Kruger National Park

• A maximum of 20 persons (4 persons per vehicle), may participate per trail.
• No persons over the age of 65 may participate in the trail.
• No children under the age of 12 will be allowed.
• All participants have to complete an indemnity form before embarking on the trail. These forms should be handed to the trail ranger before departing on the trail.
• The general rules and regulations of the Kruger National Park also apply to trailists.
• Trailists depend on the trail ranger for their safety and for guidance. The trail ranger must therefore be obeyed at all times. Failure to co-operate in this respect could lead to the immediate cancellation of the trail.
• For safety and ethical reasons excessive consumption of liquor is strongly discouraged.
• Trailists provide their own food, liquor and soft drinks.
• Malaria Prophylactics are essential – please consult your chemist.

This Trail is rated as the best eco-trail in Southern Africa due to the diversity of the fauna and flora encountered en route.The route covers a distance of over 500km. Clients are required to drive their own vehicles, cater for themselves and to carry their own equipment. Guests also need to bring their own firewood and water. At each of the campsites there is a drum for ash but each vehicle needs to carry there own rubbish until it can be disposed of at one of the camps. A maximum of 4 persons per vehicle is allowed.

Only 5 vehicles are allowed on a trail at one time to ensure that the environment is not unduly affected and to afford groups some exclusivity. A ranger from the park, who leads the convoy in his own vehicle, accompanies each group. Regular stops are made by the ranger to interpret aspects within the environment or to share special experiences. Usually, three camps are visited whilst driving up North to refuel, replenish food supplies and to allow tourists the opportunity to shower!

Thanks go to the Trail sponsors, namely Nissan South Africa and VUSWA, for sponsoring the lead vehicle and to Jurgens CI for sponsoring the lead vehicles roof-top tent.

Five four-wheel drive vehicles will be allowed to participate at a time with up to four participants per vehicle. Each vehicle must be fully equipped with tent, water containers, gas bottles, cooking equipment etc. This is a self-catering activity, usually three camps are visited en route north for fuel, water and showers. The camps usually visited are Lower Sabie, Olifants and Shingwedzi.A highly experienced trail leader will accompany trail-goers for the duration of the trail, offering safety and an unparalleled bush interpretation that covers geology, biology, botany as well as historical and cultural information.

The trail starts at Crocodile Bridge every Sunday and ends at Pafuri on Thursday at about 12:00. Please report promptly at Crocodile Bridge at 09:00 on the day of departure. Please check that the vehicles are ready for the trip, ensure that everyone has signed an indemnity form (which can be collected from the reception), vehicles are filled with fuel and trail-goers are present for a short debriefing from the trail leader. Delayed departure’s should be avoided so that more time can be spent enjoying the wilderness.

You start off by driving to the eastern boundary where you will have a magnificent view of the Crocodile and Komati rivers, meeting at the border of South Africa and Mozambique. From there it is up a steep hill and across to Lower Sabie along the eastern boundary. Some of the trail runs along the eastern boundary, but this does not deter from the beautiful scenery of wide, open spaces, bushveld on both sides and many magnificent trees. East of Lower Sabie is the first of four unfenced camping sites, each with its own unique and natural feel. Two Enviro-loos (mobile toilets with no chemical component) are provided at each of these, one for ladies and one for gents. Each site has its own unique bush character as they have been left as undisturbed as possible.The departure time from the camping sites varies depending on the season but will be no later than 07:00 in the morning. Each day is filled with a variety of experiences – from seeing different animal spoor, animals, plant species and birds to dense bush. It ends with the green, “fairytale” scene at Pafuri picnic spot.

The trail is quite exceptional, starting where two countries meet and ending at the joining of a third (South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique). This “meeting place” takes part in the famous Crook’s Corner area in the north.

This is not an obstacle course or a testing ground for four-wheel drive vehicles. The participants on this trail will be true bush lovers and ones who enjoy the wilderness.

Camping and other equipment

1. Tent, tent pegs and hammer / or rooftop tent
2. Feather duster can also be handy to dust the rear of your vehicle
3. Portable shower
4. Ground sheet, spade and broom
5. Sleeping bag, towels and pillow
6. Inflatable mattress and pump
7. Gas lamp
8. Two torches (extra batteries)
9. Folding table and chairs
10. Gas stove/cooker, handy braai and gas bottle (2)
11. Braai Grid and stand
12. Wood (please supply own)
13. 2 x 25-litre water containers
14. Refrigerator or cool box (for ice and meat)
15. Cooking pot and kettle
16. Medium-sized plastic bowl for washing dishes
17. Fire extinguisher
18. Insect repellent
19. Table cloth
20. Washing and drying cloth
21. Pot scourer and dishwashing liquid
22. Refuse bags
23. Toilet paper
24. Cutlery and crockery
25. Mugs and glasses
26. Wooden spoon, can opener, egg lifter and cutting knife
27. Paper towels
28. Wooden carving board
29. Hot water flask

Tools

1. Toolbox should have the necessary spanners, sockets etc.
2. Gas utility spares and mantles
3. Nuts and bolts
4. Puncture repair kit
5. Spare globes
6. Electrical terminals
7. Tie-down straps
8. Fuses
9. Epoxy glue
10. Prestik

Other

1. Personal toiletries (remember biodegradable soap for showering outdoors)
2. Road maps
3. Camera and film
4. Binoculars
5. Appropriate clothing
6. Hat/cap
7. Raincoat
8. Reference books (mammals/trees/birds)
9. Small plastic bowl for washing
10. Sufficient food and beverages

First Aid

1. Own personal medication
2. Antihistamine ointment and tabs
3. Eye drops
4. Paracetamol
5. Stingose
6. Cotton wool / gauze
7. Plaster
8. Scissors and tweezer
9. Malaria tablets

Booking and tariff enquiries should be directed to:

• Specialised Reservations
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: +27 (0)12 426 5111
• Public Requests
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: +27 (0)12 428 9111
• Travel Trade Requests
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: +27 (0)12 426 5025

If any accommodation is required before or after the trail, please make a separate reservation. Bookings can be made through the SANParks central booking office in Pretoria, the reservations office in Cape Town and the reservations office in Skukuza.

• The trail starts at Phalaborwa Gate at 14:00 on the day of departure and returns to Phalaborwa Gate the following day at around 12:00 (campsite is vacated at approximately 09:00 after breakfast).
• The over night campsite is unfenced and has a fireplace, ashdrum and two enviro loo’s (toilets with no chemical or flushing component), one for ladies and one for gents. It is a self-catering trail and guests have to provide their own water, firewood, food and accommodation (Tent). Although it is not strictly speaking a 4×4 challenge, road conditions vary from reasonably good to a few places with steep inclines and in the rainy season – muddy patches where guests are asked to engage in 4×4 (if their vehicle has this capability).
• Without 4×4 capabilities, wheels might spin and the road might be damaged and therefore it is recommended that 4×4 vehicles be used on this trail, however high clearance 2×4 vehicles are also permitted. Only genuine off-road trailers or caravans are allowed.
• The trail departs on a daily basis throughout the year from Phalaborwa Gate although in the case of heavy rainfall the route might be changed or even be closed temporarily. The Phalaborwa Section Ranger can also close the route any time for management related issues such as an uncontrolled fire or for anti poaching operations in the area.
• Only 5 vehicles plus the guide’s vehicle are allowed on the trail at any one time, with a maximum of 4 people per vehicle. (No children under 12 years unless arranged prior to departure and this will only be possible in cases where one group has booked the entire trail).

The route commences in the Phalaborwa Sandveld and stretches into Mopane (Colophospermum mopane) Savanna on Basic Soils and the Letaba River Rugged Veld.

The predominant geology formations consist mainly of granite and gneiss. Soils of the watersheds are generally deep and sandy. The Phalaborwa Sanveld is characterized by the occurrence of large numbers of termite mounds, which are comprised of light grey soils. A number of well-defined and deeply incised watercourses pass through the Mopane Savanna from higher-lying areas. The Letaba River Rugged Veld represent the mid and lower drainage slopes of the Letaba River. It is generally strongly undulating with prominent watersheds and deeply incised watercourses.

The woody strata that dominate the area includes Knobthorn (Acacia nigrescens), Tree Wisteria (Bolusanthus speciosus), Mopane (Colophospermum mopane), Red Bushwillow (Combretum apiculatum), Leadwood (Combretum imberbe), Cork bush (Mundulea sericea), African wattle (Peltophorum africanum), Apple Leaf (Philenoptera violacea), Marula (Sclerocarya birrea), Silver cluster leaf (Terminalia sericea) and Purple pod cluster leaf (Terminalia pruniodes). The herbaceous layer includes Andropogon gayanus, Aristida spp, Bothriochoa radicans, Brachiaria nigropedata, Cymbopogon plurinodis, Digitaria eriantha, Enneapogon cenchroides, Hemizygia elliottii, Hetropogon contortus, Melinis repens, Panicum coloratum, Panicum maximum, Pogonarhria squarrosa, Schmiditia pappophoroides, Themeda triandra and Urochloa mosambicensis.

Historically Sable antelope were frequently seen in this area although lately Sable antelope are very scares. Impala occur widely with localized high concentrations. Relatively high densities of a wide variety of large mammals feature along the Letaba River during the winter months. Generally the densities of most species are low. Elephant, buffalo, hippo, kudu and waterbuck are well represented. Nyala are also found, although in low densities.

The trail starts at Phalaborwa Gate and proceeds east on the H9 (main road between Phalaborwa and Letaba) and then turns north on to the S131, at the Ngwenyeni/Malopeni cross road the trail proceeds north on the category D – Mankavi Road for 3km before turning west onto the Malopene management road. It goes through the Malopeni spruit to Malopeni North windmill and then onto Oorgenoeg windmill (both these windmills have been closed down) and then onto the Letaba River. The route proceeds in a north westerly direction along the southern banks of the Letaba River, through the Nhlarhweni spruit towards Black Heron dam. The overnight campsite is about 500m north west of Black Heron Dam. The trail returns along the western boundary heading south towards Phalaborwa and then turns east-wards on the Bambinyowo management road to Malopeni North windmill and then back to the S131 to Phalaborwa Gate.

Camping and other equipment

1. Tent, tent pegs and hammer / or rooftop tent
2. Feather duster can also be handy to dust the rear of your vehicle
3. Portable shower
4. Ground sheet, spade and broom
5. Sleeping bag, towels and pillow
6. Inflatable mattress and pump
7. Gas lamp
8. Two torches (extra batteries)
9. Folding table and chairs
10. Gas stove/cooker, handy braai and gas bottle (2)
11. Braai Grid and stand
12. Wood (please supply own)
13. 2 x 25-litre water containers
14. Refrigerator or cool box (for ice and meat)
15. Cooking pot and kettle
16. Medium-sized plastic bowl for washing dishes
17. Fire extinguisher
18. Insect repellent
19. Table cloth
20. Washing and drying cloth
21. Pot scourer and dishwashing liquid
22. Refuse bags
23. Toilet paper
24. Cutlery and crockery
25. Mugs and glasses
26. Wooden spoon, can opener, egg lifter and cutting knife
27. Paper towels
28. Wooden carving board
29. Hot water flask

Tools

1. Toolbox should have the necessary spanners, sockets etc.
2. Gas utility spares and mantles
3. Nuts and bolts
4. Puncture repair kit
5. Spare globes
6. Electrical terminals
7. Tie-down straps
8. Fuses
9. Epoxy glue
10. Prestik

Other

1. Personal toiletries (remember biodegradable soap for showering outdoors)
2. Road maps
3. Camera and film
4. Binoculars
5. Appropriate clothing
6. Hat/cap
7. Raincoat
8. Reference books (mammals/trees/birds)
9. Small plastic bowl for washing
10. Sufficient food and beverages

First Aid

1. Own personal medication
2. Antihistamine ointment and tabs
3. Eye drops
4. Paracetamol
5. Stingose
6. Cotton wool / gauze
7. Plaster
8. Scissors and tweezer
9. Malaria tablets

Bookings can be made via Central Reservations.