Umfolozi 4-Day Traditional Trail

The Umfolozi traditional wilderness trail is conducted in the pristine Umfolozi wilderness area where access is only permitted on foot or horseback. There are no roads in this part of Umfolozi Game Reserve and the only tracks are those made by animals.

Managed so that its pristine character is not altered in any way, it is an area where the sights and sounds of nature dominate.

In keeping with the Wilderness ethic all the main equipment is carried in by pack donkeys, and trailists walk in carrying small day-packs with lunch and various essentials for a day trip, to discover the bush on foot.

You will spend three days walking and exploring the Wilderness accompanied by a wilderness guide and his assistant. The wilderness guide will help ensure safety and facilitate a holistic Wilderness experience, introducing you to the Wilderness ethic and the rich cultural and natural diversity and history of the area.

Larger mammals to be seen include buffalo, blue wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, elephant, and large numbers of impala, waterbuck, common and mountain reedbuck, nyala, kudu, bushbuck, steenbuck, duiker, warthog, black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyaena and jackal. In excess of 300 species of birds have been recorded.

The Umfolozi traditional trail is run from March to November at least 2 (or 3 times) per week.

How to get to Umfolozi

Trails are led by two wilderness guides whose experience and knowledge of the bush serve to inform the trailists, as well as to ensure their safety.

The first and last nights are spent at Mndindini base camp, the last night being optional. Trailists' motor vehicles are left here in a safe environment. The guide does not spend the last night at the base camp. The two middle nights are spent at a trails camp in the wilderness.

At first light on the second day, all clothing and provisions are loaded onto donkeys for portage to the satellite camp, leaving the trailists to carry their lunch and water bottles in comfortable daypacks, all of which are supplied. Specially designed donkey bags are also provided.

The trail party, led by their guide and assistant, will walk to the satellite camp. As walking occupies the majority of time spent on this trail, a fair degree of fitness is required. The rugged nature of the terrain ensures that the best game viewing opportunities are afforded from higher ground.

The average distance covered per day can be up to 15 km, although can be far less depending on the average fitness of the participants. River crossings are sometimes necessary during the walks. The daily routine is dependent on the time of year and guides' style of trail.

NB: It is imperative that you wear a comfortable pair of hiking boots, which are well worn in.

The following two nights are spent at a satellite camp in the wilderness, from which full day walks are undertaken with a light trails lunch eaten en route. Most of the last day is spent walking back to the Mndindini base camp. Trailists will arrive back around mid afternoon, and will spend the last night there.

The trail is concluded after breakfast on the fifth day and trailists must check out of Mndindini base camp by 09:00.

Clothing & Accessories
ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION
Check-in for Trails will take place at Mpila camp on the first day of the trail. From there trailists may drive around the game reserve or go directly to Mndindini trails base camp to arrive after 15:00, and preferably before 17:30. Here they will be welcomed by the trails assistant and camp cook, and shown to their accommodation. The trails guide will meet the trailists in the early evening.

Trailists may not, under any circumstances, leave the immediate environs of the base camp on foot, unless accompanied by a guide.

Please note an age limit 14 years (with parents) or 16 years unaccompanied, applies.

EQUIPMENT PROVIDED BY THE KZN NATURE CONSERVATION SERVICE
· All food, tea, coffee and fruit juice
· All backpacks and daypacks
· All bedding
· First Aid kit
· All cutlery and crockery
· Water bottles
· Towel
· Donkey bags (for clothing)

RECOMMENDED ITEMS TO BE PROVIDED BY EACH TRAILIST
· 3 dull-coloured shirts/blouses
· 3 pairs shorts or the equivalent
· 1 tracksuit
· 1 pair of pyjamas (optional)
· 1 swimming costume (optional)
· 1 warm bush jacket or jersey
· Insect repellant
· 3 changes of underwear
· 1 pair of jeans
· 1 hat
· 1 light raincoat
· Sun protection cream
· Torch with spare batteries
· 1 pair of comfortable boots or the equivalent
· 1 pair of sandals or the equivalent (for around the camp)
· Toiletries, including soap (biodegradable)
· Binoculars, camera and bird identification book (optional)

Remember that Zululand winters are cold, with temperatures dropping significantly at night, whilst the summer temperatures can rise appreciably by midday, and sudden rain can be a factor.

Trailists are advised to buy a tin of 'Bayticol' from their pharmacy. It is also usually available from the Mpila Camp Office. Ticks can be a problem at certain times of the year and 'Bayticol' is a highly effective deterrent. Trailists are advised to bring gaiters, which serve as an effective deterrent from ticks as well as thorns (available from any hiking shop).

CATERING
Catering is provided in the form of three meals per day, starting with supper on the day of arrival and concluding with breakfast on the day of departure. Meals are simple but nutritious and quantities provided should satisfy most appetites.

The menus have been developed with input from previous trailists and satisfy the palate of the average person.
If you are a vegetarian or have special dietary requirements, please phone the Umfolozi Wilderness Trails office (035) 562 0287/8 two weeks beforehand, and they will try to make arrangements, where possible.
People with any special requirements may of course bring their own food and every assistance will be given to prepare it. Unfortunately, however there can be no reduction in the cost of the trail.

In addition to all meals, tea, coffee and fruit juice is provided. Fruit and nuts are provided as snacks between meals, however trailists may also bring their own between meal snacks and refreshments.

All extra snacks and drinks are transported to the wilderness trails camp on donkeys and thus should be packed for a rather rough journey. Avoid breakables that are easily damaged.

Fridges are available at Mndindini base camp. You may leave drinks behind for your return on the last night. These may be enjoyed during the convivial atmosphere that precedes the trail, and on your last night where a delicious braai is prepared by the camp cook.

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
A little alcohol may be brought into the wilderness area, however no excessive drinking will be allowed for reasons of safety, and to avoid detracting from the wilderness ethic, which involves quietly blending in with the environment. A good guideline is to keep within the legal alcohol limit for driving a vehicle.

In order to maintain the wilderness ethic and character, the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service facilities are restricted to the minimum of sophistication.

Health & Climate
This is a malaria area and the necessary pre-cautions must be taken.