Press Release: iXerry Wilderness Trail
06 August 2009
In the midst of the tree savanna, caught in the wilderness area between the Nossob and Aoub rivers lin the vast Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park lies iXerry bush camp, the base camp for the iXerry Wilderness Trail. |
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Named after the diminute steenbok (Raphicerus campestrus), an animal that abounds in the general area, this wilderness trail takes the participant into an area characterised by rolling, grass-covered dunes, large camel thorn trees and occasional rain pans frequented by gemsbok, red hartebeest and ostrich.
The trail is a self catered, guided experience where the hikers provide their own food, tents and water; these (along with the hikers) are transported to the base camp where they will sleep for two nights, and at the conclusion of the trail they’ll be returned to Nossob by the same means.
The trail will depart from Nossob camp every Wednesday from April to October and terminate there on the Friday; from the base camp morning and afternoon walks will be undertaken to discover more about the small things that make the great whole of the Kalahari tick, with heroic sunsets on dunes and the chance of an encounter with lions or the resident suricate family always being an added bonus.
Being a wilderness trail, armed and experienced guides will be in attendance to unlock the secrets of the Kalahari to participants.
The camp itself is very rustic, consisting of a perimeter enclosed with three thorn in the traditional fashion, a shower with a gas heater for those chilly winter nights, a long drop and a braai/preparation area. The camp is enclosed; lucky hikers might therefore have the chance of seeing the resident leopard male or spotted hyaenas up close…
This trail marks a first for Arid Park, being the first guided wilderness trail in the section; indeed the Kgalagadi is the first National Park outside of Kruger and Mapungubwe to have this type of activity being offered.
