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Holidays

Walking South Africa

South Africa
3 reviews
Available Departures: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

15 days from

US$2,655

without flights
Walk & Trek
Guided Group
LEISURELY LEISURELY

Walking safari and game drives in Kruger National Park, eSwatini and the famous Drakensberg Mountains

Trip Code: WSA
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Walking South Africa

Highlights
  • Game viewing, drives and unique safari walks in search of the Big 5 in Kruger and Hluhluwe
  • Day walks in the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains, eSwatini & Blyde River Canyon
  • Stay on the Msinene Nature Reserve which is reintroducing wildlife and conservation orientated
  • Visit the historic battlefield of Zululand at Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift

At a Glance
  • Group Size 4 to 12
  • 14 days with game drives & bush walks
  • 8 half or full day walks
  • Join In Johannesburg

Accommodation & Meals
  • 13 Breakfasts
  • 13 Lunches
  • 10 Dinners
  • 1 nights Hotel
  • 10 nights Lodge
  • 3 nights Tented Lodge
Overview

Our unique South Africa walking safari adventure takes in some of the world’s finest game reserves and national parks of Northern South Africa and eSwatini. The focus is on walking and we intersperse these days with game drives to ensure we see the full spectacle of the Africa wildlife. We walk in the Blyde River Canyon before a Big 5 walking safari and game drive in Kruger National Park – a gem of South Africa. With plenty of opportunity for wildlife sightings during our visit, we are likely to come across the huge African Elephant, big cats such as lions, and of course giraffe, zebra, many species of antelope as well as birds and small animals such as warthogs. We travel to eSwatini where we walk in the seldom explored mountainous reserve of Malalotja. Continuing on we visit Hluhluwe and the surrounding nature reserve in Zululand for game drives and a unique walking safari. On the way to the Drakensberg, we visit the Zululand Battlefield and walk the Fugitives' Drift Trail. The finale to this super holiday are the days walking in the Drakensberg Mountains showing off some of the most dramatic and breath-taking scenery in South Africa. This is a holiday perfect for walkers who enjoy wildlife and want to experience Africa’s beauty.


If you would like further information on when to go to Southern Africa on safari and which trip suits you the best please refer to our detailed guide: Which safari is right for you?

Is this holiday for you?

This holiday is ideal for people wanted to experience African safaris but do not want to spend all their time in a vehicle. We have included a number of walks and walking safari’s with local guides and armed rangers. Some of these require an early morning start and walking in the bush. There are 8 days with walks of between 1-6hrs with the average walk being 4 hrs. The hardest and longest wal …

This holiday is ideal for people wanted to experience African safaris but do not want to spend all their time in a vehicle. We have included a number of walks and walking safari’s with local guides and armed rangers. Some of these require an early morning start and walking in the bush. There are 8 days with walks of between 1-6hrs with the average walk being 4 hrs. The hardest and longest walks are when we are in the Drakensberg Mountains. There is one section of chain ladders to get onto the plateau which is not optional for this day walk - although staying at the lodge is an option!

There are a number of game drives, often on rough roads. Everything in South Africa is on a big scale and includes a few long drives as we travel over a large distance in between visiting some spectacular places. The driving times are indicated on each day. These times do not include stops along the way. We ensure that regular comfort breaks are taken, and stops try to be scheduled to visit interesting towns or sights.


You will be in your safari vehicle for the duration of the ‘game drives’. You will slowly drive on the dirt tracks and stop for periods to see the wildlife. Unless specifically stated, these game drives are not included in the total drive times mentioned at the end of the day-by-day details.

The terrain, people, culture and wildlife are splendid and will not disappoint even the most travelled of traveller!

 

Why KE?

Smashing safari and walking holiday, visiting the famous Blyde River, Kruger and the Drakensberg. As well as smaller and more intimate conservancy rehabilitating wildlife, and walks in rural eSwatini. And the price is BRILLIANT!

 

AIRPORT TRANSFERS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

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Itinerary

Your holiday starts at the group hotel near Johannesburg Airport. Airport transfers to the group hotel are provided. The rest of the day is yours to either relax or explore Johannesburg a little. We can arrange half-day tours of Soweto or Maropeng Cradle of Humankind.

Accommodation

Hotel

We meet early for a briefing from our guide before the start of our drive east into the province Mpumalanga, the homelands of Kruger National Park. In the afternoon we visit the gold mining town of Pilgrims Rest, on the famous Panorama Route. The whole town is a National Monument and we have a taste of the gold rush days in the late 1800's. We stretch our legs on a short walk at the nearby Mac Mac Pools before heading to our accommodation in Graskop and enjoy our first sundowner. Approximately 6-7 hrs driving.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

L D

Time

1 hr walking

This morning we are up early for our walk at the Blyde River. We walk from the rim of the escarpment down into the canyon with extensive views over the 'Classic' Three Sisters and the river below. The vistas do not disappoint as we walk along the well maintained paths which have a few rocky sections. After lunch we spend the afternoon exploring the local forest and waterfalls around the accommodation, which make Mpumalanga such a beautiful destination. There is also an optional trip in the recently built Graskop Gorge Lift, which takes you down 50m into the forest in 1 minute! Back at our accommodation we enjoy the views down the valley and dinner.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Time

3 - 4 hrs walking

We leave early and head over to Kruger for our full days' game drive. Kruger Park is South Africa's premier national park for viewing Big Game and we'll enjoy the game drive in the new open safari vehicle. Our professional guides will impart their extensive knowledge of ecology, fauna and flora during our time in the bush. Present in Kruger National Park are the Big 5: elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo. The rhino and leopard are the most elusive of these. Wildlife can congregate around the waterholes which is a good place to spot them. Antelope, giraffe, zebra herds and buffalo are likely to be seen in the park, as well as the elephants. Whatever we see, it's a magical experience to be here in this vast Africa landscape amongst the wild animals. We will stop en-route for a picnic style lunch before completing our game drive in the late afternoon as we exit the park and make our way to back to our private game lodge in the Greater Kruger area. We will have time for a sundowner before dinner. A perfect day in Africa.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Time

3 - 4 hrs walking

We will spend a second day at Kruger today, enveloped in the sights and sounds of the big five at large. It's not just the leopards and rhino that we should be looking out for though, as this huge national park also plays host to thousands of other species, including over 500 species of birds. After a game drive lasting the majority of the daylight hours today, we return to the asccommodation where we can enjoy a short bush walk ariound the property, with time spare for a swim in the pool, or perhaps a sundowner G&T in the last of the light. We'll spend the evening dining with new friends and enjoying the boma style campfire.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

This morning we leave the Kruger area and drive into eSwatini. We pass through areas producing sugarcane and subtropical fruits. We cross the border and head into the mountains. In April 2018, King Mswati III changed the name of his country from Swaziland to eSwantini. It is one of only a few countries in the world which still has absolute monarchy. Approximately 4-5 hrs driving.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Today we have a beautiful walk in this seldom explored mountainous reserve in eSwatini. The walking is through highveld grasslands along some uneven paths and some steep sections. There are a multitude of species that we are hoping to see en-route including zebra, various antelope, warthog and possibly jackal and porcupine. We have a picnic lunch during our walk. Our destination is a set of pretty waterfalls tumbling over the rocky ground into inviting pools. The wildflowers, including orchids, are also plentiful in spring time (Sep-Dec) in the reserve. The people have a strong cultural heritage, and we will learn which flowers make perfumed beads and the fruit that is used for washing hair. On return to our accommodation we have some time before dinner to freshen up and relax with a routine sundowner!

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Time

4 - 6 hrs walking

Crossing back into South Africa we head to our lodge for the next 2 nights on a private game reserve situated on the Msinene Nature Reserve. We settle into our permanently tented lodge before heading out for a 2-3 hour walk through the indigenous bush with a local guide. There are around 540+ bird species found in the area, and we can maybe track the shy Nyala antelope in the riverine vegetation of the Msinene River. Our accommodation is located in a conservancy area which was a cattle farm and now is being rehabilitated to wildlife conservation. We can watch the sunset over the African bush from the deck as we learn about this ongoing project. Approximately 6 hrs driving.

Accommodation

Tented Lodge

Meals

B L D

Time

2 - 3 hrs walking

The Hluhluwe Game Reserve is close by and we have a full day safari here. The classic Big 5 are present, with buffalo and rhino being seen on a fairly regular basis. Intense rhino conversation and anti-poaching methods have helped the rhino, but the pressure is still on. The elephants migrate around the park and are splendid as ever when we come across them. It is also likely that we see giraffe, hippo, zebra and wildebeest. Lions are occasionally seen and the leopard is particularly elusive, so seeing one would be rare and very lucky. This is one of the oldest reserves in Africa and you will not be disappointed with the magnificent wildlife. Back at the accommodation we have our sundowners listening to the sounds of the bush before a hearty dinner.

Accommodation

Tented Lodge

Meals

B L D

This morning we leave the bush and the wildlife to drive through the scenic hills and valleys of Zululand to the small town of Dundee. This is a famous area for the battles that were fought between the Zulus, British and Boer troops for the best part of 20 years from 1880-1902. It ended with the Union of South Africa in 1910 (which then included Namibia as well). The history is very interesting and it is humbling to see these sites where so many fought and lost their lives for their country. Approximately 5-6 hrs driving.

Accommodation

Tented Lodge

Meals

B L

After breakfast we set off to visit the Isandlwana battlefield. In 1879 this was the site of the first major encounter between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom in the Anglo-Zulu war. The Zulu warriors famously and heavily defeated the British. Later that day, at the garrison and hospital of Rorke's Drift a number of British soldiers held out against the Zulu. Our walk today takes us along the Fugitives' Drift Trail, the route a number of British soldiers took whilst fleeing the carnage of the battlefields to the border at the Buffalo River. The trail is now a picturesque and undulating walk through the long grasses of the veld scattered with trees. There are some steep and strenuous sections on this walk as we come to the cliff top above the Buffalo River. Depending on the season and walk levels, we can cross the river and continue further. We return via Rorke's Drift where there is a small museum. Many tourists miss these important historical sites which shaped South Africa as it moved forwards to independence. It is a remarkable couple of days.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L

Time

4 - 5 hrs walking

A leisurely day as we leave the scenic hills and valleys of Zululand and drive to the Royal Natal National Park. We witness the grandeur of the Drakensberg or Ukhahlamba "Barrier of Spears" Mountains. We overnight at the base of the "berg" and time permitting we can enjoy a short optional walk in the late afternoon. The chalets are ideally located with fantastic views and easy access to many walks. Approximate drive time: 2-3 hrs.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Saving some of the best scenery to last - we enjoy the Tugela gorge walk. We follow the river into the heart of the mountain with stunning views. Towards the end of the walk, the river forms ideal pools for a picnic lunch just by the chain ladders which take walkers onto the plateau. We do not take this route and return on the same path back to our accommodation. The refreshing, crisp mountain air is welcome after our time on the plains.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Time

5 - 6 hrs walking

This is the ideal finale for the tour as we make our way up to the top of the Drakensberg, the high flat plateau (around 3000m) with the highest point in the area being the Mount Aux Sources. We start with a transfer by vehicle to Witsieshoek at the foot of the magnificent Sentinel from where we start our walk. We make our way up the mountain via a zigzag path to the base of the Sentinel where we reach the chain ladders. These ladders are unavoidable to get to the top. Once here, we follow the river to the top of the Thugela falls (viewing now from the top rather than the bottom where we were the other day) and the view over the amphitheatre and the Devil's Tooth. We enjoy the scenery and can walk up to the Mount Aux Sources before heading the same way back to the vehicle and our short transfer to the lodge. We enjoy a final celebratory meal at the mountain lodge. Approximate drive time: 2 hrs.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L

Time

5 - 6 hrs walking

We have a leisurely start to the day, with the chance to spot the endangered bearded vulture soaring overhead. We then depart for Johannesburg with several stops along the way. We arrive at Johannesburg Airport for a late afternoon check-in. Your holiday ends on arrival at the airport. Approximate drive time: 5-6 hours.

Meals

B
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Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

  • Two professional and qualified guides
  • Airport transfers as described
  • All accommodation as described
  • Meals as per the Meal Plan
  • All land transport required by the itinerary
  • National park entrance fees
  • All excursions mentioned in the itinerary

  • Travel insurance
  • Visas (if applicable)
  • Tips for local staff
  • Some meals as described in the Meal Plan
  • Optional excursions
  • Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc

The group will meet at the hotel in Johannesburg.

On arrival airport transfers are provided for all clients to the group hotel.

Return flights, on the last day of holiday, should not depart before 1900. On the last day of the land only itinerary the tour will end in the late afternoon at the group hotel near Johannesburg Airport via one stop at the airport.

Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

13 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 10 dinners are included in the holiday price. On days where there is a variety of dining options it makes sense to give you the choice. In practice this means you will pay directly for a total of 3 dinners, 1 lunch and 1 breakfast. We recommend you budget £10 - 15 for each of these meals.

Water from the taps may not be drinkable in all locations on this trip - please check with your guide. We recommend taking water purification tablets and a reusable bottle with a filter such as Water-to-Go, which can both be used to help make safe other water sources. Please note that we do not encourage the purchase of single use plastic bottles.

The majority of the meals are included. Breakfast will be cereals and yoghurt, with coffee, tea, toast and the occasional cooked breakfast. Lunch will typically be picnic style and prepared by the guides - cold meats, cheese, salads, bread, rolls and fruit. Dinner will be potjies (traditional stews), braais (barbecue), stir fries and pasta. Fresh produce will be used wherever possible and fruit squash, tea and coffee will be served with breakfast and dinner. A few of the meals are prepared and cooked by your tour leader. It is good group etiquette to help with preparation and washing up on these days and this is usually done on rotation.

During this holiday the group will spend 13 nights on safari staying at small, intimate and often private lodges (including tented camps), with en suite facilities and some with swimming pools. You have 1 night at a hotel near the airport in Johannesburg.

An African Tented Lodge or Camp is a permanent set up, with safari style tents built on platforms above the ground. The have beds and all bed linen is provided, and usually en-suite facilities. Each tent usually also has its own little veranda.

Some of the meals are prepared by the guides and it is good group etiquette to help with preparation and washing up on these days and this is usually done on rotation - it's all part of the adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip runs smoothly.

All accommodation is subject to change at any time without prior notification.

Limited wifi is available on 2 or 3 nights, otherwise it is wifi free living!

If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. A limited number of single rooms are available for a supplementary cost. If you are planning on extending your holiday additional nights at the group hotel are available on request.

SAFARI TRUCKS
Years of safari experience into the design of the trucks. The trucks are built to comply with the latest South African transport and safety regulations. Your comfort is catered for with individual seats (with safety belts), ample legroom and large vertical sliding windows for unobstructed viewing and photography.

There are roof hatches for excellent "open" views and an integral cab and passenger compartment so contact with the driver is easy. Each truck also has large packing compartments, a built in kitchen, freezer, drinking water tank, interior lights and a gas stove (to minimise use of wood and destruction of forest areas). There is also a pullout set of steps into the passenger compartment, making access for clients easier. There is usually a bank of plug sockets in the vehicles. These plugs are the South African 3 round pin or 2 round pin with a hexagonal base. We also use minibuses for some small group safaris. All of our vehicles are bought new and serviced by Mercedes and Toyota agents, thus ensuring trouble free touring with backup support in practically every town in Southern Africa.

Where road conditions allow we may also use minibuses. On 5% of tours we may use minibuses with 12 seats and air conditioning (with trailer for equipment and baggage). The safaris often have several long days of travel providing for a beautiful journey on the way to exciting and varied destinations.

Group leaders are the key to any successful safari. On this adventure safari, you will travel with two qualified and experienced, registered field guides (FGASA). Two guides as crew, not a guide and a driver, adds up to an informative and interesting small group holiday. Our guides have a passion for Africa, her people and wildlife, and they love nothing more than sharing their knowledge with you.

We estimate that approximately £300 per person (or equivalent in euros/dollars) should be allowed for personal spending. This amount is sufficient to cover non-included meals and miscellaneous expenses, including tips to local staff. If you are intending to buy expensive souvenirs or undertake any additional activities or excursions, you should budget accordingly (credit cards can be useful in this respect). If you expect to buy considerable quantities of soft drinks or beer, you should make an allowance for this.

You can choose to take your money in pounds sterling, dollars or euros. Small craft traders generally will accept €, ₤, US$ or local cash. It is important that you ensure that your notes are clean and undamaged, as many banks and exchange bureau will not accept dirty, damaged or torn notes. Please also avoid bringing US$100 notes, as there is a high incident of forged notes around and they may not be accepted. Old issue “small head” US$ notes are also not always accepted. There will be the opportunity to change money into local currency on arrival at the airport (which we advise you to do) and your local leader will advise further places to change money en-route and at borders. Additionally, you will be able to get currency from bank ATMs in many of the towns that we will visit.

On day 1, on arrival at the hotel in Johannesburg you can book a half-day SOWETO tour for $75 per person, or an afternoon tour to Maropeng Cradle of Humankind and Sterkfontien Caves is also bookable for $100 per person (min 2 people). Please check that Sterkfontien Caves are open, as they can close due to high water levels. Both of these tours should be booked on arrival (before 12midday) with our local agent and are payable locally in cash.

In South Africa it is usual to tip staff including your local guide and driver if you are happy with the services provided. We suggest you co-ordinate these tips as a group. We suggest that a tip of €2-5 (or £/$/R equivalent) per client per day for your tour leader is reasonable. When it comes to tipping the guides that we sometimes use for various activities (e.g. game walks) we suggest that a tip of €1-3 per client per ½ day activity, or the local currency equivalent, is acceptable. As in all cases with tipping, the final decision of the amount tipped is up to the individual. It is up to you to decide if you thought the service was poor, or exceptional, and the amount tipped should reflect that. The amounts quoted above are guidelines for you to get an idea of what to tip.

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. Your baggage will travel in the gear compartment of the truck with the group, and there is a finite amount of space. Please keep the weight of your main luggage to 12kg. You should bring a soft bag as these are more suitable to pack in the vehicle. For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline.

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in the ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

We sell this holiday in conjunction with our local operator in Southern Africa. This enables us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get the holiday up and running quickly. For this holiday the minimum age is 12 yrs, however it is unusual to have people under 16yrs.

As a member of the South African Tourism Service Association, our ground agent in South Africa may require you to complete an indemnity form at the start of your holiday, which you will need your insurance details for. As a client of KE Adventure Travel, your rights under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangement Regulations (2018) are unaffected and KE Adventure Travel will remain liable for the actions of our suppliers.

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

Visa South Africa

UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa for short stays. You must have 2 blank pages in your passport.

Rules on travelling with children under 18 years have been relaxed. Visa exempt children entering South Africa only need passports, and not birth certificates as previously required. This applies if the child is travelling with both parents, one parent or an adult who is not a biological parent, and school groups. There are some different requirements for unaccompanied children, and children who do not have UK passports or visa exempt passports. For full details please see the FCDO website.

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

VACCINATIONS

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you specific require any vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella), along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malarial prophylaxis are required. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required if travelling from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hrs through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro.

The unit of currency in South Africa is the South African Rand.

Getting some additional exercise before coming on an active holiday makes a lot of sense. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. You should be comfortable with walking 1 to 6 hours. Hill walking is the best way to get fit for this holiday, but running, cycling and swimming are also good.

South Africa has a generally sunny and pleasant climate, with regional differences due to the weather systems from the surrounding oceans and altitude above sea level. From May to August the days are pleasant and sunny, and in the mountains (eSwatini & Drakensberg) it can be cool to cold! September to April is pleasant, warm to hot with the occasional thunder showers.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

This holiday is part of our Explore International range. Participants on these trips can book through KE or through one of our international partners. This helps us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get your holiday up and running quickly. Led by an English-speaking guide, the cosmopolitan nature of these groups can be an important part of the experience!

Please try to keep the weight of your baggage to a minimum. See the ‘baggage allowance’ section for further details.

You should bring the following items:

  • Lightweight walking boots or shoes
  • Sandals
  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Long lightweight trekking trousers
  • Shorts
  • Lightweight waterproof jacket & trousers
  • T-shirts
  • Casual shirts with sleeves
  • Thermal base layer top
  • Fleece jacket or warm jumper
  • Daypack 20-25 litres
  • Dry bags to keep contents of day pack dry
  • Headtorch and spare batteries
  • Sunhat with wide brim
  • Small towel/Travel towel
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
  • Water bottles 1 litre (x2) (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic
  • Water purification tablets
  • Washbag and toiletries (biodegradable soap is preferred)
  • Antibacterial handwash
  • Insect repellent
  • Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, re-hydration salts (Dioralite), anti-nausea tablets and antihistamine cream/tablets.

The following items are optional:

  • Travel clothes
  • Light cotton dress or sarong
  • Walking poles
  • Spare laces
  • Swimwear
  • Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
  • Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)
  • Camera
  • Binoculars (highly recommended)
  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Notes:

Please be aware than in the Southern African the winter months, June-September, the nights can be cold with an average of between 0-5 degrees Celsius in some places, and the days can be warm between 20-30 Degrees Celsius. You may wish to take a hat and gloves during this period.

Bright bold colours and white are not suitable for game viewing or bush wear as they attract insects and the attention of animals. Please do not bring camouflage or military style clothes as they can cause problems with local authorities.

Please dress appropriately for border crossings, village and market visits – ie: no bare feet, no bare chests, no bikinis and no hats. A few restaurants are also not keen on T-shirts and jeans either.

Cotswold Outdoor Red PantonMany of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 12.5% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers.
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Reviews

5 out of 5 from 3 reviews

Walking South Africa ★★★★★

Just returned from this holiday with my family and wanted to write a review as it was amazing. A really good balance of wild game drives in different reserves, history and nature walks, ending with a more demanding walk in the Drakensberg mountains. We were incredibly lucky in what wild life we saw and the guides were knowledgeable and very passionate about the flora and fauna. It was warm during the day, perfect for the walks we did. Cold at night but as long as you bring layers and a warm f leece you should be fine. Accommodation was great, very comfortable and good to have two nights at each place. Pace of the trip was well balanced. Felt sad when the trip ended, a sign of a great holiday! Definitely 5 stars.
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By Jacqueline from Peebles, Scotland | 18 August 2024

Excellent trip but be aware ★★★★★

Our expectations were met fully. We saw lots of wildlife, the walks were good, we learned a lot about the flora, fauna, history and politics of South Africa. It was a good mix of walking and game viewing. All in all, an excellent trip. I recommend it.
Two caveats though. First, we travelled in July which is midwinter in SA. When the sun was out then T-shirt, shorts and lots of water when walking were appropriate. But when the sun went down it was bitterly cold and South African homes and
accommodation are designed and built for hot weather. We bought insulated jackets on the third day otherwise we'd have had a miserable time.
Second, although KE classifies the trip as "leisurely", some of the walks are described by KEs local partner as "challenging". They were within our capabilities, but don't expect a stroll in the park.
By John from Lancaster | 25 July 2024

Great time! ★★★★★

The website was easy to follow and had the right information for us, the booking process was straightforward, communication was about right (not too much and not too little) and the holiday was as advertised. We had a great time! The tour leader was excellent throughout the trip being passionate and knowledge about the countries, wildlife and environments we visited. Being keen birders Lloyd was very patient in helping us identify all we saw. Lloyd certainly positively added to our overall exper ience on this wonderful holiday.
By David from Preston | 11 April 2023

Traveller Reviews
5 out of 5 from 3 reviews

Walking South Africa
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Just returned from this holiday with my family and wanted to write a review as it was amazing. A really good balance of wild game drives in different reserves, history and nature walks, ending with a more demanding walk in the Drakensberg mountains. We were incredibly lucky in what wild life we saw and the guides were knowledgeable and very passionate about the flora and fauna. It was warm during the day, perfect for the walks we did. Cold at night but as long as you bring layers and a warm f leece you should be fine. Accommodation was great, very comfortable and good to have two nights at each place. Pace of the trip was well balanced. Felt sad when the trip ended, a sign of a great holiday! Definitely 5 stars.
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By Jacqueline from Peebles, Scotland | 18 August 2024

Excellent trip but be aware
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Our expectations were met fully. We saw lots of wildlife, the walks were good, we learned a lot about the flora, fauna, history and politics of South Africa. It was a good mix of walking and game viewing. All in all, an excellent trip. I recommend it.
Two caveats though. First, we travelled in July which is midwinter in SA. When the sun was out then T-shirt, shorts and lots of water when walking were appropriate. But when the sun went down it was bitterly cold and South African homes and
accommodation are designed and built for hot weather. We bought insulated jackets on the third day otherwise we'd have had a miserable time.
Second, although KE classifies the trip as "leisurely", some of the walks are described by KEs local partner as "challenging". They were within our capabilities, but don't expect a stroll in the park.
By John from Lancaster | 25 July 2024

Great time!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The website was easy to follow and had the right information for us, the booking process was straightforward, communication was about right (not too much and not too little) and the holiday was as advertised. We had a great time! The tour leader was excellent throughout the trip being passionate and knowledge about the countries, wildlife and environments we visited. Being keen birders Lloyd was very patient in helping us identify all we saw. Lloyd certainly positively added to our overall exper ience on this wonderful holiday.
By David from Preston | 11 April 2023

DATES & PRICES

Private Departure?

Gather a few friends, family or club and take over your own departure.

2024

Dates

Adults from

Deposit

Status

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /19/24/
  • This trip begins on Fri 15 Nov and ends on Fri 29 Nov
  • This departure is available and departs within 3 days. Secure your place today with full payment by contacting the KE office
  • Single Supplement Price: US$460 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /20/24/
  • This trip begins on Fri 6 Dec and ends on Fri 20 Dec
  • This departure is available and departs within 24 days. Secure your place today with full payment
  • Single Supplement Price: US$460 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

2025

Dates

Adults from

Deposit

Status

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  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /01/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 3 Jan and ends on Fri 17 Jan
  • This departure is available and departs within 52 days. Secure your place today with full payment
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
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More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /02/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 31 Jan and ends on Fri 14 Feb
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /03/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 7 Feb and ends on Fri 21 Feb
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /04/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 28 Feb and ends on Fri 14 Mar
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /05/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 21 Mar and ends on Fri 4 Apr
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /06/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 11 Apr and ends on Fri 25 Apr
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /07/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 9 May and ends on Fri 23 May
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /09/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 20 Jun and ends on Fri 4 Jul
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /10/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 4 Jul and ends on Fri 18 Jul
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /11/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 25 Jul and ends on Fri 8 Aug
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /12/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 1 Aug and ends on Fri 15 Aug
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /13/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 8 Aug and ends on Fri 22 Aug
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /14/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 5 Sep and ends on Fri 19 Sep
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /16/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 10 Oct and ends on Fri 24 Oct
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /17/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 24 Oct and ends on Fri 7 Nov
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /18/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 14 Nov and ends on Fri 28 Nov
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Walking South Africa
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: WSA /19/25/
  • This trip begins on Fri 5 Dec and ends on Fri 19 Dec
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$700
  • Single Supplement Price: US$470 - Single rooms are available on all nights. A limited number of single rooms are available.
  • Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining in Johannesburg. Airport transfers are provided.

ZEN_HOLIDAY_DATES_PRICES_LAND_ONLY_USD_NOTICE

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)


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