Sabie is a forestry town in the hills of Mpumalanga, where the Lowveld climbs into the Drakensberg escarpment and mist rolls through the pine plantations almost every morning. The surrounding area holds one of the largest man-made forests in the world, planted over the last century with pine and eucalyptus, and the sweet resin smell lingers in the air. Water pours off the escarpment everywhere, and the town is the base for a string of waterfalls: Mac Mac, Lone Creek, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe all lie within a short ride.
Long Tom Pass climbs out of Sabie toward Lydenburg and tops out at about 2,150 metres, one of the highest roads in the province. It takes its name from the big Boer artillery guns, called Long Toms, that were hauled up here during the Anglo-Boer War, and a replica gun stands at the summit. The road is a delight, with long, smooth bends and fast sweepers through pine forest and open grassland, and good views back toward the Lowveld on clear days. Mist and rain are common, and the road can be wet and slick, so go carefully.
The history of the area is tied to gold. Prospectors poured in during the 1870s, and Pilgrim's Rest, a short ride north, was the heart of the rush and is now a living museum of tin-roofed houses. Sabie has a more peaceful air today, with trout fishing in the streams, craft shops and a few cafes, and the Panorama Route begins just to the north, leading on to Blyde River Canyon.
Sabie has fuel, food and plenty of places to stay, and larger towns lie within an hour, with Lydenburg about thirty-four kilometres away and White River the same distance in the other direction. The best time is autumn and winter, when the days are dry and clear, though mornings are cold. Summer brings heavy afternoon thunderstorms. Watch out for loose gravel on the bends, and for slow lorries carrying timber.