The Ultimate South Africa Hiking Safari

Your time in Greater Kruger is a magical and exclusive experience, offering a different take on the more classic vehicle safaris offered in other parts of the park. You'll stay at two different spots located in the Maseke Balule Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger: an 8000-hectare private game reserve which shares open borders with the Kruger National Park. The Olifants River courses through the reserve, while prominent mountainous ridges and boulder koppies characterise the terrain, making it an incredibly diverse and interesting region to explore on foot. The camps are an intimate set-up, designed for the group to socialise around the fire in the evenings, and enjoy the natural ambience of the bush. Each day you'll rise at dawn, around 05:30, and wake up with coffee and traditional rusk biscuits before heading out early for the walking safari, when the animals are at their most active. The morning safaris last around 4-5 hours with plenty of stops to observe the wildlife, and a brunch stop halfway through.

Each afternoon, the group will choose between heading out on another shorter walking safari of 2-3 hours, or alternatively going on a game drive, depending on the conditions on any given day and how the group are feeling. On all safaris you are accompanied by experienced safari guides and wildlife trackers to help find the best wildlife viewing and keep the group safe - the guides will be armed. Each day ends with sundowners enjoying the sunset, and a dining table is set every evening for a three-course meal, and in the mornings to serve up coffee and rusks before departure.

This is an active adventure trip, and aside from the long road trip days on Day 2 and Day 5, you'll be on the move for a good few hours each day. The walking safaris are manageable by anyone with a basic level of fitness - there are no big elevation gains to tackle, but you'll be on your feet for up to six hours with regular stops to view wildlife as you go. The hikes in the Drakensberg have more elevation gain and loss, with 765m up the Tugela Gorge being the biggest. You'll need some fitness for this part, although you'll have warmed your legs up on the flatter plains in Kruger in the days before. Cycling in the Winelands is very easy, stopping to sample local food and wines and going at a very gentle pace. The biggest challenge of the trip is climbing Table Mountain - again, you'll have built up some fitness for this on the days beforehand in the Drakensberg, so anyone with an OK level of fitness should be fine. You'll tackle 700m of elevation gain in a short distance, and the India Venster route involves some scrambling and exposure to heights about 15% of the way.

Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline per person:

$10USD per person per day

Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

Your host will provide clean drinking water throughout the trip. Tap water in South Africa is generally safe in urban areas such as Johannesburg and Cape Town. Make sure to bring along a reusable water bottle to keep with you throughout the adventure.

A walking safari in Kruger is best during the cooler months of the year. Summer is between November and February - this season has high rainfall and temperatures that soar above 40°C / 100°F. The bush becomes very thick, while the terrain is wet and muddy, so we don't run trips during these months. Around April and May, the temperatures drop and the rainfall subsides. The months between April and October offer fantastic walking and camping conditions, with the nighttime temperatures dropping to about 12°C / 54°F and daytime temperatures rising to a mild 23°C / 73°F.

April-May and October are fantastic times to visit Cape Town. Expect pleasant daytime temperatures of around 23°C / 73°F with a lot of sunshine during these months. November starts hotting up with highs of 30°C / 86°F. Temperatures will be considerably chillier in Drakensberg (down to freezing on some nights), so pack some warmer layers for your time in the mountains.

Your luggage will be transported in the overland vehicle throughout the adventure, and it is safe to leave in your room at each accommodation throughout the trip. Since your trip starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town, it is not feasible to leave luggage at the start of the trip to collect at the end.

We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.

No. You'll need to have a larger bag suitable for all your belongings which will be transported for you, and then a small daypack to carry personal items during each day of hiking.

Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.

Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.

We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.

Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.