Kruger National Park

Big-game walks HQ, the Kruger has more trail options than the rest of the parks combined. Where to start? A dawn walk, of course, and all SANParks rest camps offer them. If you love that, it’s time to step up: get in shape for one of the seven three-night Wilderness Trails, an escape within an escape.

From the granite outcrops in the south to the Luvuvhu River in the far north, each trail is a different experience. In camp, the essentials are covered: good food, a gas-powered fridge, flush toilets and proper beds. If that sounds a little too comfortable, check out the backpacking trails in the north of the park, where hikers carry everything needed for three days of “leave no trace” bush walking. On the other hand, if even more comfort is your thing, there are two specialist trails: Rhino Walking Safaris in the thornveld near Skukuza, and Pafuri Walking Trails in the tropical north.

What will you see? It’s the Kruger, one of the world’s great wildlife reserves, and anything is possible. Don’t just look for the big animals, as it’s often the small things you’ll sense most: the scent of lavender, the bird sounds, the feel of a found hippo incisor.

BOOK: sanparks.org, reservations@sanparks.org or phone 012-428-9111. Rhino Walking Safaris: rws.co.za, 011-467-1886. Pafuri Walking Trails: returnafrica.com, 011-646-1391. COSTS: SANParks dawn walks R570 pp, threenight Wilderness Trails R9,282 for two. Rhino Walking Safaris R5,610 pppn, Pafuri Walking Trails R3,590 pppn.