Candlewood Camp

Candlewood Camp is one of five hiking camps built along the Num-Num hiking trail. It is situated on a spectacular site with views over the Brankspruit gorge and the dramatic Uitsug waterfall that falls 275 feet. The camp is strictly a hiking facility, and guests are expected to hike between camps. It is an overnight facility and is not suitable for longer stays. A shuttle service is available to transport luggage and food between camps.

Candlewood Camp is an eco-friendly camp that is not electrified. Hot water is supplied by an old-style donkey geyser. The camp can accommodate a maximum of 20 persons in two corrugated iron construction-style dormitories, reminiscent of the gold rush era. It has a well-equipped kitchen and an internal braai, as exterior fires are not allowed during winter to prevent fires in the pristine grassland.

The Pongola Express to Candlewood Loop consists of two equal sections starting at either camp, with both sections being approximately 8 km long. The loop includes steep climbs and a wide variety of terrains, making it very dramatic. Starting from the Pongola Express, hikers follow the Num-Num Day 1 Bergbas Roete to the first link and join the Escarpment trail to the Candlewood camp. From Candlewood, the loop starts on the Escarpment trail and takes the link at the swing bridge onto the Day 4 of the Num-Num, the Pompon Way. Hikers can then choose to take the tar road back to the Pongola or continue further and enjoy the walk to the next link to the Express. For the very fit, they can continue along the Pompon to the next link, which joins with Day 5 of the Num-Num trail, the Kokoboom Pad, and back to the Pongola.

The God's Window camp to Candlewood Loop is suitable for hikers who can follow a map, as the trail goes backwards in terms of the markings along the trail. There are a few markers associated with this route for reassurance along the way. Starting at Candlewood, the trail follows the Escarpment route down to the waterfall and along the Bankspruit, following the path past the boardroom pool and over the Skurwerand to God's Window Camp. From God's Window camp, the trail goes backwards along the Day 1 of the Num-Num trail, The Bergbas Roet, to link with the Day 4 of the Pompon Way and continues backwards along that route to Candlewood.