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https://campskeurklip.business.site

Pet friendly wild camp. No electricity or cell signal. Comfortable ablutions and drinking water. Wood available for purchase. R150.00 pppn

A howling wind and spotted drizzle welcomed us to Camp Skeurklip. The wind stayed to play throughout our visit – either as a light breeze or trying hard to blow us off our feet during our exploratory ambles. The voices in the wind making us turn this way and that; trying to hear them more clearly and laughing with them as we chased our tumbling hats across the grassland.

The awe inspiring kraans that changed with the daylight predominates the small camp. Stunning ablutions require vigilance at the donkey if you want a hot shower. More than adequate supplies of wood, toilet paper, hand cleaner and cream available.

In the main camp area there are two stone shelters (one with a roof) that keep you comfortable and sheltered without blocking the amazing views. The roofless shelter shielding you at night for unparalleled star gazing. Twisted ‘OuHoud’ trees line each camp site and blow backwards and forwards as the gusts change direction.

Long twilight evenings as the fire burns up are filled with the quiet satisfaction of time well spent. Darkness slowly creeps into the camp and the stars are clearly visible in the inky black night. Not a light to be seen in any direction. The milky way, that I have not seen so clearly for many years delighted us before the full moon rose in the sky and later peaked in through the Tripper window.

As you walk around the surrounding area you are lead to explore the gorges and winding water courses and to investigate the thousands of aardvark diggings, some of which shelter delicate ferns hiding from the wind. Varied wildflowers dance happily as you amble by.

Our tripper was amazing and handled the challenging 5km’s to the camp at a slow careful pace

Cost – Private Camp: R120.00 per person per night

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Pet Friendly (R30.00 per night)

Check-in: 14h00. Check-out: 11h00.

An amazing break away just an hour from home. Riverside Paradise offers a friendly welcome and, despite our arrival after dark, staff were on hand to show us our site and help us set up. Of course with our marvellous Tripper I was able to set up on my own in just a few minutes while Clive concentrated on starting the fire.

The fees include a braai on each stand, with a water point; tables and chairs (if needed), as well as all the activities, canoeing and hiking. Near the stands with no electricity, there’s a wooden kitchen with electricity, fridges, microwave and 2-plate gas stove, to use free of charge.

Chicko was able to roam freely with lots of other pups visiting for the weekend but, although we could hear the other visitors we were alone on the group stand and able to revel in the stillness and beauty.

The 5km hike was wonderful if slow. We were very pleased, and surprised, that we were able to complete it in relative comfort after the past two months of compromised health. How great to be alive and well again!

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The amazing birding was topped off with repeated and clear sightings of the African Finfoot and half coloured kingfishers.

A definite ‘visit again’ venue.

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The laughter and fun of being loved

Of being a couple in love

Opening presents full of promises

And cards filled with messages that spell out a life well lived.

A hike with a back pack of yummies we carry

Providing a measure of comfort

A beacon to guide you

The strength to continue

Born on the back of a companion who follows and leads

Messages gathered at the foot of a tree

The sign of a cell phone connecting me to

A brother, a sister, a Mother, a child

The day made so special

A precious song sung in the bush fills my heart

Drawn upward by paths through the mountain that beckons

Collecting a fern that may grow

We pushed and we climbed

We were stunned by the view

Till the thunder and rock faces ended our play

The full moon creeps over the mountain

It lights up the valley below

How special and perfect

Our bellies are full;

A warm bed is calling, a light rain is falling; my world is all good

Cost- Private Camp: R295.00 per camping stand per night (pensioners rate)

No cell reception, no WiFi, no electricity

Pet friendly. No extra cost

A cyclone forming over Mozambique made planning for our long weekend at Thabaphaswa a little uncertain but we decided to continue with our time away despite the mixed weather forecast. An easy trip and setting up camp so pleasant with the Tripper.

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The afternoon was spent exploring the nearby dams to admire the water collecting after the good rains. On our previous visit they were mostly empty following years of drought.

The cloud cover obscured the moon but our fire danced as we ate burgers for dinner.

The first day was spent driving over 4×4 trails in search of a dam for Hatchiko to swim in. A beer and a muffin next to Tofu’s Dam watched over by barking baboon that clearly objected to being disturbed.

The hot sun and clear skies gave no clue to the torrential storm that was waiting for us that evening. We finished cooking our dinner on the Webber braai while standing angle deep in water. Much laughter spiced our dinner as we ate in the Tripper as warm, snug and dry as could be!

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Although we had planned to hike some of the many trails the following day, the rain soaked grass dissuaded us and we took to the roads which circle the farm and criss cross their way up and down the mountains and valleys. Although the distance covered is less than impressive it takes a surprisingly long time to explore.

We ended up climbing to the highest camp, Kanniedood Mountain Hut, using hands and feet to negotiate the steepest parts while ‘Chicko bounded ahead like a mountain goat. Coming down again after admiring the breathtaking views a challenge competed without blood.

A stunningly gentle evening listening to the nightjars calling, sleeping snug and safe and waking up to a gentle rain we sat under the gazebo enjoying our coffee and relishing the time in the bush which fills up your heart and mind.

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Cost- Private Camp: R295.00 per camping stand per night (pensioners rate)

No cell phone or wifi access

No electricity

Pet Friendly (no extra cost)

Lowering clouds followed us northwards as we travelled the highway in the direction of  Polokwane.  Rain was forecast for the weekend but we decided to take a chance and go camping anyway.

We arrived at Thabaphaswa after an easy three hour drive in plenty of time to set up camp – it only takes 20 minutes with the Tripper!  Just love our Tripper…

A warm welcome and access to Craft Beer, firewood and ice, we sat and chatted to the owner, Deon, getting a quick rundown on the roads and trails in and around the farm.  We were escorted to our camp past the cattle kraals and discovered it was a single campsite and we would be alone – how lucky can you get?

A basic but beautifully built fire area, a lot of trees and an empty stream made up the site (they have just started having rain again after 4 years of drought!)

The ‘loo with a view’ and the open shower were uphill from the camp and needed a little planning for early in the morning.

Hiking trails, winding 4×4 roads and exceptional bird life filled our days and a huge full moon sailed through the night sky making it light enough to navigate the unfamiliar area without torches.

The friendly atmosphere, breathtaking surroundings and the hope of returning to full dams and running water will ensure our return soon – perhaps for birthday celebrations?

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https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=13eNr8QsUNVmwnbC98cIhqaLbBZo&usp=sharing

Cost- Private Camp: R370.00 per camping stand per night

http://www.hartbeespoortoord-resort.co.za/

Pet Friendly (no extra cost)

As the resort was not very full we were able to amble around the camping area to find a position that suited us.  There are tall poles with 8 – 10 electricity points on them that are centralised and indicate camp sites but otherwise there are no markings to show where one camp site stops and another begins.  Numbers scatted around are guides to where to set up and can be interpreted in a number of ways.  Our minds ran riot when we realised how many people are packed into the camp site in peak season.  The area we chose has winter-bare terminalia and comberitum offering scant shade but we were the only people there –  how lucky can we get!

The ablution block was a 2 minute walk away and was somewhat clean and adequate but very old and in need of both maintenance and a loving hand to restore it.

We enjoyed a fire and braai with the gentle sounds of laughter and quiet music from other campers in the background – not at all irritating. Hatchiko settled at the periphery keeping us safe. The music ended early and as the darkness settled to silence we were content to bed down.  The promised full moon only made an appearance after we were fast asleep.

Waking up gently we lazed in bed listening to the sounds of squirrels chattering in the trees, grey hornbill’s whistling, and piet-my-vrou calling a welcome to the day.  All of a sudden the sounds of vervet monkeys cut the peace and Hatchiko was out and on immediate guard!  A long lasting game began where the ‘male in charge’ would swing closer and closer to where Chiko lay until some invisible line was crossed then she would go hurtling into the bush to scatter the monkeys; returning with a huge smile of triumph on her face.  

We ambled around the entertainment area admiring the pools and the slides but decided to spend a lazy day at the camp enjoying the abundant birdlife and gentle breezes 

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Our tripper kept us cool in the blazing afternoon sun, the solar panels supplying more power than we needed to keep the freezer iced.  Freezing cold beers an enjoyable luxury. 

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 Cost- Private Camp: R200.00 per person per night

Pet Friendly (no extra cost)

‘Wild Camping’ sites: No electricity. Basic wash-up facilities, water and ablution supplied

We booked out the camp – how lucky can we get!

There is no Website but you can search ‘Klipdas Boskamp’ on Facebook. 

Jean-Marie writes “Klipdas is a private camping spot situated about 100m from the Vaal river. It has a shower (hot water from donkey), and a ecoloo.  The road up to the farm is good (1,2km gravel) but the part on the farm itself requires a bit of ground clearance.  

Things to do – hiking, fishing, cycling, bird watching etc.  There is a hiking trail on the farm with nice views.”

Although it rained for the whole long weekend we remained snug and dry in our Tripper. Each evening ended with a beautiful fire at the boma, a chorus of frogs around us and the sound of the river rushing over boulders in the background. 

The camp was a piece of paradise enfolding us in beauty and offering picture perfect views around each corner.  Easy hikes circled the koppie and lead us through forests of indigenous trees and shrubs. The wild olive trees groaning with fruit. 

The bird life was in constant motion around us and the mournful call of the Shelduck ended the day under picturesque skies