2017 Camping Trips in South Africa
1) March 17 to 21 - Eden Park - Mookgophong (Naboomspruit)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mookgophong
https://www.facebook.com/spifchicken/
On the Tuesday it was time to pack up (Tuesday was Human Rights day in South Africa - Human Rights Day). We packed up slowly and were ready to leave at about 10am. We decided to head back to Toeka Se Dae for refreshments and a early light lunch for those that were hungry.
We had a milkshake and then decided to push on home.
The N highway was getting relatively busy and there was a steady stream of traffic. However we arrived home, relaxed, and without any issues/trouble.
A great camping week-end !!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mookgophong
"Mookgophong, also known by its former name, Naboomspruit, is a town in the Limpopo province of South Africa.
Town 42 km north-east of Modimolle and 51 km south-west of Mokopane. It was founded on the farm Vischgat in 1907 and administered by a health committee from 1919. The name Naboomspruit is Afrikaans but derived from Khoekhoen; ‘euphorbia tree stream’, after the Euphorbia ingens which grows there.[2] The town was officially renamed Mookgophong on the 24 November 2006, by the South African government"
"Situated on a 214-hectare Game park in the stunning Waterberg area (only 90 minutes away from Pretoria), and on the outskirts of Naboomspruit (Mookgophong), Eden Park is a very exclusive resort within lush surroundings simply waiting for you to discover. When Mother Nature created the Bushveld, Eden Park was her top priority for not only beauty, but for an area of absolute bliss. Eden Park came into being. We simply added our touch of enchantment."
For this weekend we were travelling with our Chevrolet Trailblazer and Jurgens Avion L caravan. Its a great setup and really enjoyable.
We left early on the Friday morning (early enough for the rush hour !!!) and had decided to stop off somewhere for breakfast.
I had looked on the internet, but most places did not have sufficient parking for a caravan. So we chose Toeka Se Dae. http://www.toekasedae.co.za/wmenu.php. According to their website....
I had looked on the internet, but most places did not have sufficient parking for a caravan. So we chose Toeka Se Dae. http://www.toekasedae.co.za/wmenu.php. According to their website....
"This
unique well-known stall on the R516 - 1km from the N1 towards Bela Bela.Here
you will find home-baked, fresh breads, homemade ginger beer, biscuits, beef,
pork, lamb, a variety of game meat, biltong and dried sausage (beef and game), cracklings,
tortoises, many curios, "hole-burning sauces" ice-cold beer, mampoer
and many more. There is also a fully licensed restaurant which includes
porridge & cracklings, tortoises, Bunnychow, vetkoeke, pizzas, etc. sold. If
you do not stop here, you will miss something special!"
We had a good breakfast and bought some biscuits from their shop.
From there it was through the Transkop Toll and onto Mookgophong. Its a short drive from Mookgophong to Eden Park.
The road was in good condition and there was little traffic on the main N highway. There are a few toll plazas to negotiate. I have a e-tag and found this makes the journey much more pleasant as you don't need to stop at the toll plaza. They now have dedicated lanes for e-tag users so you can merely "coast" through.
The road was in good condition and there was little traffic on the main N highway. There are a few toll plazas to negotiate. I have a e-tag and found this makes the journey much more pleasant as you don't need to stop at the toll plaza. They now have dedicated lanes for e-tag users so you can merely "coast" through.
We were the first in our party to arrive.
This camping trip was enjoyed with my brother and his wife as well as my niece, her husband and their two boys. My brother has a Invader off road caravan and my niece a Jurgens off road trailer and Howling Moon tent. All rigs are great and provide the home away from home feeling.
This camping trip was enjoyed with my brother and his wife as well as my niece, her husband and their two boys. My brother has a Invader off road caravan and my niece a Jurgens off road trailer and Howling Moon tent. All rigs are great and provide the home away from home feeling.
Eden park also has an added bonus. Each site has its own private ablutions. These are fantastic.
Each has a separate toilet, lovely shower and wash hand basin. In addition there is a scullery area which has 2 sinks and shelving.
Each also has a few plugs as well as the normal caravan type plug for the caravan electricity.
Superb !
In addition, each site is paved. They were thoughtful and have not put cement between the brick paving, but "hard" sand. This making erecting the tents and putting in the tent pegs an absolute pleasure.
Each site also has a braai and tap. Our "set" of three sites was shaded by a number of trees.
These private ablution facilities are also cleaned daily, and the braai is washed and scrubbed each morning.
The entire park was clean, neat and fantastic.
Its one of the few, if the only park, where you can really enjoy the natural surroundings. It was totally peaceful, no thumping music or loud parties. In fact, no noise at all. My kind of a caravan park !!!
The park also offers numerous walking trails. These can also be ridden on a mountain bike. There is some game to be seen as well. All in all a wonderful setting and a most enjoyable and relaxing weekend.
So, wghile in the area we decided to pay a visit to Nylsvley.
According to their website.......:An internationally renowned RAMSAR site, the 4,000-ha Nylsvley Conservancy forms part of South Africa's largest flood-plain, the 16,000-ha Nyl River Flood-plain. The conservancy provides sanctuary for some 72 mammal species. In years of high rainfall as many as eighty thousand migratory water birds converge on the flood-plains, where up to 420 species have been identified. Of this number, 365 species were identified in the reserve itself. The reserve provides habitat to 37 Red-Data species, hence its significance as a RAMSAR site"
The reserve was not far from Eden Park. But, we must have been there in a drought, as there were hardly any birds to be seen.
However, it was a nice outing and good to get out into the wild.
They have a few bird hides and these are in great condition.
Each also has a few plugs as well as the normal caravan type plug for the caravan electricity.
Superb !
In addition, each site is paved. They were thoughtful and have not put cement between the brick paving, but "hard" sand. This making erecting the tents and putting in the tent pegs an absolute pleasure.
Each site also has a braai and tap. Our "set" of three sites was shaded by a number of trees.
These private ablution facilities are also cleaned daily, and the braai is washed and scrubbed each morning.
The entire park was clean, neat and fantastic.
Its one of the few, if the only park, where you can really enjoy the natural surroundings. It was totally peaceful, no thumping music or loud parties. In fact, no noise at all. My kind of a caravan park !!!
The park also offers numerous walking trails. These can also be ridden on a mountain bike. There is some game to be seen as well. All in all a wonderful setting and a most enjoyable and relaxing weekend.
So, wghile in the area we decided to pay a visit to Nylsvley.
According to their website.......:An internationally renowned RAMSAR site, the 4,000-ha Nylsvley Conservancy forms part of South Africa's largest flood-plain, the 16,000-ha Nyl River Flood-plain. The conservancy provides sanctuary for some 72 mammal species. In years of high rainfall as many as eighty thousand migratory water birds converge on the flood-plains, where up to 420 species have been identified. Of this number, 365 species were identified in the reserve itself. The reserve provides habitat to 37 Red-Data species, hence its significance as a RAMSAR site"
The reserve was not far from Eden Park. But, we must have been there in a drought, as there were hardly any birds to be seen.
However, it was a nice outing and good to get out into the wild.
They have a few bird hides and these are in great condition.
We did also see a few of the animals, but only got a picture of the Giraffe.
On the way back, we decided to stop off at a padstal for some tea or coffee. Unfortunately the T room was closed, but the shop was open. I cant find a web page for them, but did find a Facebook page :
https://www.facebook.com/spifchicken/
On the Tuesday it was time to pack up (Tuesday was Human Rights day in South Africa - Human Rights Day). We packed up slowly and were ready to leave at about 10am. We decided to head back to Toeka Se Dae for refreshments and a early light lunch for those that were hungry.
We had a milkshake and then decided to push on home.
The N highway was getting relatively busy and there was a steady stream of traffic. However we arrived home, relaxed, and without any issues/trouble.
A great camping week-end !!
