On Zvakanaka, we have hiking trails and short walks. You can view a Google map of them here (or at the bottom of this page).
The hiking trails go from the campsite across the wetland (approximately 1200m altitude), and up to the top of the mountain (approximately 1400m altitude). The route is circular, and guests can take either the western or eastern path up and descend eastern or western respectively. The whole route is strenuous but not too difficult and is 4,9km with an elevation gain of 204m. It can be done in 1 1/2 to 2 hours but if you stop to look at the varied and beautiful flora and fauna it may take 4 hours. This route is marked with yellow tags.
There is a shorter, less strenuous, hike, called the Loop Road, it takes approximately 40 minutes. Where the path is wide and obvious there are no tags.
There are also a number of short walks on either side of the wetland in the forest. These are tagged with green tags. These paths have been created largely with birders in mind as the birdlife in this indigenous forested area is plentiful. (Olive Bush-Shrike, Orange-breasted Bush Shrike, Narina Trogon, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Gorgeous Bush Shrike, Cape Rock Thrush, Eastern Nicator, Green Twin spot, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, White-starred Robin-Chat , White-browed Ronin-Chat, Chorister Robin-chat, Red-capped Robin-chat, Bearded Scrub Robin, Blue-Mantled Crested Flycatcher, Crowned Eagle and Verreaux’s Eagle, amongst many others). These easy walks may take 20 – 30 minutes and are not strenuous.
On the walks and hiking trails you will encounter the three main vegetation types on the farm: grassland, wetland and semi-deciduous scrub-forest. The flora is varied and plentiful. The fauna you could encounter are bushbuck, red duiker, various mongooses (slender, banded, dwarf and water), dassies, bushpig, porcupine, civets, genets, giant pouched rats, cane rats and many other grassland and montane rodents. The butterflies in the Soutpansberg are plentiful and diverse – there are 309 butterfly species in the Soutpansberg.
