Overview

Explore the Letaba Ranch sector of the vast wonderland of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. Our one OR two night guided, self-drive, Mtomeni “Soft Roader” 4×4 Eco-Trail is designed specifically for “Soft Road” 4×4 vehicles. 

- The Mtomeni “Soft Roader” 4×4 Eco-Trail offers an unforgettable one night two day adventure through a remote wilderness area. (There is an option to extend your trip to a 2 or 3 night stay. Please discuss this with us when booking.)

- Maximum of 10 guests in shared accommodation.

- Braai (barbeque) dinner and Continental breakfast will be provided. (There is an option for self-catering at this facility. Please discuss this option when booking.)

- Trails are led by an experienced guide in his own vehicle.

- Participating vehicles are provided with hand-held radio communication to enable participants to communicate with the guide and one another on matters of interest.

- The trail provides a unique pioneering opportunity to explore the tracks and wilderness of  the remote Letaba Ranch sector of the GLTP.

- The convoy makes regular stops for environmental, historical and cultural interpretation or to share special experiences and photographic opportunities.

- The trail is aimed at true bush lovers and ones who enjoy the wilderness and is designed to accommodate “Soft Roader” 4×4 vehicles.

Trail Routing

Total Distance approximately 150 km

- The trail leaves from Phalaborwa in South Africa and start at the entrance of the Letaba Ranch sector of the GLTP.

- From here it follows various water holes, before we follow the Great Letaba river to the confluence of the Great and Little Letaba rivers, then back past the Great Letaba river look-out point, before we arrive at Mtomeni Wilderness Camp which is situated on the banks of the Great Letaba River.

- On day two we visit the Baderoukwe dam to the south of the park. Depending on whether this is a one or two night trip we either exit via the gate of the wild Letaba Ranch and return to the TFPD Information Centre in Phalaborwa where the trail ends at 12h00, or return to Mtomeni before sunset.

- The trail can be run as a one or two night trip, with the requirement that week-ends must be a two-night trip.

Location

- Located in South Africa in the Letaba Ranch sector of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park.

- Trail participants meet at Phalaborwa and travel in convoy to the Letaba Ranch sector from where the trail commences.

- This “soft roader” trail traverses the Letaba Ranch sector, travelling through pristine wilderness areas 

- The fences between the Letaba Ranch and the Kruger National Park sectors have been removed in order to re-establish original migratory routes throughout this 2.3 million hectares of the GLTP (excluding the Zimbabwean sector)

Wildlife

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

- Trailists therefore have every prospect of encountering a variety of wildlife in addition to excellent bird sightings on the journey.

- Your night in the wilderness offers the prospect of its own special experience, from the call of a fish eagle in the riverine forest, the possibility of elephant trumpeting amongst the mopane or the roar of lion as they prowl the bush.

Ethos of the trail

- The purpose of the Mtomeni 4×4 eco-trail is to afford trailists an intimate encounter with this remote area. Your guide will, within reason, adjust the pace of the journey to accommodate the group’s interests. 

- 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”.

Accommodation and Meals

- Mtomeni Wilderness Camp consists of meru style tents on wooded decks, with basic en-suite ablutions.

- Barbecue (braai) dinner and a Continental breakfast will be provided (No snacks, and lunches are included)

- An option is available for a self-catering trip. Please discuss this when booking with us.

- Bring your own Snacks and beverages (sufficient for duration of the trail), as well as drinking water for during the day.

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 to ‘soft roader’ 4×4 vehicles, off-road trailers or off-road caravans (this includes vehicles like BMW X5, RAV etc)

- Vehicles must have good ground clearance.

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

Rates

Mtomeni ‘Soft Road’ – Catered

Rate till end Feb 2012 - R 1 600 p/vehicle per night (2 people) ADD R500 for person 3 & 4

SADC special till end Feb 2012 - R 1 400 p/vehicle per night (2 people) ADD R500 for person 3 & 4

 Trail prices includes

- Shared accommodation in meru-style tents with basic ablutions. (The camp has 5 x double tents, so a maximum of 10 people per trip).

- Braai (Barbecue) dinner and continental breakfast, if the catered option is chosen.

- Professional 4×4 guide with lead vehicle

- Two-way radio communication between vehicles

- Letaba Ranch entrance fees

 Trail prices excludes

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

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

- Snacks, beverages and drinking water while out driving.

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 Mtomeni “Soft Roader” 4×4 Eco-Trail is located in Big 5 territory and Mtomeni Wilderness Camp is 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 trails, 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 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.