 The
town of Sabie offers much more than just the traditional
sport & recreation facilities. Our indoor and
outdoor facilities caters for both the adventure and the
sport enthusiast, and promises great fun and
entertainment for the whole family.
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Webmaster's
Note:
We still have a small problem
accommodating surfers and whale watchers
(sorry about that) - but the rest
is on the list !
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Adventure
 Abseiling
The sheer vertical cliffs around Sabie lends itself
to exhilarating rock climbing and abseiling for
those with the right equipment, courage and
know-how. A popular venue is at the Sabie
waterfall in town. Equipment and instructors
are available.
Contact:
Tourist Information Office on 013 764-3399
Bird Watching
The Sabie area is truly a birders paradise. Not
only is there a huge variety of the more common bird
species, but a number of globally and nationally
threatened species also occur in the area. See
our special Bird
Watchers page for more information.
Boating & Sailing
A number of dams (all less than a hour's drive
from Sabie) is a haven for power-boat and sailing
enthusiasts. For more information contact the
Lowveld Angling and Boating Association (LABA) on
013 753-3336.
Da Gama Dam (42 km
from Sabie)
Home of the Forest Sailing Club. Motorised
crafts limited to a maximum of 5kw. Camping
is allowed, but there are no ablution facilities.
Contact:
Forest Sailing Club (Ken Grossmith) on (082)
600-2252 or Des Drake on (083) 225-8359
Klipkoppie Dam (??
km from Sabie)
The turnoff to the
dam is 34.4 km from Sabie on the R537
road towards White River.
No
restriction on size of motorized crafts. A
camping site with ablution facilities is
available.
Contact:
Chris Schutte (083) 626-6293.
Longmere Dam (52 km from Sabie)
Access to this small dam is restricted to LABA
club members, owners of the time-share units and
hotel guests. Only pedal-boats and canoes are
allowed.
Contact:
Pine Lake Inn on 013 751-5036 or
Alex Price on (082) 448-1888
Orighstad Dam
(51 km from Sabie)
Take the R532 towards Graskop and then the R533
via Pilgrim's Rest. The turnoff to the dam
is 19.1 km beyond Pilgrim's Rest on the R533 and
the dam a further 3.9 km. Canoeing, rowing and angling from
powerboats are permitted on the dam. A
picnic site with ablution facilities is
available.
Contact:
Department of
Water Affairs & Forestry on 013 238-0201
Primkop Dam
Motorised crafts limited to a maximum of
5kw. A camping site with ablution
facilities is available.
Contact:
Francis (caretaker) on (072) 483-2000
laba@laba.co.za
Witklip Dam
The turnoff to the
dam is 31.7 km from Sabie on the R537
road towards White River.
This 188ha
dam is mainly a fishing dam. No motorised crafts
(other than electric bass fishing boats) are
permitted. Only small, slow moving rowing
and sailing boats are allowed, due to the danger
of submersed debris.
Contact:
Department of Water Affairs & Forestry on
013 764-2871
Caving
A broad band of Dolomitic rock occurs less than a
kilometre west of Sabie. It contains a large
number of caves on private land.
One of the largest caves in the area is the Lone
Creek cave. It is not a tourist cave, but it
is (unofficially) open to the public. It is
situated just off the main road on the way to Lone
Creek Falls - 7 km from Sabie. There are no
facilities and no lights. Cave disease
(Histoplasmosis) may be present. Some caving
experience and adult supervision is advised.
Dress up in old clothing as this is a very muddy
cave. The entrance to an old horizontal mine
shaft is located 30 m north-west of the cave
entrance. Do not enter the mine as
the old tunnels are extremely unstable and
dangerous.
The
Echo Caves is 130 km from Sabie on the R36
road, north of Ohrigstad. The Sudwala Caves
is located 45 km from Sabie (turn left on the R37
road to Nelspruit at Rosehaugh and follow
directions on the R539). This is a large and
spectacular cave system that is well worth a
visit. Guided tours are conducted
daily. Also enquire about their special
Crystal Chamber tour (for the brave of heart).
Contact:
Tourist Information Office on 013 764-3399
Fishing & Fly Fishing
The Sabie river, and all its tributaries above the
Sabie waterfall, is declared trout waters. The Sabie
Trout Angling Club stock 7 km of the river with
rainbow and brown trout to supplement the natural
breeding population of trout in the river. This
section of the Sabie river is arguably the best river
fly-fishing venue for trout on public waters in the
Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. Non club members
need to purchase daily rod permits, obtainable from a
number of businesses and accommodation establishments
in town. Fly-fishers also have to be in
possession of a provincial trout angling
license. Strictly fly-fishing tackle and
artificial flies only.
For more info see our special Fly
Fishing page.
Fishing for trout is also available from a number of
small dams at the
Horseshoe Trout & About trout farm.
Fishing tackle can be rented and any bait may be
used. The fish caught are charged by the
kilogram.
Excellent fishing venues for Bass, Carp, Catfish,
& Tilapia include the da Gama, Klipkoppie,
Longmere, Orighstad, Primkop and Witklip dams - all of
which are but a short drive from Sabie.
Contact:
Lowveld Angling and Boating Association (LABA) on
013 753-3336
Flying
The Sabie airfield is a grassed
runway at an altitude of 1140m (3740 feet). It
is mostly used by private air planes and
micro-lights, as well as by "water-bomber" planes
when combating forest fires. It is poorly maintained and should be
checked by a ground crew before landing and takeoff.
Gold Panning (38 km from Sabie)
"There are still gold in them hills ....."
So why not try your hand
at panning for gold - just like the old-timers
did. Visit Pilgrim's Rest to try it first
hand.
Gorge Swinging & High Wire (32km from
Sabie)
Experience the adrenaline rush of the world's
highest cable gorge swing with a 68 metre (18 storey
building) freefall.
0-160km/h in 2.3 seconds!
Or fly across the 80
metre high gorge on the High Wire slide.
Contact:
Tourist Information Office on 013 764-3399
Webmaster's Note:
Figures
obtained from the brochure, but the
calculations don't add up - perhaps the
gravitational force is higher here than
anywhere else on our planet. Even
so - there are no miss-calculations on the
adrenaline levels - it is a
not-to-be-missed experience of a lifetime
for the adventurous and the brave at
heart! |
Graskop Gorge Lift (32km from Sabie)
Enchant your family with an unforgettable journey into the heart of a pristine indigenous forest. The Graskop
Gorge Lift is the latest and most innovative tourism development in South Africa and the only one of it's kind
in the Southern Hemisphere.
Your journey begins as you drop off the grassy cliff top in a custom-designed 26-passenger viewing
elevator. It travels 51m down the cliff face into the cool mountain forest below. An extensive
network of elevated walkways, suspension bridges and interactive exhibits lead you along the 500m
forest trails and across the streams.
Contact:
Tourist Information Office
013 764-3399
Helicopter Flips (35
km from Sabie)
Hover over breathtaking views of waterfalls, Blyde
Canyon, God's Window, and Sabie River Valley. Various
options - 15min, 45min, 1hour and 2hours.
Contact:
Tourist Information Office on 013 764-3399
Hiking and Backpacking
The concept of National Hiking Trails was invented in
Sabie with the launch of the Fanie Botha trail in
1973. Hiking trails around Sabie cater for
everyone - whether you are a bird watcher, a fauna and
flora enthusiast, or merely want to experience the
delight of relaxing within sight of sparkling
waterfalls or meandering streams.
The hiking trails around Sabie range from easy walks
of a few hours to grueling hikes over several
days. See our special Walks
& Hikes page for more info.
Horse Riding
Experience some pleasant outdoor equestrian moments
riding through the forest or along the Sabie
river. From one hour to two day rides.
Contact:
Tourist Information Office on 013 764-3399
Motor Cycling
The good quality, winding
tarred roads in the Sabie area offer a challenge to
all motorcyclists, no matter what your level of
experience. Experience the sensational
feeling of freedom through the bends and
curves as you expand and hone your riding
capabilities. The ultimate experience is was the 22km
stretch on the Sabie-Hazyview R536 road - known as "To
The Halfway Mark". Caution: Sections of the R536 road between
Sabie and Hazyview is currently (September 2022) badly potholed and can no longer
be recommended for high-speed motorbiking.
Mountain Biking
Sabie has for the last ten years been at the
forefront of mountain bike racing in South Africa,
regularly hosted National Championships and
pioneered many event design innovations. The
Sabie Classic is an annual event hosted by the
Lowveld Chain Gang. For this prestigious race
the more than 3 000 competitors race through
the mountains surrounding Sabie, passing waterfalls
and panoramic views over some of the most
breathtaking scenery in South Africa. For more
information see our special Mountain
Biking page.
Contact:
Permits are available from the Merry Pebbles Resort, or the Komatiland Forest Industry Museum in town.
Quad Biking
Quad Biking trails are available in the Sabie River Valley near Sabie, on the Long Tom
Pass (25 km from Sabie), as well as further down the valley, towards Hazyview
(40km from Sabie). All of the trails
are guide by experienced guides on rented quads,
whilst one of the operators also accommodate private
quads. The trails include 1, 2 or 4 hour rides
through some of the most scenic landscapes the
region has to offer.
Contact:
Tourist Information Office on 013 764-3399
River Rafting, Canoeing, Tubing
The Sabie River is one of the few unpolluted rivers
left in South Africa and around the town of
Sabie the river is bilharzia free. You can leisurely
float down the Sabie river on an inner tube or sign
up for a river rafting experience. Access to
the river is free of charge and inner tubes can be
rented in town. A popular run is from Ceylon
bridge (where the road to Bridal Veil Falls crosses
the Sabie River) down to Castle Rock Caravan Park.
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Webmaster's Note:
The Sabie River can be
extremely dangerous when in flood!
Floatation jackets are advised at all
times.
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Professional, trained tour operators - with a full
compliment of safety equipment - also offer
adrenalin pumping trips on the Sabie River in rafts
or on specially designed tubes.
Contact:
Tourist Information Office on 013 764-3399
Rock Climbing
The sheer vertical cliffs around Sabie lends
itself to exhilarating rock climbing and abseiling
for those with the right equipment, courage and
know-how. A popular venue is the Gorge at the
Sabie waterfall in town, where close to 40 routes
are bolted and well described.
For more info see Climb ZA's wiki web site.
Tobogganing
The 1,7 km Long Tom Toboggan track promises exhilarating thrills for all adventure seekers. Starting at an altitude
of 1,700 metres, riders can enjoy a thrilling ride down the picturesque, rolling hills of the Long Tom Pass at speeds
of up to 45 km/h. Dropping 115 metres from the start to finish, it takes less than 5 minutes to reach the bottom.
Contact:
Tourist Information Office on
013 764-3399
Sport
Archery
Learn to shoot with bow and arrow - all equipment provided.
Contact:
Tourist
Information Office on 013 764-3399
Basket-ball
Basket-ball matches are played in the
Bambanani indoor sports centre.
Recently the practice games for the
Lowveld Provincial teams were held in
Sabie.
Bowls
There is an excellent bowling green with
viewing deck at the Sabie Country
Club. The Sabie Bowls Club play on
Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
Visitors are welcome.
Contact:
Adriaan Rouvoet on 013 764-1607
Cycling
The good tarred roads, undulating
topography and clean, fresh mountain air
amidst breathtaking scenery, places Sabie
and the surrounding area high on the venue
selection for both the amateur and
professional cyclist. Professional
cycling teams visit the area regularly to
train for big cycling events. The
Lowveld Chain Gang club regularly hosts
social rides and can provide you with all
the necessary information, as well as a
companion or guide, should you require
one.
For the
less energetic, the 9 km level tarred road
between Sabie and Lone Creek Falls is
popular for a leisurely family cycling
outing.
Contact:
Brett Coates - 082 774 5821
Gaming
& Gambling (60 km from Sabie)
The Emnotweni Casino is situated in the
Riverside Mall, on the outskirts of
Nelspruit.
Golf
Sabie Country Club boasts a challenging
nine hole course (par 68, 5,457m),
considered by many as one of the best
9-hole courses in the area. Carts
and caddies are available from the Pro
Shop or from the office.
Contact:
Sabie Country Club on 013 764-2282, or
visit their web site.
There are
also a number of golf courses within a
hour's drive, making Sabie a central base
for a memorable golfing holiday. So
why not take a swing at some of the
following excellent golf courses:
Kruger Park Lodge (Hazyview): 9-holes
White River Country Club: 18-holes
Pine Lake Inn (White River): 9-holes
Sabie River Sun (Hazyview): 18-holes
TGME Golf Club (Pilgrim's Rest): 9-hole
Nelspruit Golf Club: 18-hole
Lydenburg Golf Club: 9-hole
Skukuza (Kruger National Park): 9-hole
Indoor Cycling
("Spinning") & Gym
Sessions and instructions are available at
the Sabie Country Club - Monday to
Thursday at 17:30. Visitors are
welcome
Contact:
Juanta - 084 782 2143
Karate
The W.S.K.F. Karate Club meets every
Monday & Thursday in the Town Hall for
Shotokan Karate.
Contact:
Sempai Thea Herbst on (083) 769-5189
Marathon Running
Sabie's high altitude (between 1 000 and 1
200 metres above sea level), combined with
it's healthy clean air, low traffic
volumes, low crime rate and scenic
surroundings, makes it an ideal training
venue for marathon runners. Every
year teams of top Comrades Marathon
runners frequent the area as part of their
training programme.
Annual Marathon Events:
York Timbers Long Tom Marathon
The toughest 56km ultra marathon in
South Africa is held in March/April in
Sabie on the Long Tom Pass. Up to 1 500
runners participating in this grueling
event. A standard 21km marathon, in
which up to 600 runners participate, is
also hosted on the same day.
Contact:
Odette van Staden 083 678 3937
York Forest Run
Every August/ September is the time
for 800 athletes to take to the woods,
running past some of the most scenic
waterfalls in the area in either the 32
km or the 10 km race.
Contact:
Odette van Staden
083 678 3937
God's Window Marathon
This half-marathon is run in October in
the scenic Graskop area by up to 500
athletes.
Contact:
Salome van Rensburg on (084)
208-3269
Putt-putt (Mini Golf)
There is a challenging course at the
Smokey Restaurant - always popular with
children and adults alike.
Squash
There are two squash courts (one with glass back) at
the Sabie Country Club.
Contact:
Sabie Country Club on 013 764-2282
Swimming
There is a half-Olympic sized swimming
pool at the Sabie Country Club which is
open all day in season.
Contact:
Anton Gruber 083 701-1207
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Walks & Hikes
