CAMPING DESTINATION
At times, you need some pampering, especially in a campsite with only two seasons: summer and high summer.
The only good thing about the winter cold is knowing that summer is around the corner. Fortunately, heated pools make the cold more bearable, and if there’s a roof over yours, you’ll have campers throughout the year. Several resorts can thank these warm waters for keeping them going. Resorts like Forever Tshipise are fortunate to have a mineral hot spring with healing waters, while others, such as the ATKV Eiland Spa, constantly heat large volumes of water. We visit both of these spa resorts in the northeast of Limpopo, which, in any case, are not synonymous with cold. Young and old forget about time here. FOREVER TSHIPISE
Heated delight
Barely 50 km before the N1 ends at the Beit Bridge border post to Zimbabwe, the R525 turns off towards Mozambique. This road runs all the way to Pafuri – the northernmost gate of the Kruger National Park. To the left of the road are some baobab trees where you can stretch your
legs, but a mere 30 km after turning off, you can unpack at Tshipise. Up ahead you see a rocky hill – the camping section is laid out at the foot of this. Tshipise is especially popular with the older generation, who make it their home during the winter months. With almost 400 stands, there is room for an army, and you’ll probably manage to get a spot even in peak season. Stands are not allocated in advance, but that’s okay because you’re here to relax. And if you end up farther away from all the action in the resort, you’ll appreciate the silence all around. As is typical of this kind of resort, it’s kind of a mini-civilisation, so you’ll probably be sorted if you didn’t pack
something. The shop and laundry room are behind reception, and there is also a restaurant. The store is a minisupermarket, where you can find just about anything under the sun: from canned food, sweets, cooldrinks, sunglasses, light bulbs, antenna cords, kettles, insect repellents, to newspapers, magazines, Fredlin plugs, kettles, camping chairs, and even garden forks – just mention it and it’s there. You can even buy meat: a 500 g braai pack with a piece of sausage, chicken, and pork chop costs R54; 2 kg chicken fillets is R65; and for 200 g of bacon, you pay R44. They also have fresh produce, including grapes, apples, cauliflower, mushrooms, and eggs. And then you can actually buy liquor. Plus there’s an ATM. The laundry room has a number of washing machines and tumble dryers and even mounted ironing boards against the wall. The machines work with R5 coins and it costs R20 per load to wash or tumble dry. Opposite the laundry room is a puttputt course with a green that looks brand new. It’s free and you get the clubs from the guards at the gate. This is also where you’ll find some of the baobab trees in the resort. Management is serious about preserving these old giants: there is a sign warning if you carve your name on the trees, you may be liable for a fine of R2 500, and you will be barred from the resort. Unfortunately, “J + B” and “Warren” have already left their mark. TO THE LEFT of the road before the campsite are the swimming pools and indoor rheumatic pool. Early mornings in the fresh air, the steam rises above a large rectangular pool, and when you get into the warm water, there are already a number of others floating with their pool noodles. It’s clear the campers know one another, as people are greeted by name and here and there they chat in groups. Even the workers are greeted by name as they pass. Next to the pool, the dressing rooms are housed in a stately old stone building, and on the other side is a new building with the rheumatic baths. Children under the age of 15 are not allowed here, and a note warns that the high temperature of the water and high humidity lead to rapid dehydration. So, it’s just a quick in and out. Resort management further makes it clear that it is a health pool and
not an indoor one – meaning water games are not allowed. The pools are surrounded by a neat lawn with trees that are already pretty big, including a frangipani and silver oak that boasts quite a few growth rings. Among the native trees are an ana and a marula tree. The paved road from the entrance runs straight to the stands, and the “streets” even have names: Vlei and Eloff streets are the first to turn right, and another at a circle is signposted Kerk Street – this one feels like the main street. Across from the circle is one of the prime spots when shade is at the top of your priority list. Quite a few caravans can fit under the nyala tree without a single ray of sunlight reaching you. One of the campers here stretched a reflective tarpaulin over his caravan – and it soon becomes apparent why it’s actually a good idea. Berries dot the ground – and then you see many yellow blotches on the canvas. Bats apparently eat the berries… There isn’t that much grass here and you’ll be camping on soil. So, get your woven ground sheet out first and lay it out next to the caravan. The stands are flat and level and are indicated by kneeheight poles. There’s more than enough shade, and you’d be really unlucky if your stand doesn’t have any. Taps are also plentiful, and your blue power point is close. (The stands next to the main road have ordinary household sockets.) If you haven’t brought your own braai, drag one of the freestanding ones closer. They have adjustable grids, and before you’ve even wiped the sleep from your eyes in the morning, the cleaners have already cleaned them all. Speaking of cleaning: the “garbage truck” is an old Suzuki Jimny with a kudu horn on the grille that the workers call their “Jeep”. A trailer is hitched for