Untravelled Trails, the name says it all as you journey with us along new paths deep into the Wilderness. Our shorter Bush Walks are designed to introduce first time guests to the Wilderness or to allow returning guests with limited time, an opportunity to reconnect with Nature face-to face. After all, “a walk in nature walks the soul back home”

For the more adventurous of Spirit or those looking for a deeper Wilderness experience, our Slack Pack and Primitive Trails run over two or three-nights in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

We are often asked “What is a Slack Pack Trail?”
In short - You Walk, We Carry!

By following our simple directions, you will meet our guides who will accompany you to the Trail start.

After a light lunch and a briefing, trailists will set off carrying small backpacks with only personal items and a sleeping bag into the pristine Tewate Wilderness area, for two or three nights. Our armed Professional Guides will lead you across the vast grasslands where the moderate pace allows time to enjoy the beauty of the numerous pans on route and their variety of inhabitants. These drop behind as you enter the ancient forest fringe of the lake side meandering along game paths that lead to a simple pop-up Trails camp where a hot shower and comfy camp chairs await your arrival under the cathedral-like canopy of giant forest trees.

As you sip from a welcome mug of tea, the outside world becomes a universe apart from this tranquil setting where the deep peace is interrupted only by bird song or the occasional grunt of hippo.

Primitive Trails differ from the Slack Pack option in providing an opportunity to really get back to basics, experiencing the Wilderness as the earliest pioneers did. Carrying backpacks with all food and equipment for 2 or 3 nights, trailists really leave the world behind as they enter the natural rhythm of the environment. Our guides select suitable overnight camps where mosquito nets are hung and sleeping bags rolled out close to a water source, while the campfire is lit before everyone works together to produce a delicious meal. Roughing it does not mean dehydrated trail food on our adventures! Each guest participates on the night watch, a highlight of this experience.

Primitive Trails are by appointment only and require a minimum of 6 guests.

CHIEF SEATTLE OF THE SUQUAMISH

The trail ends back at the Trail head at around 10:00 on the last day when guests will return all borrowed equipment and depart back to St. Lucia where the guides will bid them farewell at the Bhangazi gate.

Come and explore the beautiful Nibela peninsular with us, where a well preserved sand forest edges down to grasslands on the northern end of Lake St. Lucia where Untravelled Trails now conducts the guiding operations for the newly relaunched Malkoha Lake St. Lucia.

Peace and tranquility permeate the spirit as one explores the forest and shoreline on foot which is internationally renowned for its variety of bird species including some much sort rarities such as the Rosy throated long claw, Rudd’s apalis, Woodward’s batis and, of course, the green Malkoha. Water birds abound where flocks of pelicans and flamingos are often seen while searching the reeds by canoe, for pygmy geese, swamp hens or hidden bitterns. A sunset boat cruise is a perfect way to end a day’s exploring as our enthusiastic guides point out hippos or walls of giant fossils close to the lake edge.

Exclusively for guests of Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge, these walks take place in the Seme hills in the west of Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Water holes on the grassy open areas ensure wonderful encounters with plains game and white rhino while a wallowing buffalo is not uncommon. As one moves along ancient rhino paths the vegetation changes to forest valleys, finally reaching one of the many rivers that cross the area. The Bush Walk is the highlight of the lodge visit for those guests who want an authentic and close experience with nature where the emphasis is on appreciating the whole spectrum the environment has to offer.

OUR LOGO ‘Where Spirit meets Wilderness’ echoes from the depths of history where all humankind evolved from Africa’s Wilderness. The Buffalo Thorn logo is steeped in Zulu culture where a branch from the ziziphus mucronata tree is used to bring the spirit of a deceased family member back home. It is our hope that our Buffalo Thorn will enable your Spirit to return to the Wilderness and there discover deeper truths in the pristine environments we are privileged to share.