Kingdom & Slagthoek Hiking Trails

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

This pristine nature area is about 120 km north-east of Pretoria and Johannesburg.

INTERESTING FACTS:

  • Kingdom Trails is a 15,000 ha privately owned nature reserve, one of the largest in Mpumalanga and South Africa.

  • 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.

  • There are huge gorges, deep kloofs, extra-ordinary rock formations and unforgettable panoramic views.

  • Kingdom Trails is a malaria-free area.

  • Kingdom&Slagthoek Trails include stunning hiking trails of different durations and challenges, bird watching, game viewing, mountain biking and fishing on 32 km of unspoilt river frontage

  • Part of the idyllic nature of Kingdom trails is that there is little/ no cell phone reception and no electricity.

  • In order to enjoy your stay we strongly advise that you plan your trip to the farm carefully and have a clear understanding of where you have booked to stay and where you want to hike.

  • Always take your map with you. GPS Co-ordinates are provided.

  • The manager of the farm is very hard to reach because of the lack of cell phone reception so please plan your visit well in advance and pay attention to detail.

Fauna & Flora:

  • Numerous indigenous wildlife species occur on the Kingdom Trails property, including kudu, impala, duiker, klipspringer, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, hippo, crocodile and if you are lucky you might see some leopard and smaller cat families.

  • There are a huge variety of indigenous plants, shrubs and trees and the bird life is exquisite.

  • Please do not feed the monkeys or leave rubbish around that the baboons can find.

Accommodation:

  • There are 4 x different camps to choose from: Kingdom, Slagthoek, Grootdraai and Klip Camp.

  • Kingdom and Slagthoek Camps are the 2 main Base Camps.

  • There are day/base camp circular trails from and back to either Kingdom OR Slagthoek Camps.

  • Then there is a whole network of clearly marked 2 – 4 day trails for back packers.

  • On TheMielie Cave Wilderness Trail hikers sleep over in a cave the 2nd night.

  • And for those who would like to hike and use own tents, one can do a Wilderness guided Trail and sleep in remote parts of this stunning private reserve.

Kingdom Camp

Entrance A:Sleeps max 14 at the moment

Visarend Hut Sleeps 4

  • Outside shower & toilet (cold water) + communal bathrooms

  • 1 Double & Single beds

Slangarend Hut Sleeps 5

  • Outside shower & toilet (cold water) + communal bathrooms

  • 1 Double and 3 Single Beds

  • These 2 share a small kitchen/ braai area.

  • Bosvark– Sleeps 6. Open plan.  Own braai lapa, 6 Single Beds

  • Papierbas– Sleeps 8. Open plan but 2 rooms with 4 single beds each.

  • Papierbas– Sleeps 8. Open plan but 2 rooms with 4 single beds each.

Boekenhout – Sleeps 8** Under construction and renovation.

  • 2 Bedrooms with 4 single beds in each

  • (Bunk and single beds with covered mattresses).

  • Bosvark, Boekenhout&Papierbas use the communal big lapa with basic kitchen, bathrooms (donkey), outside braai

  • *** Some of the huts are construction and renovation.  

  • Donkey Showers, flush toilets, hand basins

Slagthoek

  • Sleeps 16 max

  • Donkey showers, hand basins and flush toilets, Outside braai

  • Preferably high clearance vehicle especially during raining season.

Grootdraai

  • Sleeps 14 max. Access only On Foot.

  • This camp is situated on an “island” as the river forms a U-shape around the camp.

  • Hikers need to cross the river to get to the camp if you are hiking from Slagthoek. (see your hike map).  Bunk beds & mattresses.

Klip Camp

  • Sleeps 12 at the moment.  Some roofs are under construction at the moment.

  • Access only On Foot

  • Situated and built amongst huge rocks.

  • There are several rooms with built in bunk beds and single beds.

  • Covered mattresses

Important:

  • There is No power/ electricity at any of the camps.

  • There are no fridges or gas stoves at any of the camps

  • Bring own cutlery, crockery, pots and pans, cooking utensils

  • Bring own toilet paper

  • Donkey boiler showers except for Grootdraai.

  • No hot water at Grootdraai but the stunning view makes up for it all.

  • NB: High ground clearance vehicles, 2×4/ 4×4’s are needed to get to Kingdom Camp.

Don’t Forget To Bring For Accommodation At All Camps:

  • Torches, head lights or some form of portable lighting

  • Sleeping bags or bedding

  • Cutlery and crockery,

  • Cooking utensils

  • Hiking maps and directions (Cell phone reception limited to the top of the mountains)

  • Wood / charcoal and fire lighters

The Green Code: NB

  • Whatever you bring in with you, must leave with you.

  • Please take your rubbish WITH YOU

  • Fires only to be made in designated areas.

  • Please ensure the fires are completely dead when unattended.

Hiking Trails:

To help you find your way we have numbered various trail intersections so that you can easily orientate yourself using your map. We advise some form of water proofing for your bag when you cross the river at any time of year

Base Camp Day Circular Trails

  • Refer to your trail map.

  • Each has their own separate day trails from and back to camp:

Kingdom Camp Day Trails:

  • Paradors Loop (12 km)

  • Snaaksekrans Loop (13km)

Slagthoek Day Trails:

  • God’s Window Loop (12km)

  • Cycad Loop (11km)

Back Pack Trails:

  • Recommended 3-4 day options – NB: Refer to your trail map.

  • Arrive and spend first night at Slagthoek.

  • Day 1: Hike from Slagthoek to Grootdraai (5 or 12km)

  • Day 2: From Grootdraai to Kingdom (8 or 12km)

  • Day 3: From Grootdraai back to Slagthoek(10km) (3 day option).

  • Day 3: From Grootdraai to Klip Camp. (9km) (3 day option)

  • Day 4: Klip Camp back to Slagthoek(5 or 13km) (4 day option).

  • OR These trails can also be started from Kingdom Camp – keep in mind you need Bakkies/ 4×4’s to get to Kingdom camp specially in rainy season

The Brand New Mielie Cave Trail:

  • The Mielie Cave Trail is done between Slagthoek Camp and the Mielie cave (2 days).

  • Day 1: From Slagthoek to Mielie Cave is 11km

  • Day 2: is 8km back to Slagthoek.

  • This is a wilderness trail only for 6 hikers, there is only space for 6 hikers inside the cave!!

  • There are NO other facilities at the cave!!! Whatever you will need for the night at the cave you need to bring and carry with!! (Do not forget your own “poop scoop”) small gas stoves, lamps, drinking water etc.  NB:  NO FIRES ALLOWED IN OR AROUND OR NEAR THE CAVE!!!! 

  • Hikers may only make use of small gas cookers.

  • This Is A Popular And Highly Recommended Trail Within A Privately Own Game Reserve, Exquisite Fauna & Flora And Pristine Nature That Reminds One Of The Three Rondawels In The Graskop Area.

Rates

Rates are subject to change without prior notice.

Rate Description Price
KINGDOM: Slangarend & Visarend Huts R220 pppn Kids U/12 R150 pn
KINGDOM: Boekenhout, Papierbas, Bosvark R220 pppn Kids U/12 R120 pn
SLAGTHOEK CAMP R220 pppn Kids U/12 R120 pn
KLIPKAMP / STONE CAMP R220 pppn Kids U/12 R120 pn
GROOTDRAAI CAMP R220 pppn Kids U/12 R120 pn
MIELIE CAVE R150.00 pppn - all ages
WILDERNESS GUIDED TRAIL (Own tents) R200.00 pppn - all ages
NB: TAKE NOTE - ONE night bookings Rate + Day Fee e.g. R220 + R150 = R370
DAY VISITORS MUST PRE BOOK R150.00 ppp and R120.00 kids u/12 per day
FISHING: Only allowed with fishing license/permits R150.00 p/p/ per fishing rod