South Africa is one of the few regions of the world where humans have lived continuously for nearly two million years and were the geology and environmental conditions helped preserve evidence of their presence. Nowadays it is considered a rainbow nation and a true melting pot of cultures. The country contains the most beautiful wilderness areas in the world filled with populations of mega-fauna. Among them are Elephants, Lions, Rhino s, Springbok, Whales, Dolphins and Ostriches, who are still present in the many National Parks. In this treasure chest of ancient and magnificent landscapes with its vast biological and cultural diversity Wamvenga offers a 10 day Active Safari where guests are taken on Walking Trails throughout the North Eastern sub-tropical side of South Africa. Accommodation in small comfortable lodges and guesthouses located nearby the walking area lets us enjoy the friendliness and hospitality of the South African people and taste their delicious local dishes pared with excellent South African wines. A maximum group size of 8 guests with an inspiring, knowledgeable and FGASA qualified guide that speaks German, French, Dutch and English fluently will greatly enhance your Active Safari and make it more Personal experience for you. The walking trails that Wamvenga has organized in five great National Parks are easy going, relaxed trails in with enough time to simply enjoy the great views along the way and where knowledge about the local fauna and flora as well as the often rich history of the area is being passed on to you. Bring your camera, sunhat and put on your hiking shoes! Each walking trail has its own theme and are divided into the 5 Elements of Nature. These 5, easy going half-day (4-5 hours), elements walking trails are in situated in The Greater Kruger Park and the Blyde River Canyon in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, the Malolotja Nature Reserve in the Kingdom of Swaziland, the Isimangaliso Wetland Park and the Ukhahlamba- Drakensberg Park in the KwaZulu-Natal Province.
Active Safari Tour description: A 10 day / 10 night, small group (8 people max), accommodated safari through North-East South Africa. Explore the big game of the Kruger National Park and Private Game Reserves. We enjoy hiking in Mpumalanga and Swaziland, before heading into the Zulu Kingdom. We visit the wetlands, wildlife and beaches of KwaZulu-Natal, before heading to the mountains of the Drakensberg. Day 1 MPUMALANGA, Blyde River Canyon [Chalets - D] (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) The group will be met at the airport and after introductions we head east to our first stop on the edge of the central escarpment; Graskop, Mpumalanga Province. We drive through scenic landscape via Dullstroom and the Longtom Pass to our overnight accommodation on the edge of the escarpment. On route we visit briefly the Mac Mac falls. Day 2 MPUMALANGA, Blyde River Canyon [Chalets - BLD] After breakfast we take a short transfer to the Blyde River Canyon Forever resort where the trail, with Wood as the Natural Element. The trail takes us through a beautiful Afro-Montane forest along clear mountain streams to waterfalls and viewpoints overlooking these evergreen forests surrounding the Blyde River Canyon and dam. We enjoy a picnic lunch in the forest at a cool water pool along the way. In the late afternoon we spend some time exploring the town of Graskop by foot. Trail is 4-5 hours of walking. Day 3 LIMPOPO, Greater Kruger Park [Chalets - BLD] After breakfast we travel down the escarpment to a private game reserve in the Lowveld area near the Kruger Park. We drive through the town of Hoedspruit where we have an opportunity to restock our supplies and arrive at the lodge for a late lunch and refreshing swim before embarking on an openvehicle sundowner game drive. In the evening an astronomy session of the Southern hemisphere is waiting after dinner at a campfire. Day 4 LIMPOPO, Greater Kruger Park [Chalets - BLD] We wake up early today for a Morning walk with Fire as the Natural Element, led by a qualified FGASA field guide and tracker following the riverine area in search of animals. The focus on this walk will be on plant medicinal and cultural uses, tracks, insects, birds, geology and ecology. In the afternoon we leave for another game drive in an open-vehicle specifically searching for the larger mammals in the reserve. If you see all the bigger predators you will be very lucky, however you will almost certainly see some of the famous big five and a huge variety of other mammals. Trail is 4 hours of walking. Day 5 KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND, Malolotja Mountain Nature Reserve [Cabins - BLD] Again up before sunrise this morning for a last game drive, the best time of day for game-spotting. We return to camp for breakfast and say our good-bye s before moving onto a new country: Swaziland. We leave the Greater Kruger park driving south and we will be crossing the border into Swaziland in the afternoon. We drive to the hilly Malolotja Nature Reserve and spend a relaxing evening in the cabins ready for a long walk the next day. Day 6 KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND, Malolotja, Mountain Nature Reserve [Cabins - BLD] Today we enjoy a full day walk, with Earth as the natural element. We will be visiting the Malolotja waterfalls and enjoying the magnificent scenery of these rugged mountains. There is superb flora here and over 280 species of birds have been spotted in this reserve, as have been many antelope species. The Nkomati River cuts a gorge through the park and flows east in a series of falls and rapids before it meets the Lowveld. We will visit the nearby Ngwenya glass factory where local artisans make beautiful glass objects by hand. The area houses one of the world s oldest gold mines astonishingly dated from 41,000 AD. Trails is 4-5 hours of walking. Day 7 KWAZULU NATAL, Kosi Bay Estuary lake system [Chalets - BLD] Today we head out of Swaziland back into South Africa. We visit the Ezulwini Valley Craft Market before heading south through rural Swaziland and move on to the 11.000 hectare Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, part of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park. The small town of Kosi Bay is both by the Indian
Ocean and nearby the Estuary lake system Day 8 KWAZULU NATAL, Kosi Bay Estuary lake system [Chalets - BLD] Today we will walking the guided Water Element Trail on a whole day outing that will be taking us through the heart of this tropical paradise of crystal-clear blue water and marshland, raffia, wild date and palm, mangrove swamp and sycamore fig forests provide a home for approximately 250 species of birds. Bushbuck, duiker and monkeys inhabit the forested parts whilst hippo and crocodile bask in and around the lakes. The lakes teem with fish beneath their surfaces. Humpback whales can often be seen off the beaches on their northerly migration to calve in Mozambique and in December and January loggerhead and leatherback turtles come onto the beaches to lay their eggs. We will bring snorkelling and swimming gear as there might be good opportunity for this in one of the many lakes along the way. Trail is 4-5 hours of walking. Day 9 KWAZULU NATAL, Drakensberg Mountains [Cottages - BLD] Today we travel through the Natal Midlands to the Northern Drakensberg and make a stop for lunch at the one of the battlefield museums, which cover the wars between the Boers, the British and the Zulu s. We arrive at our cottages in the Drakensberg Mountains in the late afternoon. There are a number of optional short walks to be enjoyed from the cottages. Day 10 KWAZULU NATAL, Drakensberg mountains [Cottages - BLD] This last early morning of our trip we walk the Metal Element Trail along the Tugela Gorge walk, one of the most spectacular walks in the Royal Natal Park. From the bottom of the gorge we can see the Tugela waterfall, the highest in South Africa. The Drakensberg is a basalt escarpment forming the border between KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho and continuing into Free State. It means Dragon Mountains, but the Zulu named it Quuathlamba ( the barrier of Spears ). This is a more accurate description of the sheer, forbidding, jagged escarpment. We will bring our packed lunches on this day trail and will return in the early afternoon. Trail is 5 hours of walking. Day 11 KWAZULU NATAL, King Shaka Airport [B] There will be a final morning breakfast in this magnificent mountain area before driving back to Durban to catch flights.
Practical The Active Safari program is set up as a 10 days 10 nights Safari where guests spend these active out-door days in a comfortable and safe accomodations situated in the magnificent wilderness of the South African Nature Reserves on the North-East side of the country. PLEASE NOTE: The accommodation specified in the itinerary is a guide only and subject to availability. Alternatives will be of a similar standard. Guests share their accommodation in comfortable 2 persons cottages, hiking cabins or chalets with ensuite bathrooms. Single bookings are against extra costs. Includes: 10 nights in cabin / chalets, 2 nights in Hiking cabins, 8 nights in Chalets or Cottages, all entrance fees transport in minibus / safari truck, meals as per itinerary, professional guides. Excludes: Visas, items of a personal nature, restaurant meals, airport transfers, tips, curios, optional excursions beverages (alcohol, soft drinks and bottled mineral water), insurance to cover for cancellation and curtailment, insurance; medical, baggage, emergency evacuation\ The local climate in this part of the country is divided in a summer, wet season (October- March), the hottest time of the year with average temperatures ranging around 32 till 35 C. The winter months (April-September) temperatures at night and early morning can occasionally drop to round 5-7 C and climb to 25-28 C during the day. Winter mornings and evenings can be cold, especially in the mountainous areas and bringing winter clothing; beanie, gloves, scarf, long pants and warm jacket is essential. Safety & Medical information The Nature Coaches and Field guides who are leading the Wamvenga Active Safaris are experienced and highly qualified. Guides and Life Coaches enrol regularly in first aid courses that place a special emphasis on the exceptional first aid needs that can occur in a bush environment. The area we are in is classified as a low-risk malaria area and you are advised to take malaria precautions. Please consult your medical centre or doctor before departure from home.
Bookings The Wamvenga Active Safari can be booked on specific Active Safari weeks by individual guests and groups where enjoying the outdoor active hiking activities and the powerful African Nature form the vital ingredients for an inspiring vacation. Departures: 01 January 2016-31 December 2016 This safari is available on any departure date as a private group tour, please contact us for a quote. Please contact us for more information on rates and available dates. Wamvenga PO box 1790, Hoedspruit, 1380 South Africa Robin cell : +27 (0)72 7969 577 Claudia cell : +27(0)76 8020 480 robin@wamvenga.com claudia@wamvenga.com