WILD REMEMBERING

A Journey with Nature

A 5 night Wilderness Immersion in the African Bush
Pafuri, Kruger National Park, South Africa
14 to 19 September 2025
with Kate Muller & Steve Falconbridge

Remembering our true inner nature is an act of becoming alive, it’s an invitation to relax into ourselves and allow what is nature to arise within us to move us. Speaking with all of nature and communing with her is part of our DNA, our human bodies have done this since the beginning of time for physical, emotional and spiritual well-being and healing. This retreat is about gently remembering this way of being in the world, like an elephant walking softly on the earth following ancient pathways, our soul knows the way home and is much wiser and bigger than we realize when given the space to be itself.

In this 5 night wilderness immersion you will be guided in deep nature connection and intuitive communication practices to support your inner knowing. Activities are woven into the structure of the day, be it while out walking or in a meditation, a guided journey in the bush or in sharing our stories around the fire at night. The practices build a conscious relationship with the earth and this becomes an integrative part of you to remember, to use and cherish for all of your life. 

Each day we head out from our secluded tented base camp for morning and afternoon game walks and short drives. Practical knowledge of the environment and its animals is woven together with skills for self-realization. We will read the signs of the wild in their tracks and calls, often walking in silence to attune ours senses to the voice of the earth. We engage with what the wildlife, land and weather presents to us in conscious communion and co-creation with all of nature for whole hearted being.

MEET THE LAND & her animals

Pafuri is a true wilderness with an extraordinary diversity of ecosystems woven together from mountains, forests, floodplains and rivers. It is a well-known home to vast herds of elephants and an abundance of game with 85% of Kruger’s biodiversity found here.  If we are lucky we may also witness lion, leopard and other smaller predators while out walking with our guide.

This is a remote corner of Kruger National Park where few other tourists visit. Pafuri sits at the meeting place of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers at the border of South Africa with Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Lush fever tree forests cast their magical spells in the valley while ancient baobab trees stand sentinel on the rocky hills. Open bush provides ideal walking opportunities and the palm fringed wetlands are a Ramsar World Heritage Site, alive with birdlife.

Pafuri is a concession area owned by the Makuleke tribe. It was successfully returned to the people in 1998 as part of the process of democracy. The Makuleke chose to keep the land as part of the Kruger National Park and it is now managed for the upliftment of the whole community as well as nature.

nkULA TRAIL CAMP

Our base camp is the exclusive, rustic and comfortable Nkula camp deep in the Pafuri wilderness. It is a tranquil space that is unfenced and animals are free to move through it. Elephants are regular visitors, as are antelope and other smaller creatures. In the mornings tracks of night time visitors like caracal, jackals and leopard can sometimes be found as well.
 
Nkula is an eco-camp, it is off-grid and has no generator. The night sky is luxuriously dense with stars and there is no cell phone signal in the greater area for a true digital detox and a nervous system reset. The camp is equipped with solar lamps and solar chargers for your camera and phone batteries. Each tent has a king or two twin beds. The ensuite bathrooms have their own wash basins and flushing toilet. In the evenings hot water is made on the fire for the camp bucket shower to your desired temperature.
 
All meals are included and catered for from the camp’s bush kitchen by Pafuri’s excellent staff. Requests for certain meals and dietary requirements can be made. All beverages are included.

OUR daily rhythms

Our days follow a gentle rhythm. We rise with first light and head out with open curiosity to meet what nature has to share with us. Each day we generally return for lunch to the camp followed by free time to relax in the shade of the large camp Natal Mahogany tree, followed by a shorter afternoon walk or night drive. Morning excursions can be 3 to 5hrs and in the late afternoons about 2 hours. Evenings are shared around the fire reflecting on the day and sharing our experiences.

Meet your guides

kate muller

Animal communicator, nature guide and nature connection facilitator

Kate is a professional animal communicator who has been helping animals and humans live more wholesome and happy lives since 2012. Her work focusses on supporting relationships of mutual understanding and trust by engaging with animals as sentient and soulful beings. She does one-on-one consultations together with regular teaching.
 
Before pursuing her passion for spirituality and healing full time, Kate worked as a field guide and environmental educator. During this time she developed her practice of inviting nature to the work with us. Over the years she has added many modalities to her medicine basket for working therapeutically with animals and people based in mindfulness, compassion, shamanism and nature connection.
 
Her work and daily life is informed by listening to all of nature and actively engaging the earth’s wisdom for metaphysical help in healing and change for all beings. She believes in living by a middle path of the heart where authenticity, creativity and joy are essential parts of our eco-system of being.

“Intuitive communication is not a momentary conversation but an ongoing flow of life force to live by. It’s a communion where we recognize we truly are one with all of life as well as individuals at the same time. I welcome you to remember and be moved by the spirit that is nature within you.”

Steve Faulconbridge

Lead guide and nature connection facilitator
 
Born and raised in Africa, Steve has a deep connection with these wild places he calls home. After completing a Masters degree in conservation at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University with a focus on medicinal plants and sustainability, he has worked as a wilderness guide since 2008, and has established himself as a guide trainer and mentor over the years.
 
Steve has become one of South Africa’s favourite Wildlife TV personalities, featuring on the world-acclaimed WildEarth TV show (SafariLive), where he uses this platform to share his depth of knowledge and passion for the natural world.
 
As a custodian for some of Africa’s last remaining wilderness areas, and having developed a passion for rewilding of the human psyche, Steve embarks on deep and spiritual journeys into the natural world. He offers a wide range of opportunities for people to be in and with the African wilderness, from primitive walking trails to luxury safari experiences.
 
His work also facilitates emotional-release and energy-flow techniques within these re-wilding experiences. He is constantly enhancing his capacity to bring a holistic and grounded view to supporting men and women, with the underlying essence of developing a deeper connection with nature.

Follow him for more on Instagram @faulconbridgesteve

BOOKING DETAILS & RATES

This wilderness retreat can accommodate a maximum of 7 participants

• SA citizens & residents - R38 979 per person sharing
• Non SA rate - R47 771 per person sharing
  
• Single supplement applicable
  
• A 30% deposit secures your booking
• All participants require a proof of ID / passport 

 
For enquiries contact Kate: [email protected]
To book contact Steve: [email protected] or on Whatsapp +27 79 336 4778.
 
The rate is inclusive of: accommodation, all meals fully catered, tea/coffee, select local beverages (full bar), walks and activities, and the Makuleke conservation levy per person per day for the duration of the immersion in which you’re participating.
 
The rate excludes: travel to and from Pafuri, Kruger Park gate entry fees, comprehensive medical and travel insurance, gratuities, laundry, items of a personal nature, items not specified under Inclusions.
 
The duration of this journey is 5 nights and 6 days: we start on the 14th of September at 13:30pm at the the main Pafuri luxury camp, overlooking the scenic Luvuvhu river where we sign in. There is safe parking here to leave your vehicles. Our private game drive vehicle will then to take us to Nkula camp. We depart Nkula on day 6 at 10:30am back to the main lodge and your vehicles or transfers.

Planning tips

Weather: Participants are recommended to bring both warm and cool clothing, as well as swimming gear (a packing list will be sent to you). Temperatures can vary greatly between day and night, ranging from 7 to 34 degrees Celsius. September is at the end of our South African winter when the bush is dry and open with days getting warmer, inviting excellent game viewing and ease of walking.
 
Malaria: Pafuri is a low density malaria area and September is also a low risk period. However, participants are encouraged to speak to a healthcare professional about preventative measures. Studies show that Artemisia annua and Artemisia afra are effective in preventing malaria, with fewer side effects than pharmaceutical medication.
 
Smoking: the retreat and camp is strictly non smoking
 
Fitness: A medium to good level of fitness is required. Walks are gentle, covering 5 to 10km with breaks for activities. If the river is low enough we will also walk up the ankle deep water in the sand to a beautiful location.

Images courtesy of Steve Faulconbridge and Return Africa