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Wednesday 13 August 2014

Luxury Walking Safaris

For those looking for an active thrill beyond the excitement of Big Five sightings on a game drive vehicle, &Beyond’s Luxury Walking Safaris offer an opportunity to connect with the African bush, interacting with all its inhabitants, from largest to smallest.
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Embark on an adventure where your feet tread in the tracks of zebra and buffalo, your nostrils fill with the scent of crushed wild grasses as you push through thebush and all six senses re-awaken as Africa touches you and you touch Africa.

At one with nature, experience a range of natural wonders in the company of your experienced professional guide. Learn how to track, seeing how close you can come to smaller game like impala or nyalaantelope without them being aware of your presence. Crouch behind a bush to catch a glimpse of a passing elephant or rhino. Smell and taste wild herbs, learning their traditional uses, and explore the smallermarvels of the bush, from the magnificent tapestry of a spider’s web to the microscopic world of the dung beetle. Spend the quiet afternoon hours watching a multitude of colourful birds as they flit frombranch to branch, trilling out their sweet songs. Engage all your senses as you discover an unexpected world where each sound and scent and every bent blade of grass have a meaning.

unnamed (1)Just how deep you want to immerse yourself in this fresh new world is up to you.
  • Each Luxury Walking Safari is tailormade just for you.
  • Suitable for groups of up to six guests, each adventure is planned in advance by you and your guide.
  • Choose to walk for two hours and spend the rest of the day on a game drive or to explore all day on foot. Depart before dawn or plan for a leisurely lie-in – the choice is yours.
  • Each Luxury Walking Safari is accompanied by an expertly trained and qualified &Beyond guide, who follows strict protocols to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests.
Luxury Walking Safaris are available at the following lodges and camps in South Africa:

&BEYOND PHINDA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
This adventure takes you through the seven different habitats of this magnificent reserve, from the cool shade, orchids, ferns and mosses of the sand forest through the vast grasslands and interspersed trees ofthe savannah to dense acacia scrub and the wide floodplains of the Mzinene River, with their ghostly fever trees and the haunting call of the fish eagle. Get a glimpse into the world of an African ranger as youlearn some of their skills, from tracking to 4x4 driving. Track high profile game on foot or canoe the tranquil waters of the Mzinene River.

Cost:
$AUD649* per safari per day (minimum of two, maximum of six people). This price includes the use of a specialist guide and private vehicle, but excludes accommodation at your choice of six beautiful safari lodgesat &Beyond Phinda.

Age and fitness restrictions:

Guests must be sixteen years or older. While the safari can be tailored to the guest’srequirements, a moderate level of fitness is required andparticipants should be able to walk three kilometres (two miles)or more per day, as well as torun and climb a tree. This experience is not suitable for very elderly or wheelchair-bound guests.

Sleep-out option:
Choose whether you prefer to return to the luxury of your lodge room at night, to walk to another lodge on the reserve during the day or to spend the night out in the bush. Should you opt for the adventure ofa sleep-out, you may spend the night in a bow tent or directly beneath open skies. The tent is equipped with a camping stretcher and sleeping bag, while comfortable beds with metal bases and thickmattresses, sheltered by mosquito nets, are set up for guests who choose to sleep in the open air. Facilities are very rustic, with no flushing toilets or showers. A spade and roll of toilet paper make up a bushtoilet, while pitchers of warm water are prepared for guests to clean up before bed. As sleep-outs are subject to weather conditions, guests are required to book a room at one of Phinda’s lodges for each nightof their stay, even if they would like to experience a night in the bush.
Best time to go:
Luxury Walking Safaris at Phinda are available year-round, however, your walking experience will differ according to the season. Phinda has extremely hot days with warm to hot evenings and high humidity insummer, while the chance of afternoon or evening rainfall is much higher. Grasses are tall and vegetation is thick and dense. Daytime temperatures in winter are mild, with cool afternoon and crisp eveningtemperatures. Nights can be cold, but there is little chance of rainfall. Grasses are shorter in winter and many trees shed their leaves, so the bush is less dense.

&BEYOND NGALA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Discover a true bushveld experience on foot in this wilderness haven, which shares unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park. Explore the beautiful bush savannah or browse the thickets of the TimbavatiRiver.

Cost:
$AUD649* per safari per day (minimum of two, maximum of six people). This price includes the use of a specialist guide and private vehicle, but excludes accommodation at either &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge orNgala Tented Camp.

Age and fitness restrictions:

Guests must be sixteen years or older. While the safari can be tailored to the guest’s requirements, a moderate level of fitness is required and participants should be able to walk up to 15 kilometres (ninemiles) per day.
Sleep-out option:
Choose whether you prefer to return to the luxury of your lodge room at night, to walk between lodges or to spend the night out in the bush. Should you opt for the adventure of a sleep-out, your camp willconsist of tents with twin beds equipped with comfortable mattresses. Facilities are basic, with bucket showers and portable toilets provided. As sleep-outs are subject to weather conditions, guests are requiredto book a room at &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge or Ngala Tented Camp for each night of their stay, even if they would like to experience a night in the bush.

Best time to go:

The best time to experience a Luxury Walking Safari at Ngala is during the cooler months from April to September. The weather during this time is not too hot for walking and there is less chance of rain todisrupt the night-time sleep-outs.

*Prices subject to exchange rate fluctuations

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