Near Bronkhorstspruit on the Zusterstroom Road
Cost – Camp: R150.00 per person per night
Pet Friendly (no extra cost)
Electricity and water at each stand
Good cell phone coverage. Swimming pool, pool table, lapa, river views
An impulsive “let’s go camping” lead to a flurry of packing and planning and Friday afternoon saw our Itchy Feet on the road again!
The easy drive to Bronkhorstspruit and beyond led us, past the golden fields of late winter, to the secret valley of the Wilge River. Our hosts, Joan and Piet were unavailable due to Swine flu but we quickly made ourselves at home and had a fire burning in no time in the kuier boma that protected us from a slightly chilly wind.
Peace settled over us as the super moon crossed the sky and a clear view of the stars brought the amazing photos from the James Webb telescope to mind.
The Tripper was a snug cocoon and we had a more than comfortable night waking in the late morning to a chilled camp – it was time to explore (I probably should have changed out of my pj’s first – pulling blackjacks off my clothes lay ahead)
The facilities are astounding – the bricked driveway alone must have taken years to lay down. Braais – brick, skottle, barrel, pillared, private and group braais. Chairs and tables scatted along the river admiring the view. An adult pool and a children’s paddling pool. An obstacle course winding through the flood plain. A ‘snoep winkle’. The under cover lapa with tables and chairs set out for group visits. A pool table; cues qued up along the wall waiting silently for hands to warm them. The bar, with a full drinks fridge behind it still holding the feel of many evenings when laughter must have filled the space
How much pleasure and enjoyment the years past must have experienced to require such well used and extensive facilities.
We idly wondered if we would have had this magical place to ourselves if it was not for the high petrol price, the impact of COVID on the tourism sector or winter – but we luxuriated in our solitude with the deserted resort at our backs as we watched the kingfishers darting from perch to perch and little greebs; counting the seconds till they bobbed to the surface again.
Sauntering walks to explore the river and to enjoy the babble of the water under the bridge, magnificent food, warm fires and bed – we felt like millionaires
Itchy Feet! 
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