Surviving the wild: The thrilling adventures of a Kruger trail guide
Serenity meets danger in the heart of Africa.
Serenity, peace, perseverance, adding a bit of excitement and a good dose of unexpected danger.
That’s the life of a Kruger trail guide. Nothing gets better than that for Peter Wilson, one of the well-known freelance, part-time guides in Kruger.
Over the years, Wilson has walked the length of the reserve, from the northern most point called Crook’s Corner to Malelane Gate in the south. What makes this trail, popularly known as The Kruger Trail, unique is that it takes place only twice a year, in a six-day hike.
“Crooks Corner isn’t a specific section with a defined length within the Kruger Park, but rather a historical landmark located in the far north at the confluence of the Limpopo and Pafuri rivers,” said Wilson.
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A single trail is done in six sections, each one about 100km long, and the distance walked from north to south is about 640km. According to Wilson, the group usually consists of eight tourists and two armed rangers.
2 800km over almost six years
He recently achieved a record by completing his 28th 100km section, covering 2 800km over almost six years. This is a record he and his friend and co-guide, Mark Montgomery, are close to sharing.
“One of the biggest challenges for participants is that there is no support vehicle assisting them. Everything they might need – food, water, tents, and more – must be carried by themselves. And one absolute must is fitness,” he said.
What makes this trail unique and exciting is that one must always expect the unexpected.
“You are in the wildest parts of the park and help is not a phone call away.”
Over the past years, he recalled three very exciting, although scary incidents.
The one golden rule
“One golden rule for participants is safety. They must, at all times, be alert and listen to us. No matter what happens, they must stay behind the rifles. During one incident, the group unexpectedly bumped into a group of dagga boys (old, lone buffaloes). One of the animals charged and collided with a guide. He managed to sidestep but still sustained a hard bump,” said Wilson.
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“Another time we were surprised by a solitary elephant bull. He immediately stormed at me and I lifted my rifle. We are trained to only shoot as a last resort, and about five metres from me he stopped and retreated,” he said.
However, Montgomery wasn’t so lucky.
“While a group rested close to a waterhole, Mark went to fetch water. There was a big splash and a terrified shout, and it was at that moment we realised he was under attack by a crocodile. “The reptile got him by the hand and dragged him under the water. I could not fire a shot as I risked hitting Mark. By some miracle, he managed to free himself and, with his badly injured hand, he dragged himself out,” Wilson said.
After treating Montgomery’s injury, medical personnel were called for further assistance.
There was no SANParks chopper in the air at the time, but fortunately a patrol vehicle was nearby to pick him up and take him for treatment.
The group decided to stay put and waited for another guide to join them. When asked what was next on his to-do list? “The same as now for another six years!”
The project
The Kruger Trail is a project run by the SANParks Honorary Rangers.
Participation in the first of the six sections is sold by auction, starting on October 8 and closing October 16. This grants you entry (as a group) for the following five sections at a set trail cost.
The first section of the next trail starts on October 28.
