Cat n Mouse Van Life: 3

https://elephantwaterhole.co.za/

R400.00 per camp site per night (2026)

No pets allowed

No other campers – how lucky can you get!

Packing the Van for a weekend away still takes planning as the internal kitchen has not been installed yet. The idea was to camp off-grid to test the solar panels and EcoFlow battery. The Delta 2 did not cope with the load and we were pleased to have electrical backup power in the camp kitchen. So it’s back to the drawing board – an important thing to get right as we hope to travel with both a fridge and a freezer.

All the solar lights worked well!

The camp was very comfortable and the Bushcamp – Kambaku, with its private splash pool is definitely calling us back in warmer weather.

The Honesty Kiosk offers ice, wood, drinks, cheese, yoghurt and is great to have as the De Wagensdrift Road is still very rutted and unpleasant to drive on. We drove out at a sedate 20km’s per hour and enjoyed the scenery.

We decided not to go game driving and spent the weekend observing the birds and animals around us. We still racked up an impressive sighting list

Impala, Impala, Zebra, Warthog, Nagapie, Jackal calling in the night, Impala, Warthog, Wildies, zebbies, Impala, Warthog, Kudu, Kudu, Wildies, Kudu, Giraffe! Squirrels, Zebra, Wildebeest, Nagapie, Hyena calling under the sickle moon, Jackal,

Elephant!! 

Wildebeest, Giraffe, Kudu, Zebra, Warthog, Impala, Wildebeest, Kudu, Impala

The self drive roads are well used but in good condition, the dry veld offered great viewing and the number of visitors is heart warming.

Bird activity offered non-stop entertainment and the brazier fire kept us warm. The van’s comfort, quiet and peace a win!

We have a bed.. we tested it.. it does not squeak.. it has a skylight.

Final ceiling insulation was completed before the bed slats were fastened into place.

We each have a ‘bed box’ down the side of the bed for immediate access to lights, jammies, tablets, a bed time dop or a morning coffee.

The head and footboards are made of kiaat in memory of my father by Country Woods, the bed was measured, designed and built by MB Pine & Furniture and the matress was custom made by Johan from Sleep Restore. All in all it has come together in a very pleasing way.

Our first camping excursion worked. We were warm in very cold weather and look forward to testing the insulation in the heat.

Cost: R350.00 per campsite per night

Pet friendly: no extra cost

https://welvanpasguestfarm.co.za

Sitting in the dark at Welvanpas, the moon rising on a clear night, I thanked Rita for her friendly welcome and revelled in the safe environment available with such ease and comfort.

Middleburg is a good spot to aim for when travelling the highway between the Cape and Jo’burg. Although the road is long it is well maintained and the ever changing scenery fills your heart and soul over and over again. 

Wind turbine blades turn lazily as you pass. Their size quite awe inspiring. 

“Because Middelburg is nestled at a high elevation (about 1,200 meters above sea level) and surrounded by ranges like the Sneeuberg, the landscape acts as a natural funnel. When large-scale pressure systems move across the country—such as the South Atlantic High-Pressure system or eastward-moving coastal cold fronts—the air is forced to accelerate through these valleys and elevated plains. This creates a steady, strong flow across the region, especially during late winter and early spring. (Wikipedia)”

Welvanpas is home to curious Alpaca who seem to blow a kiss as you pass.  Pied Starlings fill the evening with their calls in the reed filled marsh alongside the camp ground. The thrumb of the manganese ore trains that periodically pass on their way to and from Port Elizabeth still delight in our ‘new South Africa’ where the vandalised stations stick out like rotten teeth in once proud smiles. 

Ablutions are spotless. The area has gentle walks, a pool available in the summer, the camp dotted with children’s jungle jim’s. 

A Floor….

…represents the lower horizontal surface of any structure that provides the foundation for laying finishes

… the surface at the very bottom, or base, of a van. When you lie on your back on the floor, you are looking up at the ceiling

…the horizontal surface that forms the base of a building or structure

…the bottom surface of an enclosed space such as a room or vehicle. Floors vary from simple rubber linings to a many layered surface made with grit and determination. Floors may be plastic, laminate, pressboard, wood or any other material that can support the expected load

The smell, the feel, the satisfaction of a job very well done

Measuring, cutting, re measuring, (sucking on cut fingers), sharp knives, sharper knives – craft, Stanley, bread….

Stick it, move it, tape it, untape it,

Measure again!

Roll it, press it, screw it …..

A days achievement followed by a road trip. Does it sound different? Where is the rattle coming from? Is the road noise / temperature / wind changed in any way? No new born baby has been more analysed.

The milestones slowly add up to a huge achievement. Aching arm muscles and straining fingers all breathe out a collective sigh. We did it!

128 239

What a long road it has been and we are still in Gauteng!

So many options. So many perfect solutions.

But; once you start you can’t easily go back…

The roof rack, side and back awnings and windows have been installed. After all the anticipation and planning – The build has really started.

Our proud van returned home with a shiny attitude! Her profile has changed and the look and feel are dramatically altered.

Double glazed, mosquito and blockout blind equipped windows add class, privacy and air!

A roof hatch and fan to circulate the air are a win. The side awning is easy to extend whispering of shade and protection from rain. The rear awning will need to be reviewed and may be adapted as we go along.

Sanded, squared and glowing floor planks are waiting for installation. Another huge step forward towards our first camp.

Thank you Allan for your swift and professional service. https://www.aloecaravans.co.za/

Cost: R150.00 per person per night – May 2025

Pet Friendly (R100.00 per visit once off charge)

Ablutions – private, clean, gas hot water showers and wash-up area.

2 large, grassed, camp sites – no electricity. Solar globes provided.

Private braai and camp fire areas on your stand, wood for sale. No card facilities.

No internet or cell phone reception

https://evergreenguestfarm.co.za/camp/

Rigel, Betelgeuse, Bellatrix, Alnitak, Alnilam, Mintaka!! The stars are awe inspiring!

Wind through the trees, the river gurgling over small rapids, nightjars calling. The peace of the bush soon settles into your soul as you set up camp and light the first fire of your visit.

Remember to research the Mariko Biosphere Reserve web page before you arrive as there is no signal in camp.

https://www.maricobiosreserve.org

This magical, ‘pets are welcomed’ camp has three cottages on offer – two of them are wheelchair friendly and walks around the property to see the orchards and river area are wide and also cleared for wheelchair use.

The neigbours kindly allow gentle hikes through their pristine bushveld on well maintained roads.

The tiny town of Groot Mariko is a lot older and sadder since our last visit during the annual Charles Herman Bosman festival some years ago. The festival is held in October each year and there were heaps of interesting offers including Mampoer tasting. The town then was alive with the hustle and bustle of interested visitors. In contrast this visit revealed a few determined people offering biltong, fresh meat, bread, Indian foods, baked goodies and of course a bottle store. Not much to tempt the pennies from your purse and the nearby Zeerust offers a much more pleasant shopping experience – the road through the main town very reminiscent of Ladysmith which we visited often as children.

Burgers lived up to expectations

Drives around the biosphere are best done slowly with plentiful stops to switch off the car and experience the utter quiet of the bush. Of course the water is clear and you can drink at any of the many streams that crisscross your path. The Mariko Oog, one of the river sources feeding into the Limpopo River “offers some of the purest natural water in South Africa. In December 2022 the Marico Eye pumped out a staggering 700 000 litres of crystal clean water an hour”.

Taking time to sit next to the river to think no thoughts, plan no plans and abandon all worries is priceless.

Cost: R440.00 per person per night (R395.00 pensioners discount) April 2025

Pet Friendly (no extra cost)

Ablutions – private, clean, hot water showers and wash-up area.

Large, grassed, demarcated camp sites each have water and electricity (blue caravan plug connection)

Brazier braai, wood for sale, restaurant and bar on the premises.

https://www.upington.com/augrabies-falls-lodge-camp/

3km from the main gate to Augrabies Falls the camp was perfectly situated for our needs. Some noise from the road penetrated the high walls but was joyous rather than intrusive. A securety guard at the gate ensured we were safe, although it must be said, the tranquil setting made sure we relaxed immediately on arrival.

The camp is quite full during the evenings but empties out in the early morning. As the main form of camping is roof-top tents, visitors pack up their mobile worlds to venture out, enjoying the many wonders in the area: wine tasting, fishing, the falls, the Quiver Tree route, and of course Namibia which is so close you can feel it calling.

Comfortable evenings in close but spacious camps that provide an illusion of privacy with carefully placed ablution blocks, cleaver use of perimeter walls and the trunks of huge trees offering shade during the hottest parts of the afternoon.

Highly recommended.