Are you ready for this?

You live your life in the fast lane of your jungle, immersed in traffic noise and pollution.

You owe it to yourself to experience Africa; taste it, feel it, see it, touch it and breathe in its unique scent.

The AFRICAN WILD ADVENTURES ON-FOOT ADVENTURE is probably the most demanding physical and emotional experience you will ever encounter. Our highly trained trackers who live with the Big 5 every day will brief you on the dangers that you could encounter; what to expect and most importantly, how to react.

Imagine, you are about to hike kilometers through untamed wilderness to get to a campsite where you will spend the night, but not before you erect your own tent and bathe in the river under the watchful eye of a tracker, just in case there’s a crocodile lurking…

The hike is along the Olifants River Valley, which is dry and sandy with rocky outcrops that are almost impassible in temperatures well into 35°C during the day, dropping to 0°C at night. The banks of the Olifants River is the playground of the Big 5 and chances are you will rub shoulders with elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, hippo, crocodiles and the likes. You will cross streams and gullies which are extremely difficult to negotiate on foot and will walk for 4 days, covering a distance of 47 kilometers. Under normal circumstances, this does not seem to be a long walk, but along the Olifants River, it’s a lifetime. There is no mobile phone communication with the outside world; it’s just you, your fellow adventurers and the trackers.

ARE YOU UP FOR THIS?

Okay, This Is How Your Adventure Begins:

Day 1: 15 July 2008

Meet the Zesty Claudia Apfelthaler in Paris at Charlesde Gaulle Airport and fly to Johannesburg.

You will fly with Air France tourist class.

if you wish you may fly business or first class at an added expense.

In Johannesburg Karen and Bill are ready with a smile - waiting for you!

Day 2 & 3: 16 - 17 July 2008

You will be whisked off for your 2 night stay at a Safari ranch on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

Here you’ll be able to relax and greet Africa by visiting an authentic Zulu Village.

Maidens serve traditional Zulu beer while you indulge your senses in rhythmic tribal dancing.

Day 3: 18 July 2008

After breakfast you will travel in a 10 seater air conditioned bus to the southernmost part of the kruger National Park, where you enter at Kruger gate.

You’ll overnight at a rustic but comfortable restcamp.

Once you are settled our trackers Neil, Neil and Wilbert, will take you on an afternoon game drive to watch the African sun set in the West.

This video shwos a lion roaring in the evening - this cannot be compared to experiencing this live.

Day 4: 19 July 2008

After an early start and a buffet breakfast you take a slow 150 kilometre drive to Olifants Camp.

Game spotting all the way.

This trip can take up to 5 hours because of the rugged terrain and wildlife movement.

Once at Olifants camp, Wilbert will give an orientation talk about your imment “ON FOOT” adventure.

He will explain the trail and how to use the equipment.

You will enjoy your last dinner seated at a comfortable table for the next 3 nights.

At Olifants Camp you will be exposed to an unforgettable window to Africa.

The camp is located on top of a hill which towers above the Olifants river.

The view from the look out platforms are those which an eagle sees.

Olifants is my most favorite place on the whole planet.

Olifants has not only won my heart but others too. When ever I take people to Olifants for the first time I notice some thing shifting in their soul.

The Olifants area is host to the Big 5.

The Big 5 are:
Leopard
Lion
Buffalo
Rhino
Elephant

As the name of the camp suggests - Olifants in Afrikaans meaning elephant in English, there are plenty of elephants in this region.

There are baboons and vervet monkeys. At night bush babies come out to play. Lions and leopard are spotted regurlarly.

The Olifants territory is also spectacular for birding. Plovers wade through the river bed. If you’re in luck Pel’s Fishing Owl can be spotted at night.

As far as the fauna and flora goes Olifants has beautiful trees. Raisin Bush and Mopane are prominent in the area. South of the river is the transition zone between thornveld and the mopane belt.

This makes for interesting game watching because vistors experience both ecozones.

In the camp itself their is an abundant assortment of trees and plants. Some of which are scarce in the rest of Kruger. Aloe lovers will appreciate the variety. There’s a sesame plant next to the filling station which is the only accessible place in the park where you can see it. The Sjambok Pod (yellow flowers) and the Weeping Boerboon (red flowers) bloom in spring - the contrast of color is amazing. If you’re into tree euphorbia you’ll notice plenty in this region.

The accomodation is comfortable and each person will be stay in their own hut equipped with a bathroom, bed, kitchenette (which you won’t need as you’ll be lavishly dined in the restaurant). Afterwards you’ll sit around a fire with us where you’ll either want to talk with us or just slip into comfortable silence as you let the sounds of Africa wash over you.

Day 5: 20 July 2008

At the crack of dawn you will receive your hiking equipment which includes:

• • • a tent
    • backpack
    • sleeping bag
    • sleeping mat
    • cooking utensils
    • water purifying filter and pills
    • food rations
    • battery headlamp
    • water bottle.

You’ll pack your backpack and take a drive on an open vehicle to the start of the trail where you will embark on foot for 5 kilometers on the first part of your adventure .

Your first step to getting ‘up close and personal’ with the untamed African wilderness in previously inaccessible parts of the Kruger National Park. It is wild and dangerous and you need to be aware that you are hiking on a trail used to train professional trackers.

You are no longer part of civilization as you’ve known it. For the next four days and three nights you have no contact with the outside world. You will not hear the sound of the traffic and mobile phones ringing; instead they will be replaced by bush sounds and roaring lions…hey, what was that? Are those fireflies or the eyes of one of our beautiful feline friends? Whichever way, you’ll know you are being observed…BEWARE!

Day 6 & 7: 20 - 21 JULY 2008

Both days entail a 15 kilometer walk along the river, with a siesta at lunch time until late afternoon, when you will observe the wild animals at the water’s edge, coming for a drink and maybe, if they’re lucky, a snack.

Day 8: 22 July 2008

You embark on the final 7 kilometer stretch of the hike, where you will be met by the Land Rover that will drive you back to Olifants restcamp. At sunset you will embark on a game drive, where Wilbert will take you deep into the African bush where you can observe predators come out to play, this time from the security of a vehicle!

Watch the video below.

This video shows spectacular action happening in Kruger. The video caused a sensation amongst wild life fundis all around the world. National Geograhic produced a documentary from this footage which was taken by a “corporate adventurer” who was using his camera for the first time!

Day 9: 23 July 2008

This will be a leisurely day for you to take a break after the trail and recharge your batteries.

At sunset, you’ll be taken on a game drive in an open vehicle, en route to a bush observatory in one of the prime sky viewing destinations in South Africa.

Here you can view the stars, planets and other heavenly bodies through a powerful telescope.

Day 10 & 11: 24 - 25 July 2008

After a not too early breakfast, Wilbert will take you on a drive to Orpen Gate and finally onto a spectacular Private Game Reserve, where you will spend 2 nights in luxury en-suite safari tents, set on stilts amongst the treetops.

If the adrenaline rush takes you, hop onto a hot air balloon (subject to weather conditions) and skim the tree tops above herds of wildlife, including the Big 5.

This is your ‘chill out’ time, as you enjoy the solitude of daily early morning and late afternoon game drives. You will also visit the Centre for Endangered Species, where cheetah and several other rehabilitated animals can be viewed at close range.

Day 12: 26 July 2008

You’re back on the bus after breakfast and you’re heading through some of the most spectacular scenery that winds through breathtaking mountain passes and canyons along the Panorama Route.

En route you’ll stop at the Blyde River Canyon, which is the third largest gorge in the world, before we move on to God’s Window, overlooking a section of the 250 kilometer long rampart of sheer, 700 metre high cliffs.

Watch the video to see the largest swing in the world - for dare devils and adrenlin junkies.

Feel free to have a turn your self.

As you slow down at the end of the day, you’ll be fantasizing about an ice cold beer as you check into a hotel in Graskop for a 2 night stay.

Day 13: 27 July 2008

Today you’ll visit Pilgrims Rest, a once flourishing gold mining town in1873 – a taste of old South Africa.

The entire town has been declared a natural monument and boasts a number of bric-a-brac stores where you can shop for souvenirs.

Day 14: 28 July 2008

After breakfast, you drive you the Sudwala Caves, believed to be about 2 000 million years old, home to prehistoric man.

After a tour through the caves where you will observe impressive stalagmites and stalactites, as well as the largest dolomite chamber in the world.

You will make your way back to Johannesburg, where you will spend your final night at an exclusive lodge.

Day 15: 29 July 2008

You will be transported to Oliver Tambo Airport, for your return flight to Paris.

NB:

1. Because of the strenous nature of the On Foot Adventure it is imperative that you provide African Wild Adventures with a bona fide Medical Fitness Certificate, confirming that you are physically fit and capable of partaking in this adventure.
   Click Here to get the Medical Fitness Certificate.
2. You will need to sign a Waiver & Indemnity form prior to to your arrival in South Africa.
   Click Here to get the Waiver & Indemnity Form.
3. The cost of this adventure is $14.170,00 per person.
4. The price includes:
   • Airfare from Paris to Johannesburg and back
   • All accomodation
   • All meals & beverages
   • All transport
   • Hot air balloon ride
   • Big swing
   • A bottle of high quality South African wine with your dinner each night
   • All game drives
   • A DVD, professionally filmed, cut and edited at my Crocodile Farm studio in Vienna. It will be sent to you by post 3 weeks after your return.
   • A photo album
   • African Wild Adventures Ranger Jacket.
     The ranger jacket boasts a durable bushblend outer body, fully padded and lined in taffeta for extra warmth.
     A generous cut, this garment features chunky zip, double entry pockets and double studded cuffs.
     Best choice for the outdoors.
     
     Not for sale - not even for LOVE or MONEY! Only for my select clients.
   • No alcohol is allowed during the 4 day & 3 night hiking trail, for your own safety.
     It is also advisable not to partake of alcohol the day prior to commencing the hiking trail (you can catch up after the trail)
   • Due to the exclusivity of this wild adventure I can only take a maximum of 8 people.
     I suggest you book now to avoid dissapointment.
   • Payment to be made via bank transfer. Contact me via the contact page to make arrangements, and to discuss the adventure.