iMfolozi Primitive Trail

Hluhlwe-iMfolozi Park, KZN

The iMfolozi Primitive Trail. A Trails Officer, assisted by a Field Ranger, leads all trails. Both are fully qualified and trained and their experience and knowledge of the bush will enrich the experience, as well as ensure the safety of trialists. All three nights are spent at the comfortably equipped Mndindini Trails Camp where trialists are housed in comfortable 2-bed tents. The camp has a communal ablution facility with hot and cold water as well as flushing toilets. The kitchen has a fridge for cold drinks. Trialists’ motor vehicles remain here.

After booking in at Mpila Resort, trialists are directed to the Mndindini Trails Camp where they will be greeted by the Trails Officer, Field Guide, and the cook. It is recommended that visitors check in at Mpila Resort by 13:00 on the first day so that they can settle in at their leisure, in time to meet the Trails Officer for a briefing at 14:00 at the Mndindini Trails Camp. During the briefing, please advise the officer if you would like to go on an afternoon walk or you would like to relax at the camp.

The following two days will be spent walking in the Wilderness Area. Trialists depart after breakfast, carrying only a daypack each, containing their personal effects, water and lunch. The trail party will cover between 7 and 14 km per day depending on conditions. For this reason, a reasonable degree of fitness is required. River crossings are sometimes necessary during the walks. The daily routine varies according to the time of year and Trails Officer’s personal style of trail. On the final day trialists will do a morning walk, returning to Mndindini for a snack after which trialists are free to pack up and leave by 11:00. It is essential that you wear a comfortable pair of hiking boots, which are well worn in. Base Camp Trails are run from mid-February to mid-December and can accommodate a maximum of eight trialists.

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.