Pafuri Walking Safaris

In the northernmost reaches of Kruger National Park lies Pafuri, a landscape shaped by time, where the Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers converge. Here, RETURN Africa’s walking guides, masters of bushcraft with decades of collective experience, lead guests into a world few truly encounter. Zach Savage, Cyril Baloyi, Vongani ‘Bongs’ N’waila, Ezaya Chauke, and Alweet Hlungwani… Continue Reading ON FOOT THROUGH NORTHERN KRUGER

Rain in Pafuri is more than just a change in weather; it’s the lifeblood of this northern paradise, breathing new life into the landscape and transforming it into a vibrant ecosystem. When the rains arrive, Pafuri awakens, bursting into colour, sound, and movement. “Rain is the beginning of the story,” shares Godfrey Baloyi, General Manager of… Continue Reading PAFURI: RAIN, RIVERS, FLOODS AND A RAMSAR WETLAND

Last month we covered THE GIRL GANGS OF PAFURI; if you’ve missed it you can read it here. The charismatic, energetic character of Pafuri is to become the muse of Dr Neil Parkin’s expedition to South Africa. So, what is Neil’s objective? Neil’s “primary mission” as he puts it, is to “rehabilitate the much-maligned reputation of the spotted hyena, Crocuta… Continue Reading THE GIRL GANGS OF PAFURI EXPOSED – DISCOVERING THE MYSTERIES OF PAFURI’S HYENAS

When visiting Pafuri take advantage of the opportunity to visit Thulamela, the ruins of an ancient stone citadel recently nominated for national heritage status. After a 20-minute game drive from Pafuri Camp we arrive at a turning circle below a rocky outcrop on the south bank of the Luvuvhu river. This is the starting point… Continue Reading MYSTICAL THULAMELA BY HARALD VAN LENNEP

RETURN Africa invites adventurers to experience the pristine wilderness of northern Kruger National Park on foot with the opening of its Pafuri Walking Safaris from April through October 2024. Offering a truly remote and secluded safari experience within RETURN Africa’s 23,500-hectare private concession the two intimate walking camps, Hutwini and Nkula, each host just 8… Continue Reading PRESS RELEASE: RETURN AFRICA’S PAFURI WALKING SAFARIS OPEN FOR 2024 SEASON

In the northern reaches of the Kruger National Park lies a wild haven called Pafuri. Between April and October each year, you can escape the confines of a game vehicle and experience the sights, sounds, and scents of the African bush on foot. These months bring the walking safari season much to the delight of… Continue Reading ON FOOT IN PAFURI: JOURNEYS OF DISCOVERY & TRANSFORMATION BY ALWEET HLUNGWANI

The remote Hutwini Walking Safaris Camp in South Africa’s Makuleke Contractual Park is set to reopen this April after undergoing extensive renovations. Operated by RETURN Africa as part of their Pafuri Collection in northern Kruger National Park, the camp has been upgraded to provide a more comfortable and spacious guest experience. The rebuilt camp features… Continue Reading HUTWINI WALKING SAFARIS CAMP SET TO REOPEN AFTER MAJOR UPGRADES

The Makuleke Contractual Park area for the month of April & expectations for May and into the winter months. To start off with there has been a definite change in the fauna and flora behavior during the month of April as the summer months have gone and autumn is in full swing. There are fewer… Continue Reading BUSH NEWS FROM RETURN AFRICA’S PAFURI CAMP

Your first-ever safari is for the Big 5, the second is for the Small 5, and you come to Northern Kruger for the Makuleke 5. I recently had the chance to get close to some African wild dogs in the company of staff from the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) who are working to help ensure… Continue Reading FINDING THE MAKULEKE FIVE