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Voykit pocket guide · South Africa
Wartrail and New England
Spend 2–3 days to hike, birdwatch and enjoy farm stays; add a day for skiing at Tiffindell if visiting winter.
Wartrail and New England are remote farming valleys in the Eastern Cape Drakensberg offering self‑drive access to rock art, birding, hiking, skiing and farm‑stay accommodation. With no public transport, a self‑driven itinerary of 2–3 days covers the main outdoor activities; winter adds a ski day.
- Country
- South Africa
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jun–Aug (cold snow, limited daylight)
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- ZAR
- Money
- Currency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere in cities and at lodges; carry small cash for tips.
- Daily spend
- Budget R500–R800 excl. bed · Mid R800–R1,500 excl. bed · High R1,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper. Buy at the airport shop with your passport (RICA registration is required).
- Emergency
- Mobile emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types M, C, N · 230 V · 50 Hz · The big round-pin type M is rarely used elsewhere; buy a local adapter at the airport or any supermarket.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.; Fuel attendant: R5–20, more if they wash windows and check tyres.; Car guard: R5–20 when you leave.; Safari ranger and tracker: About R150–300 per guest per day for the ranger, R100–200 for the tracker — check lodge guidance.; Hotel porter: R10–20 per bag.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.
- Toilets
- Clean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Farmstay accommodation per night | R600–R1,200 |
| Meal at guest farm | R80–R150 |
| Guided birding tour | R300–R600 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BFN · Bloemfontein Airport
- 350 km (217 mi) by road; car hire available217 mi (350 km) by road; car hire available
- UTT · Mthatha Airport
- 250 km (155 mi) by road; car hire available155 mi (250 km) by road; car hire available
Typical fares
- Bloemfontein → Wartrail (rental car, 350 km)
- approx. R1,200–R1,800 for a compact sedan, fuel not included (check)
- Mthatha → Wartrail (rental car, 250 km)
- approx. R900–R1,400 for a compact sedan, fuel not included (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Self‑drive is essential; well‑signposted gravel roads off the R58. Sedan works, but a high‑clearance vehicle helps on wet sections. No public transport.
See and do
Known for
- San Rock Art tours
- Birding (230+ species)
- Hiking (Wartrail Skywalk)
- Skiing at Tiffindell
- Horse riding
- Scenic drives (Naude’s Nek, Joubert’s Pass)
- Fly‑fishing
- Mountain biking
- River rafting on the Kraai
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tiffindell Ski Resort | Drive from Wartrail (approx. 2 h) via R58 and mountain roads | 2–2.5 h each way |
| Naude’s Nek Pass | Drive north on R58 then take the pass road | 30–45 min round trip |
Sleep
- Farmstay cottages
- Camping, self‑catering or en‑suite guest farms; meals can be arranged with host
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Verskoon myverskoon my |
| Thank you | Dankiedankie |
| How much is it? | Hoeveel kos dit?hoeveel kos dit? |
| Can I pay by card? | Kan ek met kaart betaal?kan ek met kaart betaal? |
| Where is the toilet? | Waar is die toilet?waar is die toilet? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say hello and ask how someone is before any request; avoid: Launching straight into a question
- Handshakes: Three-part African handshake with friends; a normal handshake with strangers; avoid: Refusing an offered hand
- Elders: Use Mr/Mrs or 'Mama', 'Baba' respectfully in townships and rural areas; avoid: First names with older people you have just met
- Braai invitations: Bring meat or drinks, and arrive on 'African time'; avoid: Taking over the fire
- Photos: Ask first, especially in townships and villages; avoid: Photographing children without a parent's permission
- Politics and race: Ask questions and listen; avoid: Lecturing on history or crime
Scams and watch-outs
- Gravel roads can be slippery when wet; drive cautiously.
- No shuttle services from airports; arrange car hire in advance.
Generally safe; remote location means limited services, so drive cautiously on gravel roads and keep valuables locked in the vehicle.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Wartrail and New England yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- San Rock Art tours
- Birding (230+ species)
- Hiking (Wartrail Skywalk)
- Skiing at Tiffindell
- Horse riding
- Scenic drives (Naude’s Nek, Joubert’s Pass)
- Fly‑fishing
- Mountain biking
- River rafting on the Kraai
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- South Africa tourism authority – general info: www.southafrica.net/
- Wikivoyage: Wartrail and New England, revision 5108483 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5108483
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Wartrail and New England
Na hierdie adres, asseblief
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Mobile emergency112
US consulate in Johannesburg; other embassies in Pretoria or Cape Town.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/wartrail-and-new-england). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.