Mpumalanga Visitorials / Visitorials: We Love South Africa

I Love Sabie because …

Updated Sunday, 15 January 2017

Hi, Iโ€™m Janet Wills from Porcupine Ridge Guest House in Sabie, Mpumalanga.

SABIE IS BEST KNOWN FOR itโ€™s glorious setting in the mountains, as the gateway to the magnificent Panorama Route, as a centre for Mountain Biking, Trout Fishing and adventure activities and of course for itโ€™s close proximity to the Kruger National Park.

Sabie

GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Godโ€™s Window with the backdrop of the Lowveld all the way to Kruger Park and Mozambique.

THE BEST WATERFALL PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN from the bottom of Lone Creek and Bridal Veil Falls or looking down from the top of Lisbon and Berlin Falls.

OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT the Three Rondawels overlooking the awesome Blyde River Canyon and at the fascinating formations at Bourkeโ€™s Luck Potholes

WHEN THE WEATHER’S GOOD, I LIKE TO take in the beauty of the Panorama Route and marvel at the clear crisp views, walk in the mountains and remind myself how lucky I am to live here.

WHEN THE WEATHER’S BAD, I LIKE TO visit Kruger Park, where the animals are more active, we often see nocturnal animals on dull days and the rainy weather brings out the tortoises.

Sabie

I THINK THE BEST TIME TO VISIT SABIE is all year round, because our Winter days are warm and sunny with chilly nights when we love to snuggle up by a crackling log fire. Our Summers are hot and sometimes rainy with spectacular thunderstorms but we adore the balmy evenings under the stars. Spring and Autumn are perfect in-between times to visit with all the flowers and new life of Spring and the magnificent colours of Autumn.

MY FAVOURITE BREAKFAST SPOT IS the deep veranda of our own guest house with our beautiful mountain views.

FOR LUNCH, I SUGGEST Sabie Valley Coffee Shop in a lovely leafy setting overlooking the Sabie River. The coffee Roastery can be seen through windows from the restaurant and they have some yummy lunch options.

MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS The Woodsman in Sabie, with itโ€™s huge wooden deck where you can watch the world go by. Try the delicious Greek specialities, local Trout or the Ostrich Fillet.

MY FAVOURITE SUNDOWER SPOT IS the pool deck at Misty Mountain on a fine evening with the panoramic mountain vista beyond the rim flow pool.

Sabie

IF YOU WANT TO MEET LOCALS go to Sabie Country Club and have a round of Golf or try your hand at Bowls.

SABIE’S BEST KEPT SECRET IS the private waterfall on our Estate, a bracing 30 minute walk over the mountain from our guest house.

MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH FRIENDS IS to go to Mac Mac Pools for a picnic.

FOR SOME AFRICAN CULTURE I LIKE TO go to the Shangaan Evening Festival for an evening of African Theatre and feast.

TO RELAX AND RESTORE MY SOUL, I LIKE TO walk in the mountains.

IF YOU’RE FEELING ADVENTUROUS, TRY one of the dozens of activities available in the area, from Abseiling to Ziplining.

Sabie

MY FAVOURITE WALK IS at Forest Falls, where a pleasant hourโ€™s walk takes you through indigenous forest, alongside a babbling brook, to the only waterfall in the area wider than it is tall. Climb up the side of the waterfall and collect some fresh watercress before the return walk along the other side of the river.

MY FAVOURITE SHOP IN SABIE IS The Bookcase, a fascinating Alladinโ€™s cave of second hand books, with many interesting volumes waiting to be discovered.

MY FAVOURITE BIRD WATCHING SPOT IS the area around Lone Creek Falls, where a good day might turn up Orange Ground Thrush, Yellow Throated Woodland-Warbler, Yellow-Streaked Greenbul, Forest Canary or Knysna Turaco.

IF YOU’RE HERE IN December, join in the fun at the Sabie Experience, a four day Mountain Biking Event that attracts thousands of entrants and provides thrills and spills for participants and spectators.

Sabie

MY FAVOURITE MUSEUM IS the Sabie Forestry Museum, the only museum of itโ€™s kind in South Africa, with exciting exhibits for young and old.

MY FAVOURITE BUILDING IS the delightful little St Peterโ€™s Church, designed by Sir Herbert Baker and built by Italians in 1913.

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN? A FUN OUTING IS Trout Fishing for the whole family at Horseshoe Trout & About. All equipment can be hired and the kids are practically guaranteed to catch a fish.

BEST CHEAP AND CHEERFUL OUTING IS browsing around the old Gold Mining village of Pilgrimโ€™s Rest. The entire village is a National Monument, full of historical interest, quaint shops and colourful characters.

Sabie

WHEN MONEY’S NO OBJECT, I LIKE TO interact with elephants at Elephant Whispers or The Elephant Sanctuary. Riding these giants is an experience not to be forgotten.

THE MOST UNUSUAL THING I SEE HERE IS the thick morning mist in the Sabie River Valley below our guest house when the sky is clear above. It feels like you are looking down on the clouds.

MY FAVOURITE WEEKEND GETAWAY IS of course the Kruger Park. The very best place to reconnect with Nature and refresh your soul.

WHEN I WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY I support the local traders in the Market square and support the recycling initiative run by the community.

I Love Sabie Because it is the friendliest place Iโ€™ve ever lived. The setting is so beautiful but Sabie is an unpretentious and laid back little town with the huge added bonus of Kruger Park on the doorstep.

Sabie

Useful Sabie Links

Desirable Digits

Sabie Valley Coffee +27 (0)13 737-8169
The Woodsman +27 (0)13 764-2204
Misty Mountain + 27 (0)13 764-3377
Sabie Country Club +27 (0)13 764-2282
The Bookcase +27 (0)13 764-2014
Horseshoe Trout & About +27 (0)13 764-2682
Elephant Whispers +27 (0)13 737-7876

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