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Trails are led by an experienced guide but you are required to be totally
self-sufficient. The terrain is rugged and requires a good level of fitness
for the 15 to 20 km hiked each day.
Location
- Located in
Parque Nacional do Limpopo, the 1,1 million hectare Moçambique sector of
the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, adjacent to Kruger National Park.
- Trail
traverses the most southerly section of a Big 5 wilderness area stocked
with game from Kruger National Park
- Trail starts
from the Elephant Release Boma (S23 46.2:E31 46.8) located 31 km south
of the Giriyondo border post which in turn is 45kms north-east of Letaba
Restcamp in Kruger National Park
- The fence
between the two National Parks has not yet been removed in this area but
is scheduled for removal by 2010. As a consequence no repair work is
being done and animals move freely through the holes in the fence line
Trail
Description
- The Elefantes
Gorge Backpacking and Fishing Trail offers an unforgettable four night
five day hiking adventure through a remote wilderness area.
- Trails are led
by an experienced guide and armed game ranger equipped with hand-held
radio communication and a GPS.
- Trailists, in
groups of no more than 8, hike up to about 15 km on three of the days
and overnight en-route, camping wild.
- On the first
day trailists meet at the Elephant Release Boma (see details below) and
depart on foot for the first night’s camp, hiking a distance of around 5
km.
- Early the
following day trailists return to the Elephant Release Boma from where
they depart by vehicle (approx one hour drive) for the drop-off point
for the hike to the gorge.
- The trail
crosses the Machampane river and traverses the Lebombo plateau from
where the amazing Elefantes Gorge is first sighted. It is in this remote
wilderness area that you spend three days hiking, fishing and camping
wherever you find yourself as the sun begins to set.
- The gorge is
home to large numbers of hippo and crocodile which you are certain to
see as you wander along the slopes or beaches of the gorge.
- In addition to
the excellent bird sightings you are likely to enjoy, being located in
an area that has been re-stocked with game over the past few years in a
joint programme with Kruger National Park, trailists also have every
prospect of encountering other varieties of wildlife.
- Each night
offers the prospect of its own special experience, from the sun setting
over the Lebombos, to the call of a fish eagle in the riverine forest or
sounds of hippo from the gorge. Even the possibility of elephant
trumpeting amongst the Mopane or the roar of lion as they prowl the bush.
- Trailists
gather around the fire to prepare their own meals and then head off to
the shelter of their tents to be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the
night.
- On the last
day you walk out around 5 km to meet the transport that will return you
to your vehicle.
- The purpose of
the Elefantes Gorge Backpacking and Fishing Trail is to afford trailists
an intimate encounter with the wild-side of this remote area. The Guide
will, within reason, adjust the pace and distances walked to accommodate
the group’s pace and interests but trailists are reminded that the
distances and topography of the area are challenging.
- The trail is
rugged and you are required to carry all your own equipment and supplies
therefore a good level of fitness is essential.
Payments
- Payments for
gratuities etc may be made in Rands, Meticais, US$ or Euros.
Cancellation Policy
- Within 120 to
61 days of arrival, 33.3% forfeiture of Total booking value.
- Within 60 days
of arrival, 100% forfeiture of Total booking value
Access to
Elefantes Gorge Backpacking and Fishing Trail meeting point
- By road from
South Africa, through Kruger National Park:
- Distance
from Phalaborwa gate to Letaba Restcamp is 50km, from Letaba to the
Giriyondo border post is 45km and from the border post to the
meeting point at the Elephant Release Boma is 31km – a total of
125km.
- The route
is a game drive all the way and takes approximately 3,5 to 4,0 hours
- 70km is on
tarred road and the remaining 55km on gravel which is corrugated and
stony.
- Vehicle
with good ground clearance is strongly recommended, but a 4x4 is not
essential.
- By road from
Maputo via Macia, Chokwe and Massingir:
- Distance
from Maputo to Massingir is approximately 400km and takes around 5,0
hours.
- From park
entry gate at Massingir to the Elephant Release Boma is
approximately 50km and takes 1,5 hours.
- Road is
good tar to Massingir. From Massingir the road is gravel (currently
being upgraded) and traveling is done through a National Park with a
speed limit of 40km/h.
- Vehicle
with good ground clearance is strongly recommended, but a 4x4 is not
essential.
Disclaimer
Whilst every endeavour is made to adhere to the trail description set out
above, our trails are conducted in remote wilderness areas and occasionally
circumstances in the park or prevailing weather conditions, over which we
have no control, may arise. We reserve the right to amend the routing,
location of campsites, distances hiked etc of any specific trail or trails
and the guide’s decision in this regard is final. If this happens on a trail
on which you are a participant we would appreciate your understanding
Malaria
- Parque
Nacional do Limpopo is located in a Malaria area.
- MALARIA
PROPHYLACTICS ARE ESSENTIAL. Trailists should consult their doctor or
chemist.
Indemnity
- The Elefantes
Gorge Backpacking and Fishing Trail is located in Big 5 territory and
overnight camps are unfenced.
- The trail is
accompanied by a guide and armed ranger but nevertheless carries the
risk of injury or death should big game be encountered
- In light of
the exposed nature of the Elefantes Gorge Backpacking and Fishing Trail,
all trailists must complete an indemnity form. Minors must be in
possession of an indemnity form signed by a parent or legal guardian.
These forms must be signed in the presence of the Trails Guide.
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Campsites
- Campsites are
selected at random, unfenced and located in the bush.
- No ablution
facilities are available,
- No water is
provided for cooking and washing.
- Guides will
arrange wood for a fire for aesthetic purposes only. All cooking is done
on your camping gas stove (see: “What to take” below)
Equipment
- No camping
equipment is supplied.
- Trailists must
for safety considerations sleep in a tent.
Beverages
- It is highly
recommend that trailists have water purification tablets, in addition to
a supply of water, to meet their individual needs.
- Trail
participants need to cater for their own beverage requirements (see
general information sheet re. import duties). Moçambique beer and
cooldrinks are available for purchase at the Giriyondo border post or in
a village shop.
Meeting
point and time
- Trailists can
enter Parque Nacional do Limpopo from Kruger National Park via the
Giriyondo border post or from Moçambique via the Massingir dam entry
gate
- Meeting time
is 15.00 at our parking area at the Elephant Release Boma which is
located on the road to Machampane Tented Camp, 3 km west of the
T-junction (for directions see map on www.dolimpopo.com)
- Vehicles are
parked here for the duration of the trail.
- Hiking starts
from the elephant release boma at 15.30 which allows for a 1,5 hour hike
in order to arrive at the first night’s camp in time to settle in before
sunset, which is between 17.15 in winter and 18.30 in summer.
- On the last
day trailists walk out from the gorge area to meet the transport at
about 09.00 and reach their own vehicles at around 10.00. This allows
sufficient time to return on the same day via Kruger Park and Phalaborwa
to Gauteng or to continue to the Moçambique coast.
Clothing
and footwear
- Clothing
should be comfortable and durable.
- Neutral
colours such as khaki are preferable. Light coloured garments such as
whites and creams should be avoided.
- T-shirts are
not ideal as they provide little protection against the sun on the neck.
- A hat or cap
and an all-weather jacket are important items.
- A tracksuit,
either woollen or lightweight, depending on the season, is useful.
- Footwear
should be worn-in if possible, have thick soles and provide good ankle
support. It is preferable not to wear white shoes.
What
to take
The items below are suggested as a check list:
- Lightweight
tent
- Sleeping bag,
towel and pillow
- Sleeping mat
- Powerful torch
and spare batteries
- Fishing
equipment
- Food and
beverages
- Camping gas
stove
- Cooking,
eating and drinking utensils
- Drinking water
and purification tablets
- Refuse bags
- Camera,
binoculars and reference books (mammals/trees/birds)
- Appropriate
clothing, hat or cap and an all-weather jacket/raincoat
- Personal
toiletries, medication, malaria tablets, sun-screen, mosquito repellant
- Antihistamine
ointment, tablets, eye drops, paracetamol, stingose etc
- Cottonwool/gauze/plasters,
scissors and tweezers
- Toilet paper
Hiking
trails policy
- The price of
the trail is fixed, irrespective of the group size, for 1 to max 8.
- Departures can
be scheduled on request.
- No upper age
limit but participants on the trail must be medically fit and be aware
that the experience involves hiking distances of up to 20 km per day.
- Regrettably
due to the nature of the terrain covered and the safety factor, persons
with mobility impairment are not able to participate on the trail.
- Conditions
during the summer months can be very hot and humid. Participants on the
trail must be well prepared for the climatic conditions.
Child
policy
- For safety
considerations regrettably children under the age of 12 may not
participate on the backpacking trail.
Safety
Policy
- The general
rules and regulations of Parque Nacional do Limpopo and Kruger National
Park also apply to our guests.
- Guests depend
on the trails guide and ranger for their safety and for guidance. For
their own safety and that of the other trailists, the instructions of
the guide and ranger should be obeyed at all times. Failure to
co-operate in this respect could lead to the immediate cancellation of
the trail.
- For reasons of
safety and sensitivity, excessive consumption of liquor is strongly
discouraged. Liquor may only be consumed at the overnight campsites.
Trails
price includes
- Experienced
guide and armed ranger on the trail, equipped with two-way radio
communication and hand-held GPS for emergencies.
- Transfer from
and back to the Elephant Release Boma
Trails
price excludes
- Transfers,
other than mentioned above.
- Food, snacks,
drinks, soft drinks and drinking water.
- Parque
Nacional do Limpopo entrance fees.
- Kruger
National Park conservation fees.
- Moçambique
border fees.
- Moçambique
visa fee (not required for South African citizens).
- Items of a
personal nature e.g. curios, gratuities, etc.
- Personal
insurance: medical, baggage, cancellation, etc.
Non- or
late arrival
- The trail
takes place in Moçambique and customs and immigration procedures have to
be followed at Giriyondo border post (see General Information sheet for
operating hours).
- Any person not
in possession of the necessary travel documents on arrival at the
Giriyondo border post will not be able to accompany the trail but will
be liable for and will forfeit the full trail fee.
- This
forfeiture also applies to all persons who by virtue of their late
arrival are unable to accompany the trail. No refund of the trail fee
will be made.
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