Overview

Trailists need to be fully self-sufficient with low-range, high-clearance 4×4 vehicles (soft-riders can’t get through this territory).  

The option exists for trailists to use off-road, 4×4 trailers or caravans. The entry and exit points into Makyua Park will be changed accordingly.

Bring your own camping equipment, food and drinks.The lead guide has his own vehicle, and 2-way radios are provided for all vehicles on the trail. 

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart from Phalaborwa at 12h00 on Wednesdays.  We follow the main road and 20km further enter the Letaba Ranch sector of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (no fence between Kruger and Letaba Ranch).

Experience “Africa” as we slowly grind along the 4×4 tracks through this virgin bush travelling in a northerly direction.  The route takes us past various water holes in order to maximise our game viewing opportunities, and on to our overnight campsite on the banks of the Baderoukwe River. Because there are no amenities at the campsites, you will have the opportunity to use the full range of your outdoor camping equipment

Day 2

Depart after breakfast and follow the tracks to the confluence of the Great Letaba and Little Letaba Rivers where we will stop for lunch.  

The route will now take us up river to our camp site which is situated on the banks of the Great Letaba River.

Who knows which of the “sounds of the wild” will accompany you to sleep?  Will it be the laugh of  hyena, trumpeting of elephant or the whistle of the tiny Scops owl?

Day 3

Exit the exciting Letaba Ranch sector, and slowly make our way along the Little Letaba River.  Although we are technically outside the Park, we will however have to keep a watchful eye out for Elephant and Buffalo as we slowly make the steep decent into the wide and sandy river bed. “Plough” through thick sand while trying to keep momentum, as we follow the Kruger boundarybefore we have to climb up the steep ascent to exit the river bed.

4×4 tracks will take us all along the Kruger fence, before we stop for a well deserved rest and lunch in the bush.  After lunch the route takes us through a couple of traditional African Shangaan Villages, before we cross the Luvuvhu river and arrive at the foothills of the Tshamavudzi Mountain range.

We enter the wild Makuya Park sector of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and carefully follow the rough tracks down into the Luvuvhu River Valley to our overnight campsite on the banks of the Luvuvhu River (No amenities).

Day 4

The early sounds of nature and the whiff of fresh coffee will undoubtedly tease you out of your tent!  Depart after breakfast, and follow the 4×4 tracks in a northerly direction along the Luvuvhu river.

We will stop for lunch under the shady trees that line the river bank, visit the famous “World’s View” before reaching our camp site which is once again situated on the banks of the Luvuvhu River (Limited ablution facilities).

Day 5

We continue our 4×4 adventure journey across the foothills of the Tshamavudzi Mountain range to the Mutale River. We cross the Mutale River on its riverbed (no bridge) and end our adventure at the Kruger National Park’s Pafuri Gate.

Location

Wildlife

- The Letaba Ranch sector, as an extension of Kruger national Park, is historically known for its Big 5 sightings, big herds of Elephant and Buffalo, African Wild Dog, ample plains game and abundant bird life.

- The Makuya Park sector with its amazing topography and with only the Luvuvhu river between itself and Kruger National Park is one of the undiscovered gems of the GLTP.

Ethos of the trails

- The purpose of the Trails is to afford trailists an intimate encounter with the wild-side of this remote area. Your guide will, within reason, adjust the pace of the journey to accommodate the group’s interests but trailists are reminded that the distances and topography of the area are challenging. Remember too that “the sun waits for no-one” and setting up camp in the dark is not ideal.

- You are embarking on a “wilderness experience” and the privilege of encountering special game viewing moments needs to be mentioned.

- It is the holistic experience of travelling through this remote area, feeling its solitude and witnessing its recovery that will imbue you with the spirit of “bygone pioneers”.

Weather

- Conditions during the summer months can be very hot and humid with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees.

- Winter nights can be very chilly with temperatures dropping to around 6 degrees.

-Participants on the trail must be well prepared for the climatic conditions and should be reasonably fit.

Campsites

- Campsites are unfenced and located in the bush.

- No water is provided for cooking or drinking.

Night before trail starts

- Trailists are required to arrange their own accommodation for the night before the trail begins at a location that will allow sufficient time to get to the meeting point

Logistics

Vehicle Types and Insurance

- The terrain is such that it is suited only to off-road 4×4 vehicles, off-road trailers or off-road caravans

- Vehicles must be equipped with low range transmission and have good ground clearance.

- 4×4 “soft roaders” or vehicles with low profile tyres are not suitable.

- Vehicles should be given a long distance service before the trail.

Equipment and Supply’s

- No camping equipment is supplied.

- Trailists must for safety considerations sleep in a tent.

- Trailists must be totally self sufficient for the duration of the trail. This includes all fuel, food, water, firewood, camping gear, cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery etc.

- No waste may be burned or left in the Park therefore you should have strong plastic bags available to manage waste effectively.

Rates

Per vehicle, max 4 people per vehicle

 - Till 28 Feb 2012: R 4 900 (R3 900 SADC residents)

 - Till 28 Feb 2013: R 5 350 (R4 280 SADC residents)

Trail prices includes

 - Professional 4×4 guide with lead vehicle equipped with a satellite phone

- Camping fees for exclusive wilderness campsites

- Two-way radio communication between vehicles

- Entry fees for Letaba Ranch and Makyua Park

 Trail prices excludes

- Items of a personal nature e.g. curios, gratuities, etc.

- Personal insurance: medical, baggage, cancellation, etc.

Payments

- Payments for gratuities etc may be made in Rands,  US$ or Euros.

Cancellation Policy

- Within 30 to 15 days of departure, 50% forfeiture of total booking value.

- Within 14 days of departure, 90% forfeiture of total booking value.

Non-or Late Arrival

- This forfeiture applies to all persons who by virtue of their late arrival are unable to accompany the trail. No refund of the trail fee will be made.

Indemnity

- The Luvuvhu 4×4 Eco-Trail is located in Big 5 territory and overnight camps are unfenced.

- The trail takes place in an area populated by wild animals and whilst it is accompanied by a guide it nevertheless carries the risk of injury or death

- In light of the exposed nature of the Luvuvhu 4×4 Eco-Trail trailists must complete an indemnity form. Minors must be in possession of an indemnity form signed by a parent or legal guardian. These forms must be signed in the presence of the Trails Guide.

Child policy

- Regrettably, when all places on a trail are not booked by a single group, children under the age of 10 may not participate, unless those that have already booked agree.

Safety Policy

- The general rules and regulations of Letaba Ranch, Makuya Park and Kruger National Park apply to our guests.

- Trailists depend on the trails guide for their safety and for guidance. For their own safety and that of the other trailists, the instructions of the guide should be obeyed at all times. Failure to co-operate in this respect could lead to the immediate cancellation of the trail.

- For reasons of safety and sensitivity, excessive consumption of liquor is strongly discouraged. Liquor may only be consumed at the overnight campsites.

Malaria

 - The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park is located in a Malaria area.

- Malaria prophylactics are essential. Tailists should consult their doctor or chemist.

Disclaimer

Whilst every endeavour is made to adhere to the trail description set out above, our trails are conducted in remote wilderness areas and occasionally circumstances in the park or prevailing weather conditions, over which we have no control, may arise. We reserve the right to amend the routing, location of campsites, distances travelled etc of any specific trail or trails and the guide’s decision in this regard is final. If this happens on a trail on which you are a participant, we would appreciate your understanding. 

Trailists need to be fully self-sufficient with low-range, high-clearance 4×4 vehicles (soft-roaders can’t get through this territory).  Bring your own camping equipment, food and drinks. The lead guide has his own vehicle, and 2-way radios are provided for all vehicles on the trail.