Keeping It Quiet – 5 heavens of calm to stay in nature
Article from the Spring 2014 issue of Wild Magazine.
Need to recharge your batteries? Look no further than one of these five havens of calm.
Responsible Tourism
Whether campsite, cottage, cabin, chalet or lodge, these facilities have kept their development footprint simple. All are inspired by an emphasis on the natural state and pristine surroundings.
1. Olifantsbos, Table Mountain National Park
Most Cape holidaymakers have to fight their way through crowds and traffic jams to get to the beach. At Olifantsbos your competition is more likely to consist of bontebok and black oystercatchers. Tucked away in a quiet corner of Cape Point, this shorefront cottage offers privacy and a boardwalk leading down to the sand. The cottage sleeps six in three bedrooms and there is an annex that can accommodate a further six people. There’s no electricity but gas and solar power ensure you don’t have to forgo home comforts. On summery evenings you’ll want to unwind on the large patio, while in colder weather the fireplace in the open plan lounge beckons.
Rates: From R2840 a night one to four people, R340 an additional adult, R170 an additional child
Contact: SANParks Central Reservations 012-428-9111
2. Oudebosch Eco-Cabins, Kogelberg Nature Reserve
With their grass-covered roofs and reed screens, these wooden cabins look as if they have grown out of the surrounds. To stay here is to feel yourself enveloped by that landscape, by Kogelberg’s craggy slopes and mountain fynbos. At Oudebosch there are only five cabins, each sleeping four people, making it almost as peaceful as the untouched valleys that lie deep within the mountains. The cabins are beautifully designed to touch the Earth lightly, from the water-saving shower to the solar panels. A highlight is the eco-pool where reeds filter the water so it’s almost like swimming in a mountain stream. If you’re feeling energetic you can walk or cycle to the Palmiet for a dip, but this setting is so spectacular you might not want to leave.
Rates: From R1060 a night for one or two people, (outside peak season), R320 an additional person
Contact: CapeNature Central Reservations 021-483-0190
3. Perdekloof Campsite, Tankwa Karoo National Park
For harried city dwellers three words sum up the appeal of Perdekloof: no cellphone reception. When you’re admiring the soft tones of the mountains in the distance, you can rest assured that your reverie won’t be interrupted by beeping, buzzing or ringing. The campsite has six stands nestled among indigenous trees, affording you welcome shade and privacy to unwind. Even better is that each has its own bathroom and kitchenette. This is grown-up camping, where you don’t have to queue for a hot shower. In spring this must be one of the prettiest campsites when bright wild flowers carpet the rugged earth. Because there are no dangerous predators in the park, you can walk out into the veld to admire the blooms.
Rates: R225 a night for one or two 2 people, R100 an additional adult, R50 an additional child
Contact: SANParks Central Reservations 012-428-9111
4. !Xaus Lodge, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
To reach the heart-shaped pan where this lodge sits perched on russet dunes, you have to patiently chug across soft sand for more than an hour. Not many people make the journey and therein lies the appeal of !Xaus. It’s an exclusive hideaway deep in the Kalahari Desert, completely removed from the buzz of modern life. It’s quiet here, but far from silent. There’s the twitter of finches and the sighing of the wind. At night, hyenas call out to their troop mates and the sonorous roars of lions fill the air. A stay here is fully catered and you’ll have the chance to walk with Bushman trackers or cross the dunes on guided game drives. All you have to do is relax and soak up the serenity.
Rates: From R1750 a person a night
Contact: 021-701-7860, email
5. Bateleur Bush Camp, Kruger National Park
Even in South Africa’s most popular game reserve, quiet can still be found. Located off the beaten track in the northern half of the park, Bateleur is the oldest and smallest of the bush camps. Its seven cottages on the banks of Mashokwe spruit are sheltered by mopane trees and come equipped with air conditioning and a microwave oven. The camp has its own hide overlooking a waterhole where you can while away a leisurely hour watching birds and big game. You won’t have to contend with game-viewing hordes when you leave camp either. Residents of Bateleur have exclusive access to two nearby dams, Silwervis and Rooibosrand.
Rates: From R1745 for one to four people, R340 an additional adult, R170 an additional child
Contact: SANParks Central Reservations 012-428-9111
Get your Wild CardIf you enjoy Southern African wildlife and visiting our many parks reserves, this is the best investment you can make. To read more about the Wild Card’s benefits, or to get yours, visit www.wildcard.co.za |