Rhodes Bezuidenhout

Trails guide Rhodes Bexuidenhout kneeling over a specimen in the African bush

Rhodes of Shangani Trails. Photo: © Rhodes Bezuidenhout

Rhodes is an experienced trails guide leading walking safaris in the Makuleke concession in a remote part of Kruger National Park.

Having finally left the Corporate Financial World in South Africa well behind to pursue a life-long ambition of walking trails in the African Bush, Rhodes completed all the required Driving Guide, Trails Guide and Advanced Rifle Handling qualifications necessary, slowly building a base of experience as a Trails Guide before starting his own Trails Company, Shangani Trails. From humble beginnings in 2010, Shangani Trails now sources guests from all over the world and Southern Africa to walk trails in the Makuleke Concession in the remote northern, Pafuri area of Kruger National Park.

Rhodes now enjoys an incredible lifestyle of walking in and amongst Africa’s amazing wildlife, sharing his experiences and knowledge with his guests in one of Africa’s most incredible wilderness areas.

Rhodes provides a true African Bush Experience covering not only the “what” but also the “why” and “how” of the behaviour, tracks and sign of the many animals and birds of the region while also providing an insight into the environmental and historical aspects of the Makuleke Concession.

Get in touch with Rhodes of Shangani Trails

Please feel free to communicate with Rhodes on email at rhodes@shanganitrails.co.za, also please check out his website, Shangani Trails, for full details of walking safaris.

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Shangani Trails

“Shangani” is a Shona word meaning “to walk on the sand” and is also a river and district in Matabeleland in Zimbabwe which is a reflection of Rhodes Bezuidenhout’s heritage being born and raised in that country.

Guest on a walking safari taking a photograph of an elephant

Elephant being viewed by a guest on a Shangani walking trail. Photo: © Rhodes Bezuidenhout

Shangani Trails conducts Big 5 Walking Trails in the Makuleke Concession, Pafuri, Northern Kruger National Park. Operating principally out of two Tented Camps situated on the Luvuvhu River, we traverse 24000 hectares of pristine wilderness bordered by the Limpopo River in the north and east and the Luvuvhu River in the south. The Concession is well known for its biodiversity with Sandstone Ridges blending easily with extensive floodplains, protected wetland areas and lush riverine forests. We walk through forests of the famous Fever Trees and the iconic Baobabs while numerous natural springs and pans draw a wide range of mammals with over 450 species of birds having been recorded, many being unique to the Concession for South Africa!

Everywhere we walk, any one of the Big Five could be encountered at any time while our trails will always also cover the small things including tracks, sign, insects and anything that could perhaps creep and crawl!

Experienced Trails Guides will share their passion for the Makuleke Concession which has been steeped in history and folklore through the Ages while passing on not only their in depth knowledge of the African Bush but also their utmost deepest respect for the wilderness around them!

Wilderness Backpack Trails are also offered sleeping under the stars carrying one’s life on your back for between 3-5 days. A further variety of more luxurious accommodation is also available for those not so keen to get that close to Mother Nature as perhaps one would in the tented camps and on the wilderness trails!

Guests laden with heavy backpacks on a wilderness walking safari

Guests on a wilderness backpacking safari. Photo: © Rhodes Bezuidenhout

Shangani trails will provide you with a true African Bush experience in a unique Wilderness Area that will bring you back time and again!

Get in touch with Rhodes of Shangani Trails

Please feel free to communicate with Rhodes on email at rhodes@shanganitrails.co.za, also please check out his website, Shangani Trails, for full details of walking safaris.