SOUTH AFRICAN WALKING SAFARI

17 days from GBP2,449 to GBP2,949 including flights
Tripcode: TZS

Countries Visited: South Africa, Swaziland

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 15 reviews.

Annica Goddard

SOUTH AFRICAN WALKING SAFARI

Written November 2011
A wonderful holiday which really explores the east side of South Africa. Wonderful walks, great game viewing! Could not ask for more.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Being 3000m high in the Drakensberg with wonderful views and a sense of achievement getting up the ladder!
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader - Bongani - was great. Very organised and a good cook! Quite quiet though so did not learn that much specifically about S Africa as a country.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure your plug adaptor covers S Africa as a lot in our group didn't and note that there are two guides on the trip with you all the time so when it coming to tipping them - that is twice as much.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Camping is the best way of feeling right in there with the animals! Great great fun. travelled on my own and felt perfectly safe and well looked after.
Janet Allan

SOUTH AFRICAN WALKING SAFARI

Written November 2011
My first trip with Exodus but I have travelled with similar companies although not including camping.I found the trip to be exactly what I was expecting and as described in the brochure. The camping wasn't arduous at all.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Two things stick in my memory.
1. Being able to walk inside a Game Reserve knowing that the previous evening on a Game drive we had come VERY close to elephants, lion and cheetah with a recent kill. Then on the walk getting very close to the cheetah and her cub.
2. Walking in the Drakensberg Mountains. One day we walked along the Tugela Gorge and even though the rains hadn't come and the river was virtually dry we had lunch in the riverbed of the gorge (thankfully there was no flash flood!). The following day we made the ascent onto the plateau via the 'terrifying' chain ladders. Unable to climb a ladder at home this was MY achievement of the trip. Coming down was much easier thank goodness.
What did you think of your group leader?
Bongani was an excellent leader. Quiet and efficient but able to impart his knowledge when required. He has a wicked sense of humour which took us a while to suss out. After a few days we just didn't believe anything he told us!!
There was a lot of driving during the trip so while we relaxed in the minibus he was working hard and then had the camps to set up on arrival.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As said before there is a lot of travelling. South Africa is a huge country and the locals think nothing of driving 100's of miles on straight, quiet roads. We rotated our seats around the bus each day as some seats had better views/more legroom than others.
As we move about regularly there is a fair bit of packing/unpacking and not much room in the tents to spread. I found using bags to store underwear, shirts, trousers etc in my main pack made getting the following day's clothes ready easier.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Bongani had Shawn as a camp assistant. As he was too young to be insured to drive the bus it meant Bongani had to do all the driving. I did wonder if Bongani was incapacitated for any reason whether our trip would be stuck.
Beth Marshall

SOUTH AFRICAN WALKING SAFARI

Written October 2011
Amazing experience! Great balance between walking and wildlife and a really diverse trip, you feel like you are seeing a lot of the country without being rushed. Scenery is stunning and perfect for walking. Campsites are fantastic, food amazing. Really lovely, well paced and interesting trip with fantastic opportunity to spot the big 5!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Spotting Cheetha close up on foot and seeing a kill..fantastic moment!
The Drakensberg mountains were stunning, loved the two walks there.
Whole camping experience, beers around the fire, everyone swapping wildlife photos, great atmosphere.
What did you think of your group leader?
Both Bongani and Shawn were excellent leaders, they really went the extra mile and worked very hard to make the trip run like clockwork and it did. Both have a great sense of humour and made it fun and interesting.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I would reccomend doing all of the optional game drives. You never know what you might see. We were really lucky to see so many animals up close.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just make the most of it. This is one off experience you'll never forget.
Martin Boiling

SOUTH AFRICAN WALKING SAFARI

Written October 2011
Great walking and excellent organisation from experienced and committed guides
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking with cheetahs and walking in and around the Drakensberg amphitheatre
What did you think of your group leader?
Outstanding. Committed and professional
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The long travelling days in the van are the only down side but the experience when you get to your destination is breath taking
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Would have liked the option to spend an extra day in Swaziland and Drakensberg walking
Tabor Vikki

SOUTH AFRICAN WALKING SAFARI

Written October 2010
One of the most amazing experiences of my life, some fantastic scenary, wonderful walks and brilliant animal sightings. The three guys Bongani, Shawn & Samanga worked so hard to provide a most enjoyable holiday, despite very trying weather conditions at times. Bongani's vegetarian cooking was fantastic, Shawn's knowledge of the wildlife was far better than the rangers at the Private Game reserve and even with a leopard in camp one night I felt totally safe.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Sitting a few feet away from a male lion as he roared. Though I have to say the ladders in the Draconsburg mountains was probably one of the most terrifying experiences of my life but I felt such an achievement, and I couldn't have done it without Shawn's help and encouragement.
What did you think of your group leader?
Bongani, was very amusing, very organised and led the group really well.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Pack some spare clothing in your hand luggage as my bag in the hold went missing for five days and during the first couple of days of the trip there wasn't anywhere much to get clothes. Though the guys did ensure I got some shopping time to get some items as soon as was possible. Thankfully, I was with a lovely group who all chipped in items for me to wear!
Also pack some baby wipes, a couple of nights only cold water showers were available and if the weathers a bit damp its not always the most appealing thought, I found these really useful!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you get the chance do this holiday, you won't regret it! I travelled on my own for the first time and was very nervous, but everyone made me feel really welcome and I will never forget the memories I have of this trip. I'm already thinking of going again next year!
Adrian Joyce

SOUTH AFRICAN WALKING SAFARI

Written October 2010
Fantastic trip, with great walks, awesome sights and great opportunities to get pretty close to the wildlife. This trip highlights what a diverse country South Africa is when you contrast the high lands with the lowlands. It is truly an experience that will be treasured for life.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It's hard to pick just one. South Africa was always a dream for me so just being there on a private game reserve with all the wildlife in natural habitat was awesome. Being within 20-30ft of a male lion as it roared. Watching him summon the roar from deepin the pit of his stomach. The hair still stands up on my neck when I think about it.
The contrast in the country, from pine forests and lushness in the Highveld to the barren sparseness of the Lowveld was something I wasn't expecting. Also on our trip we had a change in the itinery and ended up in St Lucia and I wasn't disappointed. All those crocs and Hippos and the Indian ocean breaking in the background as you tried to sleep.
The spectacular Drakensberg, and the glamping. The scenery here is breathtaking. The hike up "the ladders" was amazing. Seeing people conquer their fear by going up and the whole group, who were complete strangers a couple of weeks before, totally encouraging each other as if they were friends for years. Also on our hike in the Drakensberg we had snow. I didn't expect to see snow in South Africa.
What did you think of your group leader?
Bongani, was our leader, and was aided by Shawn and Semanga. Bongani, was great. He put the group at ease. He's got a great sense of humour that might take you a day or two to figure out but when you do he's a lot of fun. He also works hard to make sure the group enjoy themselves. He genuinely cares that everyone have fun and enjoy the trip and looks for feedback every night around the fire and prepares the group for the next day.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
There is a lot of travel on this trip between places so be prepared for some long days in the bus. Don't expect to get out of your armchair and enjoy this trip. You need a small level of fitness as some of the walks are long and over undulating terrain and it can get really hot at times. Good shoes or Boots are essential. Some of the campsites only have cold showers so if you don't fancy them take wet wipes. Also a decent headlight/torch because sometimes the tents are a small distance for the facilities. Take a decent camera too.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I did this trip as a single person and was a little nervous. However I ended up with a fantastic group of people and all those concerns were gone in an instant. The nights around the campfires and the stories will stick with me for a long time. This trip gives you a unique insight into the country and its fantastic scenery and wildlife. I was a little wary of the food, but group leaders did a great job, sometimes in harsh weather conditions, to give us all really good food. It's not five star but for campsite food it was great. I guess the biggest thing I can say about this trip is I didn't want it to end. Like I said, South Africa was dream of mine to visit, and having done this trip I'm yearning for more. I'd recommend this trip to anyone, who likes the outdoors and has even a mild sense of adventure.
Andrew Oldham

SOUTH AFRICAN WALKING SAFARI

Written August 2010
It does what it says on the tin - wildlife (we saw loads) and some walking! Can't say fairer than that!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
For me it would be some of the wildlife sightings, a cheetah (for the first time in the wild), 2 baby hyena, 4 separate leopard sightings, a pride of lion feasting on their kill.
What did you think of your group leader?
Bonjani is very knowledgeable and struck the right balance between being the leader and being relaxed with the clients. He is an excellent cook and we had some fantastic meals.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Read the trip notes carefully. They clearly state that there are only 2 nights in conventional accomodation and that there is a lot of driving - you forget that safari days involve a lot of sitting in the vehicle also. We never had any problems charging things, although a portable charging pack is useful. 3 of the party did not attempt the 'chains'.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The 1 meal out was at a chain steak-house. I am sure a better venue can be found!