Pafuri Walking Trail Camp
Pafuri Walking Trail is a three-night, four-day walking trail in the spectacular, private Makuleke Concession of the northern Kruger National Park. It is perhaps the best area for walking in the entire Park and 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 history. There is no better way to explore this magnificent area than on foot.
The camp is set up in the shade of enormous trees at one of a number of campsites on the concession. Comfortable walk-in dome tents with separate hot bucket showers and 'eco-loos' accommodate a maximum of eight trailists. At night, lanterns and a crackling fire light the camp and create a convivial atmosphere with a light eco-footprint; guests dine under the stars.
Using the campsite as a base, each day is spent in different parts of the surrounding area, walking along the pathways made over the years by its animal inhabitants and following their tracks. Walks are led by an experienced, armed guide.
Habitats include 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.
FAUNA AND FLORA
The Makuleke Concession is the extreme northernmost sector of the Kruger National Park and is located between the Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers in what is also known as the Pafuri region. To the north and east lies Mozambique and Zimbabwe. This area is destined to become the core of the new Greater Limpopo Transfrontier or "Peace" park that will straddle South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
The Makuleke / Pafuri is one of the few true wilderness areas left in South Africa and the vegetation is so different to anything else within Kruger, that one might be forgiven for thinking one was in Central Africa! The large trees in this area are usually nearly 50% taller than most baobabs, and scenically, the area is diverse, with stunning mountains, shady, deep gorges, forests of yellow-tinged fever trees, monolith baobabs, mopane woodland, and open savannah grassland. The area is a true contrast to the rest of the Kruger National Park and a visit here truly rounds off the Kruger experience of the southern lodges.
Although this 24 000ha area comprises only fractionally more than 1% of the total area of the 2.2 million-hectare Greater Kruger National Park, 75% of all species in this region occur at Pafuri: nearly 400 bird species and over 100 mammal species make up some of the more visible aspects of this incredible biodiversity.
The Pafuri region is famous for the large herds of elephant and buffalo that are resident most of the year round, which concentrate in particular around the permanent waters of the Luvuvhu River in the dry winter months. Leopard have been sighted hunting the strong population of nyala and impala that live alongside the Luvuvhu system. On the easternmost boundary at "Crook's Corner" the Luvuvhu supports a large population of hippo and crocodile.
The Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers host the highest density of nyala in Kruger and species such as eland, Sharpe's grysbok and yellow-spotted rock dassie, which are difficult to find further south in the Park, are regularly seen here. A drive along the floodplain and riverine fringe of either of the two large rivers usually produces good general game in the form of nyala, impala, greater kudu, chacma baboon, waterbuck, warthog and perhaps grey duiker or bushbuck, while careful searching may yield the more elusive residents of the area such as lion and leopard. Other areas hold steenbok, the agile klipspringer and herds of Burchell's zebra. Recently, and excitingly, species such as wildebeest and white rhino have been relocated to the area, from which they have been locally extinct for almost a century.
The area has long been regarded as something of a Mecca for southern African birdwatchers. Some species are found nowhere else in South Africa and the serious birder will revel in being able to find Böhm's and Mottled Spinetails, Racket-tailed Roller, Three-banded Courser and Southern Hyliota. Other specials are Black-throated Wattle-Eye, Pel's Fishing-Owl, Yellow White-Eye, Meve's Starling and Tropical Boubou.
CAMP DETAILS AND ACTIVITIES
Safari and Adventure Company Camp with only 4 rooms
- Scheduled departures every Monday and Friday between 1 April and 31 October; the Trail can be booked on other days of the week on an FIT request basis at an extra charge.
- Walks take place in the morning with a break for brunch before returning to camp in early afternoon; another walk or drive can take place in the late afternoon/evening.
- Spending a night in Pafuri Camp before or after the Trail is a highly recommended add-on.
- Maximum number of trailists is 8, minimum 2; minimum age is 16.
- Rates include accommodation, walking guide and tracker, all meals, 14% VAT and the SATOUR Tourism Levy. Drinks are excluded.
- Rates exclude Kruger Park conservation levy.