in a remote area, with 2 armed guides, camping under the stars for 3 nights in suitable random locations, and are picked up by a Kruger Vehicle on the 4th day having completed the trail.
You take your own camping and cooking equipment, and your own food and 2 to 3 litres of water per person, we take necessary additional water from the rivers as we go.
Bushwhacked has complete backpack kits for hire (please ask us about it)
The group is maximum 8 guests. The allocated areas for the walks are very large (one of them is 150,000 hectares) you should not see any other people during your trail as there are only management tracks and no Kruger public roads. Walking distance over the 4 days is generally between 25 and 40kms.
Pro’s and Con’s. Pro’s; 2 qualified guides to keep you safe and interpret anything of interest. You will be walking in Big 5 areas. You are in remote areas of the park that general Kruger guests will never see. You sleep with no fences just in your tent under the stars. Con’s; It can be pretty hot and there is no air-conditioning, you are at the mercy of all weather conditions. Most of the game sees, smells or hears us before we see them, and are very wary of humans on foot and generally run away, often before they are spotted by us.
These Trails are not particularly for the game viewing, it’s more for the wilderness experience and for the little things like tracks and signs of animals, insects, birds, scenery, and the chance of seeing some of the Big 5 on foot. Just being out there is so special and a unique experience. Game viewing is generally much better from a vehicle as the animals have adapted to the vehicles not being a threat and don’t run away.
If you want a slightly softer version there are Wilderness Camps in Kruger that are also for 3 nights. With these you are based, housed and fed at a fenced, remote camp, and go out on daily walks.
Check out more on the San Parks, Kruger website. Checking availability is not obvious on their site. The best way is to put ‘Kruger Wilderness Trails’ into your browser, choose the SAN Parks site, near the top of the Wilderness Trails page is an availability PDF, download it. 1st page is Wilderness trails and part of the 2nd page is the Backpack trails availability.
I also guide these Backpack Trails and will give you more information if you need. Pete Wilson, Bushwhacked owner.