This is a must for all fit, more experienced and adventurous hikers who love more challenging exciting hiking trails.  If you are training for the Fish, Otter, Amatola or Naukluft, these are the trails for you.

The High Five Trail is an upgraded Green Flag trail, you have 3 – 6 days to choose from, ranging from 36.5km to 52km hiking trail on private land in the Skurweberg Mountains.  Hikers should be reasonably fit as the trail is rates moderate to difficult.  There are steep ascents and descents, swing bridges and ladders to climb.

This is not a “walk in the park” so please come prepared with proper hiking boots and socks.  The longest day is 10.5km and the shortest 6.2km but all sections of the trail are technically difficult.  This is still not recommended for beginner and not so fit hikers.

This is a circular route and can be started and finished at the “Pongola Express” or Aloe Kaya camps.  It also includes the 2x brand new King’s and Queens Highway trail sections.

Slack Packing

“Slackpack” option: hikers need not carry their sleeping bags, clothes, food etc themselves, but instead 85 liter plastic containers can be rented so that the bulk of their gear can be transported for them to their next camp.

Hikers then only carry a small day pack with some snacks, water and perhaps a raincoat or light jacket. 

Hikers may also provide their own coolerbox(es) with food, drinks etc to be shuttled.

All containers strictly to be ready by 8 am.

Expect delivery of the containers by 2 pm or before.

R50.00 per container or coolbox per day, plus a distance fee (to be quoted beforehand).

Rates:

• R275.00 pp.pn
• Unfortunately, no day visitors allowed

Admin Fee:

• R55.00 admin fee once off per reservation.

Overnight Accommodation:

All the camps have indoor and outdoor braai areas and hot water.  All the camps have toilet paper, mattresses, chairs, tables, kitchen equipment, gas stoves, hot water and braai facilities.  Candlewood Camp does not have electricity and therefore no fridges.

Pongola Express camp:

Consists out of old train carriages, beautifully renovated.  There are 7 compartments sleeping 2 or 4 guests each, with a maximum of 22 guests. Two showers, 4 toilets and a bath are available. A wide, covered verandah and indoor dining area links the coaches with the kitchen so this area provides a good socialising space. The kitchen is equipped with a fridge, chest freezer, microwave oven, gas stove and basic crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils.

The “Stasiemeestershuisie” at Pongola sleeps 4 guests on 2 bunk beds and has its own bathroom with shower, basin and toilet, but shares all the other communal spaces like kitchen, deck and braai areas with the coach guests.  Electric lights and geysers everywhere, so prepare for loadshedding by bring your own LED headlamps etc.

Aloe Kaya Base camp:

Two double story wooden huts are nestled between spectacular sandstone rock formations evoking images of mystery. These 4 dormitories sleep 24 guests total (8, 6, 6 and 4). 

The much talked about ‘Loo’s with a view’ and “Open air canyon showers” a main attraction… Gas geysers provide for warm showers between rock formations enjoyed by kids of all ages.

The kitchen has a two plate gas hob and basics like cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils. Both inside and outside braai areas with grids available. Electric geysers and lights.

Candle Falls Camp:

Overlooking the Uitkomst waterfall (aka the Legendary Bride’s leap fall), at 85 meters the second tallest in Mpumalanga! The only camp in the greater area that actually has a view onto the waterfall, and what a view. A 30 minute hike brings you to the base of this majestic natural spectacle.

The 2 dormitories sleep 20 guests total (10 each). 

A donkey geyser provide for warm showers .

The kitchen has a two plate gas hob and basics like cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils. Both inside and outside braai areas with grids available.

Solar lighting and USB1 cellphone charging points for phones, tablets etc, but NOTHING else, also not cameras.

Mount Komati Ietermagog Camp:

An invaluable addition to the High 5 trails is the Mt Komati camp situated down on the banks of the Komati river overlooking the MP Drakensberg mountains in a secretive, scenic gorge with plentiful water and game as a bonus.

This beautiful camp offers a variety of accommodation ranging from 3 hikers huts to more sophisticated convenient accommodation cottages with private amenities.

Whilst the camp with its trails present themselves to be linked to the overall High 5 trails it could equally be used on its own for two or more days. 

3 huts and 2 cottages available: (26 guests total)
1 hut sleeps 4 guests
2 huts sleep 6 guests each
Tarentaal chalet sleeps 4 guest
Kudu cottage sleeps 6 guests

The communal kitchen has a four plate gas hob and basics like cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils.

Eskom geysers for lighting and warm showers .

Inside and outside braai areas with grids available.

Bermanzi Camp – The Stables

The Stables are ideal for hiking groups as well as youth groups and church groups. The Stables are kitted out with bunk beds and sleep 6 – 8 people per room with a maximum of 50 people being accommodated throughout The Stables.  This accommodation is fitted with two kitchens and an ablution facility. Of all our self-catering accommodation in Mpumalanga, this is our most affordable accommodation in Machdodorp.

Stalle 1:

• 2 plate electrical stove
• Fridge
• Microwave
• Pots and pans
• Cutlery
• Braai facilities

Stalle 2:

• Old School coal stove for which wood is provided
• 2 plate electrical stove
• Microwave
• Pots and pans
• Cutlery
• Braai facilities

The Trails:

Basecamp Trails:

(aka Weekend, or Two-Day, trails)
Stay in 1 camp ONLY for 2 or more nights.
Four camps to choose from:
Pongola Express Railway Coach camp, Aloe Kaya camp, Candlewood camp, Mt Komati camp.

Backpack Trails:

Hike from 1 camp to the other carrying ALL your own gear including sleeping gear, clothing, food and drinks.  2 to 6 Day hiking options available.

Trail examples

All of these trails have been laid out and built professionally. Hikers always comment that each section was just right, not too short and not too long either. Keep in mind that this is mountainous terrain.

For the really strong and fit hikers almost all trails have the option to add on extra stretches.

Have a look here:

3 day trail:

Aloe Kaya start / finish, for example.
Arrive at Aloe Kaya camp and overnight.

Day 1

Hike the Yellowwood trail to Candlewood camp and overnight.
±9.5km (±4.5 hrs) 
There are options to shorten or lengthen the trail.

Day 2

Hike through Aloe Garden onto the Pom pon way to Pongola Express and overnight. 
±6km (±3.5 hrs)
There are options to lengthen the trail.

Day 3

Hike Die Bergbas route to Aloe Kaya where your vehicle is and depart.
±7.5km (±4hrs).
There are options to shorten or lengthen the trail. 

4 day trail:

Mt. Komati start / finish, for example.

Arrive at Mt. Komati camp and overnight.

Day 1

Start with the Protea trail then onto Yellowwood to Candlewood Camp and overnight.
±8km (±5 hrs).  There are options to lengthen the trail.

Day 2

Hike through Aloe Garden then onto the Pom pon path to Pongola and overnight. 
6km (±3.5 hrs).  There are options to lengthen the trail. 

Day 3

Bergbas route to Aloe Kaya and overnight. 
7.5km (±4 hours).  There are options to lengthen the trail.

Day 4

Start with Yellowwood then onto Spicata trail to Mt Komati and depart.

More examples:

A totally random 3 night trail could be:

Pongola to Mt Komati to Candlewood and back to Pongola to depart,

or

Candlewood to Aloe Kaya to Pongola and back to Candlewood to depart.