Pafuri Walking Trail

Leaping the Limpopo
Caroline Colbourne

Escape to the wild!

This trip is life-changing. Immerse yourself in the spectacular beauty of the far north of the Kruger. Explore on foot the vast, epic landscapes of the exclusive 24,000-hectare Makuleke concession. Set-date four-day trails based in a remote trails camp depart twice weekly from April-October.

Surveying the Lanner Gorge on trail

Raw wilderness

Experience spectacularly diverse landscapes, flora, and fauna. The scenery is unique: fever tree forests and baobab groves combine with beautiful gorges, spectacular floodplains, peaceful bosky glades and mountain foothills. Birdlife is incredibly prolific and a treat to enjoy on foot.

Elephants congregating in the fever tree forest, Makuleke

Herds of game

Game is drawn by the perennial Luvuvhu to a natural choke-point where it meets the great, greasy, grey-green Limpopo. The mighty baobab groves and fever tree forests contain some of the Kruger’s largest elephant and buffalo herds. Approach the larger mammals under the instruction of your Guide and get a real taste of the wild.

Eland by Makuleke lala palms

Species less seen

Species such as eland, Sharpe’s grysbok, four-toed elephants-shrew and yellow-spotted rock dassie, difficult to find elsewhere, are regularly seen here. The river fringes produce nyala, impala, greater kudu, chacma baboon, waterbuck, warthog and perhaps sable, grey duiker or bushbuck. Careful tracking may yield more elusive residents such as lion.

Sightings in the Makuleke fever tree forest

Cultural heritage

The region is filled with the folklore of early explorers and ancient civilizations, and you may come across some archaeological treasures. Throughout the Makuleke concession, there is an abundance of evidence of previous human inhabitants in the form of rock paintings and artefacts. Under many a baobab you can find Stone Age hand tools.

Pafuri trail tent interior

Exclusive camp site

The camp is pitched in a beautiful, scenic area where it remains for the duration of the three day walking trail. Tents are twin domes pitched under the comfort of shady trees: stretcher beds with bedrolls, sheets, duvet, pillows and towels are provided.

Walking the Luvuvhu river on the Pafuri Trail

Range widely

A game-drive vehicle remains in camp and depending on where guests walk that day, the trail may start from camp, or depart camp by vehicle to visit another area of the concession.

Walking the Limpopo riverbed on the Pafuri Trail

Order of the day

This is not a boot camp, but you will require a reasonable level of fitness and it can get quite hot and sweaty. The morning walk is the focus of the day, and typically lasts seven to eight hours. During this time you will cover 15km or so.

Pafuri Trail camp at night

Total bush immersion

You will find yourself quickly engaged by the beauty and activity around you, and the pace is set to allow you plenty of time to make the most of both scenic and wildlife encounters. There are good shared bush-bucket-showers at camp for your return, where a late meal and relaxation await.

Walk ancient and diverse landscapes
Roam Lanner Gorge and floodplains
Marvel at the small stuff
Feel Big 5 adrenalin on foot
Wet your feet in the Luvuvhu
Meet three countries at Crooks Corner
Full Moon Trails use this camp
Join special cross-border backpack trails
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