Research consistently points to the remarkable therapeutic effects of immersing oneself in natural surroundings, offering a powerful remedy for stress and anxiety. Unlike a casual Sunday stroll, a walk in the African bush transcends the ordinary. Traversing the same paths as ancient animals, attuning your senses to the rich symphony of bush sounds, and fully immersing yourself in nature can broaden your outlook on life.
Among the many cherished moments at Londolozi, those spent on foot hold a special place in my memory. Whether accompanied by friends, fellow guides, tracker Freddy, guests, or in solitary exploration, I consistently find profound euphoria and gratitude for life while immersed in nature on foot.
A group of rangers on a bush walk at Londolozi. Some of our favourite experiences in the bush are walking with our colleagues and good friends.
Walking in the bush is a privilege, offering an opportunity to encounter the African wilderness away from the confines of a Land Rover. Being on foot enables an experience akin to how wild animals perceive their surroundings. As you distance yourself from the vehicle, your senses sharpen, transforming your role from observer to active participant in the environment.
Active participation deeply engages the senses. Moving slowly allows for observing intricate details easily missed in a vehicle, like the toe imprints of a lion on the same path. Your ability to listen heightens, picking up a symphony of sounds blending into the serene bushveld hum—an unforgettable experience for visitors to Africa. Engaging in a walk involves more than just sight and hearing; it encompasses taste, smell, and touch. When all senses intertwine, a new appreciation for the bush emerges.
While the primary goal isn’t solely focused on searching for larger animals as in a Land Rover, it remains exhilarating to pause, listen, and interpret the signs left by various wildlife. The faint sound of a branch breaking might signal the presence of elephants nearby. By keenly observing nature’s hints, one can navigate through the bush, aiming to catch a glimpse of incredible animals on foot without causing disturbance. Numerous standout moments entail discovering an animal while on a walk, observing it carefully and quietly, and departing without it ever noticing our presence—this principle forms the core ethos of tracking at Londolozi.
Ranger Ross and Tracker Life and their guests view a few buffalo bulls in the Sand River. An experience such as this for a visitor to Africa can be a moment one will never forget.
Accompanying tracker Freddy Ngobeni on walks has been an invaluable learning experience and undoubtedly among my most cherished moments in the bush. His profound understanding of animal behaviour, expertise in interpreting wilderness signs, and genuine passion for his work reflect not only within himself but also resonate deeply with me. The tranquil conversations and shared moments of silence combine to create some of the most exceptional times in the African bush.
Spending time on foot with your tracker at Londolozi will be at the top of any guides list of most memorable experiences. Their knowledge, understanding and skills are something remarkable to observe.
Spending time on foot with your tracker at Londolozi will be at the top of any guide’s list of most memorable experiences. Their knowledge, understanding, and skills are something remarkable to observe.
Next time you find yourself surrounded by nature, take some time to walk in it. Whether in Africa or abroad, there’s a profound uniqueness in bonding with others while spending time in the bush. It’s as if the wilderness has a magnetic pull that brings a group closer, hosting a shared experience that tightens the bonds between all individuals. By the end of the walk, there’s a sense of not just a stronger connection to nature but also a deeper connection among everyone involved.
riding in my wheelchair in nature is almost the same as walking as it immerses me in nature where I can hear, see, and smell all that is around me. Thanks for your reminder Dan.
Dan I can just imagine how rewarding it would be to walk in the bush observing everything around you. Using your senses will know be very helpful and useful to understand the wilderness and animals alike. Trackers are well experienced and have loads of knowledge that one can only admire. We live on a reserve and I can relate to sounds of the wild being it different bird sounds, kudu barking, impala’s snorting or even listening to the bush babies at night and watching them jump from tree to tree. It is very special and we appreciate every moment in the reserve.
I absolutely love walking in the bush and try to do it on every safari, if circumstances allow it. Though I would love to accompany the ranger/ tracker duo when they are looking for special animals, I can understand that this might be a bit risky. Anyway, walking in the bush is the best experience one can have.
Walking in the bush can be an amazing experience, just as walking through the redwoods or along a beach. Whether with friends or on your own, it can bring you closer to the natural world as you take time to look, hear, smell,and/or feel the elements around you. Hopefully I can take full advantage of my ranger’s and tracker’s expertise during my visit next year in order to fully appreciate the bush on foot, rather than from my perch in the vehicle.
It’s such a privilege to be in undeveloped nature anywhere, but I felt especially awed while there in Africa.
Dan, Thanks for the great reminder of the special experience it is to walk in the bush! It defintely wakes up the senses! Merry Christmas to you and the Londoz team!