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The Mananga Adventure Trail

“Begins 11kn from Satara, traveling a short distance north before turning east into knob thorn/marula savannah. Here you can expect herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, and of course their predators – including cheetah.” - SANParks Adventure Trails pamphlet.

We, Hawk & I in our trusty Landy and friends in their Pajero, set off from our camp at Balule bright and early to be at Satara reception when the office opened. One can only confirm that it is possible to do this trail on the actual day. After paying the R460 per vehicle fee and an extra deposit of R100 for them to use should they need to come and fetch us, receiving a map with a list of do’s and don’ts, we set off on the adventure.

At last! We could legally drive down a no-entry road!

There was a fair amount of game along the trail – zebra, waterbuck, giraffe, impala and wildebeest. Somehow it seemed as if we managed to get ‘closer’ to the game…maybe being away from a ‘road’ and really in the bush was the reason for this. The antelope seemed to find our 4x4’s as interesting as we found them!

I can fully understand why they close a trail like this if it has been raining…we made our way over a fair amount of dried pans that must be absolute quagmires after rain.

The grass along most of the route was long….so we paid heed to one of the tips on the pamphlet and stayed in our vehicle only alighting where there was a really good clear area.






The trail incorportates roughly 10km of the S100. We drove down the S41 as well to enjoy lunch at N’wanetsi Picnic site and pay a visit to the Sweni bird hide.

One re-enters the Mananga Trail on the S41 and the trail then winds along the Mavumbye River and exits on the S90. There were some lovely, pretty pools of water along the river.

Being able to be in the bush, away from other vehicles and people is truly a special experience. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the trail and it comes highly recommend!!

Ok Mousies – shut your eyes at this point…..

I navigated and got a bit muddled….. we ended up going the wrong way along parts of the trail….so I really suggest one takes a GPS along. I had one on my PDA with me but!

Lovely report, DB
We have also done this trail and thoroughly enjoyed it, didn't see another vehicle, feels like you are the only people in the bush 'sigh'
Hope to do it again next month, weather permitting.

I took a GPS and still got muddled, two angels making the same mistake must mean the instructions are at fault

this was great to read DB AND I got to see all your pics yeeeeeah been having trouble downloading pics lately
As for the 'detours', I'm sure they added the fun
This is definitely on my wishlist of things to do! I didn't realise you could stop and get out the car, that's amazing!
Deebs,do you know how many cars do they allow per day?

Yes Freda - that is it... only a mousie could have written the instructions!!

Jay - 6 4x4's a day are allowed on the trail. Reception at Satara told me that only ever in June did they have 6 on the trail at once though.

These trails are exceptional. Last Nov we were the only vehicle (I think) on the Northern Plains trail.

Deebs, I just love your pics. Especially the "true Kruger" colours of them!

Further info on the Mananga Trail (courtesy of the pamphlet issued by SANParks at the start of the trail):

You may get out your car in open areas but do on wander off into the bush. Stay within 5-7m of the vehicle. Leave the doors open.

Never enter any watercouse on foot.

No services (ablutions, water, rubbish bins etc) are provided on the route.

There is a cut off time - 11am - for commencement of the journey.

Adhere to slow speeds - 15-20km/h.

Maintain a safe distance from dangerous animals. Avoid confrontation with elephant.

No spinning of wheels is allowed. Respect the ecology at all times.

Fires are prohibited.

There is a whole lot more included in the pamphlet.

Wow DB, sounds like my next serious purchase needs to be a 4by4.

some good common sense advice

Thx DB, nice one..... I used to like you though, that was until you posted this report :mrgreen::evil::mrgreen:



Ja, Muketeers would not get muddled by the instructions.......

A question for muskateers:
If you have the correct GPS point and the instruction says 'turn off to the right, go straight' where would you go

Freda - at the windmill where one is suppose to branch off on the last bit...did you see a 'road' one could possibly take? I did not... even with a 4x4.

Jv - I had 3 (three) musketeers with me, one a real 4x4 fundi, they were clueless...someone had to take control

Ducking here for when Hawk reads this....

Definately not we drove round there looking for the road for ages

Yes, typical angel behaviour DB.... Take over and get muddled before the Musketeers can even try and point you in the right direction.....

Freda, I would turn of right, and then go straight.......