SANParks.org Forums

Mphongolo Back Pack Trail will be a new wilderness activity where you walk into the biggest wilderness area in the Kruger Park.conducted over three nights and having to be totally self sufficient.
what do you think.

In September I was told by the head of outdoor activities the basics have been investigated and the area to the south of Sirheni bushveld camp has been reconnoitred , he said at the time it was a question of getting the final go ahead once all the staff and vehicles and emergency back up plans have been put in place .
It will be very similar in nature to the Olifants backpack trail .

Yummy!
In which area of Kruger will that be? There are large areas of Kruger where we normal tourists can come.
Like the area around Bateleur...

Yes it will be conducted between the Mphongolo and Bububu rivers with many interesting sights like Phonda hills and Matiovila warm water springs.
the main focus will be on wilderness and not an A to B walk like the Olifants river back pack.The park has approved this activity but has not made the launch date public yet.

I have susequently been informed of your identity by a moderator , Katamboega , I immediately recognised you from a photo in a book (I won't mention which one) when I saw you in Sept at the 30th anniversary function .
I will certainly be most interested in walking this trail .
As far back as early 90's I heard trails rangers talking about the possibility of trails in this area when the initiall Olifants backpack route was deemed a bit dangerous or strenuous , or was it the fact that satphones were not easily available at the time ?
The area sounds a delight , I found the scenery and variation of biomes etc on the Olifants bp area a bit monotonous .

A very warm welcome to the forums Katamboega - good to have you here!

Please keep me posted !

the Forumites just completed a wonderful Olifants backpack trail...strenuous as it was, and this new addition should be really interesting.

I have been wondering if the sleepover points will be pre determined ?
As Riverrat mentions above , the Olifants backpack trail is a fairly strenuous exercise , with rough terrain which made me concentrate heavily on the footing instead of the scenery .
I also found Olifants to be perhaps rather monotonous as far as scenery is concerned , basically the same riverine scenery all the way .
Will the arrangement possibly be to walk from a central point carrying a daypack while your main backpack is hoisted into a tree , as I would assume one need not follow a predetermined route from west to east following the river as is the case with Olifants b p ?
What is the permanent water availibility in the area ?

OK, I am in ...

Imberbe, I'm in to!!

I still wanted to create this topic, but Katamboega beat me to it. It's indeed true! And they will be using a combination of up to 4 rivers in the area. Or so I was told by Doanavan Terblance. He also said that they are currently conducting test trails on the area. Very interesting! I also picked up that this will only be finalised by June 2009.

These backpack trails are the way of the future for the ultimate Kruger fanatics IMHO. What is very interesting is that you mention it's not a focus on pint A to B. This is a nice variation as to the Olifants Backpack Trail!

I personally think because SANParks put the emphasis on the trailists safety and on the policy of 'leave nothing bedhind' does make these activities sustainable.

Altough I disagree with Ndloti that the Olifants route is a bit monotonous, I cannot tell you the excitement about another trail close to one of the most beautiful and scenic routes in the park. I believe once the bakcpack trail gets more attention, real nature lovers will discover it as the ultimate, a goal that one should reach in life. I have experienced this myself, as I struggled to get enough members of the 'Forum backpack trail'. Coming back with all the stories, first impressions and pictures, I'm sure I will get 2 groups of 8 together easily...

Since I walked in Kruger, I doubt if I will exclude a wilderniss / backpack trail if I had the money.

As you expected, I'm a huge fan of this idea and wait in great anticipation for it's official announcement. GO SANParks! Go Backpack trails!

Any updates regarding this trail?

GS , Perhaps pm Katamboega ?

Some of the Parks Senior Managers are doing a test run next week and they might be able to comment on this.

The rivers don't flow this time of the year in this area but there is still lots of water around and it will be able to cater for all your wilderness needs.