Thabaphaswa Mountain Sanctuary

This stunning privately owned mountain sanctuary is situated in the fork of the 2 main national routes of N1 and N11, on the Percy Fyfe road, 18 km north of Mokopane/ Potgietersrus.(On route to Polokwane, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kruger Nat. Park and Mozambique. ) It is 3 hours from JHB and PTA. 2 hours fromMartinsdrift/ Groblersbrug border gate with Botswana.
Co-ordinates: S24º04.500 .E 29º04’013.

“Thabaphaswa” in the local N-Sotho/Ndebele dialect, means: “the black and white mountain” – a well known landmark to all the local inhabitants and tribes of the area. It describes the colouring patterns of the indigenous Nguni animals. The Thabaphaswa Mountain towers over the adjacent hills.
This sanctuary offers the ideal opportunity for nature lovers to discover the variety of game, bird and plant-life of this area. The beautiful scenery has been complemented by the design of the overnight camps which are camouflaged between the big boulders on the farm which blend into the landscape.

THIS SANCTUARY OFFERS:

  • 4 X Unique bush camps: Dome Rock Camp, Kanniedood Bush Camp, Mountain Bergvy Camp and a brand new permanent safari tented camp with more lux facilities (10 x 2 bed tents) – more info to follow shortly on this camp.
  • • A Whole network of hiking trails, (day circular and back pack trails)
  • • All Trails are clearly marked, colour coded, well sign posted and easy to follow.
  • Some of the trails can be linked to make up a much longer day 1 and day 2.
  • (Refer to our trail map) Black Eagle & Tshesane Hiking Trail –15km
  • Ice is for sale at the reception/ farm shop.
  • The Lookout Point Trail – 14km.
  • Blue Trail from Dome Rock to Kanniedood – terrain is challenging;
  • Mhahlare circular trail – 2 hours app; Tshesane Hiking Trail – 1,5 hours app.
  • Klipspringer Hiking Trail – 1,5 hours app; A Detailed Trail map with GPS Co’s is available at the reception.

  • 4×4 trails all levels from 20-50km scenic to extremely challenging/ difficult trail – for the more experienced riders.

  • 15 x Shaded campsites with braais and ablutions in the wild.

  • A network of mountain biking trails (7 – 45km) bring own bikes.

  • Excellent Rock Climbing & Abseiling with safe anchor points: The Mountain Club of SA has bolted a 120m rock climb on a granite rock face (difficulty 17-21). A few easier climbs and abseiling are also available. Bring your own gear. A SARA Facilitator is available at extra cost for training and guidance.

  • Bird watching: More than 168 species of birds have been identified already.It is also situated very close to the well known Waterberg-Nylsvley Birding Route.

  • 105 National Tree species have been listed for amateur / professional dendrologists.

  • Swimming in a farm dam, kids fishing & canoeing.

  • Foefie sliding (zip line and cable sliding into the farm dam).

  • Guided game drives to be booked in advance at the reception. (More than 15 species antelope, giraffe, zebra, ostrich and more to be seen).

  • NB: There are no fridges /freezers at any of the camps: but we provide cooler boxes to guests.
  • A freezer and small fridge are available at the Thabaphaswa homestead. (Reception).
  • Ice is for sale at the reception/ farm shop.

ACCOMMODATION & RATES:

  • ALL VISITORS:

  • R200.00 per vehicle (Once off) max of 5 persons per vehicle.

  • DAY VISITORS: Must be pre booked.

  • (Hikers, mountain bikers, and 4×4 enthusiasts) R200.00 per Adult and R100.00 per child u/12 per day.

  • Please note that we do not have electricity in any of our accommodation.

  • The farmhouse (reception) has solar power for emergency use such as charging mobile devices.

THE DOME ROCK CAMP:  

(Ideal for hikers/ groups: base camp)

  • This camp has 4 x separate units with all private amenities, walking distance away from one another. Each hut/ unit can be booked privately or the whole camp can be booked for one bigger group.
  • This camp is close to several dams in the mountain stream that flows by and are lovely to swim in and there are also two foefie slides/zip lines to glide into the water.
  • All 4 units have a separate braai and washing up areas and are equipped with braai grids, pots, pans, kettles, two-plate gas stoves and solar lanterns.
  • Ablutions: 3 toilets and 3 showers. The flush toilets are affectionately referred to as “loos with views”. The separate showers are heated by an old-fashioned wood fired “donkey” boilers and are surrounded by reeds, but open to the sky. The entire camp is linked by winding concrete walkways.

  • Each unit in Dome Rock is named after the tree next to which it was built:

Huilboerboon at Dome Rock

  • Sleeps 4-6 persons: 1x Double bed room (2) and one room with 2 bunk beds (4)

Rooi Ivoorhut at Dome Rock

  • Sleeps 4 – 7 persons: 1x Double bed room + 1single bed (3) and 1 room with 2 bunk beds.

Maroela hut at Dome Rock

  • Sleeps 4-6 persons: 1x Double bed room (2) and one room with 2 bunk beds (4)

  • Sleeps 4-6 persons: 1x Double bed room (2) and one room with 2 bunk beds (4)

Kiepersol hut at the Dome Rock

  • Sleeps 4-6 people: 1x Double bed room(2) One room with 2 bunk beds (4)

RATES: PER UNIT PER NIGHT E.g: Huilboerboom (1 – 6 pax included) R900.00
R900.00 MINIMUM Per unit per night (own sleeping bags & pillows)

THE KANNIEDOOD CAMP: 

(Back Packers and 4×4 Bookings only)

  • This is a triple storey, reed-enclosed “shelter” on stilts, built amongst Commiphora (Kanniedood) trees high up on a steep rock face. The cantilevering upper deck offers incredible views over the hills and valley below.
  • The first deck contains bunk beds and mattresses with sleeping place for 14 people.
  • The space between the stilts forms an open air kitchen next to a communal braai area.
  • Once again ablution facilities (one shower and one toilet) are open air with reed fencing.

  • Access to the camp can only be achieved by 4×4 followed by a short, steep climb carrying food and luggage.

  • A braai grid, pots, pans, a kettle, two-plate gas stove and solar lamps are provided.

RATE:

MINIMUM OF R1,000.00 PER CAMP PER NIGHT: (Own bedding)

1 – 12 PAX INCLUDED, R150.00 per persons per night there- after.

THE MOUNTAIN FIG TREE (BERGVY) CAMP: 

(Back Packers and 4×4 Bookings only)

  • Fig Tree Camp caters for groups of up to 16 people on 8 bunk beds with thick mattresses.
  • It consists of a lockable reed shelter with a corrugated iron roof adjacent to a communal braai area. Basic kitchen equipment (A braai grid, pots, pans, kettle, 2-plate gas stove and solar lanterns) are provided but remember there are NO fridge or freezer facilities.
  • Ablution facilities (two reed-enclosed showers and 3 toilets) are situated approximately 50m away at the Thabaphaswa campsite.

RATE:

MINIMUM OF R1,000.00PER CAMP PER NIGHT: (Own bedding)

1 – 12 PAX INCLUDED, R150.00 per persons per night there- after.

THE MOUNTAIN FIG TREE (BERGVY) CAMP: 

(Back Packers and 4×4 Bookings only)

  • Fig Tree Camp caters for groups of up to 16 people on 8 bunk beds with thick mattresses.
  • It consists of a lockable reed shelter with a corrugated iron roof adjacent to a communal braai area. Basic kitchen equipment (A braai grid, pots, pans, kettle, 2-plate gas stove and solar lanterns) are provided but remember there are NO fridge or freezer facilities.
  • Ablution facilities (two reed-enclosed showers and 3 toilets) are situated approximately 50m away at the Thabaphaswa campsite.

RATE:

MINIMUM OF R1,000.00PER CAMP PER NIGHT: (Own bedding)

1 – 12 PAX INCLUDED, R150.00 per persons per night there- after.

CAMPING SITES:

There are several camp sites along the foot of the Thabaphaswa Mountain.

  • There are +- 15 sites. The main Thabaphaswa Campsite caters for larger groups. It is close to a big round farm dam to cool off in.

  • All the sites are situated underneath beautiful trees that offer sufficient shade for 2 – 4 4×4 vehicles with rooftop tents.

  • The other area for individual campsites is along the mountain stream that flows through the farm. There are natural dams in the stream that are great natural swimming pools.

  • Two of the dams have foefie slides (zip lines) for a more adventurous way to enter the water. This provides for great fun.

  • All camping areas have hot showers and reed-enclosed toilets.

  • Individual campsites have fire pits, braai grids, water taps and dish washing facilities.

  • We now also have a few movable shower stands that can be provided to campers that wish to take regular cold showers at their campsites.

  • Adventurous hikers can also make use of any of our camping sites providing to back pack with all their own tents and hiking equipment.

RATES:

R750.00 PER CAMP SITE PER NIGHT (1 – 6 PERSONS INCLUDED)

PLEASE NOTE:

  • There is NO ELECTRICITY at the camps. The homestead runs on generator and batteries. Bring your own portable gas lamps/ flash lights etc.

  • There is little/ limited or NO CELL PHONE RECEPTION at some of the camps.

  • Bird, tree and other species lists are available at reception.

  • Hiking: groups of min 6 people per backpacking hiking group please.

  • NB: If groups are smaller, accommodation at Kanniedood cannot be used and hikers will be accommodated in Dome Rock, Bergvy or at tent sites.

  • Malaria free, BUT bring insect repellent.

  • There are more / separate and detailed info packs, GPS Maps available on our Hiking Trails, Mountain bike Trails and our 4×4 Trails.

NB:  There is a brand new Lux. Private Safari Camp with small conference facilities under construction and will be opening soon.  Contact our office for more details.

Rates Available On request Only