WEEKEND DESTINATION
The Slanghoek Valley outside Rawsonville is known for its vineyards, fruit trees and surrounding mountains. In this beautiful valley, just over 100 km from the Cape, lies the Slanghoek Mountain Resort on the slopes of the Badsberg conservancy.
Slanghoek is centrally located between Ceres, Wellington and Worcester, and you camp here among vineyards and fruit trees. The stands are on lush green lawns, under shady trees and next to a stream where the strands of weeping willows quietly sway back and forth in the rippling water.
At night, you hear frogs croaking. There are plenty of birds and insects, too, so pack your guide books, insect repellent and hiking boots, because you’re going to love camping here and exploring this stunning part of South Africa. The resort is just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town.
After the Huguenot Tunnel, turn off the N1 onto the R101 to Rawsonville. Shortly after that, you turn left again at the signpost to the Slanghoek Valley, and for the next 10 km, you meander past Goudini Spa, Jason’s Hill and the Slanghoek Wine Cellar until you get the sign for Slanghoek. Turn right and park at the main entrance, which is almost right next to the tar road. Here you get out of your vehicle and enter the resort through the pedestrian gate on your left.
The resort’s shop is also next to the parking lot, and the reception is just a few metres in front of you in the main building. Here you sign in and get directions, a map of the campsite and the code for the boom gate. If you didn’t book a specific stand in advance, you will now find out which number has been assigned to you.
Although it is a large resort with various accommodation options, leisure facilities, activities and buildings, you don’t have to worry that all the hustle and bustle will deprive you of tranquillity; you will be able to listen to the quiet sounds and the rippling water in silence, as the campsite is about 500 m from all the action.
Once you’ve sorted out the paperwork, pick up tonight’s wood and ice at the
shop. Or come back later and quietly walk through the gift section and buy olive oil and rusks for the people at home.
Drive out of the parking lot and cross the tar road you’ve been driving on, to the dirt track across the way. At the boom, type in the code they gave you at reception, and depending on where you camp, either turn right in front of the bridge or drive over the bridge to the other section of the camp.
Trees and green grass certainly count as bonus points for any campsite, and for that the resort gets many tick marks. In addition, shrubs have been planted between you and your neighbour’s stand for more privacy. The stands are pretty big and you won’t have to whisper if you want to chat around the fire late at night.
Call the office when you book and ask for advice on the best and most suitable stands for you – not all are suitable for a caravan, and some of the stands are opposite the jungle gym and near swimming spots.
Should you want to camp along the Slanghoek stream, you should specifically ask for stands on the shore, but just be aware that the lush reeds and other plants will mean that you won’t necessarily see the water – and during the dry months, there may not even be a significant stream of water.
There are 18 stands of which only number 1 doesn’t have grass, but it is under large shady trees. This and number 2 are the only stands that are separate from the others and therefore a good choice if you’re a larger group. There are also stands with little to no shade, including 17 and 18. Fortunately, the resort has erected shade cloths at the stands – like number 3 – where there are no trees.
IF YOU’VE EVER BEEN DISAPPOINTED by the pool at a campsite, this resort’s swimming pools will have you smiling. The campsite itself boasts two shiny
clean pools, and then there are two more near the shop and reception. If you’re on stands 3-12, you walk over the stream on a suspension bridge to get to the pools.
The stands at the pools (1-2 and 1318) have nice shady trees and the large lawn between the stands is a fabulous attraction for those who play cricket and other games. The young ones have two jungle gyms to choose from – one by the swimming pools and the other right next to stand 12. If you’re camping without kids, avoid stands 12-15 and 17-18.
Another great thing about camping here is that you don’t have to share ablution facilities with strangers, because each stand has its own private bathroom. The bathrooms – log cabins with a shower, basin and toilet – don’t have frills, but they’re spacious, well laid out and have everything you expect from ablution facilities at a campsite.
You get a key to lock your bathroom, and inside is toilet paper, a mop, broom, bucket and even some detergent that you can use to clean and dry the tile floor. The shower cubicles are a standard size with a shower curtain – we suggest that you
bring an extra bath mat to put on the floor by the shower.
You put your clothes and toiletries on the plastic chair and the wooden beams on the walls work well for body cream, toothbrushes and sprays. Fortunately, there are plenty of hooks on the walls for towels, wet clothes and facecloths. Most of the bathrooms also have mirrors by the basins.
Your power point (domestic threeprong socket) and tap are at the bathroom
building and dishes are washed here in a single sink where there’s also storage space for some plates and pots. Stands 4 and 5, 13 and 14, and 17 and 18 share a sink between their respective bathrooms. The gas geysers on the outside provide hot water.
You get your own black garbage bin with a lid, and for your convenience, there’s already a black bag inside. The resort regularly cleans the bins and replaces bags.
The braai spots for each stand are large with enough space for your grid and a potjie to rest on the coals next to each other. Some of the braais are made of stone and cement and others are cut-open cement water pipes. You provide your own seating and camping table around the braai area; pack your camping table so you have a spot to unpack the salad and braai stuff – and don’t forget your grid. A braai triangle will also come in handy, especially if you want to cook a chicken potjie and boerewors at the same time.
And leave Coco and Baxter at home; no pets are allowed in this idyllic place.
THERE ARE ACTIVITIES APLENTY for the fitness fanatics and adventure seekers, including hiking and mountain biking trails, mini golf and horse riding for the youngsters. Get the mini golf clubs and ball (R10 pp) at the resort’s shop and aim for the small hill where you’ll find the 18-hole course. It may not be that easy to get the ball in the cup on these slopes, but who’s really counting all the strokes? On your way there you will also see the beautiful stone church they use for weddings, the reception hall, chalets and self-catering tents.
The hiking trail starts at the mini golf course and it is a circular route that will take you about an hour. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera, because at some point you will stop at the lookout platform to take a selfie with valley as a backdrop.
If you want to walk for longer, take the 4,5 km route to a waterfall. Just check at reception to see whether there is any water, especially if you’re camping in the dry season.
On Saturdays, kids can go horse riding between 09:00 and 11:00, weather
Just check at reception to see whether there is any water, especially if you’re camping in the dry season
permitting. Wait at the campsite for the horses and guides to show up and pay the R10 for your child. The guides walk with them, so you don’t have to worry the horse will go running off with Johnny holding on.
There’s an existing mountain bike trail you can tackle, but it’s not well marked and most of the original trail has had to make way for fruit trees. For information on the many other mountain bike trails in the area where you can test your skills, visit the Slanghoek Wine Cellar.
Once you’ve conquered the 18 holes, hand in the golf clubs at the shop and then buy an ice cream and cool off in the resort’s other two swimming pools. The shop opens at 08:00 every day and closes Mondays to Thursdays at 18:00, Fridays only at 20:00; Saturdays at 17:00 and Sundays at 13:00. (Times can change over long weekends and public holidays.)
There’s plenty to explore in the valley, especially if you like visiting wine farms and restaurants. Check out the Slanghoek Wine Cellar ( slanghoek.co.za), Opstal Estate ( opstal.co.za) and Jason’s Hill Private Cellar ( jasonshill.com). The Breedekloof website ( breedekloof.com) provides ideas and information about activities and attractions in the area.
After 23:00, it’s only time for everyone in the campsite to stop making noise and be as peaceful as the surrounds.