Long way round to the Cape
Join seven couples as they camp their way from the Free State down to the Western Cape.
The West Coast is quite simply a dream destination, and it’s a good idea to set aside a couple of weeks when going there on holiday. Then again, we all know that a camping holiday doesn’t start when you drive into the campsite, but rather it starts as soon as you lock the front door of your house. That’s exactly how it was for a group of friends from the Free State when they decided to take a long road trip, past Augrabies, then down the West Coast to Montagu, where they would camp for the last few nights. For this long journey, they doublechecked the road conditions as some of the caravans are only meant to be towed on tar roads. After choosing nine campsites along their planned route, it was time to hit the road. Pieter van der Merwe tells us more...
“WE’RE ONE OF FIVE COUPLES from Riebeeckstad. Joining my wife, Anette, and I are Jurie and Adriana Blom, Sarel and Ester Griesel, Gert and Christien Viljoen and Pedro and Elize Erasmus. Callie and Santa Jager come from Hennenman, and then we were to meet Francois and Maretha de Wet, all the way from Montagu, in Upington. Our group drives a variety of towing vehicles ranging from some Toyota Hilux pickups and Fortuners to a Ford Ranger, a Chevrolet Trailblazer – and then there’s our Nissan Navara. Jurie tows a Conqueror Companion and Pedro a Bush Lapa, but the rest of us have road caravans: a Gypsey Raven and a Rapsody, and three Sprite caravans – two Swing models and Francois’s Tourer, which also is geared for dirt roads. It’s time to say goodbye to Riebeeckstad on the Free State goldfields for the first stretch to Kimberley. We drive through Bloemfontein – even though it’s a detour of about 80 km, we prefer it to the awful road via Bultfontein. We decide on Riverside Country Club and Caravan Park near Ritchie for our first camping night. It’s about 40 km south of Kimberley, close to the N12 that shoots through to Hopetown. This means we’re covering 340 km on the first day of towing and the corner steadies can come out on the banks of the Riet River. Ten of the stands are laid out against the banks, with the rest of the 23 stands further away from the river. There are many loose steel braais – drums and skottels – in case you didn’t bring your own. In terms of convenience, stand 24 is best as here you get your own bathroom. Depending on who is interested in what, it’s a good idea to make a detour to the Magersfontein battlefield – it is just across the N12 and only 16 km from here. And as you’re now driving in the direction of Kimberley on an excursion, you may as well stop at the Big Hole.
IT’S JUST OVER 450 km to the Oranjerus Resort, our next stop. It’s also where Francois and Maretha, all the way from Montagu, are to join us. Just like Riverside, Oranjerus also lies against a river, this time the Orange. Across the river is the famous Kannoneiland (Cannon Island), the largest island in the entire river – it is 14 km long and up to 3 km wide, and a fertile piece of land where they farm with grapes and pecans. You may also fish in the river, although only four of the 25 stands are next to the water. On either side of the campsite is a building with the ablution facilities – they’re modern and painfully neat. The stands are on a large lawn with enough shade trees. Each stand has its own power point (the blue caravan type), braai area and tap.
The view from the Oranjekom lookout point over the canyon through which the Orange River gently burbles, creates a tranquility that will have your soul smiling
Campsite 40 level stands on the grounds of which most have a shade tree nearby.
Ablution facilities 2 bathroom buildings (one on either side of the campsite) with a kitchen and laundry. Price Depending on the season, R285-R300 pn per stand for the first 2 people; thereafter R94-R100 pp (R47-R50 for children) up to 6 people per stand. Also remember the conservation fee of R56 pppd (R28 for children) if you don’t have a Wild Card. Arrival and departure 14:00 and 11:00. Contact 054 452 9200 sanparks.org Nearest town Keimoes, 76 km.
Road condition Tar to the office and good dirt roads in the campsite and on the game trails.
GPS S28.593177 E20.337481
Drive & Camp says The shop is at the reception office – you have to walk through the room to get there. Aside from the many souvenirs, the store is just as well-equipped as a small suburban shopping mall.