EcoQuests & EcoVentures

Venture into what is undoubtedly the most impressive wilderness area of the Greater Kruger National Park Conservancy – the Makuleke Contract Park – and feel and learn about nature in the raw.

The experience is built around seven days/six nights at the rustic EcoTraining Campsite in Makuleke, or a similar period at RETURNAfrica's Pafuri trails camp.

During an EcoQuest or EcoVenture participants are given expert presentations on the animals, bird, vegetation and ecology of the area, but the key activity involves guided walks every day in a magnificent big game area, ranging from riverine flood plains to basalt hills to stunning sandstone gorges. And if you wish to rest up, staying at camp to read, watch the local animals, socialise or just sleep – well, that can be the agenda too.

Each walking trail event involves a maximum of eight guests accompanied by two armed trail guides. Trails typically leave camp at dawn each morning and return around brunch-time. A second trail or game drive usually goes out each afternoon, capped with a sun-downer at some great spot.

We also do 'sitting trails': walking to a good spot, equipped with a chairs, books and drinks, and then spending several hours, taking in whatever happens (or not).

If one wants to experience elemental, unspoiled Africa in an authentic, intensely engaging and often exciting way, there is nothing quite like an EcoQuest in Makuleke.