Moolmanshoek Private Game Reserve
Ficksburg, Free State
The Moolmanshoek Valley surrounds you by majestic mountains. A beautiful wedding venue. Our sandstone lodge provides accommodation options, to suit every traveler’s needs.
Moolmanshoek Private Game Reserve is a happy place of endless fields of grass and mountain streams, tumbling down. Herds of game grazing on the plains. Springbuck, Blesbuck, Black wildebeest, Oryx, Eland and Zebra, to name a few. The reserve was declared a Natural Heritage Site because of the indigenous Bamboo which grows in the area. Experience the view from Visierskerf (2407m) or the Pyramid. Explore the Reserve through our different activities including horse riding, hiking, game drives, horse cart rides, fishing, 4 x 4 trails, mountain biking and bird watching. For the children, running wild and free in our abundant open spaces. A piece of paradise.
Trail Options:
There are a few marked short trails (day walks) in the reserve, mostly starting out from the Lodge. You can also take a ‘kierie’ and do a leisurely stroll on the vehicle tracks to view the abundant game in the “Serengeti” area. If you are more adventurous and fit, you can take on something more ambitious and climb one of the peaks in the reserve.
Short walks may be done in the gorges. The owner will direct hikers. Hikers can also arrange to be taken to the mountains and do a trail back to the camp, with this option more time can be spent in the mountains and gorges and less in the valley. Drop off’s can be arranged at an extra cost. Please confirm this cost upon arrival.
Aunt Mitchell’s High Tea Overhang:
Walk to the sandstone overhang (with a stunning view) that was used as a regular “high tea” spot many years ago.
The Five Dams walk:
Take an easy stroll through poplar groves, past five dams and enjoy the scenery and bird life near the lodge.
Sandstone Gorge:
Take a longer walk to the Waterkloof ravine and enjoy the mountain streams and waterfalls of this beautiful gorge.
Peak climbing:
Put on your boots and tackle one of the high peaks in the reserve, like Visierskerf (2407m) or the Pyramid (2167m) for a view you will remember!
The second day of the original Langesnek trail is still in use, ± 10 km: A shorter and longer option for day hikers. Grading: Easy to average.
The day trail starts off by passing a very deep gorge before it starts the ascent towards the back of the Second Pyramid mountain. After passing the “Supertube” mountain stream, the trail reaches an unexpected (and welcome) shady indigenous forest full of olienhout and ghwarrie trees. On reaching the top of the saddle, one has a choice. Here the fit and courageous hikers will have the opportunity to add another 2 km to their hike up the Pyramid mountain. The trail continues to follow the contours of the two Pyramid mountains through the indigenous forests and along the sandstone ridges to wind its way to the site of the overnight hut of the popular Sphinx trails. Here the natural dam offers a refreshing spot for lunch and time to relax and swim. The trail then returns following some of the second day of the Sphinx trail. It veers off after “Aunt Mitchell’s High Tea Corner” and winds underneath the sandstone ridge before returning to base camp.
Fit hikers can also do the complete Waterkloof trail (± 20km) or the complete Sphinx trail (± 16 km).
Accommodation:
- “Skeerhokke” can accommodate up to 100 persons in two large dormitories.
- The hikers house can accommodate 20 hikers or other persons,
- Additional 9 double rooms, two of them with their own bathrooms.
- Two lapa kitchens for self-catering and a large, well-equipped kitchen where group meals are prepared by the staff.
Hikers Hut:
- 3 rooms accommodating 6-8 people each. Bunker beds with fitted sheets only.
- Kitchen: Electricity, pots, pans, stove, fridge.
- Basic cutlery and crockery is provided.
- Ablutions: 2 toilets: 2 showers, basins and one bath.
Rates:
Reserve Conservation fee:
- R75.00 pp once off
Hikers House:
- R230.00 per adult per night
- Hiking: Minimum 4 hikers per hiking group.
Double rooms:
- Please inquire for availability and costs
Dormitories / Skeerhokke:
- R230.00 per person per night
Camping:
- R144.00 per person per night
Admin fee:
- R55 once off per reservation
Late entry fee: Reserve gates are locked 18:00
From 18:00 – 21:00 – R265.00 per vehicle
Arrivals after 21:00 – R530.00 per vehicle
Please note that the management of Moolmanshoek reserve the right to change the rates at any time.