The Malopeni Overnight Eco Trail is a guided one-night motorised adventure trail which travels along management roads in the area to the north-east of Phalaborwa Gate up to the Letaba River.
The trail starts at Phalaborwa Gate and proceeds east on the H9 (main road between Phalaborwa and Letaba) and then turns north on to the S131, at the Ngwenyeni/Malopeni cross road the trail proceeds north on the category D – Mankavi Road for 3km before turning west onto the Malopene management road. It goes through the Malopeni spruit to Malopeni North windmill and then onto Oorgenoeg windmill (both these windmills have been closed down) and then onto the Letaba River. The route proceeds in a north westerly direction along the southern banks of the Letaba River, through the Nhlarhweni spruit towards Black Heron dam. The overnight campsite is about 500 m north west of Black Heron Dam. The trail returns along the western boundary heading south towards Phalaborwa and then turns east-wards on the Bambinyowo management road to Malopeni North windmill and then back to the S131 to Phalaborwa Gate. Trail distance: 71 km.
Recommended camping equipment
- Tent, tent pegs and hammer / or rooftop tent
- Feather duster can also be handy to dust the rear of your vehicle
- Portable shower
- Ground sheet, spade and broom
- Sleeping bag, towels and pillow
- Inflatable mattress and pump
- Gas lamp
- Two torches (extra batteries)
- Folding table and chairs
- Gas stove/cooker, handy braai and gas bottle (two)
- Braai grid and stand
- Wood (please supply own)
- Two 25-litre water containers
- Refrigerator or cool box (for ice and meat)
- Cooking pot and kettle
- Medium-sized plastic bowl for washing dishes
- Fire extinguisher
- Insect repellent
- Table cloth
- Washing and drying cloth
- Pot scourer and dishwashing liquid
- Refuse bags
- Toilet paper
- Cutlery and crockery
- Mugs and glasses
- Wooden spoon, can opener, egg lifter and cutting knife
- Paper towels
- Wooden carving board
- Hot water flask
Useful Tools
- Toolbox with necessary spanners, sockets etc.
- Puncture repair kit (wheel spanner, jack and spare tyre)
- Tie-down straps
- Fuses
- Personal toiletries (remember biodegradable soap for showering outdoors)
- Road maps
- Camera and film
- Binoculars
- Appropriate clothing
- Hat/cap
- Raincoat
- Reference books (mammals/trees/birds)
- Small plastic bowl for washing
- Sufficient food and beverages
- Own medical kit with personal medical requirements (personal medication, antihistamine ointment and tabs, eye drops, paracetamol, cotton wool / gauze, plaster, scissors and tweezer, malaria tablets, etc).
