Mphongolo Backpacking Trail - Kruger Park - South Africa Tours, Hiking
Mphongolo Backpacking Trail - Kruger Park
Primitive Backpacking Trail which starts from Shingwedzi Camp and conducted in the wilderness area between the Shingwedzi and Mphongolo rivers. Stretches over 4 days with departures every Wednesday and Sunday between 1 February and 30 November each year.
Tour Code: Mphongolo
Depart From: Kruger Park
| Ending at: Kruger Park
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Duration: 4 Days
Country:
South Africa
Departures: Daily
Type: Adventure | Safari | Hiking | |
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Tour Description
The Mphongolo Trail is a primitive Backpacking Trail which starts from Shingwedzi Camp and is conducted in the large wilderness area between the Shingwedzi and Mphongolo rivers.
The trail stretches over 4 days and three nights, with departures every Wednesday and Sunday between 1 February and 30 November. Guests are expected to provide their own camping equipment and food for the duration of the trail. There are no overnight huts on this trail.
The Mphongolo Back Pack Trail is unique in the Kruger National Park in that it requires participants to walk for 4 consecutive days carrying heavy packs each day over distances or to do shorter hikes from your camp with just water and lunch.
The trail allows the trail leader to decide when & where to camp and how far & which route to follow. To attempt this physically demanding hike you will have to be reasonably fit.
There is no cell phone reception and the trails rangers will only establish communication in medical emergencies. Hikers can leave their cars at Shingwedzi Camp in the designated parking area.
The activity will be conducted by two experienced Trails Rangers and the maximum number of participants will be kept to eight people per trail with a minimum of 4 people.
As the safety of hikers is of major importance, all participants have to bring tents and sleep in them every night while they are walking the trail. Participants will be responsible for setting up their own tents and for cooking their own food.
Please see Mphongolo Fact Sheet.
Itinerary
The group will meet at Shingwedzi camp at 13:00 on the day of departure in order to leave the camp by 14:00. They will then be transported, using an open vehicle with a trailer, and dropped off at a predetermined drop off point (according to a rotational usage schedule).
All hikers will receive a comprehensive safety briefing before the trail commences. The trail leader is a qualified and armed Trails Ranger assisted by a second armed assistant trails ranger, for additional peace of mind.
The trail allows the trail leader to decide when & where to camp and how far & which route to follow. Participants will be responsible for setting up their own tents and for cooking their own food.
No rubbish bins or toilets are provided at any of the overnight stops and the trail operates on a strictly “take it in, take it out” basis and strictly adheres to a “no trace camping” ethic. Please only use biodegradable products – soaps and detergents – on the trail.
The trails ranger will be able to plan a circular or direct route to the pre arranged collection point and will also be able to decide whether to spend more than one night at a particular camp site or not.
This will allow the group the opportunity to walk at a slower pace and to leave their back packs at the camp and they then don’t have to lug heavy packs around and can enjoy more of the wilderness. Water will be collected from natural pools/ pans, seeps, boreholes, etc. However, it is necessary to use purification tablets (chlorine).
The group will be collected at a predetermined collection point at 10:00 on the last day and transported back to Shingwedzi Camp.
Tour Include
Tour guides
Tour Exclude
Meals & drinks, bedding and personal items.
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