Recharge on the South Coast
Take the Friday off, leave home nice and early and spend the evening basking in the glow of your campfire, listening to the sound of the Indian Ocean waves.
Spring has sprung, and slowly but surely the days are getting longer again – and the nights shorter. When lockdown relaxes sufficiently to allow us to cross provincial borders – and camp – the treat of a weekend on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast is just the cure to forget about the icy winter (and that soul-destroying lockdown). Not that anyone needs much convincing to tow their way to the South Coast. The glorious climate, the warm Mozambique current that flows past here, and the multitude of activities in the area make it a fantastic holiday destination – for everyone from families looking for fun and enjoyment to retirees who prefer rest and peace. The ATKV-Natalia in the Winklespruit area boasts an excellent location. It’s wonderfully central – Durban is barely 40 km away – and it’s also not too far to drive for folks from the interior.
NATALIA IS A WELL-PROPORTIONED
family resort and one of those campsites where everything feels right from the start as you arrive. It’s neat, there’s plenty of space, it’s as safe as houses and there’s more than enough to keep you and yours busy during your well-deserved break by the sea. There is even WiFi at your stand – you get 30 minutes of free internet access per day. If your teenage son uses up his half hour, he’ll have to sacrifice an ice cream and use his pocket money to buy himself more data. Natalia lies next to Illovo beach, and you can frolic all year round in the warm water and lie on the clean, expansive beach and sunbathe. Lifeguards are on duty most days of the year. If the weather doesn’t play along one day, go swimming in the large heated pool or recline on loungers next to it. Natalia’s relaxation area is as comprehensive as any, and other than the pool (there’s one for the little ones too), they have mini golf, a volleyball court, trampolines, a large jungle gym and one of those life-sized chessboards. You’ll find video games and a pool table in the games room. The resort store would embarrass many a small-town supermarket. Find anything from bread, magazines and fishing nets for the little ones to braai grids, T-shirts, wood, cool drinks, ice cream and ice. Next to the shop is the Koswerf restaurant where you can sit down for breakfast, light lunches or just cake and tea. As with all ATKV resorts, there’s entertainment by the pool during the holidays, as well as food stalls where you can buy treats like a potato on a stick. The gate to the train bridge crossing the track to the beach is manned by a security guard. As you leave, he gives you an elastic band with a disc that you need to put on your wrist. The day of the week is written on this disc, and helps them control those who come back from the beach. Next to the security booth is an outdoor shower to wash away the salt water and sea sand on your return. Even if you’re camping on the front stands, it is a proper walk to the beach. But a little exercise is certainly not a bad thing, especially when you consider
There are more large trees on the upper terrace, but they’re scattered throughout the campsite
those extra kilos many of us gained during lockdown.
THE CARAVAN PARK IS DIVIDED
into two. The first, with almost 80 stands, is near the gate on the lower terrace. You don’t have a view of the sea from here, but you are more sheltered from the wind. The second section has 28 stands, and these are a few metres higher up on the upper terrace. From here you have an unobstructed view of the ocean, especially if you’re right in front. Be warned, however, you’ll bear the brunt of the wind if it picks up. If you’re aiming for the upper terrace, ask the person helping you with your booking whether stands 114 or 117 are still available. These are the two best ones in this section of the caravan park as you camp under big trees that keep you cool all day – and in the sultry heat of the summer months, this is a welcome respite. You’re also, so to speak, at the very front of the campsite, which means nobody can set up camp in front of you and spoil your view. There are more large trees on the upper terrace, but they’re scattered throughout the campsite and you’re not guaranteed shade. So pack your reflective sheet and gazebo just to be safe. Of course, also remember your storm ropes and pegs.
When camping on one of the lower stands, try to put your name next to stands 31 to 41. They’re on the middle island at the farthest point of this section of the campsite, and also completely in the shade. But when the whole family are gathering together for a Christmas camp, stands 47 to 51 are perfect for a large group. The five are of them are right in the corner, at the far end of the lower campsite, and you’ll be more isolated there. It is nice and private and there is also a leafy canopy above your head. Ten of the lower stands each have a large shade net. Call ahead and hear if you can get one of them. If Lady Luck isn’t on your side, your reflective sheet must be on your list of items to pack.
ALL THE STANDS ARE
almost as big as a squash court, and most of them have a rectangular piece of paving with grass around. The power points have blue sockets – remember to bring your caravan plug. The power points are close enough to the paving that it’s not really necessary to bring an extension cord. Next to the power point is plug-in space for your caravan’s satellite dish. Each stand also has its own tap and rubbish bin that’s cleaned daily. Take note that they recycle at Natalia and you are asked to keep your glass, cans, plastic and paper separate and throw them away in the coloured bins
at the two ablution blocks. Remember to bring your own braai equipment, as you won’t find a braai at your stand. If you haven’t brought one, then sear your chops at the communal braai area next to the pool. Whether you’re on the lower or upper stands, you aren’t more than 100 m from the ablution facilities. The ablution block at the stands closest to the sea is a modern building with separate facilities for men and women – and during our visit it was being renovated. The men have four showers, four basins with mirrors and three urinals. There are also two family bathrooms with a double shower and a basin in their own rooms. The lower block is equally modern, neat and clean, but has eight urinals, three toilets, four showers, a bath and eight basins with mirrors. One of the basins is low enough for when the kids come to brush their teeth. The showers have glass doors and are spacious. However, the dry area is slightly cramped and the folding bench has a weight limit of 100 kg. So if you played rugby in the front row at school, don’t sit down to fasten your shoelaces here. There are more than enough hooks for your towel and clean clothes. Both ablution blocks have a washing machine and tumble dryer that work with discs (buy them at the tuck shop). There is also a sink for your dishes and deep ones for laundry.
The gate to the train bridge crossing the track to the beach is manned by a security guard. As you leave, he gives you an elastic band with a disc