Buffelsdrift Trail Park: A lovely Surprise

So I was recently tagged in a post about this trail.

A “new” trail.

Close-ish.

Say no more, I was in.

One message later - immediate reply from the trail manager, David.

We love efficiency.

Second win? It’s dog friendly.

It’s technically a bike trail, which meant there

was a small clause.

Boris (Off-Lead King) needed impeccable recall and gentlemanly manners.

He has both - unlike his humans.

I confidently replied: yes and yes.

Also, if we started early enough (7 am… love that for us) or went midweek, the bikes would be scarce and there would be fewer awkward “please leash your monarch” moments..

Online booking was effortless - no “please EFT and send proof of payment to this pixelated Gmail address from 2009.”

Where to Go

We were told to park at "63 Nyala & Function Venue" and start there.

Simple.

My occasional trail buddy “C” who I sometimes see on trails, WhatsApped a few days prior to join..

We arrived bright and early as instructed by David (trail manager extraordinaire).

The gates were closed.

A quick message later, instructions received, two staff members appeared like highly efficient woodland sprites, and the gates opened.

Order restored.

The monarchy may proceed.

While I was busy photographing everything that stood still long enough, David materialized out of nowhere to personally assist with the setup.

Hands-on management? We love to see it.

He explained that the lodge and the trails operate in a neat little symbiotic setup: you park at the venue, can grab a drink there after, but the trails themselves are separate.

Trail Options

There are multiple route options.

Since “C” grew up there, we surrendered decision-making immediately.

From experience, C is fit, fast, and mildly savage.

What she also is - and this is rare - is someone who can go ahead without making you feel like a liability.

She’d surge forward, then wait calmly at every split.

No sighing.

No hairy eyeballing..

Just: “Left or right?”

Why are you even asking C?

We know nothing.

You grew up here.

Lead us, oh Navigator Supreme.

And to her credit - not a single wrong turn.

Trail Markings

The trail is well marked.

You’ll know you’re on "a" trail.

Whether it’s "the" trail? That’s between you and your hiking intuition (of which I have none).

Like most routes, you’ll get the classic “left red or right red” scenario.

It’s become such a standard hiking experience that I barely blink anymore.

I just stare at both options like I’m defusing a bomb and say, “What’s your gut saying?” (As if my gut has ever contributed anything useful to navigation.)

But we had "C".

The Trail

Our chosen route was mainly flat - ideal, because Basil and I were both mildly flu-ish.

Not sick enough to stay home (who even does that?), but sick enough to appreciate minimal elevation gain.

The first stretch is beautifully cleared and crosses small roads and access paths.

It feels like you’re hiking between neighbouring properties - which you probably are - but it’s tidy, peaceful, and surprisingly scenic.

Further in, it starts feeling more like a “proper” trail.

Less suburban Sunday stroll, more actual outdoors.

Right near the end, a short incline pops up.

Not dramatic.

Not life-altering.

Just enough to whisper, “Remember cardio?”

It feels suburban… but also oddly remote.

There’s a quiet, peaceful energy that makes you forget you’re not deep in the mountains somewhere dramatic.

Back at the venue, we grabbed a bench, unpacked padkos, and dissected life in great detail.

Thank you, C — route chooser, fearless leader, spider-web clearer, Left-or-Right Oracle.

Hope to see you on a trail again soon.

Would I return? Absolutely.

There are enough route variations to make a second visit feel completely different - more distance, more hills, more opportunities for me to pretend I understand trail markings.

Buffelsdrift quietly delivers.

No drama.

No fuss.

Just a solid, well-run trail experience.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

RATINGS

Trail Information

AREA

Buffelsdrift, Pretoria

COST

R 80 pp

Trail Details

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

Multiple routes from 7 km to 21 km.

Technical options and flat ones.

Clear info boards help you choose wisely (or ambitiously).

LENGTH

(Our Route): 10 km

MARKERS

Depends whose asking.

HIGHLIGHTS

Varied, peaceful surroundings

WEATHER CONSIDERATIONS

Mainly open - remember enough water...and salt.

NOTE TO SELF

Do not blindly trust Google.

Google will confidently tell you the place is “Permanently Closed

It's not (obviously).

Verify.

Maybe even… message an actual human.

David...message David - 082 780 7721

AMENITIES

Restaurant: At 63 on Nyala

Kiddies play equipment

Putt-Putt

ABLUTIONS

PARKING

WILDLIFE & BIRDLIFE

Technically yes.

In practice: cows and goats.

...and ticks...swines.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Yes

PET FRIENDLY

Yes — on lead (mostly)

ON A FINAL NOTE

If you have a fluff nugget:

Early start = fewer bikes.

Fewer bikes = happy dog.

Happy dog = peaceful humans.

Boris had freedom and space.

A successful morning for the monarchy.

(TO) SOLO OR (NO) SOLO

(NO)SOLO