The year is in full swing but we still have the pleasure of enjoying all the long weekends before the winter really sets in. Maybe we should use these opportunities to take off our city shoes and embrace the silence, tranquility and peace of a camping trip. Go somewhere where it’s okay to do absolutely nothing, somewhere where we can just enjoy the scenery and forget about our busy lives at home.
Here is some info on ten of the most chilled out places on the planet. They all offer the opportunity to do nothing, or to choose from the various activities they have on offer for those who would like to be close to nature and enjoy the beauty of simple life.
1. Bergplaats Game Lodge, Beaufort West
Situated in the heart of the Central Karoo, Bergplaats Game Farm lies 80 kilometres outside the historical town of Beaufort West. The 8500 hectares of pristine Karoo land is set against the backdrop of a towering, rugged mountain and herds of antelope graze across the rolling hills.
In the centre of the farm the rustic bush campsite, Duikers Rest, offers you a small, private, open campsite with uninterrupted views of the Karoo plains and the mountain. There is a lapa offering protection from the occasional wind and the best view of the Karoo sunset. The campsite has basic solar lighting and very basic facilities. There is an open air outdoor shower and toilet, as well as running- and drinking water. The campsite can accommodate a maximum of 3 vehicles (preferably 4×4 or 2×4 vehicles) and 10 – 12 people.
A range of activities includes horseback safaris (14 years and older), four-by-four tracks, quad biking, escorted bush walks, picnic lunches, bush dinners and game drives – during which you may spot gemsbok, blue wildebeest, eland and zebra. You can leave your children with their experienced baby sitters if they are too small to join the game drives or guided walks.
For the children there is a jungle gym, swimming pool and kids’ toys at the main lodge. Kids can also enjoy quad rides, pony rides or nature walks designed for kids.
Hiking trails include one- and two-day trails, a slackpacker option (you only carry your own water), as well as short one- to three-hour trails for families with small children.
Contact
Tel: +27 (0)21 864 2979
www.bergplaats.co.za
2. Biesievlak Cottages and Camp, Citrusdal
At Biesievlak you can enjoy camping with all the convenience of not actually having to put up a tent, or even own one.
The 100ha citrus-buchu-rooibos farm located about 20km from Citrusdal, offers a campsite located right on the banks of the Olifants River.
There are only six campsites spread along a 200m stretch. Each site has a 9x9m Bedouin tent that looks out over the water, one to three canvas tents pitched underneath, and its own power point. Tents are equipped with blow-up mattresses, cotton percale bedding, blankets, towels, extra sleeping bags and hammock. You have your own braai grid and utensils, chairs, tables, electric light, cooler box, etc. The communal ablutions offer hot showers and flush toilets.
Activities at Biesievlak and the surrounding areas include canoeing (R150 per day, including life jacket and paddles), hiking, fishing (Bass and Yellow tail are both present in the river) and scenic drives from Citrusdal. The magnificent Cederberg Mountains offers interesting rock formations and Bushman paintings.
Contact
Tel: +27 (0)83 260 5071
www.biesievlak.co.za
3. El Yolo One, Klaarstroom
The privately owned three-star guest farm is situated near the old fashioned town of Klaarstroom and is very close to Meiringspoort, one of the eight Unesco World Heritage sites in South Africa. Also within day trip distance is the small town of Willowmore, Baviaanskloof, Prince Albert, De Rust and Oudtshoorn.
Some local events and attractions include the KKNK or Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees in Oudtshoorn in April, snow during July and August, and the Meiringspoort Marathon during October.
El Yolo One offers two camping sites and a maximum of 8 campers are allowed per site. Each site has its own private bathroom, electrical point, water point, fire place, fire wood and night lights.
If you get tired of cooking your own chops and wors (sausage) on the fire, the restaurant serves traditional Karoo farm meals. DSTV, braai facilities, pool table, telescope for star gazing, swimming pool, music (sometimes live music) and drinks are all available at the restaurant.
Activities at El Yolo One includes walking trails (from one hour to full day), rock climbing, 4×4 routes, Bass fishing, swimming in the farm dam and mountain streams, viewing Bushman rock paintings, game viewing, visiting the planetarium and bird watching.
Contact
Tel: +27 (0)21 939 7164 (Office Hours Only)
www.elyolo.co.za
4. Enjo Nature Farm, Biedouw Valley
This wild and unspoiled land is a little oasis far off the main tourist tracks.
The campsites are next to the river under the trees on partly sandy ground. The sites come with hot showers, toilets and dishwashing facilities, as well as braai places and electricity.
All accommodation is self-catering but if you would like to book breakfast or dinner you need to let them know ahead of time. Drinks and basic food are available in the farm shop.
Activities at Enjo Nature Farm include hiking, rock climbing, swimming in the dam and horse riding. Kids can ride while the horse is being led. The surrounding Cederberg offers 4×4 routes, the Sevilla Rock Art trail or learning about rooibos tea production in the Biedouw Valley.
Contact
Tel: +27 (0)27 482 2869
www.soulcountry.info/en
5. Matjiesvlei Guest Farm, Calitzdorp
Situated at the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains between Calitzdorp and Ladismith, Matjiesvlei offers a peaceful and relaxing stay.
Their camping site, Die Damrivierkamp (the dam river camp), is situated on the shores of the Gamka River – an angler’s paradise, with a wide variety of fish species including Yellow fish, Black bass, Eel and Carp. It’s a shady 4×4 bush camp with modern ablution blocks and hot water.
Activities at Matjiesvlei include swimming and rowing in the magnificent water holes and the Bôjaankop 4×4 route.
Nearby attractions include day trips to Oudtshoorn, The Garden Route and Die Hel (Gamkaskloof).
Contact
Tel: +27 (0)44 213 3756
www.matjiesvlei.co.za
6. Rooiheuwel Holiday Farm, Beaufort West
Situated in the beautiful surroundings of the Nuweveld mountains, Rooiheuwel offers you the opportunity to visit and experience real Karoo farm life.
The campsite under the thorn trees has electrified ablution facilities, a donkey-geyser, flush toilets, showers, washbasins and a camping kitchen with three sinks, power points and water.
Firewood, braai (barbecue) packs, sausage, skilpadjies (liver-in-a-net), whole ribs, cleaned lamb-tripe and other delicacies such as biltong, dried sausage (droëwors) and chillibites may be purchased on the farm, but you need to make arrangements when booking.
Meals such as boerekos (authenic farm meals), freshly baked bread, spit braais (barbecues) and potjiekos (meal cooked in a black pot on an open fire) can be provided on request for larger groups.
Adventures and activities on the farm include three mountainous 4X4 routes, hiking, motorbike rides, mountain biking and bird watching.
Activities in the area include visiting the Leeu-Gamka nursery and farmstall, the classic Karoo town of Merweville, the “Englishman’s Grave”, M C Ellis’ Workshop (the oldest business in Beaufort West) and the Karoo National Park.
Contact
Tel: +27 (0)23 4121 669
www.rooiheuwel.com
7. Vensterklip, Elands Bay
Verlorenvlei, on the West Coast of South Africa is a historic World Heritage site of outstanding natural beauty. It is of enormous archaeological importance because of its many cave dwellings and rock paintings. Just 5km from here is the renowned surf spot, Elands Bay, a cult surf spot famed for its six star left breaking waves.
It’s a perfect spot for bird watching, horse riding, kayaking, fishing, walking, surfing, rock art, wild flowers – or just enjoying a wonderful piece of wilderness.
Vensterklip farm offers private campsites overlooking Verlorenvlei. Each site comes with a braai area, sink and en-suite bathroom.
There are also a number of caravan sites, each with braai area, electricity and light. There are communal toilets, showers and a wash up area nearby.
The Tin Kitchen serves delicious home cooked food in a 300 year old barn and shady garden. They are open on weekends but will open for in-house residents by prior arrangement. The International Bar offers a wide selection of drinks and excellent coffee.
Activities at Vensterklip include hiking, bird watching (spot flamingos, pelicans, herons and fish eagles), fishing (tilapia, carp, and mullet), kayaking, swimming and horse riding.
Contact
Tel: +27 (0)22 972 1340
www.vensterklip.co.za
8. Wagendrift Lodge, Laingsburg
Situated in the heart of the Karoo, next to the Buffalo River, between Laingsburg and Ladismith, Wagendrift offers camping sites with warm water, ablution facilities and electricity.
Activities include mountain bike trails, 4×4 trails, bird watching, walking trails, swimming in the pool, and golf at the Laingsburg Golf Club.
Contact
Tel: +27 (0)21 886 5453
www.wagendriftlodge.co.za
9. Beaverlac, Cederberg
Situated in a secluded 5000 hectare valley surrounded by mountains, Beaverlac is blessed with two rivers, the Ratel (Honey Badger) and the Olifants. The rivers have channelled their way through rock formations into deep pools and waterfalls.
Beaverlac’s rustic and tranquil campsite is extremely popular. Surrounded by wild mountains the site offers a spectacular mountain pool and waterfall nearby. There are no electric points in the camping area and you have to bring your own braai grid. Beaverlac’s shop sells wood, beer, wine, ice, bread, snacks and other basic items.
The area’s rich diversity of animals includes the majestic Black Eagle, Jackal Buzzard, Rhebok and Klipspringer, caracal, wild cat and leopard. Sometimes you can hear the baboons as they forage in the mountains. The rivers are home to Clanwilliam Redfins and the rare Clanwilliam Yellowfish, both protected species. Bass fishing in the Olifants is a 5km walk or cycle.
There are several caves on the farm, some of which are decorated with paintings. All rock art is protected by the National Monuments Act and the best means of preservation is restricted access.
Contact
Tel: +27 (0)22 931 2945
www.beaverlac.co.za
10. Tweede Tol, Limietberg Nature Reserve
Covering an area of some 117 000 ha, the Limietberg Nature Reserve lies in the Du Toitskloof mountains near Paarl.
Tweede Tol campsite lies on the Bainskloof Pass and offers 26 sites, each with its own braai area. Six of these campsites are private, as they each have their own ablution, cooking area, and braai area. Some campsites have more shade than others and some sites have grass. There are no electricity points and the generator powered lights at the ablution blocks are switched off at 22h00. The ablution facilities have hot water and flush toilets, but you have to take your own toilet paper.
There is no shop on site, so make sure you have everything you need. Braai wood, however, is for sale at the gate.
The weather varies from very hot and dry in the summer, to extremely cold and wet in the winter, with snow on the higher peaks. Hikers are cautioned to heed weather reports, as many hikers have been caught out by dangerous and often unpredictable conditions.
Wildlife is abundant and animals include dassie, klipspringer, baboon and the occasional caracal and leopard. Two endemic birds, the Cape sugarbird and the protea canary, as well as the black eagle may be sighted. Three endemic and increasingly threatened fish species occur in the Berg and Breede river systems. Trout occurs in most of the rivers and streams.
While hiking in the reserve, you may see historical features such as Bushman paintings, a disused manganese mine, Catspad (the original toll road from Franschhoek to Villiersdorp), and a cross erected by Italian prisoners of war. In the Bains Kloof pass, graves can be seen of convicts who helped to build the road, while there was an old prison at the Tweede Tol campsite.
Contact
Tel: +27 (0)21 483 0190
www.capenature.co.za