Getaway May_2019

Mike Kendrick, Alison Westwood

getaway.co.za 79

and a huge herd of buffalo coming to drink on the far

side of the dam (go during the dry season, when the

animals come to the water). I also love Shipandani

Hide as there is a pod of resident hippos, and all night

long we were serenaded by their grunts and chortles

• although the wind was so strong it blew the
  sausages off the braai!
  If you want to tick off some of northern Kruger’s
  bird specialities but don’t want to pay private safari-
  lodge rates, there’s Baobab Hill Bush House. This
  is the old Pafuri sector warden’s house that has been
  converted into a luxury self-catering option. It comes
  with a chef to prepare the food you bring along,
  a guide and a vehicle to explore all the private and
  official roads in the north of the park. Simply discuss
  with your guide how you would like to spend each
  day, and you can drive and walk at will. At night, the
  guide and chef depart, leaving your group to enjoy
  your Kruger home on your own.
  Essential visits in the area are the fever-tree
  forest (far larger than the one on the public S63 road),
  the Makuleke Wetlands filled with waterbirds, and
  the spectacular Lanner Gorge. On foot in Eden-like
  glades, we watched herds of buffalo, eland and
  elephant crossing the Luvuvhu River. The birdlife
  is outstanding, too – we ticked off Arnot’s chat,
  grey-headed parrots, crested guineafowl and even
  a Pel’s fishing owl, scanning from a low branch
  over the river.

Findmoreinfoaboutthe

followingactivities(unless

otherwisestated)under

‘Activities’onthewebsite,

sanparks.org.Youcanalso

bookonlineorcallcentral

reservations,012-428-9111.

Notea dailyconservationfee

(R93pp)appliesinadditionto

theactivitycost.

Krugerwildernesstrailsrun

froma Wednesdayafternoon

toSaturdaymorning,or

Sundayafternoonto

Wednesdaymorning.From

R5 044 pp sharing,including

meals(bringyourowndrinks).

Backpackingtrailsoperate

ona ‘takeit in,takeit out’

basisandadherestrictlytoa

‘no-tracecamping’ethic.

Hikersprovidetheirown

tents,campinggearandall

provisions.Thereare

notoiletorshowerfacilities.

Trails cost R3 128 pp.

KrugerToptoTailis

auctionedbytheHonorary

RangersinOctobereachyear.

The first stage went underthe

hammerat R50 900 (R6 300

pp)lastyear.Getreadyto

placeyourbidinOctober.082-

920-0244,thekrugertrail.com

Overnight hides have

bedding provided, and there’s

a long-drop loo and private

braai area. Bring your own

food, charcoal and torches

and/or lanterns. R775 for two

sharing, plus R355 per extra

person. Book Sable Hide

(sleeps nine) directly at

Phalaborwa Gate, 013-735-

3547, and Shipandani Hide

(sleeps six) through Mopani

Rest Camp, 013-735-6535.

Baobab Hill Bush House

costs R16 500 a night for eight

guests, with a guide and chef,

011-646-1391. returnafrica.com

The Malopeni Eco Trail

is a guided expedition that

takes motorists off the

beaten track, traversing the

management roads from

Phalaborwa Gate to the

Letaba River. Participants

overnight in a wilderness

campsite with minimal

facilities. A high-clearance

vehicle is recommended as

road conditions vary. It costs

R1 413 per vehicle (maximum

five cars; four per vehicle).

Book at Phalaborwa Gate or

through central reservations.

For 4x4 trails, turn the page.

Plan your trip

ABOVE You’ll spend plenty of

time camping and hiking

alongside crocs and hippos

during the Olifants Back-

packing Trail. BOTTOM With

nine beds, Sable Hide makes a

thrilling overnight option for

families – and a place where

the kids can tick off their bird

lists. OPPOSITE PAGE With a

full-time guide at their disposal,

guests at Baobab Hill Bush

House can explore the

stunning scenery around the

Luvuhvu River on foot and on

game drives.