Forest Fair
Section 21 company reg. No.: 2005/028687/08
 Sabie, Mpumalanga
PO Box 193 Sabie 1260 Tel: 082 371 0190 Fax: 086 671 6920

Sabie - modern town in an old world

In the midst of the high-tech 21st century forestry industry, Sabie remains a small country town nestled in a lush green valley on the escarpment of the Drakensberg mountains in Mpumalanga, (“place of the rising sun”), South Africa.

Located 360 km east of the Johannesburg International Airport, and 64 km west of the Kruger National Park, Sabie, and its surrounds, has a history stretching way back into the last millennium.

Rock paintings, engravings, stone tools and other artefacts show the San people, or Bushmen, were
the earliest known inhabitants of the region.
A number of ancient slag heaps and the remnants
of smelters and terraced stone complexes scattered throughout the region testify to the existence of
Early and Late Iron Age settlements and indicate
that these early settlers introduced the basic
concepts of farming into the area.
In the ensuing years different indigenous tribes people occupied the area and it usually changed hands following some often bloody territorial dispute. Gold was discovered by white settlers in 1871. The inevitable gold rush resulted in the decimation of the local indigenous forests and saw the beginning of a forest industry that remains to this day. In 1876 the first commercial trees were planted in Sabie and today the town is surrounded by one of the largest man-made forests in the world and is recognised as being at the heart of the multi-billion Rand South African forestry industry.



The modern age
The plantations and sawmills around Sabie employ thousands of workers and contractors while a large number of smaller businesses provide a range of services and support to the foresters.

Sabie is a popular destination for local and foreign visitors alike. Spectacular waterfalls, rivers and streams, gorges and valleys and stunning vistas as well as the world-famous Kruger National Park, and other game reserves and lodges are all within striking distance of the town. More than 20 registered natural heritage sites occur within less than one hour's drive from Sabie.

Natural beauty
The escarpment is a pattern of rocky hillsides, mountain grassland and pockets of Afromontane-mistbelt forests. The grasslands contain a rich diversity of plants and that, during the rainy season, are ablaze with wild flowers.
Of the various mammals found in the wooded hills and valleys the most notable is undoubtedly the elusive black leopard.

Getting there
Major road, air and rail links have long been a part of the local infrastructure. Tourism infrastructure is well developed with over 40 accommodation establishments to cater for a full range of visitors. These range from camping sites to bed and breakfast and budget travel lodges to up-market five star hotels.

Sabie's pride and joy is the Safcol forest industry museum and is, or should be, obligatory to first time visitors to the area. It is the only one of its kind on the African continent and has been the highlight of many a visitor to Sabie, both young and old alike.

More information on Sabie and its surrounds can be obtained at www.sabie.co.za
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