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Hi

Have any of the forum members been on the Lebombo trail?
I read an article about it in an old magazine,just when it started around 2001 I think, and the author was not thrilled with the amout of animals they saw?
(Just showing that it is not true that all the animals hide were you can't drive...)

Anyway, would be interesting to hear what you say...

Also, I would like to know if you think that it was worth your money?

If you are expecting to only c many animals on the 4x4 trail you have got the wrong activity at the throat. Remember that non of these activities will give you the specialised opportunity to c more animals than anywhere else.

This and the other 4x4 day trails are there to enjoy nature in a different way. By driving your 4x4 around in Kruger and as in the case with the Lebombo to sleep out in the veld.

It is worth every cent if you go out as a 4x4 enthusiast to enjoy that aspect of what Kruger provides. It is all down to luck if you c any special stuff.

Non of these activities should be regarded as a better opportunity to view game than by the selfdrive option. It should be regarded as a different viewpoint to experience this great Park.

Here is an article written by Wendy Dennis, Nigel's wife, on the trail. It was written in 1999. (Maybe the same article you read Rooikat?) I still have to read it right through myself.

Going off the track in Kruger.


I am also really keen to do the trail - if one has to wait a year for a booking, then it will have to be next year.

Any comments from those of you who have done it?

Thanks for the tip to read the mag - have done that. I think the protruding participants are doing so under very different circumstances than on an ordinary self drive in the Park as they are under strict supervision of the ranger in charge.

I am concerned to read in the article that seventeen vehicles went on the particular trail the author was writing about. Is this now the normal amount of vehicles that are allowed at a time on the trail?

HAAAAHAAAA!!! I saw it too!!! Was looking for somewhere to scan the pic in and send it to mug of the month.

DB, the principle stays the same, if those ellies charge, they cannot get to safety in time BUT they have a guide with them and he should be able to read the warning signs before it gets serious. And that is the difference that you are talking about and I think it's valid.

One of the reasons I was surprised to read there were so many vehicles on the trail. One also is allowed out one's 4x4 along the trail - obviously under the guide's watchful eye.

Remember on the day 4x4 trails you can alight from your vehicle for up to 8m, if I remeber correctly. Without any guide supervision. Now that is great! Only you and your wife or friends all by yourself.

Man-eater trail here I come! Will perhaps do one next weekend!

Yes I have asked this elsewhere and you did not reply are you going to KNP again WTM?

I read in the Getaway article on the Northern Plains Trail that you may get out your 4x4 as long, as you say you stay within a certain amount of metres (I think it is actually 7 metres) of your vehicle.

I hav to say that I wonder about that. 8m Is a loooooooooooooooooong way when there's a full blown Ellie charge, hell it's a long way on a full blown anything charge

Now I have to go and get the book I read about it and confirm...... will be back....

EDIT: According to Getaway August 2004 issue it is within 7 metres of your vehicle. You reckon one is taking a chance Loams?

Certain conditions apply. You must be in a clearing with good visibility of the surroundings around etc etc.

I did the trail in June 2004 IE. the Lebombo trail.
I loved it but its not the kind of thing you would do too often.
Travelled over 500km and only saw 3 of the big 5!
No buff on the whole journey.

The things that really stand out are
Spending the first night on the banks of the Sabie river with lion walking through the camp at night and roaring not 20m from my flimsy tent.
I could here him panting.
It was also bitterly cold and there was ice on the tent the next morning. Awesome!!!

The abundance of holes in the fence. Its a free for all.

The amount of army and anti poaching patrols we encounted.
We must have seen at least six. who knows how many saw us.

Driving about 250km next to a fence in the middle of the bush.

The observation that the bush on eastern side of the fence is exactly the same as on the western side. Funny, because we are told that the western side has too many elephants.
I reject this totally as i have seen with my own eyes.
I saw no elephant damage on both sides.
I challenge anyone to dispute this with me.

In conclusion, its a trip well worth it even though it is a little pricey.
You see the park from the side where, as a youngster, i thought all the animals were.
You also realise that the tourist roads are actually the best roads to view game.

Thanks for the short report Aquilla. The lion encounter sounds awesome but the ice on the tent part I'm not so sure off

When you say:

Do you mean there is exactly the same amount of vegetation or is the number of tree and plant species in that area the same on both sides of the fence?

It was brought to my attention (by a person who was part of the advising comitte on elephant management to government) during the Birding weekend that if one look at photos over the past 20 years of one specific are, taken from exactly the same spot, in areas with high elephant density that one would clearly see the change in tree diversity with som areas loosing all Jakkalberry, Maroela etc. and now predominated by Mopani.

Not being a tree spotter myself it is not something I normally would pay attention to or notice as I will not know a Jakkalberry tree even if one falls on me

It will be interesting to hear form someone who was in that area on how they experienced the tree biodiversity.

{Now I went totally off-topic}

Aquilla, it sounds awesome!
Will definitely have to make a plan.
Will however stick to sleeping in the rooftop tent.

One question:
Did you go in a big group?
We are not very social people when in the bush and the idea of sharing our evening fire every night with strangers is not our idea of enjoyment.
How does it work?
Everybody together, or did the people make separate groups?

5 vehicles plus the guide vehicle travel in convoy.
Each vehicle is given a hand held radio so any sighting can be reported or just chit chat.
I took 2 of the 5 vehicles.
I am a social person so it was fine with me.
The other members were a little offish at first.
However when you reach Crook's Corner after the trip, its hugs and kisses all around.
At night you set up camp away from one another in stunning areas.
They do have a communal fire, but you need not join.
Meeting like minded Krugerholics is half the fun to me...

I was referring to the abundance of trees , all species, especially Baobabs.
There is more than enough space for the ellies in my book.
I remember the park in the late 70's and early 80's when the elephant population was a third of what it is today.
The bush was in a dismal and chronic state, caused by drought.
Drought has by far the bigger influence, not ellies.
It was far worse state than it is today.