The High Five / Escarp Trails

The Stunning High Five trail is in Mpumalanga on the R541 between Machadodorp and Badplaas and situated on a huge privately own game farm & estate. It is approximately 3 hours from Hyde Park in Johannesburg and 1.5 hours from Nelspruit. It is situated on the lip of the escarpment overlooking the Komati Valley and in the heart of the Skurwerberg Mountains.

The HIGH FIVE TRAIL is a 2 – 6 day, 36.5km- 48km hiking trail on private land in the Skurweberg Mountains. There is a range of stunning landscapes including open escarpment, yellow-wood forests, kloofs and sandstone formations. There is game, birds, indigenous trees and beautiful waterfalls. Hikers should be reasonably fit as the trail is rated moderate to difficult.

The trail has been rated as moderate to difficult by Green Flag. Hikers should have a reasonable fitness and agility level. Much of the charm of the trail is that it takes you through rugged and hard to reach terrain. 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 +- 12km and the shortest 6.2km but all sections of the trail are technically difficult. This is a circular route and hikers can start and finish basically at any of the camps.

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION:

  • Each of our hiking camps is a unique, beautiful and a comfortable experience.

  • All the camps have indoor and outdoor braai areas and hot water.

Pongola Express Camp

  • This camp has renovated 1934 railway coaches. It’s like sleeping in an antique.

  • There are 7 compartments that sleep 2 to 4 people. Maximum 24

  • A wide covered veranda and indoor dining area provide a good socialising space.

  • It has a fridge, microwave and gas stove.

  • Electricity 

Aloe Kaya

  • There are two double storey huts with 2 x rooms each, snuggled into the spectacular sandstone formations.

  • Two rooms (one upstairs and one down stairs) sleep 8 people in bunk beds.

  • There are ‘loos with a view’ and a viewing deck.

  • Electricity.

  • There are two fridges, and a gas stove top plate.

Candle Wood Camp

  • This “green” camp has a wonderful view of Uitkomst Waterfall.

  • Hot water is supplied by a wood burning geyser

  • There are two huts that each sleeps 10 people in bunk beds.

  • No outdoor braai between May and October.

  • There is a gas stove plate, temperamental solar lighting in the kitchen and lanterns.(No electricity).

Mount Komati Camp

  • This is a cozycamp consisting of 4 separate stone and thatch chalets/ huts with bunk beds& mattresses.

  • Communal lapa, kitchen with all cutlery & crockery, appliances, cooking utensils, oven & microwave.

  • Wooden deck with communal braai facilities, overlooking the garden, river and mountains.

  • Ablutions: Electric geysers with hot & cold water showers, flush toilets, hand basins.

  • Outside braai area & also an African Style boma, “Die Bosvark”, for “lekkerkuiers” and stunning star gazing.

The Hiking Trails: Refer To Your Trail Map:

Hikers have the option of 2 – 6 days Back packing and at extra cost also slack packing.

The trail is self-guided. All sections/ options and links are clearly marked and easy to follow with your detailed map.  There are 2 day trail options between most of the camps, which makes this an ideal option for normal weekend hikes too.

The Three Day Trail:

  • Day 1: Pongola Express ‘to ‘Aloe Kaya’ hikers follow The Bergbas Route: (8km)

  • Day 2: Hikers follow the Escarpment Route/ Oom Pauls route (4km) joining The Pom-pon Way, (4.5km) to Candle wood. (Total of 8,5km)

  • Day 3: Hikers follow The Pom-pon Way, 8.3km back to ‘Pongola Express’ where your vehicle is and depart.

The Four Day Trail:

  • Day 1: Pongola Express ‘to ‘Aloe Kaya’ hikers follow The Bergbas Route: (8km)

  • Day 2: Aloe Kaya to Mount Komati: Hikers follow the new Queen’s High Way Trail: Bladdernut route 3,5km up to the link to Mount Komati Camp – following the new trail for + 3,5km. (Total of 7km for the day)

  • Day 3: Mount Komati: Hikers follow the new King’s High way Trail: 4km which then links up with the Milk Plum Route for another 4,6km to Candlewood camp. (Total of 8,6km)

  • Day 4: Candle Falls to Pongola Express: The Pom-pon Way, 8.3km back to ‘Pongola Express’ where your vehicle is and depart.

The Five Day Trail:

  • FULL INFO PACKS with direction/ instructions are available on request/ enquiries and bookings. Detailed maps available on request/ with all bookings.

  • Then for those hikers who prefer to stay 2-3 nights in a base camp and only do day hikes each day, there are the following options:

Base Camp Options Only

FROM AND BACK TO ALOE KAYA BASE CAMP: The Hells Bells trail (7km)

and The Klipspringer trail (5 km)

Both are less strenuous but a spectacular and intimate walks, down Hells Kloof, through a magic old forest of yellow wood and huge stink hout and tree ferns. Hikers will pass smaller waterfalls and panoramic views on Swaziland.  There are lot of game species to be seen on this side of the estate!!!

From And Back To Pongola Express:

  • Day one: Combination of The Bergbas, Oom Pauls and Pom Pon Trails (+- 10km)

  • Day two: The KoKoboom Trail of +-7km – Mac Falls and back.

From And Back To Mount Komati:

  • Suggested for day one: 12,5km ( +- 6-7 hours)

  • A more relaxing 3-4km (+-2 hours)

  • A 3rd trail is currently under construction – more details to follow shortly (+-8km)

From Candle Wood And Back:

  • Suggested for the more adventurous and fit hikers 12km for day one going past the dams and Kruger House Lodge

  • A beautiful 2nd day following the Komati River and back passing the Uitkoms Waterfall +- 10km.

Rates

Rates are subject to change without prior notice.

Rate Description Details
RATES R275.00 per person per night. (VAT incl.) All ages.
SLACK PACK RATES and info available on request. Must be arranged with owner at least 2 weeks in advance.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION THIS IS IDEAL FOR HIKERS TO USE AS PREPARATION FOR THE “OTTER” AND “FISH RIVER CANYON” HIKES.