Directory

1 Salvador Mainstreet Bistro. A popular local hang-out, food is reasonable (I had breakfast for R38) and the sunny outdoor seating welcoming. Small dogs are allowed, too. 013-734-4287 2 Scootours Kaapsehoop. Scootering begins in flatter grasslands to get the hang of it before you start cruising down steeper slopes. It takes two hours; pack a costume for the rock pool at the end in summer. R450 pp. Electrical scooters are available if you prefer a more leisurely village tour. R200 pp. 066-305-9404 3 Kaapsehoop Horse Trails. Known for its herd of about 200 wild horses, a visit to Kaapsehoop wouldn’t be complete without a horseback ride. From R350 for one hour. 076-108-0081 4 The Nest B&B. Famous for Miz Gooz Berry’s cakes and scrumptious food (she’s the brand owner), this homely B&B is decorated in pastel florals, French country style. Cottages are cosy with heaters, and filter coffee, milk, rusks, salt and pepper plus more are provided. If you’re a foodie, book dinner here in advance. From R530pp B&B. 082-883-6192 5 Kestell Adventures. The fearless must book a tubing adventure on the Sabie River (pack a pair of water booties or closed shoes, costume, towel and set aside four hours). R380 pp, only for children 12 years and older. If you still want secret swimming pools and fun bum slides, but the choice to dunk yourself, book the twoand-a-half-hour Forest Cruise and enjoy the serenity of Whiskey Bottle Falls. R250 pp. 072-351-5553 6 Sabie Brewing Company. Taste its craft beers and choose your favourite (it costs R70 to sample seven beers; R150 for a full tour). Each flavour is named after a character from local folklore, such as Alec ‘Wheelbarrow’ Patterson, who is said to have pushed his possessions in a wheelbarrow all the way to Sabie from Cape Town. 013-764-1005 7 Lone Creek Falls. One of the more exciting waterfalls in Sabie with various walkways, viewpoints and a picnic site. Open from 8am to 5pm and entry R20 pp. 8 Long Tom Toboggan. Get an adrenaline spike on this unique three-minute mountainside ride. R250 pp for the first ride and R150 for a second round. The last ride is at 4pm. 013-764-3377 9 Misty Mountain. Expect majestic views (when there’s no mist), spacious suites and relaxed, country-style hospitality. There’s a restaurant on site, plus walking trails and a dam to while away an afternoon. Studio units have a veranda and braai area for basic selfcatering, from R755 pp sharing B&B. 013-764-3377 10 Alanglade Period House Museum. Built in 1915 by the Transvaal Gold Mining Estates, this museum is a great way to get to grips with the history of Pilgrim’s Rest. Tours begin at 11am or 2pm for R20 pp. 013-768-1060 Up for something more heart-thumping? Book an evening Ghostie Tour, which includes the manor house for R165 pp. 082-522-1958 11 Graskop Gorge Lift. This new tourism centre has a restaurant with views over the Motitsi Falls. The lift transports you to a signposted gorge below for a fascinating forest walk. Unlimited daily access to the lift costs R175 pp and it’s R20 pp to enter the centre. 066-305-1572 12 Lisbon Hideaway. It’s so close to Lisbon Falls you can walk there. I loved the private stone cottage called Moffat House, which sleeps two in an open-plan lounge with a fireplace and has a sunny daybed area (from R445 pp sharing). There are also three twobedroom timber chalets with views over a wetland. From R425 pp sharing. 083-438-2714 13 Lisbon Falls. Best seen from the bottom, ask at Lisbon Hideaway how to find the trail as it’s not signposted. To see the falls from the viewpoint is R10 pp – a guard is at the post from 8am to 5pm. 14 Potluck Boskombuis. This off-the-grid bush kitchen overlooks the Treur River and serves hearty South African meals such as pap and wors (R90). Open from 10am – 4pm. 073-705-4734 15 Blyde Canyon Adventure Centre. See the canyon’s splendour from below on a leisurely boat ride on the Blydepoort Dam. Pack a light picnic (no alcohol allowed). From R160 pp and R100 for under-nines. 015-795-5961 16 Blyde Canyon, A Forever Resort. It’s on the edge of the canyon, close to two viewpoints overlooking the Three Rondavels for those golden-hour shots (the regular tourist viewpoint operates from 8am to 5pm). Chalets from R472 pp sharing. 086-122-6966