Makuleke Wilderness Trail
A remote concession between the Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers, known for elephant, buffalo and birdlife.
what to expect
Makuleke lies in the far north of Kruger, where the Limpopo and the Luvuvhu meet. Few people come here. Elephant and buffalo move between the rivers, and the birdlife is some of the richest in the country.
You spend two nights at Hutwini Walking Camp, then five nights wild camping. You walk in the cool of the morning and the late afternoon, and rest through the heat of the day.
your guides
Willem van Liemt
founder and lead guide · FGASA Lead Trails Guide · MSc Conservation · Languages: Dutch, English
At age 17, Willem travelled to Africa for the first time, embarking on a Professional Field Guide Course. Once in the bush, he instantly fell in love and knew he would spend his career working with nature. Since then, he has accumulated countless hours on foot, with hundreds of big game encounters, allowing him to become a FGASA-qualified Lead Trails Guide.
He studied Conservation at university and worked in academia and sustainable finance. In 2025 he decided to leave his office desk behind and launch The Long Way, an outdoor travel company focused on wilderness expeditions on land and at sea. That's where he's happiest: out at sea or in the bush (on foot, of course).
Vaughn du Plooy
trails guide · FGASA Level 2 + Lead Trails Guide · Tracking and Trailing Level 3 · Advanced Birding · Advanced Rifle Handling · Languages: English, German
Raised in the foothills of the Waterberg in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, Vaughn's connection to wild nature started early. He has guided across Madikwe Game Reserve, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Marataba, and the Makuleke Region, working in both luxury lodges and remote trails camps. He later joined EcoTraining as their youngest Trails Instructor at the time.
Now based in Bern with his wife and two young daughters, Vaughn continues to lead private wilderness experiences in Botswana and South Africa. His guiding is grounded in a simple belief: time in wild places — especially on foot — helps us reconnect not only with nature, but with ourselves. Walking with elephants, in particular, remains one of the most humbling and powerful experiences he knows.
included
- 2 nights at Hutwini Walking Camp
- 5 nights wild camping
- All food and drink
- Park fees
- Two experienced trails guides
not included
- International flights
- Transfers between Johannesburg and Makuleke (available for a surcharge)
safety
Two guides on every expedition. A first-aid kit, radio communication, a monitored water supply and night watches.
conservation
Part of every trip goes to conservation in the places we walk. It is built into the price.
African Parks Network