7 things to do
1 Walk to a waterfall
Sabie is on the Drakensberg escarpment where the Highveld falls away to the Lowveld. It’s a high-rainfall area with lots of waterfalls – there are four near Sabie. SABIE WATERFALL
This is the closest waterfall to town: It’s to the left of Main Road and just after the bridge that takes you over the Sabie River as you leave town in the direction of Graskop. There are three different viewpoints from above the waterfall.
Entrance fee: Visitors are asked to make a donation. BRIDAL VEIL FALLS
This waterfall is 6,5 km outside town – a tributary of the Sabie River wafts over a cliff like a bride’s veil. You can buy fabric, art and plants in the parking area. You have to walk up a trail of about 500 m to get to the base of the waterfall. The Loerie circular trail (5,5 km) starts in the parking, and takes you into the forests and plantations above the waterfall and back down again. Entrance fee: R20 per person to see the waterfall;
R45 per person for the hiking trail. You have to pay with a card.
Contact: 083 677 0904; csieling@safcol.co.za
LONE CREEK FALLS
Lone Creek is 8,8 km from town and the highest nearby waterfall at 68 m. Some renovation work was done in 2019 to make the area safer: There are fences to keep visitors out of the pool and a wooden frame has been erected where you can take photos. Unfortunately, these structures overpower the scenery. The waterfall is close to the parking area and there are also craft stalls.
Entrance fee: R45 per person.
Contact: 083 677 0904; csieling@safcol.co.za HORSE SHOE FALLS
The smallest and furthest from town (10 km), but Horse Shoe is my favourite. Rocks split the waterfall in two – it looks like an upside-down horseshoe. It’s privately managed and you can dip your toes in the pool.
Entrance fee: R20 per person.
Contact: 078 127 2005
Watch out! Bridal Veil, Lone Creek and Horse Shoe are all next to the Old Lydenburg Road. Be careful because there are lots of potholes – some are so big that you have to drive on the road shoulder to pass. If you take it slow, you can reach all of them in a sedan.
Want to see more waterfalls? There are five around Graskop about 20 km further: Mac-Mac Falls, Maria Shires Falls, Forest Falls, Lisbon Falls and Berlin Falls.
2 Buy books
Order coffee and carrot cake and browse more than 40 000 second-hand books at The Bookman’s Corner. I bought photographer Obie Oberholzer’s coffee table book, Southern Circle, for only R80.
Where? Corner of 6th Avenue and Main Road. Contact: 083 467 6307 (Tiger)
3 Go horse riding
Sabie has two places that offer horse rides. Coopers Creek is a rehabilitation centre with a bohemian atmosphere where you can do a riding lesson or go for an outride. The activities generate income to look after the animals.
River Stables is more upmarket – they also offer lessons and rides, plus picnics and accommodation (see p 101).
Where? Coopers Creek is 5 km outside town via the Old Lydenburg Road, near the Ceylon hiking hut. Cost: From R350 per person for an hour.
Contact: 071 897 8572; cooperscreek.org
4 Catch (and braai) trout
You and your kids can cast a line at Horseshoe Trout & About. You don’t need fishing gear or experience – you can hire a rod and they’ll clean the trout for you. You can also rent a lapa or picnic site next to one of the two dams and braai your catch right there.
Opening times: Daily (except Tuesday) from 8 am to 4.30 pm.
Where? 10 km outside town on the Old
Lydenburg Road.
Cost: Entry fee R100 per adult; R50 per child; from
R30 per fishing rod. Trout costs R179 per kilogram. Cleaning R5 per fish. Lapa R350 per night (cutlery can be provided).
Contact: 084 531 3376; 083 780 0250
(WhatsApp; book beforehand); Facebook “Horseshoe Trout&About Sabie”
5 Get your heart rate up
Kestell Adventures has been offering adventures around Sabie for 14 years. Float over river rapids on a Gecko tube, climb down a waterfall, explore a cave or drive a 4x4 trail through the forests to a secret waterfall. Where? Corner of Louis Trichardt Street and the R536. Cost: Gecko tubing R590 per person.
Contact: 072 351 5553; kestelladventures.com
6 Learn how to ride a motorcycle
The mountain passes on the Panaroma Route are popular among motorcyclists. Can’t ride one? The Sabie Valley Rider Academy will show you how. They offer tours and courses on tar, dirt and sand. You can also hire a bike and go on your own adventure.
Where? 53 Main Road
Cost: From R1 950 per person for a one-day course for beginners (own motorcycle).
Contact: 072 133 215; rideracademy.co.za
7Takeahike
The legendary Fanie Botha Hiking Trail, established in 1973, starts in Sabie and ends in Graskop five days and 75 km later. Too long? You can also hike shorter trails, like a 32 km circular route that starts at the Ceylon hut about 5 km outside Sabie.
Cost: R203 per person per day.
Contact: 083 677 0904; csieling@safcol.co.za
Bookings, Tours & Info Office is a private tourism office that covers accommodation and activities in the area. You can also book a horse carriage ride or hire a bicycle here.
Where? On the corner of Louis Trichardt Street and Main Road (between Petena Pancakes and Sabie Brewing Company).
Contact: 082 836 7360 mysabieinfo.co.za carriage.co.za
Facebook “Bookings, Tours
& Info Office Sabie”