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Hiking Trail Information Kingdom TrailsKingdom Trails Kingdom Trails is a 15,000 ha privately owned nature reserve, one of the largest in Mpumalanga and South Africa. This pristine nature area is about 120 km north-east of Pretoria and Johannesburg. Hidden within a natural amphitheatre of the Olifants River Gorge, it encompasses the confluence of the Olifants and Wilge rivers in the escarpment break above Loskop Dam. It is an area of outstanding natural and scenic beauty that includes Highveld grasslands, red granite cliffs with seasonal springs, bushveld woodlands and dense riverine vegetation. Activities at Kingdom Trails include hiking trails of differing durations and challenges, bird watching, game viewing, and fiKingdom Trails is under two hours by road from Pretoria or Johannesburg. shing on 32 km of unspoilt river frontage. Accommodation facilities include four choices. One of these, a rustic base camp on the From Johannesburg and O.R. Tambo International Airport banks of the Wilge River, offers accommodation for up to 30 hikers in several separate huts.Take the N12 from the Johannesburg area to Witbank. Exit the N4 highway at Witbank and continue through Witbank on the R544 for ±30 km towards Verena. The Kingdom Trails signboard is on the right and the entrance is through a double game-proof gate. From the gate drive another ±7 km on the farm road to Numerous indigenous wildlife species occur on the Kingdom Trails property, including kudu, impala, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, Kingdom Camp. The turnoff to Kingdom Camp is signposted. leopard, wildebeest and zebra. Alternatively the R42 (Delmas/Bronkhorstpruit road) off the N12 can be used to reach Kingdom Trails via Bronkhortspruit and Vaalplaas on the R25 Verena Road (please see "From Pretoria" below for more detail). Only 1.5 hours from O.R. Tambo International Airport and Pretoria via the N4, Kingdom Trails is easily accessed by rRoute through Witbank: N12 to Witbank, turn off the highway at the second turn-off (Presidentoad. The last Mandela 10 km, however, are on farm tracks which sometimes require 4WD during the rainy season or after rain showers.Avenue) and left into Witbank. Turn right into Swartbos Avenue at the traffic light opposite the KFC on the left. Continue with Swartbos Avenue until a T-junction reached. Turn left at this junction and continue over the railway line, then turn right at the second traffic light. At the first road, turn right again. Cross the double railway Kingdom Trails is a malaria-free area. line and follow the signs for the R544 towards Verena for ±30 km. From Pretoria • Part of the idyllic nature of Kingdom trails is that there is Take the N4 from Pretoria no cell phone receptionto Bronkhorstpruit. Exit the N4 highwayand no electricity at the R25 (Bronkhorstpruit. East) turnoff. Drive to Verena on the R25 (±50 km), and then turn right onto the R544 towards Witbank. The Kingdom • In order to enjoy your stay we strongly advise that Trails signboard andyou plan your trip game-proof double gate to the farm carefully and have a clear is ±15 km further on the left. understanding of where you want to hike and take your maps with you. From Middelburg • The manager of the farm is very hard to reach because of the lContinue for ±8 km in a westerly directionack of cell phone reception so please on the Bankplaas gravel road to the DIBplan your visit well sign board stay on main in advance and pay attention to detailroad. (left hand split), pass a Telkom tower (±6 km further). Turn left ±2 km after tower down smaller gravel road (follow sighs to Slaghoek and Rich Ranch). -+ 1km futher you will find two gates. Slaghoekand Klip/Stone Camp gate is the right hand gate of the two. From the gate Slagthoek House is ±6 km and Klip/Stone Camp another ±3 km. Sign boards are visible. General • The use of any firearms is strictly forbiddenPlease Note : A 4x4 is required to reach Klip/Stone Camp but Slagthoek House is accessible with a 2x4. • No vehicles may drive between camps, roads only to be used to access camps www.kingdomtrails.co.za • No quadbikes or motorbikes allowed under any circumstances • Mountain bikes can be ridden by special arrangement • Fishing possible by arrangement • Walking, hiking, swimming all at own risk The Green Code • Whatever your bring in with you, must leave with you. Please take your rubbish WITH YOU • Fires only to be made in designated areas. Please ensure they are completely dead when unattended. • Leave only footprints, take only memories • Do not damage the natural environment • This is a conservation area, no pets allowed Animals There are wild animals at Kingdom Trails • Beware of crocodiles and hippo’s in the rivers • Beware of free roaming leopards and buffalos (They have walked across from the Loskop Dam Nature reserve) • During the summer months please be careful when it comes to snakes, they are everywhere! • Please do not feed the monkeys or leave rubbish around that the baboons can find. We have never had a serious incident with any of the above-mentioned animals. Please be vigilant and careful 2013 RATES: ALL CAMPS: R120.00 per adult and R90.00 per child u/12 per night. 2 x days 1 x night bookings: 1 Night + day rate of R80.00 = R200.00 per person. 3 x days 2 x night bookings: 2 Nights + day rate = R320.00 per person. Travelling to Kingdom Trails Please note: there are 2 access points to the trails. Please ensure you know which one to use. You cannot travel across the farm if you make a mistake. It is advisable to travel to the trails in daylight as the roads can be tricky and then you can also enjoy the spectacular views. Kingdom Camp (Entrance A): • Access is from the Witbank/Emalahleni to Verena Road (R544) • Access is only via 4X4 vehicles • You will need a code to open the gate. Please ensure you obtain it days before your visit • You will drive through various cattle gates. Please leave them as you find them. They do not have locks on them Kingdom Trails Kingdom Trails is under two hours by road from Pretoria or Johannesburg. Slaghoek House (Entrance B): From Johannesburg and O.R. Tambo International Airport • Access is from the N11 north from Take the N12 from the Johannesburg areaMiddelburg to Witbank. Exit. Please ensure you take the the N4 highway at Witbank andfirst continueBankplaas gravel through road off the N11 Witbank on the R544coming from Middelburg for ±30 km towards Verena.(see road map). The Kingdom TrailsTake note signboard: when you reach the farm is on the right and the entrance is through a double game-proof gate. From the gate drive another ±7 km on the farm road to access our gate is a smaKingdom Camp. The turnoff ller gate on the right hand side of a larger sliding gate. Our access is the to Kingdom Camp is signposted. smaller double hinged gate Alternatively the R42 (Delmas/Bronkhorstpruit road) off the N12 can be used to reach Kingdom Trails via • This is the only camp that you can reach with a normal vehicleBronkhortspruit and Vaalplaas on the R25 Verena Road (please see "From Pretoria" below for more detail). • You will need a code to open the gate please ensure you obtain it days before your visit Route through Witbank: N12 to Witbank, turn off the highway at the second turn-off (President Mandela Avenue) and left into Witbank. Turn right into Swartbos Avenue at the traffic light opposite the KFC on the left. Klip KampContinue (Entrance with Swartbos B): Avenue until a T-junction reached. Turn left at this junction and continue over the railway line, then turn right at the second traffic light. At the first road, turn right again. Cross the double railway • Access is from the line and follow the signsN11 north from for the R544 towardsMiddelburg Verena for .±30 Please ensure you take the km. first Bankplaas gravel road off the N11 coming from Middelburg (see road map). Take note: when you reach the farm access our gate is a smallFrom Pretoria er gate on the right hand side of a larger sliding gate. Our access is the Take the N4 from Pretoria to Bronkhorstpruit. Exit the N4 highway at the R25 (Bronkhorstpruit East) turnoff. smaller double hinged gate.Drive to Verena on the R25 (±50 km), and then turn right onto the R544 towards Witbank. The Kingdom • Access is only via Trails signboard and 4X4 game-proofvehicles double gate is ±15 km further on the left. • You will need a From Middelburgcode to open the gate please ensure you obtain it days before your visit • On route to the camp you will drive past Slaghoek house (see trail map)Continue for ±8 km in a westerly direction on the Bankplaas gravel road to the DIB sign board stay on main road (left hand split), pass a Telkom tower (±6 km further). Turn left ±2 km after tower down smaller gravel road (follow sighs to Slaghoek and Rich Ranch). -+ 1km futher you will find two gates. Slaghoekand GrootdraaiKlip/Stone Hut Camp gate is the right hand gate of the two. From the gate Slagthoek House is ±6 km and Klip/Stone Camp another ±3 km. Sign boards are visible. • Can only be accessed on foot Please Note: A 4x4 is required to reach Klip/Stone Camp but Slagthoek House is accessible with a 2x4. www.kingdomtrails.co.za Hiking Trails • There are various routes you can use between camps. Ensure you are clear as to which route you are using.
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