A dam of your own
The Waterberg is known for its popular resorts, but on your own you can’t book them out. Except at Hartebeesfontein – and there you only have the neighbours you invited to join you…
HARTEBEESFONTEIN GUEST FARM A FARM CAMP – FOR JUST YOU
It’s not every day that you can book out a whole camp for just you and your people. Hartebeesfontein, just past Mookgophong, is such a place – and then you still get to camp right next to a farm dam.
The Bad se Loop stream originates on this 800-hectare farm and the owners have built a number of weirs in the stream that dam up the water. As you approach, you can camp along one of these dams to the left. This dam was dug 40 years ago and has a surface area of 7 hectares (when full).
You pitch camp on the western bank of the dam. There’s a citrus orchard behind you, and between the water and the orchard there are some lovely shade trees and a neat lawn. You can set up camp wherever you like as there are no demarcated stands. But if you need electricity, stay close to the thatched lapa, which is almost in the centre of the lawn. You’ll find the kitchen here too – it has a sink, fridge and gas stove (bring your own gas cylinder). The ablution facilities with its shower, bath, toilet and basin are also here. Added bonus: there’s also an outdoor toilet and shower.
Between the lapa and the water is a round concrete block for lovely big fires – you’re on a farm, after all. Or use their braai facilities and grids if you didn’t bring your own.
The fish in the dam are replenished annually, but what you catch has to be released back into the water – this means there’s a better chance of landing one of the big guys. For anglers who like taking it easy, you can unpack your carp rods, but there are also breams and black bass that make a bigger fuss when they’ve taken a hook.
If it feels as though you’ve hooked a dead weight, just relax, because the dams also have catfish.
Although there’s no pool, you’re welcome to cool off in the dam water as well.
Hartebeesfontein is particularly popular during holidays and over long weekends. So you’ll have to move fast to book your spot. The campsite is spacious enough to accommodate 30 campers, and when you book, it’s reserved for you and your camping friends.