Thabaphaswa Hiking Trails

About Thabaphaswa Hiking Trails

Start: Follow the signboards from Route 101 on the Percy Fyfe Road, near Potgietersrus
Finish: Thabaphaswa
Duration: 1, 2, 3 days, 38 km
Fitness: easy to moderate
Our tip: Dome Rock accommodation is spectacular and very different from any other, with glass-walled huts built into large granite boulders, peeping out from the rocky escarpment

Thabaphaswa, meaning black and white mountain, lies in a natural basin, enclosed by hills and the subsequent Thabaphaswa mountain looming beyond the hills, in the midst of the bushveld.

On the Nguni stud farm are a series of hiking, mountain biking and 4X4 trails for those who seek beautiful scenery, animals, birds and plant life.

This network of trails is easy for families or new hikers. The idea is that you plot your own route, using the network of trails. You can do day trails, using one of the three camps as base camp, or you can overnight at Kanniedood – a triple storey, reed-enclosed stilt shelter built in amongst the Kanniedood (commiphora) trees. There are wonderful views out over the hills and valley from up here.

At Thabaphaswa camp site hikers can pitch their own tents, although there is a permanent tent with 16 mattresses available.

The indigenous vegetation is particularly beautiful - fine examples of the Naboom or common tree euphorbia. But the highlight of the farm is the beautiful dome and rock formations. There are also sightings of leopard, brown hyena, kudu, baboon and jackal. Nearly 200 bird species have been identified.

Be aware that because of the altitude of Thabaphaswa and the protection of the surrounding hills, weather can get rather mild.