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4x4 Trips

The Sabie area offers literally thousands of kilometers of plantation roads, most of which are closed to the public. However a number of 4x4 tour operators offer unforgettable self-drive trips to breathtaking scenery not often seen by tourists

Abseiling

The sheer vertical cliffs around Sabie lend themselves 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.

Ballooning

(45 km from Sabie)
Hot-air Balloon trips depart from Hazyview, piloted by experienced hot-air balloon pilots.

Boating & Sailing

A number of dams (all less than a hour's drive from Sabie) is a haven for power-boat and sailing enthusiasts.
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.
Da Gama Dam
(42 km from Sabie) Home of the Forest Sailing Club. Motorized crafts limited to a maximum of 5kw. Camping is allowed, but there are no ablution facilities.
Klipkoppie Dam
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.
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.
Primkop Dam
Motorized crafts limited to a maximum of 5kw. A camping site with ablution facilities is available.
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 motorized 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.

Caving

A broad band of Dolomite rock occurs less than a kilometer 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 are 130 km from Sabie on the R36 road, north of Ohrigstad.
The Sudwala Caves are 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).

Flying

The Sabie aerodrome is a well maintained 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.

Gorge Swinging & High Wire

(32km from Sabie) Experience the adrenaline rush of the world's highest cable gorge swing with a 68 meter (18 storey building) freefall. 0-160km/h in 2.3 seconds! Or fly across the 80 meter high gorge on the High Wire slide. Gorge swinging from the Sabie bridge is also practised.

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 gruelling hikes over several days.

Marathon Running

Sabie's high altitude (between 1 000 and 1 200 meters above sea level), combined with its 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 program.
Annual Marathon Events:
Long Tom Ultra Marathon - The toughest 56km ultra marathon in South Africa is held in March/April between Sabie and Lydenburg via the Long Tom Pass. Up to 1 500 runners participate in this gruelling event. A standard 21km marathon, in which up to 600 runners participate, is also hosted on the same day.
Global Forest 2 in 1- 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.
Graskop Road Relay- This event is hosted every year in July/August. More than twenty teams, with six runners each, from Secondary Schools participate in the relay from Graskop to Sabie.
God's Window Marathon - This half-marathon is run in October in the scenic Graskop area by up to 500 athletes.

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. The ultimate experience is the 22km stretch on the Sabie-Hazyview R536 road - known as "To The Halfway Mark". Experience the sensational feeling of freedom (no cops) through the bends and curves as you expand and hone your riding capabilities.

*Mountain Biking

Sabie has 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 Mpumalanga Mountain Bike Association (MaMBA). For this prestigious race the more than 1 000 competitors race through the mountains surrounding Sabie, passing waterfalls and panoramic views over some of the most breathtaking scenery in South Africa. Also 'The Sabie Experience' (TSE), a 4 day mountain bike race, that was born in December 2004, with huge success. Fully equipped mountain bikes for men, ladies & children can be rented in town on an hourly, daily or weekly basis. Contact: Malcolm at Jock-Sabie Lodge on (013) 764 2178.

*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 local cycling club (Long Tom Trappers) 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: Malcolm at Jock-Sabie Lodge on (013) 764 2178.

Horse Riding

Experience some pleasant outdoor equestrian moments riding through the forest or along the Sabie river. From one hour to two day rides.

Quad Biking

(45 km from Sabie)
An experienced guide will lead you on 1, 2 or 4 hour self-drive trails through scenic areas in the Sabie River valley. Trails depart any time between 06:00 and 17:00 and each 4-wheel motorbike can accommodate a driver and one passenger.

River Rafting, Canoeing, Tubing and Swimming

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.
Note: The Sabie River can be extremely dangerous when in flood! Flotation jackets are advised at all times.
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.
Swimming**
There is a half-Olympic sized swimming pool at the Sabie Country Club which is open all day in season.

Scuba Diving

There is no scuba diving club in Sabie, but the Big 5 Dive Club from Phalaborwa regularly visits the 7.7 m deep water-filled quarry at Spitskop (10 km from Sabie).