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Nature Travel South Africa: Animal Tracking Expedition

South Africa 5 days From 2,300 € Enquire now

Step into the wild and immerse yourself in the ancient art of tracking on the Animal Tracking Expedition in South Africa! This five-day adventure takes you deep into the Selati Game Reserve, a 28,000-hectare wilderness area adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park. With experienced guides, you will learn to follow and interpret fresh animal tracks, anticipate their movement, and – when possible – observe them in their natural habitat. While the focus will be on trailing rhinos, lions, and elephants, your group will also have the opportunity to follow the tracks of other wildlife, such as kudus, giraffes, and buffalos.

This experience is designed for wildlife enthusiasts of all levels. You will learn team-tracking techniques, refine your ability to read the environment and develop skills that few trackers ever acquire. Join us on this unique adventure, where nature will be your teacher, and the wilderness will challenge and inspire you every step of the way!

Your trip at a glance

Highlights

Learn expert tracking techniques from seasoned Trails Guides
Track and observe rhinos, lions, elephants, and more
Stay at the exclusive Selati Wilderness Camp
Engage in hands-on, immersive learning in a small group setting
Spend up to eight hours daily in the field honing your tracking skills

Locations

Selati Game Reserve

Plan your trip

Included in the programme fee
- Assistance with travel arrangements
- Assistance with selecting travel insurance
- Assistance with booking flights
- Risk coverage certificate
- Pre-departure information pack
- Full board during the programme
- Drinking water, tea, coffee
- Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages
- Emergency evacuation
- Game walks
- English-speaking support by long-term experienced staff
- 24/7 support throughout the programme

- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Visa fees
- Accommodation outside programme hours
- Personal expenses and optional excursions

Write An Email

Terry, your travel agent for South Africa

Don't hesitate to contact me if you would like to learn more about this journey! I answer all of your questions and assist you before, during and after your adventure abroad.

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Wildlife Tracking Expedition

Discover the art of tracking and follow the tracks of wild animals with experienced guides in the unspoilt Selati Game Reserve in South Africa.

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Arrival and orientation in South Africa

Your journey begins at Hoedspruit Airport, the nearest major airport to Selati Game Reserve. We recommend arriving in Hoedspruit one day in advance to ensure a relaxed, stress-free start to your journey. On the first day of your expedition, you'll meet your guides and fellow travellers at Selati Game Reserve Headquarters at 12:00 midday.

After a short briefing, you’ll be transferred to Selati Wilderness Camp, your base for the expedition.

Accommodation - Selati Wilderness Camp

Your stay at Selati Wilderness Camp provides a comfortable yet immersive experience in the African bush. The camp, set within a wooded drainage line, offers a tranquil retreat surrounded by the raw beauty of the wilderness. The off-grid camp features four luxury en-suite tents, ensuring an intimate and undisturbed stay. A state-of-the-art solar power system provides electricity, while a borehole supplies fresh water, reinforcing the camp’s commitment to sustainability. The communal dining and entertainment area offers a space to unwind, share stories, and fully appreciate the serenity of the bush.

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Activities during the expedition

Each day begins before sunrise, with the calls of birds marking the start of an exciting day ahead. After a light breakfast, you will set out on foot, searching for fresh animal tracks and following them through the reserve.

Guided by expert trackers, you will take turns leading the group, refining your ability to read the terrain, anticipate movement, and navigate the wild landscape.

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The morning is spent trailing wildlife, often walking for several hours as you hone your tracking skills. By midday, you return to camp for lunch and some much-needed rest. In the late afternoon, you will set out once again to pick up a fresh trail, further developing your skills in approaching and observing animals without detection.

As night falls, the group gathers around the campfire to discuss the day’s discoveries and share insights into tracking techniques, animal behaviour, and the surrounding ecosystem.

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Wildlife in the Selati Game Reserve

Selati Game Reserve is home to an impressive variety of wildlife, making it the perfect setting for an immersive tracking experience. The reserve hosts large mammals such as rhino, lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and kudu, along with elusive predators like leopard and hyena. The area is also a haven for bird enthusiasts, boasting a diverse array of raptors, hornbills, and other species. Every day in the field offers a new opportunity to encounter these remarkable animals, whether by following their tracks or witnessing them firsthand in their natural habitat.

Board and leisure during the expedition

The Animal Tracking Expedition is fully catered, with all meals and drinks included. Each morning begins with coffee, rusks, and a light breakfast before heading into the field. After an intense tracking session, you return to camp for a hearty lunch and some relaxation. Evenings are spent around the fire, enjoying a delicious dinner prepared by the camp’s chefs. Meals are simple yet satisfying, designed to keep you energized for the physical demands of tracking while allowing you to fully savor the experience of dining in the wild.

Picture Credits: Alex Shapiro

Day 1

Arrival at Selati Game Reserve

Upon arrival at Selati Game Reserve Headquarters, you will meet your guides and fellow participants before transferring to the Selati Wilderness Camp. After settling into your en-suite tent, you will receive an introductory briefing on the tracking principles that will guide your experience. In the late afternoon, you will embark on a short tracking walk, familiarizing yourself with the environment and the skills you will develop over the next few days. The day ends with a welcome dinner around the fire.
Day 2

Learning the art of tracking

A day could look like this: The day begins before sunrise with a light breakfast, after which you will head out to search for fresh animal spoor. Your guides will demonstrate the basics of track identification and trailing techniques before allowing you to take turns as the lead tracker. After an intensive morning in the field, you will return to camp for lunch and rest before venturing out again in the afternoon to refine your tracking skills. The evening is spent around the campfire, reflecting on the day's challenges and successes.
Day 3 & 4

Advancing your tracking skills

Over these two days, you will fully immerse yourself in the tracking process. Each morning, you will set out to locate and follow fresh tracks, learning to anticipate animal movements and navigate different terrains. The afternoon sessions provide additional opportunities to deepen your skills, with discussions on tracking strategies, animal behavior, and conservation. With each passing day, you will become more confident in your ability to read the landscape and track animals with precision.
Day 5

Final tracking session & departure

On the final morning, you will set out for one last tracking excursion, putting all your acquired skills to the test. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your ability to identify tracks, predict movements, and successfully locate animals. After breakfast, you will pack up and transfer back to Selati Game Reserve Headquarters, where the expedition officially concludes by 11:00 AM.
Note

What to pack

For your Animal Tracking Expedition, it’s important to bring the right gear to ensure both comfort and functionality: Bring a daypack for water and snacks, water bottles to stay hydrated, and a head torch with spare batteries for early mornings and evenings. Binoculars are great for observing wildlife, and a notebook and pen will help you document your experiences. A rain jacket is recommended for unexpected weather, and make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes that are already worn in. Ankle gaiters will protect you from brush and insects, and neutral-colored clothing helps you blend in with the environment. For sun protection, bring a hat and sunglasses, along with flip-flops for camp relaxation. Don’t forget sunscreen and your personal toiletries to stay fresh during your stay.

Pack light and practical, as you’ll be spending long hours in the field, tracking animals and navigating the wilderness.

1. Selati Game Reserve

The Selati Game Reserve is a 28,000-hectare private wildlife sanctuary in South Africa’s Limpopo province, bordering the Greater Kruger National Park. Its diverse terrain—ranging from granite outcrops to open savannahs and riverine forests—is home to an array of iconic wildlife, including rhinos, elephants, lions, and leopards. With a strong focus on conservation and research, Selati offers an exclusive and immersive wilderness experience far from mass tourism—raw, intimate, and truly wild.

The Selati Game Reserve is a 28,000-hectare private wildlife sanctuary in South Africa’s Limpopo province, bordering the Greater Kruger National Park. Its diverse terrain—ranging from granite outcrops to open savannahs and riverine forests—is home to an array of iconic wildlife, including rhinos, elephants, lions, and leopards. With a strong focus on conservation and research, Selati offers an exclusive and immersive wilderness experience far from mass tourism—raw, intimate, and truly wild.

Background on Selati Game Reserve

Selati Game Reserve is a 28,000-hectare private wilderness in South Africa’s Limpopo province, bordering the Greater Kruger National Park. Characterized by rugged granite outcrops, open savannas, and dense riverine vegetation, this reserve offers a rich and diverse ecosystem that supports an abundance of wildlife.

What makes Selati unique is its dedication to conservation and scientific research. The reserve is home to a variety of iconic species, including rhinos, giraffes, elephants, and numerous antelope species, as well as a thriving population of predators. It is also a critical sanctuary for rare and endangered species, playing a key role in longterm wildlife management and habitat protection.

Selati is a low-impact, privately managed reserve, ensuring an exclusive and immersive experience for those who visit. The absence of mass tourism allows for intimate encounters with wildlife and the chance to explore the landscape in its most undisturbed state. Whether tracking animals on foot or simply taking in the natural beauty, Selati offers an authentic and profound connection to the African wilderness.