Fanie Botha Hiking Trail

Sabie, Mpumalanga

Location

The Fanie Botha Hiking Trail is situated in the Sabie area in Mpumalanga. It is located on the Drakensberg escarpment and provides hikers with marvelous views over a variety of landscapes far below.

How to get there

From Gauteng, take N4 to Mpumalanga, turnoff at R539 to Sabie – or alternatively via Schoemanskloof. Traveling Belfast via Lydenburg – is also an option. From Lydenburg, take the Longtom Pass route to Sabie. When entering Sabie follow the signposts in the direction of Graskop. Mac Mac Forest station is situated 15km from Sabie on the Graskop road.

To get to Ceylon Forest Station

The last road in Sabie, Lydenburg Road – turn left, drive through towards Bridal Veil Falls – the Ceylon Plantation. Drive for ± 2km turn right onto gravel road. Drive ± 2km until signage Ceylon Hut on left.
Parking: Ceylon Workshop.

To get to Mac Mac Forest Retreat (President Burger Hut)

Mac Mac Forest Retreat is situated 15km from Sabie on the Graskop road.
Parking: Mac Mac Forest Retreat only at the Electrified fence Workshop

To get to Graskop Police station (Graskop Hut)

Should you start from Graskop hut, follow the N4 to Graskop (R532). When entering Graskop turn right (before crossing the bridge) into Trichardt Avenue, follow signposts to Graskop hut (+ 2km on gravel road). Walk + 1km to Graskop Hut from Police station. Starting at Graskop, make own arrangement to park at the Graskop Police Station.

General information

Some highlights on this delightful trail include Lone Creek and Mac Mac Falls, both National Monuments, Mount Moodie and Mac Mac Pools.

Starting at Mac Mac, you park and walk 400m to the President Burger Hut.

Special Precautions

Hikers must carry their own first-aid kit.
For assistance during emergencies, PLEASE CALL 083 677 0904
NB: Please note: The 4-night and 5-night options is not a circular trail, and transfers must be arranged beforehand.

Main attractions

Birds

The region is rich in bird life. Species which are commonly encountered are listed below.

Stony sites and krantzes

Rock kestrel, black eagle, jackal buzzard, rock pigeon, little swift, lesser-striped, swallow, Cape rock thrush, red-winged starling

Grassveld

Swainson’s francolin, helmeted guineafowl, brown-hooded kingfisher, white necked raven, stonechat, fiscal shrike, red-collared widow, bronze manikin.

Plantation

Hadeda ibis, diederik cuckoo, rameron pigeon.

Indigenous forest and kloof

Knysnalourie, red-chested cuckoo, somber bulbul, chorister robin, paradise flycatcher, malachite sunbird, scarket-chested sunbird.

Along or near watercourses

Blue crane, rock martin, long-tailed wagtail, Cape wagtail, masked weaver, red bishop.

Although the area traversed by the hiking trail is, comparison with the Lowveld, not richly endowed with wildlife, a fairly extensive diversity of game occurs along the route. On the grasslands, especially at Hartebeesvlakte, oribi, grey caracal, rhebuck, mountain reedbuck and klipspringers may be encountered. Buck like bushbuck and duiker make their homes in the forests and plantations. Baboons and monkeys are common along the trail. Wild animals which 3 are not so easily detected, but are definitely present, are leopard black-backed jackal, serval, civet, otter, porcupine, badger and mongoose. Dassies are often to be seen on rocky ridges while bush pigs dig up the plantation floor in search of the larvae and pupae of several types of insect. He brightly-colored green and red larvae of the pine emperor moth are often visible on the pine needles in plantations. A wide variety of butterflies is to be seen.

Hut facilities

All the Huts, Ceylon, Maritzbos, Stables, Mac Mac, President Burger and Graskop have in common:

24 Bunker beds, no pots and pans, undercover braai area, firewood and
President Burgers hut has electricity and hot water,
Mac Mac hut has no shower and two long drops and water in tank
Ceylon, Maritzbos, Stables, Mac Mac and Graskop no electricity.

Starting points (Parking is only available at these points)

Ceylon Forest Station (Ceylon Hut)
Mac Mac Forest Retreat (President Burger Hut)
Graskop Police Station

Trail options

2 Night Options

Mac Mac 2-night trail
Graskop 2-night trail
Hartbeesvlakte 2-night trail
Mac Mac / Bonnet 2-night trail
Burger 2-night trail
Maritzbos 2-day trail

3 Night Options

Burger 3-night trail
Lone Creek 3-night trail
Hartbeesvlakte 3-night trail
Maritzbos 3-night trail
Mac Mac 3-night trail

4 Night Options

Ceylon 4-night trail
Maritzbos 4-night trail
Mount Moodie 4-night Trail

NB: Please note: The 4-night options is not a circular trail and transfers must be arranged beforehand. Slackpacking/transfers services is available R400 per trip for a group between 2 – 6 hikers, more than 6 hikers up to 24 hikers R800 per trip. Slackpacking must be booked in advance.

5 Night Options

Burger 5-night trail
Graskop 5-night trail

NB: Please note: The 5-night options is not a circular trail and transfers must be arranged beforehand. Slackpacking/transfers services is available R400 per trip for a group between 2 – 6 hikers, more than 6 hikers up to 24 hikers R800 per trip. Slackpacking must be booked in advance.