Bushveld Game Walk- wildlife experience South Africa

Overview-Bushveld Game Walk

The best way to experience the true African bush is on foot. Walk along track and trails at a large unspoilt private game reserve in South Africa, and get close to nature by day and the stars at night. Our Bushveld Game Walk is an unique African wild life experience at Zinnshoek Private Game Reserve in the Waterberg area, Limpopo Province, South Africa.


Type	Guided walk
Location	Limpopo, South Africa
Group size	4 – 10 people
Duration	4 nights
Grading	Easy
Day Stages	About 10 km per day
Distance	About 30 km
Terrain	Tracks and trails
Accommodation	Bush camp
Meals	Two meals per day
Cost	Available on request
Dates	Whole year

Trip details

Zinnshoek Private Game Reserve is an exclusive safari destination in a distinctive bushveld landscape with spectacular sunsets. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide you will be able to walk through the open veld, trees, and rocky outcrops of the northern Waterberg mountain range in Limpopo Province , South Africa. See game and birds amidst the natural beauty of the bush. You also experience unique bush camp accommodation and hospitality around the campfire . Sleep in en suite bedrooms or partially walled rooms (see picture). Enjoy nature at its best.

Highlights

The Bushveld

The Bushveld is a sparsely populated malaria free area

Scenery

Virgin Bushveld vegetation and interesting rock formations

Game and birds

Walk amongst a large variety of trees and shrubs( 100+) plants, and grasses. More than 27 game species and 150+ bird species are to be found here.

Views

Magnificent views of the Kransberg mountains and Bushveld plains

Accommodation

An unusual rustic bush camp situated amongst rocky outcrops and indigenous vegetation. Rooms are situated in natural settings in the camp. Open rooms (See picture- Accommodation) are available for the ultimate African experience

Geology and history

Learn about the geology and history of the area from our expert guide

A 4×4 vehicle and driver will be allocated to the group for a combination of game drives and walking. During daily walks you will have the opportunity to take a closer look at animal tracks, birds, different types of trees as well as many other smaller details of the bush that might fascinate you. Birdwatchers will be able to get a closer look at interesting bird species eg. hornbills, lilac breasted rollers and waxbills, etc. The order of the programme and distances may vary, and often followed by evening “bush sundowners”
Day 1:
Arrival at Zinnshoek.
Day 2 :
Rhino tracking
Day 3:
Hike up and along the foothills of the Waterberg to explore rock formations and euphorbias.

Day 4:
Walk through the savannah veld to the crocodile pools and the Bushman pan.
Day 5: End of Bushveld Game Walk.
Animals found on the reserve

Giraffe	Nyala	Species of jackal
Eland	Mountain Reedbuck	Baboon
Kudu	Bushbuck	Crocodile
Impala	Klipspringer	Aardvark
Zebra	Warthog	Porcupine
Waterbuck	Bush pig	Mongoose
Oryx	Leopard	Badger
Blue Wildebeest	Wide variety of reptiles	Pangolin
Red Hartebeest	Brown hyena	Rich variety of birdlife

You will be accommodated in a private bush camp

Atmosphere

Nature at its best! Our unique hiking and camping experience close to nature conforms to the Zinnshoek philosophy of conservation and a light human footprint. Each night is spent at the same camp.

Services

All amenities and services will be provided – no luxuries Reliable camp staff on duty – can do your washing. A small pool/dam for cooling off. The lapa ( heart of the camp) was constructed with natural materials . Here meals are cooked and eaten around an open fire. Surrounded by the unspoilt bush, these are perfect surroundings to experience South African hospitality. Catering will include traditional game dishes. Challenge your partners to a game of Boule ( petanque) while your meal is being prepared. Freezer The camp has cell phone and internet reception (no wifi). Solar powered electricity.

Sleeping

Your bush camp caters for 10 people sharing 3 enclosed bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms 2 open-air bush rooms – not en suite Open-air shower – have a shower under the sun/stars !

Rates

Available on request

A group of 4 -10 people per day (with possible exceptions from time to time)

Included

4 nights accommodation in a bush camp

Meals (Coffee and rusks, brunch and dinner)

Non-alcoholic drinks

An experienced Guide

Information about the area

Not included

Items not mentioned above, eg :

Transport to and from Zinnshoek, snacks and alcoholic drinks.

Grading

Overall rating: “Easy”. You do not need to be ultra-fit but if you choose to do the walks you should be able to walk between 10 and 20 km per day. The route takes you along paths, tracks and through the veld. See Walking grades for more details about “Easy” rating. An optional mountain hike is available. Rating: “Moderate”

Your guide

All walking trails are conducted by an experienced and knowledgeable guide who will point out the wildlife, birds and ecology of the area. You will be allowed to walk at your own pace amid splendid scenery and stop and enjoy what is of interest to your group. Although you may see amazing things, our game walk is not intended to bring you close to dangerous game.

What to do

Your Guide will discuss this in great detail. Some of the rules are :

Always listen to the guide

Never leave the group

Speak softly

Make sure your guide knows your capabilities

Do not go on a long walk if you are unfit.

The guide’s responsibility on a walk

Walk as fast as the slowest guest

Keep count of all guests

Be armed and firearm trained

Water supplies

First aid kit

Radio communication

Additional activities

Zinnshoek Private Game Reserve offers the following additional activities/opportunities:
Independent walking/jogging
Independent walk, climb, jog on your own, if you choose too
Cycling
You can bring your MTB or request us to hire bikes
Archaelogy/history
Interesting aspects to explore.

Destinations to add to your trip

We suggest that you add attractions in the vicinity of Zinnshoek to your program. You can include other visits before or after the walk. We can recommend a number of interesting options and can assist with bookings to compliment your Bushveld Game Walk. The costs of these options are available on request.

Options:

Botswana : 70 km to the Stockpoort borderpost
Sun City : 2 hours drive away

Pilanesberg National Park : 1.5 hours drive

Marekele National Park ,Thabazimbe : 45 minutes drive

Mapungubwe National Park, Heritage site : 4 hours drive

Possiblity of attending Game auctions in the district.

When to do the Bushveld Game Walk

Bookings can be made throughout the year.

Climate

Mild winters, with chilly evenings The summer months (September to April) are hot with occasional rains.

Getting there

Zinnshoek Private Game Reserve is situated in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. It is in the northern foothills of the Waterberg plateau, approximately 65 km from Vaalwater in the Limpopo Province, 3½ hours drive north of OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg.
For international visitors :
Fly to OR Tambo International Airport and from Johannesburg to Zinnshoek Private Game Reserve by car.
Route from Johannesburg :
Take the R21 Continue to Limpopo Follow the R33 to Vaalwater and continue to R510 When we confirm your booking suggestions will be given about places to visit along the way from Johannesburg

What to take

Comfortable, well ventilated clothes in keeping with the season. Wear neutral colored clothing. Always bring a thick windbreaker/jacket, good walking boots (already worn-in) ,hiking sandals and several pairs of cotton or wool socks. For your daily needs, you are advised to have a day-bag, a plastic bag to waterproof your day-pack, sun-hat, sunglasses, sun block, a water bottle, personal first-aid kit, camera, binoculars. A torch and headlamp are important. Basic solar heating is provided. Cell phone charging facilities available.

Insurance

We recommend that you arrange appropriate holiday insurance giving you cover against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.

Availability and Booking

To enquire or reserve a date, go to: Availability request

For general information: Contact us, or

email: info@trailsandtravel.co.za, or

Booking process and -conditions – Go to How to book

Map

Location of Vaalwater (65 km from Zinnshoek Private Game Reserve)

Gallery

Pictures of Zinnshoek Private Game Reserve can be viewed in Bushveld Game Walk Gallery

Attractions

Game

The area affords you the opportunity of excellent game viewing in this diverse habitat of mountains and Bushveld plains.

Reviews

Quotes from an article about Zinnshoek in the Sunday Times : “The wild, unplugged” by Leon de Kock“

(It is) possible to enjoy the rough grain of the real bush- the wilderness of it, its spirit of wildness”…. “(You can) feel it on your skin and let it sink in” “It is a strong experience. And the raw beauty of it comes without wrapping paper” “That extra dimension of indigenous touch” “It is an controlled compromise with the environment that wants to be seen, an environment that is next to impossible to domesticate” “That’s why I go to the bosveld. For the descent of a magnitude, an encircling ocean of bush prompting me to remember how far back, and how close by, and with what great power, our lives are held in an axis of brute godliness”

Ray Ambrosi after his 5th visit

Chris, just to let you know that Zinnshoek is the best rustic most relaxing with the nicest ambiance to spend a few days. Thank you regards all the guys.

Comments by guests who have experienced a self-guided walking/hiking holiday offered by WalkingHolidays.co.za in South Africa:

“Overall, the holiday was invigorating- You certainly went out of your way to make the whole time memorable- We are recommending it to our walking community in the States- Fantastic walks, wines and accommodation”

For details, go to Reviews

More about Zinnshoek

Bushveld Game Walk is a unique wildlife experience. For more information about the Bushveld area, go to Read more

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