The moment my feet touched the cold water of the Luvuvhu River, it just felt like heaven. We had been walking in the heat for a day and a half, with heavy backpacks, carrying not only our clothes and water but also food for three days, sleeping bags and mats (and of course the famous spade – if you know you know.
We were out for our primitive trail – a three-day wilderness trail in the beautiful concession of Makuleke, as part of our trails guide course—the aim of these three days out in the wild: immerse with nature. Learn how to find good campsites and water access. Figure out how to set up camp and find good sleeping spots and a safe fireplace. And – most importantly – learn how to leave the side as if you’ve never been there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be clean water?
Yes! When planning a wilderness trail, water is essential in determining where you are going and where you will set up camp. We had one stop at a spring where we could catch fresh water from the mountains. The next day, we were digging for water at the Luvuvhu River – you will learn how to reach the groundwater and ensure it is clean.
What do I eat?
You’ll get a bunch of yummy things before you leave camp. Food that is easy to prepare, high in protein, that fills you up but is not too heavy on your shoulders. Like crackers, nuts, dried fruit, porridge, tuna and instant noodles. If you feel a little extra, you can bring some salt, pepper and cinnamon to spice up your meals (I am telling you: It’s a game changer!).
Is it safe during the night?
Absolutely. But one person must always stay awake, ensuring the (small) fire keeps burning, and no big animals are coming into your little camp. That means everybody takes a night shift and cares for the rest of the group. But no worries: If any big game comes too close, you wake up one of your instructors (and the rest of the group because nobody wants to miss a fabulous encounter).
How do you go to the bathroom?
There is no way around it: When you are out for three days, you should go for number two at some point. Yes, it’s uncomfortable, but it also prevents you from severe stomach pain. So how does it work? You grab the infamous spade (yes, people will know what you’ll be doing with it), take some toilet paper and a box of matches. You dig a hole at a place of your choice, do your business, and then burn all the toilet paper you use (without setting the bush on fire). Then you’ll fill up the whole and mark the spot with a stone or a stick so nobody else will dig there. You leave the place with a proud smile.
Is it exhausting?
A primitive trail is not about covering a certain distance or drilling you into exhaustion. Sure, you walk a lot (it’s an excellent opportunity to get in walking hours with the riffle which you need to become an apprentice trails guide, but it’s more about being out there. So yes, your legs might get tired at some point, but then you rest – and enjoy the feeling of using your body.
The Magic of the Wild
We were a group of six students and two instructors, walking together for three days. We didn’t have any crazy encounters (besides one very sleepy hyena), but we had something much better: time. “We will get there when we get there“ was the mantra of the moment because time doesn’t matter when you are out there. Everything structured becomes more fluid; you walk until you reach your destination. And taking a break until you feel fully rested. You look until you find what you are looking for.
A primitive trail is not about making a considerable distance (even though you probably cover some decent ground) but about getting deep into nature and your relation to it.
After one particularly nice lunch break (we all napped under the shade of a huge nyala berry tree), our instructor gave us a question to reflect on in silence for the next part of the walk: „What does this place mean to you?“ So that is what we all thought about while we walked in the riverbed, water splashing, some crocs staring at us from the sandbank. And then, just when we were about to leave the Luvuvhu River, an African fish eagle called, flying right above our heads, flapping his majestic wings. And we all knew the answer to the question.
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Has it been your dream to become an Apprentice Trails Guide?
EcoTraining has the right course that offers an exciting opportunity to learn about wildlife on some of Africa’s most beautiful wilderness trails. Our Trails Guide course may equip aspiring trail guides with the skills to lead walks and give guests an unforgettable experience. We join EcoTraining Instructor Jon-Jon van Zyl, who will take us on an adventure through the bush on foot, giving us a glimpse of what to expect from the 28-day Trails Guide course.
