Walking Wild

by José A. Neves

WALKING WILD is not your typical safari - no game drives, no cool sundowners and definitely no fences. Instead, it's 605 km of dust, sweat and unforgettable moments as an unlikely group of strangers sets out to walk the entire length of Kruger National Park. Over six stages and three years, they walked from Crooks' Corner in the far north to Malelane in the south, averaging 20 km a day with heavy backpacks and only the wild for company. Led by two armed guides, they braved blistering heat and violent storms. At night, as hyenas nosed their tents and lionesses strolled right through camp, some slept soundly - others lay wide eyed, waiting for dawn. They drank from murky trickles in dry riverbeds, navigated thick riverine bush teeming with hippo, buffalo and crocodiles, and slowly learnt to read the bush - from the smallest antlion to the distant roar of a lion. But Kruger's wilderness is not without its challenges. Poachers - both criminal syndicates and those in search of bushmeat - move in the shadows, rivers bring pollution from beyond its borders, and conservation battles rage on. WALKING WILD captures the magic and the madness of life on foot in one of the world's most iconic national parks. It's a story of adventure, camaraderie and deep immersion in the wild - a journey that leaves no one unchanged. WALKING WILD is a testament to resilience, discovery and the deep connection between people and nature. If you've ever dreamt of experiencing Kruger beyond the safari vehicle, this book is your ticket to the trail.

Genres: Travel

370 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2025

Reviews

[Seinna Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking Wild isn’t just a travel memoir; it’s a soul-deep adventure that pulls you right into the dust, the sweat, and the magic of walking through Kruger National Park on foot. Jose A. Neves writes with such honesty that you can almost feel the heat rising from the sand, hear lions roaring in the dark, and sense that electric mix of fear and wonder that only true wilderness brings.

What I loved most is how real it all feels. There’s no glossing over the exhaustion, the sore feet, or the long days under a relentless sun. Yet, through it all, there’s this deep reverence for the land and for the people who choose to walk it. Neves captures the small, fleeting moments, an elephant emerging from the trees, the stillness before dawn, the quiet camaraderie around a fire, that remind you why wild places matter.

Beyond the adventure, the book touches on the bigger picture: conservation, connection, and the fragile line between humans and nature.

If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing Africa beyond the safari vehicle, Walking Wild is your ticket to do it, one step, one story, one unforgettable moment at a time.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking Wild completely blew me away. This isn’t your typical safari story, it’s raw, grueling, and breathtaking all at once. Following a group of strangers as they trek 605 km through Kruger National Park, I felt every blister, every sweltering heatwave, and every adrenaline-pumping encounter with the wild. The author’s vivid storytelling makes you hear the lions, feel the dust under your boots, and sense the tension when danger is near.

What I loved most was the humanity woven through the adventure, the camaraderie, the personal growth, and the sheer resilience of the walkers. By the end, I wasn’t just reading about a trek; I felt transformed, almost like I’d walked those trails myself. Walking Wild is an ode to courage, discovery, and the raw beauty of nature, an absolute must-read for anyone who dreams of truly immersing themselves in the wilderness.

[Mitch Albom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking Wild is a rare kind of adventure book, raw, intimate, and impossible to put down. Jose A. Neves takes readers far beyond the usual safari experience and into a 605 km trek through the true Kruger: blistering heat, violent storms, dangerous river crossings, and nights where lions and hyenas wander straight through camp.

But beyond the danger, this is a story about camaraderie, resilience, and rediscovering the wild on foot. Neves captures the magic of reading the bush, from tiny antlions to distant lion roars, and the deeper battles the park faces with poaching and conservation.

Immersive, honest, and deeply moving, Walking Wild is the closest you can get to walking Kruger without lacing up your boots. A must-read for anyone who’s ever dreamed of experiencing the wild beyond the safety of a vehicle.

[Amsterdam Readers · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible read! Walking Wild completely pulled me into the heart of Kruger, dust, heat, danger, and all. I could almost hear the lions at night and feel the exhaustion of those long days on foot. José A. Neves writes with such honesty and respect for the wilderness that I found myself slowing down, just to savor it. It’s not just an adventure story, it’s a reminder of how powerful and humbling nature can be. I finished this book feeling both awed and a little homesick for a place I’ve never been.

[Morgan Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking Wild isn’t your typical safari tale, it’s a raw, dust-filled journey through the soul of Kruger National Park. José A. Neves and his fellow walkers trek 605 km on foot, facing blistering heat, storms, and nights filled with the sounds of lions and hyenas.

Told with honesty and vivid detail, Neves captures both the danger and the deep serenity of the wild. It’s a story of endurance, camaraderie, and rediscovering humanity’s ancient bond with nature.

A powerful reminder that true adventure isn’t found behind a camera lens, it’s lived, step by step, in the wild.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking Wild isn’t your average safari, it’s 605 km of dust, sweat, and pure wonder. José A. Neves takes readers deep into Kruger National Park, where every step reveals both the beauty and brutality of the wild. From hyenas circling tents to rivers crawling with crocodiles, this is a journey of courage, camaraderie, and deep connection to nature.
A gripping, soul-stirring adventure that reminds us what it truly means to be alive in the wild.

[Berlin International]

Walking Wild takes you far beyond the safari vehicle and deep into the beating heart of Kruger National Park. José A. Neves captures the grit, beauty, and quiet awe of walking 600 km through untamed wilderness, where every step tests courage and connection. Vivid, heartfelt, and profoundly human, this book reminds us what it means to be alive in nature’s raw presence. A stunning blend of adventure, reflection, and reverence for the wild.

[Sara Camfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking Wild pulls you right into the heart of Kruger: the heat, the silence, the danger, and the awe. Jose Neves writes with a kind of honesty that makes you feel every step of the journey. It’s not just about walking through the wild; it’s about what happens inside you when the fences fall away, a powerful, humbling read for anyone who loves real adventure and the soul of Africa.

[Laurel Hecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking Wild takes you far beyond the safari vehicle and deep into the untamed heart of Kruger. Jose A. Neves captures every blistering mile, every sleepless night, and every breathtaking encounter with raw honesty and vivid detail. It’s not just an adventure, it’s a journey of resilience, camaraderie, and rediscovery. By the end, you don’t just read about the wild, you feel it.

[Oliver Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking Wild is an unforgettable plunge into the raw heart of Kruger. José A. Neves captures the grit, fear, beauty, and profound awe of walking 605 km through true wilderness. Every page pulses with danger, wonder, and the deep bond that forms when strangers face the wild together. A thrilling, immersive read for anyone who’s ever wanted to experience Africa beyond the safari vehicle.

[Peffer Dimitri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring adventure in the Krueger. We discover, learn and vibe with José and his group during 605 km and 274 pages!