Once you’ve satisfied the urge to see the Big 5 from a noisy Game Viewer and got the pictures, then the time is ripe to enjoy nature on its own terms. Foot safaris in Kruger National Park offer you unforgettable encounters with creatures both great and small. From stalking a herd of Giraffe to discovering the mysteries of a Termite mound, these experiences become far more meaningful when you feel Africa through the soles of your feet.
There is something extremely humbling about sizing up a White Rhino who is glaring at you and wondering whether there is a tree close enough to scale out of danger …
A professional guide will brief you fully on the “do’s & don’ts” before you set off, to ensure safety and a rewarding walk. He will instruct you to tune all your senses, because each and every one of them will come into play during the next few hours.
The ramble will focus on the patterns of nature, the intricacies of stalking, the inter-dependant relationships of organisms and, along the way, your trail leader with demonstrate his encyclopaedic knowledge of mammals, birds, plants plus any other item of interest that you may stumble upon … including Big Game!
The walk doesn’t focus on how far you can go but rather what you can absorb – the beauty of birdsong, the frenetic activity of Harvester Ants collecting seeds or the patience of a Green-backed Heron as it hunts for fish.
Brief rest periods become productive as you discuss issues that have come up – it’s amazing what putting one foot in front of the other along a game path does to clear the mind. The twinge of adrenaline also heightens the senses.
And there is always a need for adrenaline – the “fight or flee” response is bubbling at the surface. However, a good guide will put everyone at ease because he is so in tune with the bush and his surroundings that his confidence exudes calmness. Our local Shangaan Ranger team has been living in this environment cheek by jowl with these animals their whole life, so the only unknown for them are the trailists that they are leading.
Their collective stories would fill a journal and their observations come not from formal education but their own experiences and shared stories. When they discuss the medicinal properties of a tree, bush or shrub, you can rest assured that they have used it themselves. When they describe the uses of a piece of wood, be sure that they have put it to good use before.
So, therefore, time spent on foot in a Wilderness area is the very embodiment of a memorable safari experience. And this experience can be appreciated at Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge. Tony and his team value the essence of a Foot Safari and are privileged to be able to share the Bush with their guests.
“You made my African dream come true! The decorations of our rooms and the whole lodge was charming. The surrounding sounds of wilderness all around. Tony guided us under the stars, Lucky in the bush – all fascinating to us. The short rests between safaris, bushwalks and all the lovely food we were served, we spend in the gardens, pool area and in the nice outdoor shower. Thank you for showing us a piece of your Africa. Mohlabetsi is a place to remember – in my heart!” (Catrin and Lars Lasson, Sweden)
Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge
Tony and Alma warmly welcome guests to their relaxing and friendly oasis in the bush. Set in the vast Balule Nature Reserve, within the Greater Kruger National Park, this is home to a superb variety of fauna and flora, including the “Big 5”. Enjoy the very best safari experience possible at this congenial retreat. We will give you lasting memories of Africa’s spectacular wildlife. Visit Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge or Book Now.
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- Kruger National Park
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- Mpumalanga Accommodation
- Accommodation in South Africa
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This sounds very appealing.
I spent the first part of 2009 sponsored by three South African provinces researching the accessibility of the country’s tourism product for those with disabilities or who are slow walkers. It was only in the private game reserves that I had the freedom to explore using my normal mode of getting around – my wheelchair. The Kruger, Hluhlue, etc. were more constraining. Next visit I will look up Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge!
I have done foot safaris at Mohlabetsi on two or three occasions now and highly recommend it. (In fact I recommend everything about Mohlabetsi.) It is quite remarkable how much more you appreciate about the bush when you encounter it on foot and it does teach you that safaris are not all about the Big 5. Having said that, we did jump out of the vehicle more than one to get a better glimpse of rhinos and lions. The rangers at Mohlabetsi are so experienced though, we were always in very safe hands.