Afri-Trails – Find Your Path

Adventure travel platform Afritrails has simplified real-time trail booking for Southern Africa.

Since lockdown came into effect across the region, one of the healthiest ways for travellers to ease the strain of social distancing has been to safely escape into nature.

Even for those who aren’t adventure enthusiasts, spending a few hours out on a hiking trail has provided a refreshing change of scenery after long weeks indoors. For experienced hikers wanting to plan longer treks — and newcomers unsure where to start — the South Africa–based booking platform offers an easy way to explore routes using the Afritrails real-time aggregator.

Co-founder Evan Sparks said there has been a global shift towards outdoor activities as people look to escape fast-paced, tech-heavy lifestyles. “We give people the opportunity to include an outdoor adventure element in their travel plans or daily schedule — without complications, whether for one day, a weekend with family or friends, or a weeklong trek.”

Sparks added that the Afritrails vision is to connect people with nature, inspired by his own struggles to book trails in South Africa. “After countless calls to various booking offices to determine availability, as well as the difficulty in finding a suitable equipment provider, we started to think.”

The Afritrails platform was launched shortly after — and it debunks the myth that trails must be booked a year in advance. “Our interest peaked when we realised that people are misinformed about trail availability. In reality, this confusion stems from the lack of real-time calendar visibility for most routes.”

The biggest perks of using Afritrails

• Search trails by location and price
• View trail availability in real time
• Book all trails directly through the platform
• Compare trail distances and durations

Having spent more than a decade exploring trails across the continent, the Afritrails team recalls vivid memories of family trips in beautiful untamed surroundings — and hopes everyone can experience the same joy of planning day and overnight trails with ease.

In addition to finding and booking trails, hikers can also access:

• Important route information
• Equipment rentals
• Transport options

The platform’s launch supports a broader goal of contributing to job creation and economic growth. “We believe the site will increase bookings across the country and reduce vacancies in the parks where these trails are located,” said Co-founder Alon Hendel.

Visit the Afritrails website for more information, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

For the best user experience, Afritrails recommends using their site from a desktop or laptop — they are currently refining the mobile responsiveness of their platform.