camps | Slackpack
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. All hiking facilities are shared dormitory style hikers accommodation so if you have any romantic notions you might rather want to consider booking one of our more sophisticated accommodations.
All the camps have indoor and outdoor braai areas, kitchens equipped with basic cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils and hot water typically required for hikers meals.
Pongola Express Coach Camp
Two vintage, well preserved 1911 railway coaches forms the heart of this camp. It’s like journeying back into history.
There are 7 compartments sleeping 2 or 4 guests each, with a maximum of 22 guests. Two indoor and three outdoor showers, a bath, 4 toilets and an outdoor open air “men’s” is 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”, part of the accommodation setup at Pongola Express, sleeps 6 guests on 3 bunk beds and has its own en-suite bathroom with shower, basin and toilet, but shares all the other communal spaces like kitchen, deck and braai areas with the coach guests.
This camp functions on Eskom electricity so prepare for outages by bringing your own LED headlamps etc.
Loadshedding schedule: Bosloop (13) on ESP
Aloe Kaya Camp
Two double story wooden huts are tastefully placed among spectacular sandstone rock formations evoking images of mystery and mystique. These 4 dormitories sleep 28 guests total (8, 6, 6 and 8).
The much talked about ‘Loo’s with a view’ and “Open air canyon showers” are main attractions… Gas geysers provide for warm water in both the out in the open between the rocks and grotto showers. These are enjoyed by “kids” of all ages.
The kitchen is equipped with the basics like a two plate gas hob, cutlery, cooking utensils, tin cups and plates, two pots and pans.
Both inside and outside braai areas with grids available.
Solar lights and USB type 1 charging ports available in all rooms and the kitchen. IMPORTANT: NO three or two-point plugs allowed, ONLY 12v for phones and tablets available. No charging facilities for cameras, laptops etc. so please bring your own power banks if required.
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 15 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 lights and USB type 1 charging ports available in all rooms, bathrooms and the kitchen. IMPORTANT: NO three or two-point plugs allowed, ONLY 12v for phones and tablets available. No charging facilities for cameras, laptops etc. so please bring your own power banks if required.
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).
