Some of South Africa’s Best Overnight Hiking Trails

Komatiland Eco Tourism offers some of South Africa’s Best Overnight and Multi-Day Hiking Trails.

These trails are laid out through state-owned Plantations and adjoining protected areas of alpine grassland and lush indigenous Afro-Montane forests in the Limpopo Province and Mpumalanga.

Many of these Hiking Trails offer varying routes of varying difficulty and trails of between 2 to 6 days, and some are counted among the very best, most beautiful and most challenging hiking trails in South Africa.

Entabeni Hiking Trail consists of two 2 day 2 night routes that take you through sub-tropical indigenous forest with huge ferns, plantation and redwood forest in the Soutpansberg mountains in the Limpopo Province. The trails feature lookout points with magnificent views.

Soutpansberg Hiking Trail (Hanglip Hiking Trail) is accessed via Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. The 2 day 2 night trail moves through lush sub-tropical forest in the Hanglip Forest Reserve adjacent to the town of Louis Trichardt and is known for its spectacular birding.

Magoebaskloof Hiking Trail consists of several trails – from 2 day 1 night to 6 days 5 nights. The trails move through the Woodbush State Forest and the densely forested Magoebaskloof situated between Haenertsburg and Tzaneen in the Limpopo Province. This is one of South Africa’s best known hiking trails, and features the lovely Debegeni Falls.

Fanie Botha Hiking Trail moves through magnificent scenery around Sabie and Graskop in Mpumalanga. Trails of varying length, routes and difficulty range from 2 day 1 night to 5 day 5 night. This trail is renowned for its magnificent scenery and features two beautiful waterfalls which are both National Monuments: the Mac Mac Falls and the Lone Creek Falls (see more on the Panorama Route Waterfalls)

Prospectors Hiking Trail is for the very fit! This 5 day 4 night trail moves between Pilgrim’s Rest and Sabie on the Mpumalanga Panorama Route, and is rated as one of South Africa’s most challenging hiking trails. It is also one of its best and features many historical landmarks and relics. There are options for shorter and easier routes.

Uitsoek Hiking Trail near Nelspruit is 2-day 2 night trail through mountainous terrain, inclusive of montane grassland, the Uitsoek Pine Plantation and beautiful indigenous forests. This trail requires a gas stove if you want to cook as there is no electricity provided in the overnight huts.

Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail near Nelspruit moves through the Berlin Plantation, alpine grasslands and indigenous forest, and is famous for its wild horses and awe-inspiring scenery. A bonus is the delightful historical village of Kaapschehoop (or Kaapsehoop). Another feature of this trail attractive to birders is the Blue Swallow Nature Reserve.