Sabie
Sabie is a forestry station in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa
Get in
Drive from Lydenburg over the Long Tom pass, or go north from Nelspruit.
Get around
See
- Lone Creek Falls. In the Northern part of the town, just before crossing the Sabie river, there is a road heading West. Follow it (10km).
- Bridal Falls
- Horseshoe Falls
Do
With Sabie Backpackers:
- River-Tubing: i.e., going down the river-rapids sitting in a hard rubber ring/tyre
- Caving: caving in the mud-caves by candlelight, DO NOT be tempted to do this without Sabie Backpackers as this is dangerous
- Bridge-Swing: i.e., standing on the bridge at the bottom of town and jumping off (with a rope attached of course so that you swing underneath the bridge tarzan-style and are then lowered down to the bottom for the short walk back up)
- Sabie Panorama: a tour of the surrounding views and sights to the north of Sabie including fantastic photo opportunities, waterfalls, the three rondavels and some souvenir stalls
- Paintballing
- Abseiling: including abseiling down a waterfall if you fancy something different
- Kloofing/Gorge walking: hopping between and on rocks down a river, under waterfalls etc. etc...you will almost certainly get quite wet
- Mountainbiking
- Trout fly fishing, Sabie River, ☏ +27 83 966-5089. The Sabie Trout Angling Club offers trout fishing in the Sabie river. R90.
Hiking
There are a number of day walk and over night hiking trails in the area.
- Forest Falls Nature Walk (Follow the R532 from Sabie to Graskop for 15km). A 3.2km circular walk. You will require a permit that can be obtained at Merry Pebbles R10.
- Loerie Trail, Ceylon Forest Station. A 10km circular walk. You will require a permit that can be obtained at Merry Pebbles R10.
- Fanie Botha, ☏ +27 13 754-2724, fax: +27 13 754-2790, ecotour@klf.co.za. Trails ranging fro 2 to 5 days and 20km to 60km. Sleepover huts are available with toilets and showers, but no electricity or hot water. These trails are popular and advance booking is recommended.
Buy
There are numerous ATMs, and banks to change and withdraw money
Eat
- The Spur steak ranch has an excellent view of the mountains.
- The Hole is a small cafe opposite the supermarket at the top of town and serves delicious toasted sarnies.
If you are cooking for yourself, Boerewors are huge twirling beef sausages which are very good. You can even get Simba crisps which are Boerewors flavoured. Biltong is a nice snack if you like dried, flavoured meat, this can be anything from dried Ostrich to dried chilli-Beef.
Drink
Pack a cooler box and fill it with your favourites cool drinks. This is a hot area, you will need to cool down. You will be able to buy ice and drinks at filling (gas) stations. Great drinks to have are malibu (alcoholic), dry lemon, soda water, your choice of whiskey and some juices. Ice-cream and some bottled water are also great
Sleep
Budget
- Jock Sabie Lodge, Glenn Ave, ☏ +27 13 764-2178, fax: +27 13 764-3215. R100 per person per night.
- Sabie Backpackers, 185 Main St, ☏ +27 13 764-2118, ghoeks@iafrica.com. A friendly activities hostel which provides all the equipment with enthusiastic and refreshing 'guides'. Self-Catered, pool table, fire-poi show (if you're lucky), bar. Unfortunately in Summer 2005 they were experiencing electrical problems in that many metal things gave shocks (including on occasion taps, sinks and showers) but it wouldn't stop me staying again. From R65 per person per night in the dorm to R190 per room per night for a double en-suite room.
Mid-range
- Merry Pebbles, Old Lydenburg Rd, ☏ +27 13 764-2266, fax: +27 13 764-1629, info@merrypebbles.co.za. Family resort with chalets and camping accommodation. From R160 for a single sleeper cabane in low season to R1400 for a 6 sleeper during high season.
- Castle Rock, +27 13 764-1242, provides for caravaning and camping.
Splurge
- Lone Creek River Lodge, Old Lydenburg Rd, ☏ +27 13 764-2611, info@lonecreek.co.za. 5 star hotel
Stay safe
Locals tend to jump from the top of the waterfall by the bridge at the bottom of town, needless to say this is about 25-30m high and is very dangerous if you don't hit the water correctly.
Go next
- Drive North to the Mac-Mac Falls, Pilgrim's Rest, Blyde River Canyon, the Three Rondavels and Graskop on the Panorama Route.
- Drive East to Hazyview and the Kruger National Park.