INFORMATION OF SABIE

At the beginning and middle of the 19th century Sabie area was a hunter’s paradise where 1871 gold was discovered through a stray bullet chipping a rock thereby revealing indications of gold.
In the process of mining many indigenous forests were chopped down to meet the demand for mine props and firewood. 1876 Joseph Brook Shires planted the first commercial trees also called “green gold” and today the forestry industry is one of the biggest in the world.

On 1 January 1916 Sabie was declared an official town. On an altitude of about 1100 meters surrounded by the afforested Mpumalanga Drakensberg with waterfalls and mountains Sabie offers more than any other town of its size in the country: friendly people, rich history, culture and awe-inspiring nature. Four waterfalls being Lone Creek Waterfall, Horse Shoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Sabie Falls are nearby. The Forestry Industry Museum is the only one of its kind with exhibits for young and old. Old cork oak trees can still be admired opposite the Post Office and at the Post Office itself a special 1926 hand made mosaic depicts animals of the Kruger National Park. Across the road is the St. Peter’s Church designed by Sir Herbert Baker who is well known for the architecture of the Union Building in Pretoria.
Here, in clean, healthy mountain air, one can enjoy a stroll through town with coffee shops, beer gardens or restaurants, banks with ATM machines, whilst the many village shops cater for all the visitors needs. An invitingly friendly atmosphere is perceived in this picturesque, malaria free town of Sabie.
Evenings approach with a mystic note when the intense pink-reddish sun sets behind the blue mountains dressing them into darkness making way for the various star formations to be spotted in the sky at night. After dusk many restaurants with outside seating area spring to live when the shimmering candle lamps extend an inviting glow for a relaxed evening meal with a bottle of great South African red or white wine or a  draught beer fresh from the keg.

Malaria free Sabie is the ideal and central base for extended stays to explore the many popular attractions such as the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, God's Window, Graskop, Shangana traditional village, Pilgrim's Rest, lots of waterfalls, Botanical Garden in Nelspruit, Sudwala Caves with a traditional village, Kaapsehoop with wild horses, Cheetah project, Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre and the Kruger National Park. Casterbridge Farm with its various handmade products and Old-timer Museum, the Silk Farm, the Coffee Farm, the Chimpanzee Eden or the Elephant Sanctuary are all worth a visit too.

Arrive in Sabie after 4-5 hours comfortable driving from Johannesburg Airport via the scenic Long Tom Pass. This pass is 57 km long and rises to 2150 m above sea level and ranks as one of South Africa’s most scenic passes.
Discover this fascinating, but mainly unknown area being one of the most beautiful regions in South Africa.

© Der Text wurde bereitgestellt von Ute Dürmüller aus der Villa Ticino