The popular three-day Impofu hiking trail has reopened in the Mountain Zebra National Park, after all hiking trails were closed in July 2010 following the death of a hiker who was attacked by a buffalo.

The 25-kilometre hiking trail will now operate as a guided trail, with hikers being led by knowledgeable, armed guides.

The three-day trail takes in some of the highlights of the 28 000-hectare Park including Bakenkop, the Park’s highest peak. The first day’s hike meanders through grassland and mountain shrubland, passing the famous Big Rock. Day two is a mountain grassland experience with a chance of spotting herds of eland and mountain reedbuck. The final leg of the hike passes through riverine thicket, ending at the Mountain Zebra National Park restcamp.

Two mountain cottages provide the overnight stop for hikers in secluded and scenic areas of the Park. The huts, which can each accommodate 10 people, are equipped with solar-powered fridge facilities and gas cookers as well as an outside braai area. Hikers carry their own provisions and bedding and must be 16 years or older to participate. Bookings are done through the Park on mountainzebra@sanparks.org

The suite of activities available at the Park includes cheetah tracking, three-hour guided walks, guided visits to rock art sites and guided drives. Two short walking trails (one-kilometre and 2.5-kilometre trails) are also available to visitors as self-walk options.

The mountain cottages, formerly used exclusively as hiking trail huts, are also available as an ideal rustic getaway option for visitors with high clearance vehicles.