camps | Slackpack | Trail running
Hiking Camps
Each of our four hiking camps is a unique, beautiful and comfortable experience. The only similarity being that they are equally clean and comfortable. You will have to forget any romantic notions you might have, though, as all facilities are shared.
All the camps have indoor and outdoor braai areas, kitchens equipped with basic cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils and hot water.
Pongola Express Coach Camp
Two veteran, well preserved 1911 railway coaches form the heart of this camp. It’s like sleeping in history. There are 7 compartments sleeping 2 or 4 guests each, with a maximum of 22 guests. Two showers, 4 toilets and a bath are available. A wide, covered verandah and indoor dining area links the coaches with the kitchen so this area provides a good socialising space. The kitchen is equipped with a fridge, chest freezer, microwave oven, gas stove and basic crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils.
The “Stasiemeestershuisie” at Pongola sleeps 4 guests on 2 bunk beds and has its own bathroom with shower, basin and toilet, but shares all the other communal spaces like kitchen, deck and braai areas with the coach guests.
Electric lights and geysers everywhere, so prepare for loadshedding by bring your own LED headlamps etc.
Aloe Kaya Camp
Two double story wooden huts are nestled between spectacular sandstone rock formations evoking images of mystery. These 4 dormitories sleep 24 guests total (8, 6, 6 and 4).
The much talked about ‘Loo’s with a view’ and “Open air canyon showers” a main attraction… Gas geysers provide for warm showers between rock formations enjoyed by kids of all ages.
The kitchen has a two plate gas hob and basics like cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils. Both inside and outside braai areas with grids available. Electric geysers and lights.
candlewood camp
Overlooking the Uitkomst waterfall (aka the Legendary Bride’s leap fall), at 85 meters the second tallest in Mpumalanga! The only camp in the greater area that actually has a view onto the waterfall, and what a view. A 30 minute hike brings you to the base of this majestic natural spectacle. Sunsets at Candlewood can be epic.
The 2 dormitories sleep 20 guests total (10 each).
A donkey geyser provide for warm showers .
The kitchen has a two plate gas hob and basics like cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils. Both inside and outside braai areas with grids available.
Solar lighting and USB1 cellphone charging points for phones, tablets etc, but NOTHING else, also not cameras.
Mount Komati camp
An invaluable addition to the High 5 trails is the Mt Komati camp situated down on the banks of the Komati river overlooking the MP Drakensberg mountains in a secretive, scenic gorge with plentiful water and game as a bonus.
This beautiful camp offers a variety of accommodation ranging from 3 hikers huts to more sophisticated convenient accommodation cottages with private amenities.
Whilst the camp with its trails present themselves to be linked to the overall High 5 trails it could equally be used on its own for two or more days.
3 huts and 2 cottages available: (26 guests total)
1 hut sleeps 4 guests
2 huts sleep 6 guests each
Tarentaal chalet sleeps 4 guest
Kudu cottage sleeps 6 guests
The communal kitchen has a four plate gas hob and basics like cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils.
Eskom geysers for lighting and warm showers .
Inside and outside braai areas with grids available.
Bermanzi Camp – Die Stalle
Bermanzi (our neighbours) is owned and managed by Attie van Niekerk and operates independently from, but in partnership with the High 5 and remains included in the overall High 5 trails network options.
Spectacular views across the escarpment. There are four rooms with bunk beds and a cozy kitchen. There are stoves, fridges and a microwave. Enquire with Pieta to make arrangements.
Pieta
082 950 2417 (WhatsApp)
071 710 8835 (MTN)
082 950 2417 (Vodacom)
diestalle@escarp.co.za
Hut Allocation
Guests will be allocated huts for the Pongola Express, Aloe Kaya, Mt Komati and Candlewood camps.
At Bermanzi Stables it is a first-come first served situation. As people arrive at different times please do not ‘spread out’.
Slack Packing
- “Slackpack” option: hikers need not carry their sleeping bags, clothes, food etc themselves, but instead 85 liter plastic containers can be rented so that the bulk of their gear can be transported for them to their next camp.
- Hikers then only carry a small day pack with some snacks, water and perhaps a raincoat or light jacket.
- Hikers may also provide their own coolerbox(es) with food, drinks etc to be shuttled.
- All containers strictly to be ready by 8 am.
- Expect delivery of the containers by 2 pm or before.
- R100.00 per container or coolbox per day, plus a distance fee (to be quoted beforehand).
The Kruger House Lodge, as the name suggests, has been one of the outposts of President Kruger in the years before the war. This historic old building was carefully restored to now stand proud as a smart, comfortable upmarket lodge accommodating 12 guests total, 8 guests in 4 en-suite rooms in the main building, and 4 guests in the two en-suite wing rooms.
Located centrally on the Escarp Adventures property means that guests has easy access to hike almost all of the hiking trails right out of the front door of the lodge.
Four ponds stocked with different fish species makes for good summer and winter angling (bass, bream and carp for the warmer months, and for the colder months, trout).
Kruger House Lodge
4 Guests (max 6) self-catering family chalet.
One room with a double bed and an open plan room with two extra long single beds (“Loft” room for 14 to 34-year-olds only), linen and towel are provided.
Bathroom with toilet, basin and shower, kitchen and open plan dining room and outside wooden deck overlooking the well-manicured gardens, pool, Komati river and Drakensberg mountains of Mpumalanga.
The latest addition to the Escarp Adventures inventory of diverse accommodation options, is Kudu Cottage at Mt Komati.
Two rooms (one with double bed and the other with two single beds) and a loft with two single beds share a separate bathroom with shower, basin and toilet.
A wonderful, well equipped open plan kitchen and dining area with large glass windows opens up onto the outside verandah and braai area creating the feel that one is part of nature whether inside or out.
Tarentaal Chalet
The latest addition to the Escarp Adventures inventory of diverse accommodation options, is Kudu Cottage at Mt Komati.
Two rooms (one with double bed and the other with two single beds) and a loft with two single beds share a separate bathroom with shower, basin and toilet.
A wonderful, well equipped open plan kitchen and dining area with large glass windows opens up onto the outside verandah and braai area creating the feel that one is part of nature whether inside or out.
Kudu Cottage
