FIVE ASSEGAIS

HIKING TRAILS

Five Assegais Country Estate near Machadodorp features a spectacular  50km network of hiking trails on this 1250 hectare nature  conservancy.

ALL THE TRAILS

Albert Bossert has built an extensive system of hiking trails to the highest standards. The walks pass through an impressive range of environments and natural features on this magnificent nature conservancy.

The paths are so well constructed with steps and ladders that the path itself becomes your guide. Every step is thought about and laid out to allow the hiker to easily and safely explore the mountains and valleys. The trail takes one over the edge of cliffs into the gorges with cunningly constructed steps and bridges over the rivers.

We have striven to ensure that the trails are well marked and easy to follow. In addition to this, we have had the well-known dendrologist Dyk Zeeman walk the trails and to date he has marked and identified 109 different species of tree on the estate.

The estate features 4 different 2-day trails and in conjunction with our neighbours Wathaba and Bermanzi we also feature 3, 4 and 5-day trails.

GREEN FLAG RATED PRISTINE

RATES

R120pppn
PLUS VAT @ 14%

SLACKPACKING

R75 PER DAY PER ITEM

(100lt BOX)


A 50% DEPOSIT SECURES YOUR RESERVATION, BALANCE PAYABLE BEFORE ARRIVAL
NO CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS ACCEPTED
 

BANKING DETAILS

Five Assegais Country Estate (Pty) Ltd.
Standard Bank Carolina Branch Code:05-25-51-40
Account Number: 033264643
 
Cancellations 0 to 14 days prior forfeit 100% of the deposit.
Cancellations 14 to 28 days prior forfeit 50% of the deposit or 15% (+ VAT) of the booking quote value, whichever the greater.
Cancellations more than 28 days prior forfeit 25% of the deposit or 15% (+ VAT) of the booking total, whichever the greater.

FIVE ASSEGAIS 2 DAY BACKPACK

SLACKPACK

TRAILS

THE FIVE-ASSEGAIS ESCARPMENT & HELL'S BELLS TRAILS

These are the first trails built on the estate and are based at the God's Window Camp. The trails start and end at God's Window Camp. 

DAY 1- THE ESCARPMENT TRAIL

The whole day 13.5-km trail is a moderately difficult self-guided trail with a 400-metre rise to ascend. The trail starts at the God's Window Camp descending the Bankspruit canyon to the foot of the ‘ Brides leap’ waterfall, the second highest in Mpumalanga and follows the spruit past pools and rapids and through the unique sandstone maze that is the Skurwerand.

DAY 2
THE HELL’S BELL’S TRAIL

Descending from the camp this 8.4-km trail descends the magnificent Hell’s Kloof, through a pristine section of yellow wood forest filled with bird life, past secret and special places. The trail drops 400 metres through a kaleidoscope of terrain down to the fish eagle dam with a moderately difficult ascent back to base. There is a short cut if needed!

PONGOLA EXPRESS TO GOD'S WINDOW CAMP LOOP

This trail can start at either camp and is a clockwise hike that traverses the edge of the Skurwerand before plunging down the valley through the 'Cathedral' and along the river and past the Mac Falls amongst many others.
Starting at the Pongola you take Day 1 of the Num-num Trail The Bergbas Roete to Gods Window from God’s window you follow the Escarpment trail till the junction at the road where you join the Num-num Trail Day 4 The Pompon Way. You can then choose to take the tar road back to the Pongola Express or go a little further and take the link back to the Pongola. Those that are very fit can choose to go even further and join The Num-num Day 5 The Kokoboom Pad that is an extra 4km at the next link.
 

PONGOLA EXPRESS - CANDLEWOOD CAMP LOOP

This loop consists of two equal sections starting at either camp. Both sections are about 8km long and include some steep climbs, very dramatic with a wide variety of terrains.
Starting from The Pongola Express hikers follow the Num-num day 1 Bergbas Roete to the first link and join the Escarpment trail to the Candlewood camp.
From Candlewood this loop starts on the Escarpment trail takes the link at the swing Bridge onto The Day 4 of the Num-num the Pompon Way. Hikers can then choose to take the tar road back to the Pongola, or go a bit further and enjoy the walk to the next link to the Express and for the very fit continue along the Pompon to the next link which joins with day 5 of the Num-num Trail The Kokoboom Pad back to the Pongola.
 

GOD'S WINDOW- CANDLEWOOD CAMP
LOOP

This trail is for hikers that can follow a map as the trail goes backwards in terms of the markings along the trail. There are a few markers associated with this route for reassurance along the way.
Starting at Candlewood the trail follows the Escarpment route down to the waterfall and along the Bankspruit following the path past the Boardroom pool and over the Skurwerand to Gods window Camp.
From God’s Window camp the trail goes backwards along the Day 1 of the Num-num trail The Bergbas Roet to the link with day 4 the Pompon Way and goes backwards along that route to Candlewood.

 OOM PAUL'S 2-DAY BACKPACKERS TRAIL

VISITOR'S COMMENTS

Here is a brief report-back from the Oom Paul’s Escarpment Hiking Trail at Five Assegais (23-25 July 2010):
 
·          Participants:
o   Five Footprint hikers in total: Petro, Megan, Irene, Victor and David
o   Margit could not join us as she was not feeling well on Friday
o   Janice Kitchen also cancelled at the last minute
o   See attached signed Indemnity Form
 
·          Arrival & Departure:
o   Petro and I travelled together and arrived early at Five Assegais – God’s Window Camp on Friday 23 July (16h30). Megan, Irene & Victor arrived later in the evening (at 20h00)
o   We started hiking early on Saturday 24 July (07h30) and Sunday 25 July (06h30)
o   We all departed from the God’s Window Camp at about 14h30 on Sunday 25 July 2010.
 
·          Hiking Trail & Accommodation:
o   The hiking trail led us through some of the most spectacular scenery in Mpumalanga – with deep valleys cut by waterfalls, pools, slipways and pristine riverine ecosystems, layered mountains with mazes of rocks and crevices, and expansive views of the surrounds.
o   We were pleasantly surprised to observe wild horses, a few Nguni cattle (in the most unusual locations on steep forested slopes), Black Wildebeest, Blesbok and Zebra.
o   Trails were well marked, with clear signs placed frequently along the trail. Signs were pasted on rocks or droppers; and a few of these had fallen and needed to be re-attached. We used the trail map extensively, which was quite accurate. We noticed that there were bridges that are not marked on the trails map.
o   The farmer has really made Five Assegais a special place for Footprint Hikers – there were several ladders (some taking us into holes in rocks), bridges, a tunnel through a cliff face – and the most funny sign we have ever seen “the Fat Man’s Trap” which is a narrow crevice that one has to walk through (definitely not for the overweight).  
o   We observed a number of Hiking Trails that cross and run along the Oom Paul’s Escarpment Hiking Trail – such as Num Num Trail, Milk Plum Trail, Pom Trail and Bladder Nut Trail. This confused us at times and had to back track on occasion to locate the last marker.
o   The hike was longer and more strenuous than we thought with long uphill stretches. However the trail was carefully planned with lots of flat stretches between the steeper parts – allowing us to catch our breath.
o   We were pleasantly surprised by a maze of rocks on day two, which some may describe as a natural labyrinth.
o   Accommodation was very comfortable and way above average with thick mattresses, electricity, loads of hot water and very interesting facilities (open air showers; loos with views – you literally look over the whole countryside whilst on the loo). It was beyond our expectations.
 
·          Weather: Fantastic weather. Warm and sunny during the days. Nights were cold.
 
·          General:
o   There were no incidents, issues or problems experienced.
o   We were joined by a large group of 12 people in our camp, which appeared to be bit uncomfortable for some members of our group. The facilities could nevertheless handle both groups.
o   The hike was a totally awesome experience – and will be one of our favourites. The group size was great and we stuck together. 
 
Kind regards
 
David Jacobs
The Project Management Office
Government Communications (GCIS)
Telephone: (012) 314 2496
Mobile: 0836818904
Fax: (012) 323 5196
E-mail: davidj@gcis.gov.za
Website: www.gcis.gov.za