There are weekends away, and then there are weekends where you swap traffic lights for zebra crossings of the wildlife kind.
Just outside Mbombela in the heart of the Lowveld, Tomjachu Bush Retreat is turning its annual trail run into the kind of bush escape that feels less like a race and more like a reset button.
Taking place on Saturday, May 30, the 2026 edition of the Tomjachu Trail Run invites runners, weekend travellers and outdoorsy families to experience one of Mpumalanga’s most scenic private nature reserves at the start of the cooler season.
And even if you are not chasing a personal best, the setting alone makes it worth the drive.
Hidden within more than 550 hectares of mountain bushveld near the southern reaches of the Kruger region, the reserve is known for its rugged granite hills, sweeping valley views and wildlife encounters that happen when you least expect them.
The trail routes cut through historic wagon paths, rocky climbs, riverine forest sections and the dramatic Tomjachu Gorge, with runners tackling everything from flowing gravel roads to technical single track.
One of the highlights is the climb up Zebra Heights, where panoramic views stretch across the Lowveld landscape below. According to organisers, giraffe sightings along the route are not unusual.
But what makes this event stand out is that the experience does not end at the finish line.
After the run, the atmosphere shifts into full bush retreat mode. Runners and guests can spend the afternoon around the Homestead pool, sip on local craft beer from Sabie Breweries, warm up with a gin and tonic, and settle in for fireside chats under the stars while prego rolls cook over open flames.
For South Africans looking for a long-weekend escape with a bit more personality than the usual hotel stay, the all-inclusive runners package makes it easy to turn the event into a proper bushveld getaway.
The package includes accommodation, meals, race entry and a guided bush activity the following morning, either in the form of a nature drive or a walk through the reserve with a local guide.
Tomjachu has long built a reputation as one of the quieter luxury nature stays in the Lowveld, popular with travellers wanting access to nature without the crowds of the bigger safari hubs.
Visitors can expect mountain views, walking trails, birdlife and peaceful bush evenings that feel worlds away from city life.
Even if trail running is not your usual thing, the shorter 6km route makes the event accessible for beginners wanting to try something different without committing to a gruelling ultra-distance challenge.
The event offers three distances: 6km, 12km and 20km, with entries capped at 300 runners. Race-only entries start from R150, while the full runners package costs R2,200 per person sharing. Children under 12 pay R1,100.
For travellers planning a winter escape through Mpumalanga, it is also an easy add-on to a broader Lowveld itinerary.
The retreat sits close enough to the Panorama Route, Kruger National Park and Mbombela for visitors to extend the trip into a full road-trip weekend.
Gerry Cupido
iol.co.za
