Suikerboschfontein Hiking Trail

Situated about 20km north east of Carolina, Mpumalanga, Suikerboschfontein offers 38km of trails which include base camp, back pack, and day trails. The farm of 1244 hectare is within easy reach of Gauteng (250km).

ACCOMMODATION

  • The units are self-catering and only beds, mattresses and cooking facilities are provided. The bathrooms have flush toilets and warm water is provided by “donkey” fired boilers. Fire wood, cooking facilities, hiking sticks, candles and small gas stoves are also provided.

  • Hikers need to provide their own form of lighting: small gas / paraffin lamps/ LED lights and torches, bedding (sleeping bags, pillows) cutlery and crockery.

  • The two overnight camps (ROOIKRANS + OOM JAPIE) are 10km apart and linked by a circular route. Both camps can be reached by means of ordinary vehicles and the hike can start at either of the camps.

  • Each camp sleeps 20 hikers in huts or rooms with 3 to 7 beds each.

  • Rooikrans camp: 4 x huts: 1 x 2 Bed and 3 x 6 Beds.

  • Oom Japies camp: (Farm House): 4 separate rooms: 7 Bed, 6 Bed and 2 x 4 Beds.

  • Kitchen facilities provided:Kettle;3 legged iron cast “potjies”:

  • Potjies size: Small: 1 alkirk no. 1;Bigger pots: 1x Three legged R7 and1 x flat bottom R6 .Pans and pots;Braai grid and wood;Wood is provided. Use sparingly.

  • All drinking water is clear and safe for use.

The Hiking Trails

  • By including some of the day trails of 8km, 4.5km, 3km and 2.5km one can hike for 3 days in which case 2 nights would be spent at Rooikrans camp.

  • There are more than 90 identified and marked tree species and even larger varieties of wild flowers. 160 bird species have been recorded on the terrain, amongst which the KnysnaLourie, Bald Ibus and large eagles, baboons, monkeys, bush pigs, wart hogs, klipspringers, rhebuck and other small fauna are frequently encountered along the trails.

Overnight Trails – Back Packing

  • The gorgeous unspoiled natural beauty, with interesting variations offers surprises around every corner. Fern-rich indigenous wooded ravines with clear streams and waterfalls create a restful atmosphere. Ancient ruins as well as rock art contribute to the large variety of experiences along the trails. Unique rock formations of weathered sand stone covered with lichen create a fantasy world of form and colour. The seven streams encountered on the routes arise from fountains on the property and yield pure clear drinking water.

  • ROOIKRANS to OOM JAPIE (10 km)

  • OOM JAPIE to ROOIKRANS (10 km)

Day Hikes:

  • Day hikes start about 300 meters from Rooikrans Camp on the way to Oom Japie.  The four routes are marked with yellow markers and there is a flush toilet and clear drinking water at the starting point where hikers can fill their water bottles.

  • Grootkloof – 8km – Difficult; Tempel-murasie – 4.5km – Easy

  • Skeurkloof – 3km – Moderately Easy

  • Sederberg – 2.5km – Easy

  • There is a lapa in the shade next to a stream about 2km from the end of the 8km trail (Grootkloof). A gas braai is available at this picnic spot. The 2.5km trail (Sederberg) is specially designed for inexperienced or unfit hikers. It covers a beautiful area and is an easy walk.

RATES:

Item Price
Overnight Camp (per adult per night) R270.00
Overnight Camp (per child u/12 per night) R140.00
One Night Stay (per adult) R420.00
One Night Stay (per child u/12) R220.00
Day Visit (per adult) R150.00
Day Visit (per child) R80.00