Kingdom Hiking Trails is a 15,000 ha privately owned nature reserve, one of the largest in Mpumalanga and South Africa. This pristine nature area is about 120 km north-east of Pretoria and Johannesburg. Hidden within a natural amphitheatre of the Olifants River Gorge, it encompasses the confluence of the Olifants and Wilge rivers in the escarpment break above Loskop Dam. It is an area of outstanding natural and scenic beauty that includes Highveld grasslands, red granite cliffs with seasonal springs, bushveld woodlands and dense riverine vegetation.

Activities at Kingdom Trails include hiking trails of differing durations and challenges, bird watching, game viewing. The two main hiking trails offer two-day circular hikes of ±16 km and 8 km each.

Accommodation facilities include four choices. One of these, a rustic base camp on the banks of the Wilge River, offers accommodation for up to 30 hikers in several separate huts.  Numerous indigenous wildlife species occur on the Kingdom Trails property, including kudu, impala, wildebeest and zebra.

Only 1.5 hours from O.R. Tambo International Airport and Pretoria via the N4, Kingdom Trails is easily accessed by road. The last 10 km, however, are on farm tracks which sometimes require 4WD during the rainy season or after rain showers.  Kingdom Trails is a malaria-free area.

The Kingdom Nature Reserve covers an area of 15,000 ha between Witbank and Loskop Dam in Mpumalanga Province.  Two main rivers, the Olifants and Wilge, meander between soaring cliffs and lush riverine bush. Most of the area is mountainous with gorges and red granite cliffs dropping steeply down to the rivers. The property’s altitude ranges between 1,120 m and 1,460 m, and between about 1,140 and 1,450 m in the hiking trails area itself. Annual rainfall for the region fluctuates between 600 and 750 mm.

Animals

There are wild animals at Kingdom Trails

• Beware of crocodiles and hippos in the rivers (especially in rainy season)
• Beware of free roaming leopards and buffalos (They have walked across from the Loskop Dam Nature reserve)
• During the summer months please be careful when it comes to snakes, they are everywhere!

They have never had a serious incident with any of the above-mentioned animals.  Please be vigilant and careful.

Travelling to Kingdom Trails

NB: Please note:

• There is only 1 access points to the trails, Slagthoek Camp.  Slagthoek House (Entrance B)

General Notes

• PLEASE NOTE THAT KINGDOM CAMP AND KLIPCAMP IS CLOSED – No bookings allowed

• Hikers must bring their own sleeping bags, all food and drink.
• NO WOOD ORDERS
• Bedding and cutlery/crockery are NOT supplied
• “Donkey” boilers provide hot water for showers – Please note there is no water at Grootdraai drinking, cooking and showering water needs to be carried with.
• River crossings are not advisable during the summer months. Crocodiles are present and pose a potential danger when the river flow is high.
• Slagthoek House: entry via Middelburg (±40 km); 2×4 vehicle access.

Rates:

Min of 3 hikers

All Camps:

• R200.00 pp.pn – Adult
• R100.00 pp.pn – U/10

One-night Bookings:

• R320.00 pp – Adult
• R220.00 pp – U/10

Day Visitors

• R120.00 pp – Adult
• R100.00 pp – U/10

Admin Fee

• R55.00 once off per reservation.

Slagthoek Camp – Entrance B:  Max 16

Is a large thatch-roof, private farmhouse with attached hikers’ rooms and an outdoor braai facility and undercover leisure area.  The hikers’ rooms consist of two bedrooms and an en-suite bathroom, hot water and electricity, limited WiFi when needed. The Slagthoek House is surrounded by a large, attractive garden. The view from the house, which is below some cliffs, is very scenic.

• Large old farmhouse
• Donkey showers and toilets
• Outside braai
• Preferably 4×4 or high clearance vehicle especially during raining season

Grootdraai – Sleep 12

This camp has no water at the moment, and you need to bring water with.

Is a rustic hut situated above series of large pools and rapids in the Olifants River with a breathtaking view overlooking an oxbow island in the river. Grootdraai Hut derives its name from the Olifants River’s wide circle (“groot draai”) below the camp. Grootdraai is a hikers’ hut with 16 beds and an enviro-toilet. Ablution is in the river. Grootdraai Hut offers a true rustic bush experience with particularly stunning views.

Accommodates up to 16 people.

• One large hut with 3 walls
• No shower
• EnviroLoo
• Water in 20l drums provided.

Trails

• There are various routes you can use between camps.
• Ensure you are clear as to which route you are using.
• You must take your hiking trail map with you.
• To help you find your way we have numbered various trail intersections so that you can easily orientate yourself using your map.

River Crossings

• There is only one place to cross the river when it is in flood. It is a low level car bridge
• During the rainy season if this low level crossing is also under water there is NO other safe river crossing.
• We advise some form of water proofing for your bag when you cross the river at any time of year.

The Trails:

Kingdom Trails offers two main hiking trail routes, each with various options:

Slagthoek Trail

• God’s Window Loop – 12km
• Cycad Loop – 11km

Slagthoek House Trail

Two circular hiking routes can be followed from

Slagthoek House

1. God’s Window Route (±12 km): Climbing gently from Slagthoek House the track continues to a viewpoint high above the Olifants River. There are magnificent views of the steep cliffs descending vertically down to the Olifants River far below. Eventually the track drops down via Gifkoppie to a large pool in the Olifants River. From there the track continues up a steep rocky ravine back to Slagthoek House.

2. Cycad Route (±11 km): A steady walk along an old farm road leads into Boschkloof farm to the south where a permanent, natural stream cascades down numerous waterfalls on its way down to the Olifants River. The route follows its course and eventually ascends through a cycad garden to a series of grass-covered valleys higher up. A link path here connects with the island crossing to Grootdraai Hut if preferred. For those opting to return to Slagthoek House the path continues with magnificent views to the west of Snaaksekrans and distant hills before descending back to Slagthoek House.

There is a link path from Slagthoek House to Grootdraai Hut connecting the Island Crossing Route (±6 km).

General Notes

• Hikers must bring their own sleeping bags, all food and drink.
• NO WOOD ORDERS
• Bedding and cutlery/crockery are NOT supplied
• River crossings are not advisable during the summer months. Crocodiles are present and pose a potential danger when the river flow is high.