South African Walking Safari: South Africa, Swaziland Walking Adventure

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 18 reviews.

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!
Andy Brown

SOUTH AFRICAN WALKING SAFARI

Written March 2010
A truely amazing experience. This is a trip which does exactly what it says - combining some great walking opportunities with the excitement of Safari.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking is great but how can it compare with Safari. This was my first Safari experience and one I have been looking forward to for many years, it didn't dissappoint. The reserves were all fantastic and offered different means by which to see the animals. I was in no way expecting to be as close, literally touching distance, to a whole bunch of Lions and 'spitting' distance from White Rhinos and Elephants. It was truely an amazing experience.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader, Bongani, was fantastic; helpful, knowledgeable, funny and organised. He helped make the trip the success it was, working extremely hard to set up camp, cook EXCELLENT meals, get supplies etc. The amount of work he and our driver did was exceptional and extremely appreciated.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a good camera with a telephoto lens? There are so many good photo opportunities on this trip, do your memories justice by capturing them as best you can. Lenses for SLRs can be HIRED complete with insurance, shipping etc. I did this for the first time and I was very glad I did.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Great trip, great bunch of people, great place and great weather. I felt like I had an adventure and it was well worth the money. If value is measured by the size of the smile on my face when I think back or look at my photos then this was a bargain!
Simon Goss

SOUTH AFRICAN WALKING SAFARI

Written January 2010
Great introduction to this part of the world. You see lots of wildlife, and the walks are beautiful and varied. You do spend quite a lot of time travelling in the minibus, but perhaps this is to be expected to get to so many different places
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Sitting in the hide at the waterhole in the Mkuze game reserve and seeing white rhino, blue wildebeest, warthogs (whose young had a head-butting play fight while we were there), zebra, nyala, impala, woolly-necked stork, vervet monkeys, swallows and plovers, all in the space of less than an hour.
Seeing wild dogs in the Kruger.
Approaching two cheetah on foot.
What did you think of your group leader?
Very far above expectations. Bongani and Patrick were very friendly, outstanding at spotting wildlife in places where we would have overlooked it, told us lots about the animals and birds and also about the culture, life and politics of the region ... oh, and they cook great food too. They worked very hard to make sure we had a great time. Exceptional.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You do a lot of unpacking and re-packing while moving from place to place, so it's a good idea to work out a system for packing things to find them easily, for example using stuff bags or even plastic bags.
I get mild vertigo but found that the ladders didn't bring it on. Unless you get it very badly, I wouldn't worry about it on this trip. If push comes to shove, you can miss out the ladders and still not miss too much.
Get "tick twisters" from your local vet. They are easier to use and safer than tweezers for removing ticks.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The booking process was easy and Exodus were willing to hunt down some pre-travel advice that we asked for. I'll gladly use Exodus again.
Kate Chaddock

SOUTH AFRICAN WALKING SAFARI

Written December 2009
A wounderfull country with outstanding landscapes and people.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The safari where great in the private game reserves the guides really know there stuff we got so close to the animals FANTASIC.
What did you think of your group leader?
Bongarni and Patrick are excellent they made the holiday, outstanding cooks and drivers could not have asked for more.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
We had rain so be prepared and pack waterproofs and jumpers it was COLD in some places.
Elizabeth Von Gerard

SOUTH AFRICAN WALKING SAFARI

Written October 2009
Amazing views and scenery. Camping in the game reserves. Dinners round the camp fire. Fantastic braais. Driving through the Kruger Park and seeing all the animals.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting to the top of the Amphitheatre in the Drakenseberg! Despite the angst and terror of the ladders it was so worth it.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent! Bongani was fantastic! He knew his stuff, was really friendly and, along with Andrew, was a great cook. Our driver, Mzwake, was also very friendly.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you are not good with heights beware of the 'ladders' in the Drakensberg.
There is a lot of travelling between locations but the scenery is fantastic with plenty of stops. If it is a walking holiday you want this may not be the one for you but what we did was stunning!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just go for it, it is spectacular!