Napi Wilderness Trail

[don]

Hello

We walked the Napi Trail on July 19-22, 2006. It was a wonderful experience. This camp burned a few years ago so the safari tents are relatively new and very comfortable. Hearing the lions and scops owls at night was an experience I will never forget.

Here are some views of the camp.





The order of the day was early coffee, 3 hour walk in bush, brunch, leisure time, short game drive with short walk and sundowners, followed by dinner...who can argue with that.

The guides were great...here is Saul illustrating the method of maintaining a *** toilet.



Typical sunset at Napi



Those of you who have done a wilderness trail know that they are not done to get up close to the big 5...however, with some luck, and a great guide (Barry was our main guide), you can have some great experiences....and some scary one's too....we walked up on a resting white *** and quickly had to depart as he was not too pleased with us being there.

We did manage a good view of 3 of the big 5, including the frightening experience with the ***.







Another real advantage of these trails is the discussions of nature with the guides...they are very passionate about the park...we had a moving discussion regarding elephant culling. Of course, we also learned quite a bit about the environment and those small creatures one cannot really see from a car.

The group at end of trip. Barry, our guide, is the guy in the rear with the knit cap. The person to his right is Saul who you saw in the *** toilet and in front is Phinneus, our great camp cook.



Of the others, four in the photo are South African and four are American and I will leave it to you to figure that out. One of the South Africans arranged for a "bokdrolspoegkompetisie", which was won handily by the Americans...I do not know what this says about our culture but that is how it turned out!

A wonderful experience and if you can do a trail you should.

If there any questions about the Napi trail I will gladly answer them if I can.

Kruger is a jewell that must be protected and preserved...there is no place like it on earth.

[Elsa]

One of the South Africans arranged for a "bokdrolspoegkompetisie", which was won handily by the Americans...I do not know what this says about our culture but that is how it turned out!

Hi don,
Not sure how that happened, the Saffies must have let you guys win, for some obscure reason.
Thanks for posting a great report on the trail and super pics as well.
So glad you agree on all our sentiments of Kruger.
Hope you can come back again some time soon.

[ndloti]

The summit of Mathlari is a refreshing climb , and it offers a good view .

We did not know that an elephant was on the outskirts of a breeding herd which sent us on a rapid retreat near Komapiti waterhole , as we surprised 5 white *** who raised the alarm with their flight through the thick undergrowth in the direction of the elephants . We crossed a small stream and rapidly moved down wind of them, it seemed that this masked our scent as they did not follow us any further .

[ndloti]

Napi huts (1992) before the camp burned down about 8 years later . The huts were on stilts right over the Napi spruit with a view of the confluence which was behind and to the right .

[ndloti]

The trails area covered is mostly level with little climbing in comparison with the more hilly Wolhuter & Bushman trails .
The grass type is predominantly woody thatch type , grazers are not less plentiful than the Wolhuter & Bushman trails - but seeing animals on foot is really a bonus .
The scenery along the Biyamiti river area is pleasant .
In my opinion the new camp with en suite facilities is more luxurious than a wilderness trail camp should be , though others may find it suits their needs well .

[YDJanet]

My husband and I did the trail last December. The staff was great and very helpful. The first night, we heard lions and they took us out to find them. We watched them for quite a while. The trail walks were about right, although one day it was very hot and we all (even the guides) were so glad to get back. The guides found us a huge buffalo herd and we got quite close. Also saw a lot of ***. I loved this experience and would go again at a heartbeat.

[Goronta]

I will do this trail end of july and I'm interested in any recent info.
We will be traveling one month in South Africa between July and August and will start by this trail in Kruger before other national parks.
Is there enough space in the tent to bring luggage or shall we leave it in the car ? Safe enough ?

[ndloti]

I have recently been in the area and the vegetation is currently lush as a result of heavy rains

The parking area for Napi trailists at Pretoriuskop can be considered safe as it is in an area that is easily visible .
The accomodation units are large enough (much larger than those on the rest of the KNP trails) to store your baggage and even have en suite shower & latrine.



.

[DinkyBird]

Sharing an email and pic I received from Raymond Khosa. You will remember him from all the super updates he gave from Berg en Dal while a guide there.

Dear Friends

There is something so special about the African sunset. What I have noticed over the past 12 years of my Guiding, people like our sunset and sun rise, as conservationist it has lots of meanings of which it needs lots of time to explain what is all about; it sets your soul free from stress of all the traffic jams, noise from the city, all the lights and pollution etc. Having dedicated my life as Trails ranger it makes my mind healthy daily when I'm being out doors with guests sharing with them signs of the wild.

See you at Napi trail, home of Giant Eagle owl, Barred owl and Sable antelopes.

Regards
Raymond

Sunset on the Napi trail by raymond, on Flickr

[Goronta]

I have no updated photos as I did Napi trail in july 2013(almost 2 years ago ) but I don't think there were so many changes since then.
It was a wonderful experience.
We were lucky to be only four(2 couples) and we enjoyed the daily walks with our rangers
If you want to see some pictures please find the link below

Goronta's On my way to Pafuri - KNP July '13

[Sofie :)]

Dear experienced KNP-visitors,

This year will be our second visit to this incredible piece of planet. Last time (2 years ago) we only planned 2 days which I don’t have to explain, is not long enough. We still have 2 of the big 5 on our wishlist (the cats’s were shy last time). This year we’ll make it up with a stay in Berg-en-Dal, Satara, Pretoriuskop and we’ve bookt a 3 night wilderness trail! In October 2015, Napi is on our program

I’m pretty sure we’ll find our way around the camps, game drives and self-drives. It’s the Napi trail that I would love to read other peoples experience. Or the experience of other wilderness trails. There isn’t much information around about these trails and the do’s and don’ts. It’s pretty obvious we have to act as the guide tells us, always be away of the surroundings and enjoy as much as possible. But what should we bring? Do we need to carry our own water and food during the trails? Are gamachen (those things for your legs) advisable? Do we need to bring our own mosquito nets?

Many thanks in advance

[Elsa]

Warm welcome to the forum Sofie!

also lots of great info and advice Wilderness Trails FAQ

Most of the info for this type of thing and others will be found in the Index KNPActivities and Sightings

but do ask if there is anything further you need answers to.

[Afriphile]

Hi Sofie,
We did the Napi Trail last August and enjoyed it so much that we are booked again this November,you will love it.
Regarding what to take then essentials are;
Torch or headlamp
Neutral coloured clothing
Hat
Binoculars
Walking shoes or boots
Insect repellant
Sun cream
Favourite drinks (for evening around the fire)
Each day you will be given a small rucksack containing snacks and water bottle to carry.
Although it will be hot in October we found long trousers better than shorts due to the bushes scratching our legs.
The tents are great and spacious so take what you want as there is plenty of room and a large fridge for beers in the communal area!,
How you arrange your day is up to group consensus but usually takes the form of an early morning walk of about 4 hours,stopping for snacks and water,then back to camp for a cooked brunch.Rest and social time then out late afternoon for another shorter walk or drive or combination.
No night drives are allowed so you will be back in camp at sunset when you will have time for a shower before evening meal and early bed.
We were fortunate with sightings but anything can happen and as everyone says"right place,right time"
Enjoy.