The Num-Num Trail is a new 5-day, 42km hiking trail on the lip of the African Escarpment in Mpumalanga. It is one of the first privately owned trails in South Africa. It is rated by Green Flag as moderate to difficult with pristine landscape.
The Num-Num owners have been passionate about eradicating alien plants, mostly wattle and blue gum, and now have over 109 different species of trees identified. Each of the day trails have been named after indigenous plants. The Num-Num is a small tree with fragrant white flowers and red fruit that attracts butterflies and birds.
The trail goes through a stunning variety of terrain including ancient grasslands, sandstone mazes and yellow-wood forests. Lots of game and bird spotting opportunities... zebra, wildebeeste, vultures, purple-crested louries. There are waterfalls galore including the magnificent Uitkomste Falls which are the second highest in Mpumalanga. The water on the estates is fresh and delicious to drink and swim in.
The accommodation is in five unique and comfortable hiking camps that offer stunning views. All the camps have fully equipped kitchens (so you don't need to carry cutlery, pots and pans etc) and indoor and outdoor braai areas. Firewood is supplied. All the camps have gas cookers and 3 of the camps have fridges. The beds are bunks with mattresses but you have to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow and towel. Two of the camps are pure rustic pleasure with no electricity but you still get hot water from an old fashioned wood-burning geyser and lanterns are supplied. All the camps have hot showers and toilets - God's Window Camp has 'loos with a view'. There is a slackpacking service for people who don't fancy carrying their stuff with them. A small Honesty Shop is at two of the camps if you want to stock up on snacks and drinks.
The route is a circular one and you start and finish at Pongola Express Camp. There is secure parking.
Day One - Bergbas Roete (7.4km): grasslands, steep uphill, ancient ruins and game
Day Two - The Bladdernut Track (9.4km): sandstone maze, game, waterfalls, steep uphill
Day Three - The Milkplum Path (6km): Uitkomste Falls, yellow-wood forest, stone terraces, Bankspruit river
Day Four - The Pom-pon Way (7.2km): open escarpment, gorges, yellow-wood forests, Cathedral Cave
Day Five - Die Kokoboom Pad (6.8km): Mac Falls, Scchoenspruit river and Boom Pool, mountain grasslands
The cost for the 5-day trail is R855 (including VAT). Slackpacking is R300 per crate for the 5 days with a minimum booking of 3 crates per group. A maximum of 20 people per group and a minimum of 3 people. No children under 10 years old. No pets either (sorry, lots of wild life). There are shorter 2 - 4 day routes available.
Overall this is a comfortable hiking experience with some amazing sights and pristine landscapes.
The Num-Num owners have been passionate about eradicating alien plants, mostly wattle and blue gum, and now have over 109 different species of trees identified. Each of the day trails have been named after indigenous plants. The Num-Num is a small tree with fragrant white flowers and red fruit that attracts butterflies and birds.
The trail goes through a stunning variety of terrain including ancient grasslands, sandstone mazes and yellow-wood forests. Lots of game and bird spotting opportunities... zebra, wildebeeste, vultures, purple-crested louries. There are waterfalls galore including the magnificent Uitkomste Falls which are the second highest in Mpumalanga. The water on the estates is fresh and delicious to drink and swim in.
The accommodation is in five unique and comfortable hiking camps that offer stunning views. All the camps have fully equipped kitchens (so you don't need to carry cutlery, pots and pans etc) and indoor and outdoor braai areas. Firewood is supplied. All the camps have gas cookers and 3 of the camps have fridges. The beds are bunks with mattresses but you have to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow and towel. Two of the camps are pure rustic pleasure with no electricity but you still get hot water from an old fashioned wood-burning geyser and lanterns are supplied. All the camps have hot showers and toilets - God's Window Camp has 'loos with a view'. There is a slackpacking service for people who don't fancy carrying their stuff with them. A small Honesty Shop is at two of the camps if you want to stock up on snacks and drinks.
The route is a circular one and you start and finish at Pongola Express Camp. There is secure parking.
Day One - Bergbas Roete (7.4km): grasslands, steep uphill, ancient ruins and game
Day Two - The Bladdernut Track (9.4km): sandstone maze, game, waterfalls, steep uphill
Day Three - The Milkplum Path (6km): Uitkomste Falls, yellow-wood forest, stone terraces, Bankspruit river
Day Four - The Pom-pon Way (7.2km): open escarpment, gorges, yellow-wood forests, Cathedral Cave
Day Five - Die Kokoboom Pad (6.8km): Mac Falls, Scchoenspruit river and Boom Pool, mountain grasslands
The cost for the 5-day trail is R855 (including VAT). Slackpacking is R300 per crate for the 5 days with a minimum booking of 3 crates per group. A maximum of 20 people per group and a minimum of 3 people. No children under 10 years old. No pets either (sorry, lots of wild life). There are shorter 2 - 4 day routes available.
Overall this is a comfortable hiking experience with some amazing sights and pristine landscapes.
Contacts
info@thenum-numtrail.co.za
(+27) (0) 72 889 9284
www.thenum-numtrail.co.za
The Num-Num is on Facebook too!
info@thenum-numtrail.co.za
(+27) (0) 72 889 9284
www.thenum-numtrail.co.za
The Num-Num is on Facebook too!
Camps
Pongola Express - converted 1934 railway carriages settled in a wooded forest. Sleeps 20 people in compartments of 2 - 4 beds. Huge patio with views of the Skurweberg mountains.
God's Window - two double story wooden and glass huts snuggled into sandstone formations. Sleeps 32 people in 4 rooms of 8 bunk beds. Loos with a view and viewing deck to enjoy the sunsets.
Bermanzi - converted horse stables sleeping up to 40 people. Two kitchens. Panoramic views of the Komati valley.
Candlewood - A green camp with awesome views of the Uitkomste Falls. Two huts sleeping 10 people (total of 20 people) in bunk beds. Solar lighting and wood-burning geyser.
Wathaba - Attic barn style rooms accommodating up to 30 people. Situated next to a babbling brook with riverside tables. Hot water from wood-burning geyser. Enjoy a bath the old fashioned way.
Pongola Express - converted 1934 railway carriages settled in a wooded forest. Sleeps 20 people in compartments of 2 - 4 beds. Huge patio with views of the Skurweberg mountains.
God's Window - two double story wooden and glass huts snuggled into sandstone formations. Sleeps 32 people in 4 rooms of 8 bunk beds. Loos with a view and viewing deck to enjoy the sunsets.
Bermanzi - converted horse stables sleeping up to 40 people. Two kitchens. Panoramic views of the Komati valley.
Candlewood - A green camp with awesome views of the Uitkomste Falls. Two huts sleeping 10 people (total of 20 people) in bunk beds. Solar lighting and wood-burning geyser.
Wathaba - Attic barn style rooms accommodating up to 30 people. Situated next to a babbling brook with riverside tables. Hot water from wood-burning geyser. Enjoy a bath the old fashioned way.
Where
Mpumalanga South Africa, on the R541 between Machadodorp and Badplaas.
Three hours from Johannesburg and 1.5 hours from Nelspruit. On the same route to Kruger National Park, Swaziland and Mozambique.
GPS co-ordinates for Pongola Express Camp:
25 47’ 49” S
30 22’ 25” E
Mpumalanga South Africa, on the R541 between Machadodorp and Badplaas.
Three hours from Johannesburg and 1.5 hours from Nelspruit. On the same route to Kruger National Park, Swaziland and Mozambique.
GPS co-ordinates for Pongola Express Camp:
25 47’ 49” S
30 22’ 25” E
Costs
The cost for the 5-day trail is R855 (including VAT). Slackpacking is R300 per crate for the 5 days with a minimum booking of 3 crates per group.
Be the first to add a trip in this destination!The cost for the 5-day trail is R855 (including VAT). Slackpacking is R300 per crate for the 5 days with a minimum booking of 3 crates per group.
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