Short specialist activities (overnight or less)
PUBLIC ACTIVITIES
The following specialist interest activities are usually offered by Government Restcamps listed. Do try and book in advance, but you may find that you can only do so at the Restcamp itself on the night before the activity takes place. This can be a lottery, so do not be too disappointed to arrive at a Restcamp only to find the activity full.
Mountain Bike Trails have been recently introduced at Olifants Restcamp, and offer the chance to be led through the bush on two wheels by armed guards. There is an excellent series of full- and half-day bicycle bundu bashing options on offer. All depart from, and return to the main camp; there is a range of challenges to suit most riders and bikes are available for hire.
The same Camp also distinguishes itself by being the only public Restcamp to offer Astronomy evenings, complete with a large telescope to point at the moon, stars and planets from the depths of the bush.
Motorised trails for 4x4 vehicles are also extremely popular, and range in ambition and length from half day excursions to a five day trip covering the entire north-south axis of the Park.
Small numbers of the strong-nerved at a time can arrange to spend the night in hides overlooking permanent water. These take place at either Shipandani (close to Mopani Camp) or the Sable Dam Hide (near to the Phalaborwa Gate). Leopard sightings are not unusual, and crocodile and hippo are resident. You will probably need to present yourself at the Restcamp/Gate mentioned to enquire for availability and book.
restcamps >PRIVATE CAMPS
The origin of these more exotic activities was the Private Reserves, and they still innovate in activity terms. Most lodges have sleep-out facilities ranging from tree-houses to frame beds around campfires.
In the Greater Kruger it is possible to arrange to hot air balloon, microlight or go for helicopter or fixed-wing "flips" from many lodges.
Quad bikes and bicycles are not uncommon. Horse-riding is more unusual (enquire for latest availability).
For more extreme sports you will need to make your own enquiries outside the Park, or join a Group to do something like our African Adrenalin Safari.
You will find the local tourist industry extremely helpful; people are prepared to go out their way to organise that little something extra. To give some small examples, we recently arranged for a couple to attend Sunday Mass in the town square of a remote Mozambique bush village to test out their Portugese. This they did as part of their Park Safari by entering Mozambique through the new Giriyondo Border Post on the Kruger's eastern side.
On your way to or from the Kruger, we offer authentic local township walking tours (unlike the formulaic Soweto "product") inevitably ending with a visit to the local Shebeen.
There are a wide variety of short activities on offer to enhance your trip that do not appear in the adverts or on this website. However obscure your interest may be, don't be shy! Just ask.
Longer specialist activities (2 nights or more)
The Private Reserves of the Greater Kruger pioneered walking in the bush many years ago, and most offer the chance to step out of the vehicle and explore on foot- an amazing experience.
Our own favourites include the Northern Wilderness Walking Safari, the Tusker Trail, and the Rhino Route, all of which we detail on this site.
Note that the SANP Authorities now run seven of their own Wilderness Trails in the Park. Groups of up to eight spend two days and three nights out walking in the bush, and staying in permanent trail camps. These are extremely worthwhile experience (if you are prepared to rough it a bit) and offer fantastic value for money. They are highly sought-after and booking is typically required months, if not a year, in advance.
A backpacking trail where you carry all of your own kit (tent, food, cooking utensils etc) and wash in the river has recently been trialled at Olifants Camp. Enquire for its current status.
For more specific interests, Kruger2Canyons.com has developed a range of Specialist Safaris to explore the best of the Greater Kruger. They range widely around the region, both inside the Park and further afield to take advantage of attractions such as the Blyde Canyon and the Drakensberg Escarpment.
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