Travel Adviser : Wild Coast Camping – Requiem for a tent

Storms River Mouth Rest Camp, Tsitsikamma National Park, is a great family camping spot in a wonderful location with access to a safe swimming beach, scuba diving, snorkelling and walking trails. A campsite is R190 for the first two adults, R42 for each additional adult and R21 a child, with a maximum of six people. Tel 012-428-9111, e-mail reservations@sanparks.org or web http://www.sanparks.org.

Cape St Francis Resort has been phasing out camping for several years, but there are still plenty of sites left among the holiday villas. Ablutions are rather run-down, but the restaurant is good and the beach is beautiful. During low season, camping is R60 a person a night. Over December holidays, it’s R500 a campsite (max six people). Tel 042-298-0054, cell 082-494-3755, e-mail seals@iafrica.com or web http://www.capestfrancis.co.za.

Pine Lodge Resort, just next door to the Cape Recife Reserve and one small sand dune from the beach, could be in the middle of nowhere rather than Port Elizabeth. Facilities are impeccable. From R133 a site for up to six people in low season, to R338 a site over peak holidays. Tel 041- 583-4004, e-mail enquiries@pinelodge.co.za or web http://www.pinelodge.co.za.

Medolino Caravan Park is a shady, spick-and-span campsite, centrally situated in Port Alfred. Camping is R70 an adult and R50 a child under 12, with an additional fee of R120 a site during the December holidays. Tel 046-624-1651 or web http://www.medolino.co.za.

Green Fountain Caravan Resort is a new, luxury resort in a farm setting on the outskirts of Port Alfred. Low season rates are R80 an adult and R55 for children aged four to 11. High season rates are R285 for two people and R65 for additional adults, R55 for additional children. Tel 046-624-2929, e-mail info@greenfountain.co.za, web http://www.greenfountain.co.za.

Buccaneers Backpackers has good vibes, yummy food and plenty of activities, making it a great spot for groups of young friends. Camping is R50 a person. There are also double safari tents for R200 a night. Tel 043-734-3012, e-mail buccaneers@cintsa.com or web http://www.cintsa.com.

Yellowsands Caravan Park must be one of the best campsites in South Africa. If you haven’t already booked for the holidays, forget it and go in low season instead. From R50 a site plus R40 a person in low season, to R200 a site plus R60 a person in the December holidays. Children under 12 are half the adult rate. Tel 043-734-3043, e-mail info@yellows.co.za or web http://www.yellows.co.za.

Areena Riverside Resort throws tame ostriches, a young giraffe and some wildebeest into the mix at this caravan and camping resort on the Kwelera River. Low season rates for camping are R200 for a family of four. December holidays are R250 to R370 for four people, depending on dates. Tel 043-734-3055, e-mail areena@iafrica.com or web http://www.areena.co.za.

Rendezvous Caravan Park offers private bathrooms, sheltered campsites and a secret staircase to a beach with rock pools to explore, making this a magic find. A campsite with up to four people costs R130 in low season (R30 each for two more people) and R270 in high season (R50 each for two more people). Tel 043- 734-3317, cell 073-144-3005 or e-mail rendezvouscaravan@absamail.com.

Cefani Mouth Holiday Resort has a small and secluded campsite on a farm by the sea, with 8 km of safe swimming beach and a shallow lagoon, offering surf, rock and river fishing. Out of season camping is R100 a site plus R20 a person. Over the December holidays, it’s R180 plus R30 a person (max six people a site). Tel 043-138-5029 or e-mail cefani@mweb.co.za.

Double Mouth Nature Reserve for wild flowers just outside Morgan’s Bay feels more remote than it really is. Out of season camping is R76 a site (max six people). In season, R87 a site for four people and R25 a person for two additional people. Tel 043-742-4450, e-mail reservations@ecparksboard.co.za or web http://www.ecparks.co.za.

Dwesa Nature Reserve is a fabulous spot if you can find it and if you don’t mind the fact that the ‘new’ ablutions have been under construction for over a year. It also floods occasionally. R158 a site (max six people). Tel 043-742-4450, e-mail reservations@ecparks.co.za or web http://www.ecparks.co.za.

Bulungula is the kind of place people go and are never heard from again – because they don’t want to leave. Think sustainable living, community fusion, peace, love and happiness. Camping is R50 a person. Three-person tents or smaller only. No 4×4 self-catering campers. Tel 047-577-8900, e-mail paradise@bulungula.com or web http://www.bulungula.com.

Coffee Shack Backpackers in Coffee Bay is the retreat of pro surfer Dave Malherbe who found a break he liked and stayed. A corner of tropical paradise where fresh coffee’s always brewing. Camping is R50 a person. Three-person tents or smaller only. Tel 047-575-2048, e-mail happydays@coffeeshack.co.za or web http://www.coffeeshack.co.za.

Anchorage Hotel, near Mthatha River Mouth, has a small, well-maintained campsite within walking distance of a beach once voted the best in South Africa by Getaway. Sheep keep the grass trimmed. Camping is R60 a person. Tel 047-575-9884 or e-mail anchorage@wildcoast.co.za. Web http://www.wildcoast.co.za.

Mdumbi Backpackers is perched on a hill five minutes’ walk from Mdumbi’s safe swimming beach. Tasty homecooked meals are served, but you need to take your own drinks. Camping costs R40 a person. Tel 047-575-0437 or 083- 461-1834, e-mail mdumbi@mdumbi.co.za or web http://www.mdumbi.co.za.