Makuleke wilderness trail
Seven nights along South Africa's wildest frontier — two in camp, five on primitive trail between the Limpopo and the Luvuvhu. You carry what you need, and sleep where the day ends.
Reserve a place- Dates
- 15 – 22 Aug 2026
- Where
- Makuleke, Kruger NP
- Nights
- 2 in camp, 5 on trail
- Moving
- On foot, packs carried
- Group
- Small, hand-picked
- From
- €2,500 · incl VAT
Between two great rivers lies the wildest corner of the Kruger.
Between the Limpopo and the Luvuvhu
Embraced by the two rivers, Makuleke sits on South Africa's north-eastern frontier. They hold one of Africa's most spectacular and diverse landscapes between them — mountains and gorges in the west giving way to plains, pans and baobabs in the east.
An ever-changing abundance of life
The land harbours large seasonal concentrations of elephant and buffalo, and the best birdlife that South Africa has to offer. On foot, you meet the smallest of creatures — and sometimes the largest — face to face.
The fever-tree forests
In the east the trail passes through extensive fever-tree forests — pale green-gold woodland that glows in the morning light — into places inaccessible to most.
Where you’ll be
A full day's drive north from Johannesburg — the transfer is ours, both ways.
22.43° S · 31.20° E — Pafuri, northern Kruger
The trail
- 01A first night in a comfortable en-suite tent — a good meal, a briefing, the bush going quiet.
- 02Into the wild for six days, guided by two highly experienced trails guides, carrying only what you need.
- 03Through fever-tree forest, past pans and baobabs — places inaccessible to most.
- 04By day, moving quietly: the smallest of creatures, and sometimes the largest, face to face.
- 05Nights on trail under the stars, without tents, at pristine spots chosen along the way.
- 06Back to camp: a hot shower, the coldest beer you'll ever taste, and time to let it all sink in.
A rough shape, not a timetable. The bush keeps the pace.
1 / 7
Trail life, shared
Every participant takes part in the essentials of trail life. That's not a chore — it's the point.
What's asked of you
- Carry your pack — 50–60 litres, with your share of the trail kit
- Gather wood, and cook over the fire
- Stand your watch under the stars
- Move quietly, in single file, at the guides' word
What you'll learn
- To read the land: tracks, birds, trees, weather
- To sleep in the open and trust the watch
- What you actually need — it fits in one pack
Two highly experienced trails guides walk with you, a comprehensive first-aid kit is carried at all times, and there is reliable radio contact for emergencies. Food, cutlery and all essential equipment are provided by The Long Way, divided over the trail participants.
‘Genuinely one of the best things I've ever done.’
Dan · Makuleke, 2026
Camp & trail
Hutwini Walking Camp · 5 nights on primitive trail
Two nights at Hutwini Walking Camp, in comfortable en-suite tents, bracket the trail. Between them you're in the wild: sleeping in the open without tents, cooking over fire, standing watch in turns. Upon return, welcome comforts await — a hot shower, a cold beer, and above all, time to sit, reflect, and let the experience sink in before stepping back into the human world.
Your guides
Willem van Liemt
Founder · FGASA Lead Trails Guide
At seventeen I travelled to Africa for the first time, on a professional field-guide course. Once in the bush I knew I'd spend my life working with nature. Countless hours on foot and hundreds of big-game encounters later, I'm a FGASA-qualified Lead Trails Guide — and The Long Way is what I left my desk to build. This is where I'm happiest: out at sea, or in the bush. On foot, of course.
FGASA Lead Trails Guide · Tracking & Trailing Level 3
Advanced Rifle Handling · Advanced Birding
MSc Conservation · Dutch · English
Vaughn du Plooy
Trails guide · EcoTraining Trails Instructor
Raised in the foothills of the Waterberg, Vaughn has guided across Madikwe, Timbavati, Marataba and the Makuleke, from luxury lodges to remote trails camps, and joined EcoTraining as their youngest Trails Instructor at the time. His guiding rests on a simple belief: time in wild places — especially on foot — reconnects us not only with nature, but with ourselves. Walking with elephants remains the most humbling experience he knows.
FGASA Level 2 · Lead Trails Guide · Tracking & Trailing Level 3
Advanced Rifle Handling · Advanced Birding
English · German
Willem reads every message that comes in himself, and chooses the people on every expedition personally. willem@thelongway.earth
What's included
Included
- 2 nights in comfortable en-suite tents
- 5 nights on primitive trail
- All meals — on trail and in camp
- Park fees
- Two experienced trails guides
- Road transfers Johannesburg ↔ Makuleke
- €1 per walked kilometre to conservation — ±€60 on this trail
Not included
- International flights
Our pledge
By going the long way,
you contribute to conservation.
Every kilometre we walk gives back to Makuleke — it's built into the price, and into the point.
€1 per kilometre walked · €0.10 per nautical mile sailed
What to pack
August is late winter in Makuleke. Conditions are mild, sunny and dry, with real swings between day and night. Rain is extremely rare.
Bring
- Sleeping bag, winter weight
- Thermal layers and fleece jacket
- Beanie
- Neutral-coloured clothing
- Hat and sunglasses
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Walking shoes, already worn in
- Backpack (50–60 L)
- Water bottles or Camelbak (2.5–3 L)
- Sunscreen, toothbrush and toothpaste
- Head torch
Optional, worth the weight
- Binoculars and camera
- Sleeping-bag liner and blow-up pillow
- Trail fold-up chair
- Flip-flops
- Backpack cover — protects from dew
- Large ziplock bag for rubbish
- Quick-drying towel, face cloth and soap
- Journal and pen
The full list travels with you — Trip notes — PDF, 7 MB.
Before you go
- How heavy is my pack?
- You carry your own kit in a 50–60 litre pack, plus your share of the food and trail equipment. The group divides the load.
- Where do I sleep?
- Two nights in comfortable en-suite tents; five nights on primitive trail in the open — no tents, at spots chosen along the way.
- How do I get there?
- Road transfers from Johannesburg are included, both ways. You arrange your international flights.
- What about food and equipment?
- All meals are included, on trail and in camp. Food, cutlery and essential equipment are provided and divided over the participants.
‘A land of immense beauty, but also a harsh and indifferent land. It has always slightly intimidated me.’
Willem · from the Makuleke trail log
Reserve a place