Camping Discussions: Places and Experiences

[Flutterby]

6 of SA's Best Bush Camping Sites

Limpopo

Tsendze Rustic Camp Site
Amidst the Kruger National Park’s more comfortable bungalows and tented camps, Tsendze is its rustic black sheep. There’s no electricity, shop, restaurant or reception desk (check in at Mopani) and yet this humble campsite is one of Kruger’s most popular. The campsites are cut into the natural bush, creating a sense of authenticity and privacy. Keen birders can enjoy woodland kingfisher, white-faced owls and crested barbet from the comfort of their camp. Beyond the camp’s border there is a 1000-strong buffalo herd that tends towards the three-river confluence just south of Tsendze. The confluence is also a popular spot for leopards.


Marakele National Park
Marakele National Park may not be the best place for spotting wildlife but it more than makes up for it with breathtaking mountain scenery and spacious grassy campsites. Bontle Camping Site is unfenced giving visitors a real sense of wilderness even if wildlife sightings are few and far between. Its just three-and-a-half hours from Johannesbug and Pretoria making it the ideal weekend escape.

KwaZulu-Natal

Cape Vidal
One of the most memorable camping experiences in South Africa, Cape Vidal combines beach and bush indulging visitors with the best of both worlds. It falls within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which Nelson Mandela once referred to as “the only place on the globe where the world’s oldest land mammal (the rhinoceros) and the world’s biggest terrestrial animal (the elephant) share an ecosystem with the world’s oldest fish (the coelacanth) and the world’s biggest marine mammal (the whale)”. No more needs to be said.

Tembe Elephant Park
Close to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Tembe Elephant Park is a great place to escape the winter chill. You’re likely to see most, if not all of the Big Five as well as over 340 bird species and suni, one of the world’s smallest antelope. It’s not a cheap camping experience but for those of us who prefer “glamping” it’s ideal.

Eastern Cape

Dwesa Nature Reserve
Dwesa Nature Reserve is quiet and uncrowded with a pristine, warm-water beach that is often deserted. Go on boat rides on the Mbashe River, guided walks and 4×4 trips, keeping an eye out for red hartebeest, buffalo, eland, warthog and crocodile. Birdlife includes rare species such as the Narina Trogan and Mangrove Kingfisher. This isn’t the campsite for raw bush lovers, but for those who want to escape the crowds, this enticing mix of grassland, coastal forest and unspoiled shoreline is a winner.

Free State

Glen Reenen Rest Camp
One could argue that Golden Gate Highlands Park is not typical bush. There are no mopane trees or Big Five and chances are you won’t see anything getting munched. Nevertheless it is one the country’s more beautiful parks and if you appreciate birdlife and plains game, there is much to be enjoyed. Glen Reenen Rest Camp showcases the rare bearded vulture and bald ibis and across the park’s flatlands there are zebra, wildebeest, eland and oribi. The ancient Maloti Mountains are an impressive backdrop, showing off rich gold and ochre colouring.

- See more at: http://blog.getaway.co.za/travel-ideas/ ... VipkU.dpuf

[Toko]

There is no camp site in Tembe The "Camp" is a non-selfcatering one with Safari tents and indeed not cheap, but still good value for money and a great place in the bush

[Flutterby]

-O -O

That's why it's called glamping!! -O

[Sprocky]

Glad to see that Tsendze heads the list!!

[Poplap]

http://www.getaway.co.za/travel-blog/12 ... camp-tops/

For us, the only close to perfect camping spot in Kruger...

[Mel]

Didn't know that 'perfect camping spot' even existed in your vocabulary, Popsie.
(even if it is just close to )

[Polentswa]

Love the basic camping but it would be nice with no fences and long drops ala Botswana ..Just one or 2 Tsendze in half sized camps in remote areas ..Charge R500 per night per site to keep it low impact and for genuine bush lovers ..Had to laugh when I read the SPF debate on this topic recently ..One old time member with the Ultimate 4x4 and Off Road Caravan (R 1 million rig) made a virtual camping malfunction statement by actually wanting private ablutions ...but then that fits as I don't think the tow vehicle has ever had to engage low range in its entire cushy life ...one thing I will never be is an off road camping wannabe with all the expensive 'Look what I have got' toys and making Skukuza and Twee Rivieren my base!! ..Lets go to Central Kalahari Game Reserve Passarge Pan 2 campsite for 10 days ..Our planning is well on the way for this actual trip..oh for a Cruiser 76 SW but my Isuzu Double Cab will at least get me there to my private ablutions ..Long Drop in the distance and a shower hanging in the tree and the nearest fence 200 kms away and the nearest person 58 kms at Passarge 1 campsite ..Tiled private ablutions in KRUGER belong at Mala Mala

Kruger camping is great and I particularly like Punda Maria (Plugged or unplugged ) Shingwedzi, Tsendze, Balule, Marula, Berg en dal and at a push Croc Bridge ..My Rig does NOT do Skukuza or Lower Sabie....there is more 'bush' atmosphere setting up camp for a few days in Sparg's Beacon Bay Super Spar parking lot than there is in paved crowded LS 'camping' site

[Polentswa]

Half the fun camping at any camp in KRUGER is going to the ablutions to have a shave and meeting up with other campers and spend hours talking about the sightings of the day and week ..People you have never met but share the same Comoradarie spirit of Kruger camping. This is a pic of our current tent taken at Berg en Dal a brilliant camping camp with GREAT social communal ablutions



Of Course there are times when I don't want other humans to socialise with so then I don't go to sociable Kruger and head for the wilder places to socialise with the camp animals ...Private ablutions in the background (Bring your own shower attachment and water!!) Lovely house cat this camp has



At these private camps I do get raving mad when I have to share the private ablutions with other critters (Pic from a friend)

[nan]

never tried to go Inside... to test the bed

[Richprins]

An obsession with long-drop toilets?....ladies hate them!