The Base Camp Trail - South Africa Tours, Hiking
The Base Camp Trail
This fully catered 4-day trail will expose you to the wonders of the Zululand Bush where many lives have been changed though the brief encounter with the untamed bush; rich in a cultural heritage.
Tour Code: KZN/bc
Depart From: Mpila Camp
| Ending at: Mpila Camp
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Duration: 4 Days
Country:
South Africa
Departures: Daily
Type: Safari | Hiking | |
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Tour Description
On this trail you are accompanied by trained, professional wilderness guides who lead you through the area, helping to ensure your safety and facilitate an holistic experience of Wilderness.
The Imfolozi Wilderness is a so called 'Big Five' area, and there is always a chance of walking into a black rhino, buffalo or elephant, along with many other species. Trailists have seen wild dog on foot, leopard, cheetah and lions. Also there is a rich diversity of plants and trees which man can live on, and which are still used extensively in Zulu cultural practices for food and natural medicines.
Your wilderness guide will help you to understand some of the vast natural and cultural riches of the area and how they interact, and together you will endeavour to discover where we as mankind find our niche in the whole of life.
Base camp trails are run from 20 March to 15 November and take groups of a maximum of 8 trailists at a time.
Itinerary
All three nights are spent at Mndindini Trails camp where trailists are housed in 3m x 3m tents with two beds to a tent. There is a shower and toilet with water on tap and a fridge for cold drinks. Trailists' motor vehicles are left here in a safe environment.
After booking in at Mpila camp, trailists are directed to the Mndindini Trails camp where they will be greeted by the Field Assistant and the cook. It is recommended that visitors arrive at camp by 15:00 on the first day so that they can settle in at their leisure, in time to meet the Trails Officer for a briefing at 17:00.
The following two days will be spent walking in the Wilderness Area. Guests depart after breakfast, carrying only a daypack each containing their personal effects, water and lunch. The trail party, led by their guide and assistant, will cover an approximate distance of Between 7 and 14 kilometres per day and a reasonable degree of fitness is required.
River crossings are sometimes necessary during the walks. The daily routine is dependent on the time of year and guides' style of trail.
On the final day trailists will do a morning walk, returning to Mndindini for lunch. At this point the trail ends and guests are free to pack up and leave by 15:00.
It is imperative that you wear a comfortable pair of hiking boots, which are well worn in.
Catering
Catering is provided in the form of three meals per day, starting with supper on the day of arrival and concluding with lunch on the day of departure. Meals are simple but nutritious and quantities provided should satisfy most appetites. The menus have been developed with input from previous trailists and satisfy the palate of the average person
In addition to all meals, tea, coffee and a cold drink is provided. Fruit and nuts are provided as snacks between meals, however trailists may also bring their own between meal snacks and refreshments.
Age restriction
There is no maximum age restriction. The trailists do however, need to be physically fit (if the trails officer feels that a person is not physically fit/able enough the person will be turned away upon arrival).
The minimum age for a child unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian is sixteen years. No child under the age of fourteen years may participate. (Proof of age will be required).
Min group size
All trails require a minimum number of 4 participants to be booked on the trail in order that the trail go out as scheduled. If this minimum number of participants is not booked, the trail will be cancelled timeously and any payments made, refunded.
Couples and single people who want to go on a wilderness trail but can`t get together enough willing friends to fill a trail party can join a trail that has vacancies. These occur on a regular basis. Please enquire.
Transport
All trailists are expected to get themselves to and from Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park by means of their own transport. The closest public transport ends at Empangeni, approximately 100 km from Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
Entry fees
An entry fee to the reserve concerned will be levied. (Currently R90 / adult / day)
Malaria warning
The trail takes place within the malaria belt and thus participants are advised to take precautions as a matter of routine.
Tour Include
• Guides
• Accommodation
• All food, tea, coffee, cold drinks
• Water bottles
• All bedding
• Towel
• All daypacks
• First Aid kit
Tour Exclude
• Conservation levy of R 90.00 per person per day
• Items of a personal nature
• Transport to Mpila camp
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