Within an hour’s drive from the Jakaranda city, hikers will find delight in a true Bushveld environment which can be explored on foot. The Mabonz Game Reserve is situated on the hills overlooking Rust de Winter dam and offers pristine landscape with mixed bushveld tree species such as Rooibos, Sand Sering, Acacia and other indigenous trees, including some magnificent Boekenhout trees. Mabonz was the name given to the owner’s father and means “he who walks all over the farm”.
As no hunting is allowed, the game is quiet and tame allowing hikers to get quite close, without startling the animals for observation. There are big herds of eland, impala, kudu, gemsbok and rooihartebees. Families of warthog and porcupine are present as well as the common smaller species.

The diverse veld types of the reserve ensures prolific birdlife for the bird enthusiast. This trail is situated in a malaria free zone. Due to the nature of game trails, the routes have been designed by Ecotourism Africa to offer a variety of walks, including short early morning, late afternoon walks and longer walks requiring a full morning or afternoon. Each hiker can therefore choose routes to satisfy his/her particular need, from this trail network. Detailed information into the ecology of the reserve will be available.

Six distinct routes have been designed covering all the habitats and points of significance thereby maximizing the opportunity for photographing the beautiful scenery and wildlife. During the summer and rainy season the majority of streams have water and there are pools where hikers can cool off their feet while enjoying a tea stop or a rest. All roads culminate at the big stoneclad farm reservoir or “plaasdam”. Therefore at the end of each route one can cool off or return to the dam, which is a mere one hundred meters or so from the overnight hut for a refreshing swim. The base camp is an enormous thatched rondawel with a boma , several lapas, including the reed covered verandah. The Porcupine safari camp is a dedicated 4x4 camp, allowing a maximum of 3 vehicles. A network of track allows the guest the opportunity to venture out with their vehicle to do gameviewing and sundowner drives.

Mabonz promises the variation and diversity so special to Africa which all nature lovers and hikers will enjoy.

Electricity, with kitchenette and fridge. Seven bunk beds/mattresses and 6 mattresses on loft. Shower, (gas geyser) basin and WC in rondawel. Outside reed enclosed/open sky bucket shower (boil own hot water), 2 basins. One enviroloo. Kitchen has 1 three-plate gascooker, double basins, pots, 2 pans, 2 three-legged potjies and a flat bottomed potjie and two kettles. Wood supplied for campfire. Supply own charcoal.

Safari bush camp: Clearing for three vehicles only for roof or surface tents. Campfire clearing & wood. One watertap, enviroloo and bucket shower.

Gates will be unlocked to permit entry and exits at specific times. Discount will be offered to School, Scout , Church groups booking out the whole trail.

100 km from Pretoria. 8 km from Rust de Winter. 60 km from Warmbaths.