South African Walking Safari: South Africa, Swaziland Walking Adventure

Essential Information

Trip Profile

6½ days walking. Altitude maximum 2900m, average 1250m. Grade B.

Accommodation

9 nights log cabins and chalets, 5 nights full service camping (camp beds provided).

Food

All breakfasts, 14 lunches and 13 dinners included.

Reality Check

There are a few long drives but the reward is an itinerary that offers an amazing variety of walking in diverse scenery, plus exciting game viewing, in a comparatively short time.

It is a full-service camping safari using a mixture of organised campsites and basic cabins.

This is primarily a walking trip, although there is still time to go on an organised safari to Kruger National Park. We climb to a maximum of 2900m.

We grade our walking and trekking trips and we have graded this particular trip as a grade B. Good health and reasonable fitness are important and you should take regular exercise before travelling on this trip. B grades are either fairly easy medium-duration walks or harder, shorter walks. There is some walking at higher altitude and occasional longer/harder days may be involved. Generally underfoot conditions will be fair.

A walking day is normally 4 - 8 hours. Seasonal Game Viewing The game viewing is generally at its best from July to September. This is because visibility improves due to the trees losing their leaves and because the game is more restricted to the areas that have water. The bush at this time, though, is much drier compared to earlier in the season and scenically the country is generally at its prettiest in April - June. The migratory birds are visible between October - April.

There are some ladders to climb while walking in the Drakensberg. The ladders are in two stretches, a longer (about 30m/100feet) first stretch and a shorter (about 15m/50 feet) stretch. Neither are quite vertical and they are metal ladders with thick, square edged footholds and comfortable hand holds. Whilst they're not particularly physically challenging they can constitute a slight mental challenge to some - but one that is worthwhile for the simply incredible views from the top of the escarpment.

The guides are extremely experienced in taking our clients up and down these ladders and they are happy to help.

Normal group size and age

Normally 5 to 12, plus leader and local rangers/trackers. Minimum age 16.

Icons explained

The vast majority of Exodus adventures are adult group holidays. Groups are always small in size. We strongly believe that this adherence to small groups means a better experience for all; more time with your guide, less waiting around and a reduced impact on the communities and environments visited.
Each group is generally made up of like-minded travellers - with singles, couples and friends all joining in together. All these trips are suitable for single travellers, but if you prefer to travel with clients booking individually, please see our Solo Departures page.

No experience is necessary; those who take weekend hill walks in areas like the Peak District or Cotswold’s at home should manage a B-grade trek; good health and reasonable fitness are important. These Moderately graded departures are either fairly easy medium-duration walks or harder, shorter walks.

Walking & Trekking: Trips are wholly trekking-focused or simply include a significant number of walking days during the itinerary.

Wildlife: Trips may be wholly wildlife focused, or contain an element of wildlife viewing within a less specific itinerary.

Culture: Let Exodus show you a different side to many of the world's greatest cultural attractions.

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