Kruger is home to an incredibly rich diversity of animal live and ecosystems. Each Leg is different and special in its own way. No two days are the same on trail. While we cannot guarantee any spesific sighting, you are sure to spot many different animals on your journey. You will see places very few people, even staff, are priveleged to see. Because we are walking we often see interesting things most often overlooked while driving. A part of the magic of The Kruger Trail is just about being in the wilderness. It is about the silence, the smells and the feeling of being part of creation.

The Kruger Trail is a challenging trail. You need to prepare properly. You will walk long distances, with a heavy backpack in difficult terrain and the weather can be harsh. The majority of the walking is done on animal trails or simply bushwaking. There are no laid out trails, no markers. You can expect heat. We avoid walking during the hotests times of the day, but you need to be able to manage walking in the heat. You will need to be fit and a strong walker. We recommend that you prepare properly and do a multi day backpack route before attempting The Kruger Trail. Have you previously done a backpack trail in KNP? TKT is much more challenging! The distances covered each day differs depending on the area and the Leg you are walking. It can be anything between 15km and 25 km. Be prepared for an average of 20km per day. The route itself is not technically very challenging. You will need no climbing skills.

Each Leg starts on a Sunday. You will meet your guides on the Sunday afternoon in the appropriate KNP rest camp and spend the evening in that camp. We will book a campsite for the group, but you are welcome to book your own chalet should you prefer. Note that you need to stay in the spesific camp which has been chosen for that Leg. You may not book in another camp! Before sunrise on the Monday morning you will depart for the start of your trail. You will walk for six days and sleep five nights in the bush. You will complete the Leg late on the Saturday afternoon and again sleep in a rest camp that evening. You can depart for home on the Sunday at normal gate opening times. We utilise the group's vehicles for transport to the start and again from the end of each Leg. Please ensure that you have enough vehicles available. The lead guide will coordinate transport arrangements. Each Leg starts where the previous Leg ended.

There is a certain element of risk involved. You will be in the bush which is home to animals such as lion, elephant and buffalo. These animals are wild and can be dangerous. There are also environmental and other risks. Having said that, this risk is limited and is managed to the best of our ability. Over many years we have established an excellent safety record on the backpack trails in Kruger National Park. You will be guided by two experienced and armed guides who will look after your safety and well-being. It is important to at all times listen to the guides and adhere to the instructions given. We are supported by the Kruger National Park rangers, who will assist in case of emergency. Guest are not allowed to bring weapons of any kind. Besides being illegal, it is also completely unnecessary and even potentially dangerous. Don't expect the trails to be filled with adrenaline raising experiences. The vast majority of interactions with animals are quite placid and based on mutual respect and co-existance.

The night before we start walking (Sunday evening) you need to sleep in the designated Kruger tourist camp (base camp) for that leg. The night after you complete the walk (Saturday evening) you again need to sleep in that same camp. TKT book camping sites for these evenings in the correct camp. This is included in your leg fee. Should you decide to book a chalet it needs to be in the correct base camp and it will be at your own cost. The base camp is carefully selected for logistical reasons. Participants must not book in a different camp as it may compromise arrangements and may have a negative impact on the trail. Please discuss any private bookings beforehand with the TKT Coordinator to ensure that you book in the correct camp.

All trails starting 2023 have been sold. The Auction for new groups starting 2024 is set for October 2023. Send an email to auction@thekrugertrail.co.za to be placed on the contact list and to receive the auction information.

The trail is sold exclusively at auction. The trail is sold to groups only. Each group can consist of up to eight people. If a group has an open spot, we will make this known to interested people. Contact us to have your name placed on the list of interested individuals. You can make your own arrangements with the group. TKT does not do placements and are not responsible for such arrangements.

You have to be older than 16 years of age to participate in the trail. A person older than 65 needs to provide the lead guide with a doctor's certificate stating that he / she is able to participate. Age is however not the major factor. A person needs to be fit and strong, and physically and mentally capable to complete the trail. A participant who becomes ill, are not physically able to complete the trail, who do not listen to the guide, who endangers the group or who are holding back the group and preventing them from safely completing the Leg, will be removed from the trail. This is at the sole discretion of the lead guide. The person will be evacuated to the nearest rest camp and will be responsible for his/her own arrangements from there. TKT reserves the right to refuse any person or group participation. This will be based on sound reasons but at the sole discretion of TKT management.

Leg 1 is sold at auction. The cost therefore is not set. The Leg fee for 2023 is R 61 500 for a group of up to eight people. The Leg fee is adjusted annually.

You need to carry everything you need for six days on trail. We will provide you with a list of suggested items, including must haves such as a tent, sleeping bag and food items. Guests do tend to pack too much! People most often take too much food, unecessary gadgets and too much clothing items. We recommend that you keep your pack as light as possible, without leaving important items behind.

We source our water from natural sources such as rivers, dams and fountains. Water availability in Kruger is limited and we therefore need to plan this aspect very carefully. You need to be able to utilise available water even if it is less than ideal. We therefore highly recommend a light weight but quality water filter (i.e. the Sawyer mini) and water purifying drops (not pills). Ideally the water filter should be fixed to a gravity feed, to save time and effort. This can easily be done by adding a simple plastic pipe and water bladder to most filters. We recommend that travellers carry between four and five litres of water each day. We try to sleep at a water source, but there will often be no water to fill up during the day. In exceptional circumstance we will provide a water drop in areas where there are no water available.

You will be in the wilderness and there are no ablution facilities. Where there is enough water available we may wash, take a shower and even swim. We utilise bio-degradeble soap. Every tree is a lavatory. The evidence is burried and the paperwork is burnt, to leave no trace behind.

Each trailist must carry a small tent. Tents are compulsory! A tent is your single most important safety item. The tents offer a savety space which does not only isolate you from weather but also creates a visual barrier which provides good security against animals. You need a good quality, light weight, hiking tent. The tents are not big but must offer enough space. At night all equipment, including your backpack, must be stored inside the tent. We do not sleep out and do not stand guard at night. We do not make a fire as "security" as that is a myth. Fire do not deter animals.

The Leg fee includes participation in the trail and a camping site in an appropriate KNP rest camp the evening before (Sunday night) and the evening after (Saturday night). TKT provides the safety equipment needed in case of emergency. You are responsible for: * Your food * All your own transport * All your equipment * Your daily conservation fee / WildCard. Our international guests can talk to us regarding the hire of equipment from an outside service provider.