iMfolozi Extended Short Wilderness Trail

Headline

The iMfolozi Extended Short Wilderness Trail is a weekend Short Wilderness trails are run from 14 February to 10 December and depart on Fridays and Sundays. They are 2 nights and 3 days in duration. This trail is fully catered, and all food is transported into the wilderness trails camp on donkeys, but trialists are expected to carry a daypack containing their personal affects, water and lunch. Personal items will, however, be transported back from the wilderness on the donkeys at the end of the trail. Guests who overnight at Mpila Resort the night before the trail, may organize to have the bulk of their personal belongings carried into the wilderness camp in “donkey bags”, (available from Mpila Resort reception) which are then carried to the wilderness camp by the donkeys. These bags must be dropped off at Mpila Resort reception by 16:00 the day before the trail. (Please note if you will be staying overnight outside the Park that the gate times are 06:00 to 18:00). Gate times are strictly enforced.

Trialists are required to book in at Mpila Resort by 11:00 as the trail begins at 12:00 on the first day. Trialists will be met by the trails staff and given a trails briefing. After their bags have been packed, trialists walk the approximate seven kilometres to the wilderness camp where they will spend the following two nights. These camps offer dome tents with two mattresses in each. The camp has no ablution facilities apart from the traditional shower bucket of warm water, hung in a tree. A spade, toilet paper and matches serve as a toilet.

Trialists walk back to Mndindini Base Camp on the third day, carrying only their personal affects and snack. The trail ends at 10:30. The distance walked on the first day is approximately seven kilometres.

The average distance covered on the second and third days can be up to 15 km but is flexible depending on conditions. Trialists carry all their personal equipment on the first day. On the second and third days they carry only a light pack containing their picnic lunches and water bottles. This trail is by no means an endurance test, but a fair level of fitness will ensure greater enjoyment.

Arrival and Registration

On arrival, check in at Mpila Resort reception to register, after which you will be directed to the trails officer. It is important to arrive by 09:00 on the date indicated on the reservation voucher, to allow time to pack, walk into the Wilderness Area and make camp before dark.

Equipment Provided by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

First Aid kit
Water containers
Toilet trowel, paper etc.
Food
Backpack
Personal water bottle
Knife, spoon, cup and plate
Groundsheet
Rain shelter (fly sheet)
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat (optional)
Cooking pots etc.
Large plastic bag (to put contents of backpack in case of rain).

Catering

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife will supply all equipment and provide all food for meals. You may bring your own equipment if it blends into the bush environment. You may bring you own additional snacks and drinks should you feel it necessary.

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. Should trialists insist on excessive drinking, the walks will proceed no further than one kilometre from the base camp or wilderness camp, depending on the trail. Remember that you will have to carry your own alcohol for four days.