Experience Safari in Unique Ways
From guided walking safaris to unforgettable wildlife encounters, experience the African bush in ways few ever do.
Morning Walk
Mornings start with a 3-5 hour walk through the undulating Maseke Reserve, where guests will be rewarded with incredible landscape vistas. Guides will teach walkers about the bushveld and its inhabitants. You will have plenty of breaks and stop for lunch en route.
Afternoon / Evening Activity
In the afternoon, guests may be offered an additional walking experience to the campsite, depending on weather conditions and group dynamics. In the evenings, game drives provide closer encounters with big game and offer the chance to spot elusive nocturnal species not seen during the day.
A typical day at Africa On Foot Wilderness Trails
A typical day at Africa on Foot Wilderness Trails begins with a dawn wake-up call, early morning coffee, and a walking safari of about 3 – 5 hours. Below is a rough schedule of the day’s events:
05:30
Wake up to coffee and rusks, and kit up in walking gear
06:30
Depart camp for a 3–5-hour walking trail
11:30
Stop for brunch in the bush
13:00
Game drive to the next campsite
14:00
Arrive at the new campsite, enjoy a refreshment and some snacks while settling in
16:30
Depart on evening game drive
19:30
Return to camp, enjoy refreshments around the fire before dinner is served
Details & Useful Information
Maseke Balule Game Reserve is a fantastic year-round destination, with each season offering something unique in terms of game viewing. Summer is prime birding season, and it’s also the time of year when you’ll spot newborn wildlife.
Maseke Balule Game Reserve is a summer rainfall region. Most of the rain occurs during mid-summer (November – February) with the Trails closing annually between December – March due to the weather conditions. The rainfall generally occurs in the form of thunderstorms, where a downpour is experienced, and very seldom lasts longer than a few hours.
During the winter season, the bushveld thins out, and water becomes scarce. Wildlife will flock to available water sources such as waterholes, rivers and pans in front of lodges. Animals become easier to see because the summer lushness of the bush has thinned out. During the summer, wildlife gains plenty of moisture from the surrounding greenery.
Whatever the season, you’ll always have a high chance of seeing wildlife.
Essentials for a Kruger walking trail safari start with shoes and sun protection. A good pair of walking shoes, preferably ones that cover the ankle, is essential, as are sun hats and lightweight outdoor wear. Long trousers and shirts are ideal, while short sleeves are also suitable.
A rucksack or a slack pack should be used to carry water (refillable water bottles are provided), sun block, and any personal items one might need, while the guide will carry food, as well as a medical aid pack in case of injury. Pack a torch, or any other camping accessories you might deem handy or necessary for the trip.
Bring along cameras, binoculars and recording gadgets to keep a record of the many wildlife sightings.
The idea behind this eco-trail experience is for guests to discover details of the Kruger Park on a far more intimate level, and to learn from the experts as they tread carefully among the wildlife. The environment is completely cared for through the eco-friendly and low-impact nature of the campsites.
This is a mobile safari camp, meaning nothing in the camp structure is permanent. It is designed to be set up and broken down with ease, and to have as little impact on the environment as possible. The dome tents are pitched on the ground, and a temporary fire pit is dug on arrival, and covered up prior to departure.
Wildlife You Can Expect To See
What you can experience in the bush
Predators
Following in the footsteps of the herbivorous mammals are the carnivorous species of the South African bush. There are predators in close quarters to the campsites, making it possible to spot them at any given opportunity.
Lion, leopard, hyena, cheetah, African wild dog, and the Nile crocodile are some of the prominent predators residing in the Kruger. Smaller predators include jackal, mongoose, civet, genet, and honey badger, among others. At the campsite along the riverfront, the Nile crocodile is commonly spotted.
Mammals
The Maseke Balule Game Reserve comprises elephant, giraffe, hippo, buffalo, and rhino. There is an abundance of elephants on the reserve, often spotted while out walking. Giraffes are also regularly seen, and there’s a resident hippo that dominates the waterhole flanking one of the campsites.
Guided walks lead to unforgettable sightings of these large species, in addition to general game, such as zebra, impala, kudu, gnu, waterbuck, bushbuck, duiker, and steenbok.
Birdlife
The Greater Kruger habitat accommodates a complete smorgasbord of birder’s delights. Water birds such as herons, storks, plovers, spoonbills, and sandpipers are common along dam edges; kingfishers, orioles, robins, chats, larks, cisticolas, and coucals are some of the veld and woodland birds around, while birds of prey are seen and heard throughout the day.
The African fish-eagle soars above the river close to one of the campsites, and there’s also a possibility of spotting the rare Pel’s fishing-owl. There’s an abundant opportunity to spot passerines and woodland specials while traversing the Maseke on foot.
