Tucked away in the Klaserie Private Nature reserve is the authentic and charming Africa on Foot camp. Offering affordable rates and easy accessibility to local airports, it sets the standard in terms of authentic lodges. Sharing unfenced borders with the Timbavati Game Reserve and the Kruger National Park means that wildlife can roam freely throughout. Yes, the white lions visit the reserve! The Klaserie is the true wild – an uncrowded private and pristine reserve.
Prized for its professional big five walking safaris, bush breakfasts and game drives, Africa on Foot certainly has plenty to offer a wide range of guests across the board. A resident lion pride dominates the area and visitors flock to the camp to meet the famous Ross pride and the infamous Trilogy boys. Honey badgers, hippos and night time predators wander through the open camp in the dead of night.
Here are our top 5 reasons to stay at Africa on Foot – the place of legends.
1. Hospitality: Knowledgeable rangers, humourous trackers and charismatic lodge staff
The rangers at Africa on Foot are a gregarious bunch who welcome you with open arms and warm smiles. They’re skilled rangers who’ve grown up in the bush and always ensure you feel comfortable in their presence. There is nothing better than knowing you have an approachable ranger who will help out with anything from pouring your drinks at the bar to discussing the intricacies of lion pride dynamics.
Enoch and Isaac are the two main trackers who can determine the presence of an elephant herd merely by looking at wind direction and sniffing the air. They’re good. Really good. Both of them are cheeky and love to engage in a bit of banter.
The lodge and management staff are organised, professional and work incredibly hard at making sure you enjoy your stay. Jen, Hennie and the chefs in the kitchen have even designed a new, more modern menu that certainly gives other lodges a run for their money.
Don’t be surprised to see Courteney, one of the owners, come down to greet you. He is normally accompanied by a small and fearless Jack Russell.
We’ve seen people cry when they leave Africa on Foot. That’s true testament to what an incredible gem Africa on Foot is.
2. Value for money: Affordable camp in an enviable location
The Klaserie Private Nature Reserve shares unfenced borders with the Timbavati Reserve and the Kruger National Park. This means the big five can roam freely throughout. And, to add a bit of authenticity into the mix, Africa on Foot is an open camp. Hippos, leopard, hyena and even lion have been heard strolling through camp and taunting guests with their night time activities. But don’t worry – your brick chalet is perfectly designed to keep the wild outside and you inside!
Hoedspruit airport is about a 30 minute drive from camp. Your ranger will come and pick you up from the airport. There are flights that go from OR Tambo airport to Hoedspruit and there are also direct flights from Cape Town to Hoedspruit.
If flying isn’t an option, then you could always self-drive or take a transfer. This is a longer but more affordable route and takes approximately 6 hours.
The lodge has fantastic food served in either the outside boma area around the firepit or the safari dining area. There’s a bar on site, a lounge and dining area and even a small curio shop. A small splash pool offers respite from the heat and is ideal for relaxing. Rooms are luxuriously rustic and beds are extremely comfortable.
With rates from R2, 195.00 per person per night, it’s well-worth staying at Africa on Foot.
3. Atmosphere: Relaxed energy. A place you don’t want to leave.
This is always tricky to write about. How do you capture atmosphere in words? It’s something you need to feel. When you’re finished your game drive and pull into camp, a friendly face greets you and offers you a drink. You all stand around chatting about your game drive and waltz on over to the bar. After dinner is served, you grab your glass of red wine and enjoy a bit of chatter around the campfire. Khaki-clad rangers will attempt to make you laugh with their own experiences in the wild.
Friendships are formed, bonds are made and suddenly you realise that this place captures the spirit of Africa.
4. Multi-dimensional safari experience: Walk or drive with the big five
Africa on Foot offers professional guided walking safaris with qualified trail guides. Walking safaris last about 2-3 hours and they begin with a comprehensive demonstration on how to behave when encountering animals. All safaris are led by qualified rangers who’ve had an intensive specialised training in approaching dangerous game. If they are aware of any threat or dangerous situation (an elephant bull in camp, for example) they may choose to take you out in the vehicle. One thing’s for sure, you’ll never miss a safari experience!
In the evenings, guests are taken on game drive, which brings you a lot closer to big game. The animals are habituated to the vehicle, which means that they are used to the vehicle approaching them and know that it never causes them harm. This enables to you to get within 5 to 10 metres of the large predators; even while they’re feasting on a recent kill.
5. A place for adventurers and romantics: Bush braais and treehouse stays
The team at Africa on Foot will go out of their way to make guests feel at home and have their needs met. If you’re planning a romantic proposal or celebrating a wedding anniversary; the team will come up with a romantic bush idea for you. This could be anything from a candlelit dinner at the swimming pool to a bush breakfast in the middle of the Klaserie.
Adventure lovers are encouraged to spend a night in the treehouse. The treehouse is set back from the property and is constructed out of wood. It’s quite open and you can literally feel the wind.
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