Mount Komati Hiking Trail

A stay at Mount Komati Hiking Trail gives one the luxury of having a 1000ha nature farm all to one self. A true nature lover’s paradise!!

Relaxing is what it’s all about and how else with the calm surrounds of mountains all-round and “a river runs through it”, pun intended.

Welcome To ‘Your Own Private Holiday Farm!’

This really is “a Perfect little Mountain Hide-Away “.
Peace & quiet is all you will find here. And lots of it at that!

Run by the owners, they are intent upon keeping the farm unspoilt and not to over-commercialize it.

The farm has a moderate climate throughout the year, with wind still evenings perfect for outdoor braais & absolute stunning star gazing!

Activities At Mount Komati Include

Peace & Quiet is what we are really known for, yet you may also enjoy

Excellent Hiking trails, River Fly fishing for Yellowfish, Bird & game watching, and just plain Leisure & Relaxation!

• Selected activities like 2 stunning, professionally planned and laid out, self-guided hiking trails, bird watching, picnics up in the mountains and swimming in the river are on offer.
• Situated on the banks of the Komati river – home to the sought after Wild Yellow Fish – makes it perfect as a fly-fishing destination.
• A couple of game species has been re-introduced on the farm which gives it a flavor of old world nature. Hence it is also essential to control the numbers of animals as to ensure perfect balance just as nature provided for it all along. Since there are no top predators left in the area, it is necessary for humans to control the numbers artificially and in order to do so, from time to time, strictly bow hunting only is conducted on this property. This ensures the relaxed feel on the farm for the guests as well as the animals roaming free.
• This is the perfect spot to be used as a private hideaway where the kids can still experience country life or for the discerning fly fisherman looking for that extra challenge of the fight of a Wild River Yellow Fish. For the table, there is a well-stocked trout dam with pan-size to trophy-size Rainbows and also Goldies and the big fighter, Brown Trout.
• Special activities such as day spa with professional massages, manicures & pedicures are 45 minutes drive away.

Trails

Mount Komati – “Something of everything” trails!! This is a two-day circular route on the scenic eastern Drakensberg escarpment. Each day hikers return to the same base camp. The camp offers more than basic trail conveniences in the form of stone under thatch chalets with Eskom power, standard single beds with proper 150mm thick Ericsson’s high density foam mattresses.

The camp sleeps 20 guests with space for an extra few mattresses also.

A separate kitchen is equipped with almost everything you will need, from a four plate gas stove & oven, fridges, chest deep freezer, pots and pans, to all crockery and cutlery.

Guests also have access to a centrally situated stone/thatch lapa for relaxing and dining, with internal braai facility in case of adverse weather conditions.

Day 1: “Round the Rock” Route:

This is a pleasant, lingering first-day hike of +- 13.5km with a great variety of topography, landscape fauna and flora. Hikers finish it in between 6 & 8 hours. Start at the base camp next to the Komati river (altitude 1230m). Experience lush riparian growth, rolling hills, middle and Highveld plains, wind through ancient settlements and kraals. Be on the lookout for bushbuck, zebra, kudu, wildebeest etc. For the “twitchers” among you, try to spot exceptional species seen on the route before – knysnaloerie, nerina trogon, katakuru, fish eagle, black eagle, bald ibis, Cape vulture and many more. Rare and varying vegetation will be along the route all the way. Pay tribute to an enormous cabbage tree (Cusonia spp).

Enjoy the cliffs and overhead krantzes with cataracts and clear mountain streams to quench your thirst. Wind your way up the escarpment, enjoy the shapely sandstone formations and at the highest point (altitude 1830m) admire an amazing view of mountains and rolling plains. Oh yes, on the upper parts, expect to see mountain rhebuck and even the scarce oribi. After a good rest, zig-zag down to the Komati where a hippo pool of clean and healthy water awaits you no more than 500m from the camp.

Day 2: “Little Paradise” Route:

After a stiff hike on day one, Little Paradise allows for a later morning to line up for a short 4.5km route with focus on the sheer beauty of the Komati river and surrounds.

Surprisingly different from Day 1, this route takes you through yet another type of topography, however as scenic as the first day’s route. It ends 100m downstream from the camp where you can rest your feet on the river edge embankment, plunge in a cool pool or enjoy a natural Jacuzzi on the rapids. By midday you should be ready to pack and depart with fond memories of your visit to Mount Komati.

Day 3: “Trogan” Route:

Mount Komati have also built a third, easy trail which they have aptly named the Trogon Trail. It is a most enjoyable 3.5km long.

Albeit still an unofficial trail, it was recently described by one of the legendary hikers as “a little gem that must definitely be part of your hiking portfolio”.

It starts right in front of the camp where one crosses the Komati river to start with Likkewaanlaan, which was actually built for fly fisherman to have flat and easy access to the river for more than a kilometer. On the trail you will first visit the Madiba Stone and then the Raaswater rapids en route to Amos se Gat. This is a large natural pool in the

Komati where one can swim and play with inner tubes, have a picnic or lekker fun in the sun. It’s a mere 5 minutes hike from the camp. A further 200m upstream one gets to Pupkewitz’s Pools where one can tan on the beautiful rocks next to the Komati or even fly fish for the indigenous small scale yellow fish which is, pound for pound, the most exciting freshwater fish in SA to catch! Only a couple of hundred meters further, one gets to Bush Pig Bush and then the trail leaves Likkewaanlaan to join Loerie Loop which follows a crystal clear mountain stream up a very gentle slope along the ravine. Search for the Narina trogon or Knysna Loeries (new name Knysna turaco) that, among other birds, frequent these indigenous mountain forests!

Accommodation

On offer is a cozy, private lodge consisting of 4 stone and thatch chalets with accommodation facilities for groups up to 20 (extra mattresses optional)

Catering

The lodge is mainly self catering, but a set menu will also be catered for bigger groups on request.
Management and staff alike are looking forward to welcoming you and ensure a stay worthy of writing back home to.
Make sure you depart on the due date.

Ietermagog Camp

Tarentaal Chalet: Sleeps 4 persons

Separate with own amenities. Fully equipped:

• 1 Private bedroom (double bed, linen & towels included, bring own towels for the river)
• Own private bathroom with shower, toilet & basin
• In the lounge are 2 extra single beds
• Dining room
• Kitchen with all cutlery & crockery, appliances, cooking utensils, oven & microwave
• Wooden deck overlooking the garden, river and mountains
• Extra mattresses can be put in lounge / on the loft

2 x “Hiker’s huts” (Wildebees & Idube):

Wildebees Hut: Sleeps 6 persons

3 x bunk beds with fitted sheets – no bedding

Idube Hut: Sleeps 6 persons

3 x bunk beds with fitted sheets – no bedding

• Share an ablution block: Electric geezers with hot & cold water showers, flush toilets, hand basins
• Share an undercover braai lapa and well-equipped kitchen facilities: 4 plate gas burner & oven, 2 fridges, chest freezer, cooking utensils, cutlery & crockery.
• There’s an outside braai area & also an African Style boma, “Die Bosvark”, for “lekkerkuiers”.