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Once you've seen this stunning antelope in the wild, you will never forget it... As a browser/grazer they eat leaves and grass, and as such can be found in the open and in the think bush, across southern Africa. It has been proven that the Nyala evolutionary line has remained separate for 5 million years, making them one of the oldest antelope. As one of the favourite prey species of lions, wild dogs, and leopards they must be very alert 100% of the time, day and night. Safety in numbers is therefor very important so Nyala are often seen in small herds, as well as hanging around with other antelope such as Impala, and quick often with baboons. Nyala have exceptional hearing, eyesight, and sense of smell so when they suspect a predator is in the area they will make a sound much like that of a dogs bark, to alert others in the herd. Males are twice the size of the females and sexually dimorphic, meaning they look very different to the female, with large double twisted horns, and striking patterns on their coats. Bulls will fight for dominance and the right to mate with the females. These fights can result in very serious injuries, and death. If you ever have the good luck to see one, stop, wait a while, and observe this wonderful animal going about it's daily business.

So you’ve prepared kit, clothing, meals, locations, routes and you are good to go. Hold that thought, we are not done yet. It’s very important to enjoy your morning, evening and lunchtime rest periods and a good cuppa often does the trick! You don’t have to always put up with the usual drinks of water and sports drinks. Coffee or tea are not only comforting drinks but they can also give you that additional boost of nutrients and energy. Coffee has been scientifically proven to boost energy levels and keep our brains sharper through the help of caffeine. It is also rich in antioxidants. Tea, on the other hand, helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, boosts the immune system, and helps a lot in relaxation. Whether it is for breakfast, afternoon tea, or to cap off the night, here are a few coffee and tea recipes for you to try next. Turmeric Tea – this super-drink brings about several health benefits: reduces arthritis symptoms, boosts the immune system, anti-inflammatory, and helps manage irritable bowel movement. Makes 2-3 servings 1 tbsp. ground turmeric powder pinch of ground cardamom Pinch of cayenne Pinch of black pepper 1 tsp. honey ¼ cup of milk powder At home, mix your turmeric powder with milk powder and all remaining spices and sift properly. Put the mixture in a zip-top bag with the honey packed separately. Once you are ready for a drink, mix all your ingredients in a small pot with 2 cups of boiling water. Stir the mixture into boiling water until properly dissolved and pour. Cinnamon Spice Latte – aside from coffee’s health benefits, adding cinnamon spice to your favorite roast not only enhances its taste, and helps regulate your blood sugar. It is packed with fiber, calcium, manganese, iron, and vitamin K. Makes 1 serving ½ tsp. ground cinnamon Pinch of ground nutmeg 2 tbsp. powdered vanilla creamer 1 tbsp. dark brown sugar ¼ cup milk powder Prepack all ingredients in a zip-top bag, except for your cinnamon which should be packed separately. Boil your water, pour the mixture of nutmeg, creamer, sugar, milk powder on your favorite coffee brew and stir until dissolved. Dust cinnamon on top. Amazing! Chai Tea (an AWT favourite!) – known for its blend of delicious flavors and spicy aroma, Chai Tea is perfect for your outdoor experience as it helps alleviate body pains and aches. As it contains ginger, it also helps in reducing nausea. This makes 6 servings 3 tbsp. black tea leaves 10 whole cloves 1 tsp. dried lemongrass ½ tsp. ground ginger 5 cardamom pods 1 tsp. black pepper 2 cinnamon sticks broken into small pieces Before going out, grind all ingredients in a spice grinder or a blender, except for tea leaves. Once coarsely ground, add tea leaves and store them in a zip-top bag. Remember to pack a small leaf tea strainer (£2.50 from Amazon) for this recipe. When you are ready for your cuppa, using the strainer, put 1 tbsp. of tea mixture in 1 cup of water and bring to boil and serve afterward. Lush! Hot Cocoa – clearly not tea or coffee but hot chocolate is always perfect for outdoors, especially at night, so we couldn’t resist a recipe. Hot cocoa improves your mood through its taste, flavanols that also improve symptoms of depression. Also, hot cocoa contains antibacterial and immune-stimulating properties. Makes 6 servings ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ cup powdered sugar 1 cup of milk powder 1 tsp. cornstarch ¼ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon Mix and sift all ingredients at home and store them in a zip-top bag. To prepare outdoors, stir 5 tbsp. of the cocoa mix into a small pot of boiling water and serve. Your next outdoor drink doesn’t always have to be bland. You can use these recipes to put some delicious flair into your drinks. We highly suggest that you try these at home first before packing them up for outdoors – this would help you decide which one is your best bet. We can’t blame you if you decide to pack all these recipes though. Not only are these tasty, but they are also guaranteed to be healthy. Try mixing other ingredients of your choice to add variety to your outdoor drinks list. A few slices of fruit on your tea or a pinch of your preferred spices on your coffee might just do the trick.

See ACCREDITATIONS page Our ventures have always been of the very highest standard, and we are continually looking to improve those standards in order to ensure we are able to work closely with you to deliver the venture that suits the needs of your group. We are very proud of our safety record and the satisfaction of our clients. Africa Wild Trails has committed to an independent assessment of all operations. BS 8848 Corporate Compliance Africa Wild Trails is BS 8848 compliant: Following this assessment by the Adventure Activity Associates, we are very pleased to say that all Africa Wild Trails operations are BS 8848 compliant, meeting the high standards required by the British Standard for organised and managed ventures, fieldwork, expeditions and adventurous activities outside the UK. This award highlights our commitment to putting safety first in all aspects of our work. BS8848 2014 is published by BSI Standards Limited, under license from the British Standards Institution, and came into effect on 31st March 2014. The consumers guide to BS8848 2014 can be obtained here: https://www.bsigroup.com/LocalFiles/en-GB/consumer-guides/resources/BSI-Consumer-Brochure-Adventurous-Activities-UK-EN.pdf Expedition Providers Association (EPA) Africa Wild Trails is a full member of the EPA: The Expedition Providers Association is the only awarding body of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom’s Quality Badge (LOtC QB) for overseas expeditions. To be a full member represents, by independent inspection, proof of Quality and Safety across Africa Wild Trails operations. This differs and is justifiably more robust than all other LOtC QB accreditations. By choosing an EPA member for your venture, you can be confident that they have been assessed against BS 8848 and that full members hold the LOtC Quality Badge for overseas expeditions. Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge (LOtC QB) Africa Wild Trails holds the LOtC Quality Badge: The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC) is the managing and overall awarding body for the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge, which recognises providers offering good quality learning outside the classroom and managing risk effectively and is a nationally recognised indicator of good quality educational provision. The LOtC Quality Badge is the only national award combining the essential elements of provision – learning and safety – into a trusted accreditation scheme for all types of learning outside the classroom provider. The Department for Education guidance on Health & Safety on educational visits recommends that schools look for the LOtC Quality Badge when choosing external providers of educational visits.

You have chosen your next trail destination, booked the necessary travel arrangements, and packed up your kit. All set? Not so fast... Like handpicking the perfect kit and clothing for your trip, it is critical to ensure that you have packed up enough snacks to keep you going during the venture. While it is easy to think of chocolate bars, crisps and biscuits etc as the definition of snack, choosing the right type of snacks should be well thought through. Your trail snacks should be nutritious, easily packed, and have a balance of the nutrients required to get you through your activity. Your snacks should have an optimal balance of carbs, protein, and fat. It is a common misconception to stock up on just your carbs as it is the quickest source of energy, however, you should understand your body’s need for the right amount of fat, protein, and other nutrients at the same time. So, what are the best snacks to take along on your next trail? Let’s find out. Trail Mix and Nuts Never underestimate the power of nuts! Nuts are considered as powerhouse snacks because they are an excellent source of protein and carbohydrates. Nuts also contain potassium - a key electrolyte that is lost in the body when it sweats. Trail Mix on the other hand, is the next level from just the traditional nut option. Adding a bunch of dried fruits and seeds boosts the nutrient content of your snack. Always choose components that have good sources of healthy fats like pumpkin or sunflower seeds to protect the heart and help reduce body inflammation. Dried Fruits Dried fruit packs have many health benefits and contain multiple vitamins such as Vitamin A, B, C, Iron, Magnesium, and Calcium to name a few. Dried fruits are also loaded with fructose which is a natural fruit sugar that gives fruit that nice sweet taste. Nutrition/Energy Bars Besides the fact that these snacks are handy and almost non-perishable, it has become the norm to pack these for a day or multi-day trip, and for good reason. They are packed with all the necessary nutrients needed for a quick energy boost. Nutrition bars are not meant to replace meals, but rather they act as 'fillers' in between meals. Dried Meat We’re not talking about your typical cheapo petrol station beef jerky, but the healthier options. The natural and healthier option is broken down into simple ingredients: dried meat, herbs and spices. Dried meats are high in protein but low in fat with a long-term shelf life. If you are buying and not making your own, pay attention to the sodium content though, while it is good in small portions, sodium can be very bad for your health if consumed in large contents. Snack Plan Ensure your planning includes your snacks! Consider the distance, ascent, descent and duration of the trip and plan your snacks accordingly. Definitely take more than you think you will need as you will either consume the lot or have an excess which you could give to someone else in your group or a passer-by who may not have planned quite as well as you did...

Earth as we know it is approximately 4.6 billion years old. Billions of years worth of history that even to this day, scientists are still trying to unravel. From the Jurassic era to Stone Age, to the earliest form of humankind, towards the present, experts have masterfully compiled pieces of history to ensure that critical information is preserved, shared, and explored throughout. The Cradle of Humankind (Cradle of Humanity) is one of the most important sites for us humans. It is a paleoanthropological site found 50km northwest of Johannesburg, South Africa, in the Gauteng province, approximately 90 mins drive. It is believed to be the place where humankind originated. The location gained prominence by sheer coincidence of discoveries leading to what we know today as one of the eight World Heritage Sites found in South Africa. The site occupies 180 square miles and contains a complex variety of limestone caves with the Sterkfontein Caves being the most visited, and most popular among all caves within the site. History In 1924, an anatomist named Raymond Dart found a skull of a juvenile primate inside a box together with other fossil-bearing rocks sent to him by a quarry manager from Taung. Dart dedicated his research in providing more information about this discovery, describing the fossil and named it Australopithecus africanus (“southern ape of Africa”). Unfortunately, few scientists took his claims seriously. It was not until 1936 when a Scottish doctor and paleontologist named Robert Broom, discovered the first fragments of an adult australopithecine in Sterkfontein, today’s most visited cave in the Cradle of Humankind. The discovery of the “Taung Child” by Dart and “Mrs. Ples”  by Broom further piqued interest within the scientific community leading to further discoveries of human fossils. Because of these discoveries, experts were led to believe that humankind was born at this location. UNESCO World Heritage Site In 1999, “the cradle” which was originally composed of fifteen caves within the site, was initially listed and inducted as a part of the World Heritage list. Declared by UNESCO as “one of the most important in the world for understanding the evolution of the modern man from his ancestors”,  the inclusion of the site in the list signifies the cradle’s cultural significance. A vast number of hominid fossils, the oldest of which date back 3.5 million years ago, along with the earliest known human tools, have all been found at the site. All of these discoveries over the years have established South Africa as the cradle of humankind. Two of the ten criteria met by the site to be declared as a Heritage Site were: To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living, or which has disappeared. To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history. The Cradle’s Caves, Topography, and Climate Rain occurs mainly in the summer season together with occasional thunderstorms. Temperatures range from -12 degrees to 39 degrees Celsius with an average temperature of 16 degrees Celsius. Lightning strikes across the area are frequent, which may have been a factor of how the early human has developed control of fire. The Sterkfontein Caves is the most famous tourist destination amongst the 15 caves found within the Cradle of Humankind. It contains the Australopithecus africanus and an almost complete Australopithecus skeleton. Other fossil sites within the site are: Bolt’s Farm – fossils of antelope, baboon, and rodents as old as 4 million years. Swartkrans – evidence of the earliest controlled use of fire in the world, Paranthropus robustus, Homo ergaster fossils. Minnaar’s Cave – animal fossils including one of the earliest discoveries of a Jackal skull. Cooper’s Site – known for its diverse content of fauna including the Paranthropus robustus Kromdraai – the first specimen of Paranthropus robustus was discovered in this site in 1938. Plover’s Lake – Middle Stone Age deposits and fossils have been excavated recently inside this cave. Wonder Caves – from the term itself, spectacular cave formations can be found here together with frog, lizard, and bird fossils. Drimolen – this cave houses 92 hominid specimens. Motsetse – this site includes a saber-toothed cat fossil. Gladysvale – plant remains dating back 3 million years ago can be found here along with two hominid teeth. Haasgat – a variety of early monkey fossils can be found in this cave. Gondolin – since 1979, approximately 90,000 fossils have been discovered in this cave including a large molar tooth of a Paranthropus robustus. Makapans Valley – this area was only included on the Cradle of Humankind in 2005 which houses a variety of animal and hominid fossils. Taung – along with Makapans Valley, Taung was declared as part of the Cradle of Humankind in 2005. It is the site where the “Taung Child” was first discovered by Raymond Dart. It is strongly advised for any people visiting the caves, or the Cradle of Humankind as a whole, to wear comfortable shoes (preferably trekking/hiking shoes). Visitors are also advised to leave handbags or any luggage behind due to the number of tight spots and pathways to be encountered during a visit. In addition, exploring these caves is not suggested for those with claustrophobia, asthma, or acute chest problems.

We’ve all heard about Hippopotamuses, also known as “Hippos”, the giants of the African river systems… But what do you really know about this large mammal? Here are five interesting facts that will get you better acquainted with the hippo. 1. There’s often a Greek link! The name hippopotamus comes from the ancient Greek term for “river horse”, thanks mostly to the fact that these animals spend up to 16 hours a day submerged in rivers, lakes or any type of shallow water source. Given the amount of time they spend in water, it’s obvious by now that hippos love the water, and by love, they really love soaking in water and basking under the sun. So much so that these amazing mammals secrete an oily red substance that acts as a skin moistener and sunblock. 2. Hippos can outswim and outrun you Never assume that because of their enormous size they are therefore slow and cumbersome. They are extremely capable in the water, have dense leg bones which help them stay underwater, move very fast along the bottom and are able to hold their breath for up to 5 minutes. On land Hippos have been clocked running up to 30 km/h over short distances. Safe to say that you can never outrun or outswim a hippo. 3. They can be deadly Hippos are aggressive by nature and are considered very dangerous. Up to 5 meters long, 1.5 meters at the shoulder and up to 4 tons in weight, they are animals who are not to be messed with. If that’s not enough, they have a wide mouth that reveals large canine tusks that can pierce steel. Hippos attack whenever they feel that their habitat or feeding ground is threatened. Hippos will not hesitate when threatened. They are said to be the deadliest land mammal. One of the worst places you can find yourself in Africa is between a Hippo and the water 4. Hippos have large appetites Hippos in general, are herbivores. They eat up to 40kg of grass each night and can travel up to 10 kilometers whilst grazing. They will eat fruit if it’s around. Hippos have been seen eating carrion, which is most likely due to a lack of good grazing and nutritional stress. 5. Hippos are vulnerable species Back in 2006, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the hippo as a vulnerable species. This means their species are likely to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening their survival and reproduction greatly improve. They have a population between 125,000 and 150,000 with a 7 – 20% decline. Zambia and Tanzania both house the largest populations of hippos across the globe. As of 2018, there are also an estimated 50-70 hippos running around Columbia? Pablo Escobar, the notorious drug lord kept 4 of them in his private zoo back in the 80s. Since then the hippos have continued to reproduce and scatter around the area long after Escobar’s death. In conclusion, the hippo is an animal that is to be respected, just like any animal in nature. They will keep to themselves most of the time and are one of the most fascinating creatures on the planet.

Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park or as it was formerly known, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa. The area was originally a hunting ground for the royals of the Zulu kingdom such as Dingiswayo and Shaka. The reserve was initially established to protect the white rhino population of South Africa, which at that time was and is again, critically endangered. History In the late 1950s up until the 1960s, the game reserve was home to Operation Rhino headed by the world-renowned conservationist Dr. Ian Player. Operation Rhino was a highly successful conservation effort to save and protect white rhinos from hunters and poachers. This initiative led to the successful conservation of white rhinos across the world and most of its practices are still being observed to this day. From having 25 rhinos at the start of Operation Rhino, the game reserve now has the highest population of both black and white rhinos across Southern Africa. Geography and Climate Spanning a massive land area of 960 square kilometers consisting mostly of hilly landscape, Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park is divided into two (2) main areas: Hluhluwe This section of the park has hilly ground where the altitude can range from 260 – 1,770 ft. above sea level. The coastal scarp forests are supported by its high ridges in a well-watered area with valley bushveld at the lower areas. Situated in the northern area of the park, Hluhluwe is rugged and mountainous with stunning sections of forests and grasslands. Umfolozi Found at the southern part of the game reserve, this area is particularly situated between the two Umfolozi Rivers: Mfolozi emnyama or Black Umfolozi and Mfolozi emhlophe or White Umfolozi. This section of the park is generally hot during the summer season and is mild to cool during the winter season. The topography in this section ranges from lowlands of the Umfolozi river beds to steep, hilly country which includes both wide and deep valleys. Vegetation in this area consists primarily of grasslands, acacia savannah and woodlands. The climate in this area can be classified into Dry Season and Wet Season. Dry Season – May to September Very little to no rainfall in winter with chances of occasional rain showers due to its proximity to the Indian Ocean coastal region. Heat is less oppressive in the summer season with skies being mostly cloudless. Summer ends in May which means less rain and the humidity drops. June until August presents more pleasant temperatures around 23 degrees Celsius that drops to 11 degrees at night. It’s advisable to bring warm clothing if traveling during these months and AWT will always provide a comprehensive kit and clothing list. With September comes spring season; temperatures gradually rise with an average of 25 degrees Celsius. Rain will also start dropping in September with occasional thundershowers. Wet Season – October to April It’s very hot and humid during this period with near-daily rains in the afternoon. Heavy thunderstorms are also to be expected during this season. October and November have common afternoon rains with occasional rains all day. Temperatures range from 16 degrees Celsius in the morning to 26 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. December to February months tend to be extremely hot and humid. Storms occur mostly in the afternoon with average temperatures being higher than usual. March and April are when things cool down; temperatures range from 17 degrees in the morning to 27 degrees in the afternoon. Wildlife in the Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park Hluhluwe–Imfolozi is the only state-run park in the Kwazulu Natal region home to Africa’s Big 5: Lion, African Leopard, African Elephant, Rhino, and Cape Buffalo. In addition to the Big 5, the game reserve has a wide variety of flora and fauna. Some animals found in the reserve are the Hippo, Cheetah, Nile Crocodile, Giraffe, Hyena, Impala, Bushpig, Warthog, Kudu, Wildebeests, Jackal, African Painted Dogs, and so much more. For birdlife fanatics, this area is home to approximately 340 species of birds. It is the only place in South Africa where yellow-throated, orange-throated, and pink-throated longclaw species are found together. Access Whilst a traditional safari in open safari vehicles is the norm here, many people choose to take their own vehicles into the park and self drive. When Africa Wild Trails groups go to this area we tend to go on foot, into the wilderness area which is legally protected and devoid of vehicles, buildings and humans… A trail in the wilderness area is an exceptional experience and one that gets us extremely close to nature as we sleep out around a campfire, under the stars during the night, relaxing and listening to the sounds of Africa. During the day we quietly walk the game trails, tracking elephants, rhinos and other species whilst learning about local flora, fauna and conservation efforts. With its rich history, vast biodiversity, and jaw-dropping landscape, the Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park is certainly one of the most fascinating game reserves to visit in the world. I would certainly list it as a dream destination in terms of wilderness hiking, safari and wildlife exploration and conservation. A chance to immerse yourself in nature, to see Africa’s Big 5, a rare sighting of the African Painted Dogs, and many more, this location is definitely a must-see.

South Africa is an inspirational destination for those who want to discover the most spectacular wildlife, culture, communities, mountains, rivers, coastline, hiking, biking and nature conservation good practice. Popular sites include the Kruger National Park, Umfolozi Wilderness area, Table Mountain, Zulu War Battlefields and many more breathtaking attractions. But knowing about the popular sites to visit is just half of the story. The other half would be ensuring good risk management so that everyone in your group has an amazing and safe experience. Malaria is endemic to certain parts of South Africa which can be alarming for both locals and visitors. There’s no sense in traveling to these parts of the world and being unprepared by not knowing key facts about the places you visit and how to protect yourself from Malaria. Listed here is some information you can review so that you and your group can enjoy South Africa with Africa Wild Trails, without worrying about Malaria. Knowing the destination Locations are often marked as “high”, “intermediate”, and “low” risk areas for malaria. With this knowledge, you can have a basic idea of what precautions are required before visiting the destination. The risk areas in South Africa include: the north-eastern parts of Limpopo (along the borders with Mozambique and Zimbabwe) the Lowveld areas of Mpumalanga (including the Kruger National Park but excluding Mbombela and immediate surrounds) the far northern areas of Kwa-Zulu Natal Visitors of Kruger National Park may worry about this, however, while the park does fall in the malaria risk area, the transmission risk would be considered low to moderate, depending on the specific camps visited for overnight stays. Knowing the malaria risk periods Did you know that Malaria is seasonal in South Africa and that there are low-risk periods and moderate/high-risk periods in the country? The moderate/high-risk period is usually from November until May of the following year with a peak of high risk between January and April. The other months such as June, July, August, September, October are low risk. Knowing who is being targeted Mosquitos have their favorite meals and scents too… They have a nose for scents such as lactic acid, uric acid, ammonia and other compounds emitted in sweat. Warm sweaty people are a clear target for Mozzies! Research shows that those of us with Type O blood are tastier to mosquitoes and noted that certain species of Mosquito landed on the skin of people with Type O blood nearly twice as often as they did on the skin of people with Type A blood Fragranced deodorant, soaps and perfumes are also very attractive to our annoying little mozzie friends, so if you really want to get serious about deterring them, bin your nice smelling toiletries and take unscented ones. Knowing what to do There are things that you can do as a precaution to avoid being targeted by a mosquito. Small things that can make a big difference such as wearing long-sleeved trousers and shirts, applying insect repellent to the skin and using a mosquito net are some ways. For higher risk areas, malaria prophylaxis must be used to ensure that you cannot be infected. During ventures with Africa Wild Trails you will often be sat around a fire at night time, and the smoke from the fire is very good at keeping mosquitoes and other insects away. These are some of the basic ways you can do to avoid being infected with malaria. It will not take much time, it will not take much effort, and it won’t cost you much money. This way you can enjoy your journey in South Africa without worrying about malaria. If you want to learn more about traveling to Africa, send us a message today. We’ll tell you all about how you can plan your adventure! Please ensure you visit your Doctor or Travel Nurse for professional advice and guidance before traveling to any malaria area.