Quick camping getaways in and around the Lowveld
Sometimes the holidays are just too few and far between and you really need to get away for a while. Why not consider a weekend camping trip to one of these wonderful close-by destinations.
By Benno Stander
Panorama Chalets and Camp Site
Situated on the edge of the Graskop gorge this camp site boasts some wonderful views of the Lowveld. There are 21 grass covered stands with electricity available with fair shade on most sites. The camp has 3 star TGCSA rating.
Location
Panorama is situated just 2km outside Graskop on the R533 and is just 90km from Nelspruit.
GPS Coordinates: S 24⁰ 56’ 47’’ E 30⁰ 50’ 42’’
Facilities
The camp has laundry facilities, camp kitchen with scullery and clean and neat ablution facilities. Drum braais are available on the sites. The camp is wheelchair friendly.
Contact
Call 013 767 1091, or mail ruskamp@lantic.net
Blyde River
The Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world and truly a unique and wonderful place to put up a tent for the weekend. The facilities at this resort are truly amazing and exactly what we have come to expect from the Forever group.
Location
Forever Resort Blyde River Canyon is situated just off the R532 within the Blyde River Nature reserve and is just 160km from Nelspruit and 50km from Graskop.
Facilities
Hiking trails, volley ball, swimming pool (cold), mini-golf (Putt-Putt), trampolines, horse rides, tennis courts (floodlit) and badminton can all be enjoyed on site. There is also a shop and a restaurant.
Contact
Call 0861 22 69 66 or 0861 CANYON, or central reservations on 012 423 5600
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Camping is a great way to spend quality time with the kids and is sure to give them some good memories to cherish one day…
Swadini
Nestled between the Drakensburg Mountains on the banks of the Blyde River lies this family friendly Forever Resort. With its spotless ablution and numerous fun activities it has become a firm favourite among campers from all over South Africa.
Location
Just off the Off R531, 35km from Hoedspruit and 160km from Nelspruit.
Facilities
This large family resort offers car wash, conferencing, heated swimming pool, heated baby pool, hiking trails, putt-putt, restaurant: a-la-carte & take-away, supermarket and liquor store, tennis courts, trampolines, volleyball and more.
Contact
Call the resort on 015 795 5141 or central Reservations on 012 423 5600.
Badplaas
This award winning resort has a very popular hydro spa and can be found within a nature reserve in Mpumalanga. With over 300 camp sites it’s no secret how popular this family resort has become!
Location
Badplaas Resort is situated just off the R38 and is just 100km from Nelspruit
Latitude: -25.95668, Longitude: 30.56288
Facilities
The list is so long we’ve decided to only give these highlights; bowls, game drives, putt-putt (mini-golf), eco quad bike trails, Rinkhals (tube rapids), super tube and speed slide, swimming pools, tennis, volleyball, supermarket, curio shop, liquor store, pharmacy, butchery, hairdresser, kiddies quads, fishing, tree walking trail, pony rides, pub, restaurant, go-carts, fufi slide, museum and more…
Contact
Call the resort on 017 844 8000 or Central Reservations on 012 423 5600 or mail badplaas@foreversa.co.za
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Moholoholo Ya Mati
Moholohlo Ya Mati is situated on the banks of the Blyde River hidden under lush trees and surrounded by beautifully kept lawns. With only 11 exclusive stands carefully sculptured out of the bush, each stand offers total seclusion. Every stand has a water and electrical point.
Location
Just of the R531, 150km from Nelspruit and 28km from Hoedspruit.
Facilities
Restaurant, tea garden, firewood for sale, swimming pool and game viewing. Also be sure to visit the close-by Maholoholo Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre.
Contact
Call 072 191 2024 or mail moholo@worldonline.co.za
Camping in Kruger
The southern part of Kruger National Park is home to 5 wonderful camping sites namely Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp, Lower Sabie Rest Camp, Skukuza Rest Camp, Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp, Malelane Private Camp and Pretoriuskop Rest Camp. All of them are just a short drive from Nelspruit and offer world class game viewing opportunities.
Map by www.krugerpark.co.za
Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp
Game drives and bush walks are available and you can also see some San rock paintings sites in the surrounding hills.
Lower Sabie Rest Camp
Large numbers of game are attracted to the plentiful water in the area and the facilities are well suited to the family since there is a wide range of activities available. The camp is a very popular birding spot and both day and night game drives are available.
Skukuza Rest Camp
Skukuza boasts a magnificent 9 hole (18-tee), Par 72 golf course, riverside walks, wilderness hikes and game drives. There are two restaurants including the Selati Station Grill House which offers a full a la carte breakfast every day from 7:30am to 10:30am.
Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp
Many feel this is the ideal camp from which to pursue the big five. Amenities include a laundromat, grocery shop and liquor store. There is also petrol station, coffee shop, communal kitchens and ablutions.
Malelane Private Camp
This hidden gem can accommodate a maximum of 19 people and does not allow day visitors. There are several guided bush walks available from the camp and there is also a communal kitchen, ablution block and communal freezer. There are no shops or restaurants which makes this the ultimate quiet getaway.
Pretoriuskop Rest Camp
This camp not only has a great restaurant and cafeteria but also boasts a beautiful natural rock swimming pool. There are many wilderness trails in the area and game walks and drives are arranged if requested. Facilities also include cafeteria, shop, emergency road service, petrol station, laundromat, communal kitchens and picnic facilities.
Kruger Camps contact details
Call Customer Support on 013 755 1988 or mail sanparks3@krugerlowveld.com
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Merry pebbles
Merry Pebbles Holiday Resort and Caravan Park is situated on the banks of the Sabie River within the municipal boundary of Sabie. With its massive trees and green grass the camp site is really quite beautiful in itself.
Location
The resort is just outside Sabie on the Old Lydenburg Road, 60km from Nelspruit.
GPS Co-ordinates: S 25º 5’ 44.4″ E 30º 45’ 58.7″
Facilities
180 caravan and camping sites available, a fully licensed a la Carte restaurant, braai, power point, four large ablution facilities, three sculleries, coin operated laundromat and chemical disposal.
On-site activities include heated pools, cold water pools, kiddies pools, water slides, trampolines, jungle gym, swings, see-saw, outdoor chess, mini-golf (putt putt), tennis (flood lights), trout fishing, river tubing, hiking trails, mountain bike trails, fun bikes, entertainment hall, table tennis, video games and pool tables.
Contact
Call 013 764 2266 or 7641502
Waterfall safari lodge
Situated in the Kranspoort Mountains, Waterfall Safari Lodge offers the most peaceful bush environment with a quaint little 5 site camp.
Location
The resort is just 230km from Nelspruit and 44km from Middleburg on the Loskop Dam road (N11).
Lat:25°26’17.0″S, Lon:29°25’44.9″E
Facilities
Enjoy game drives, 4×4 trails and beautiful nature trails on location. There is also a nature trail to the waterfall and a lovely cold water rock pool.
Contact
Call the lodge on 083 629 7410 or central reservations on 012 423 5600.
Mankele
Campers have the choice of lush green lawn section or can rough it in the secluded bushveld camp sites.
Location
Situated on the Sudwala Road (R539) just 32km outside Nelspruit.
S 25° 23.324´ E 30° 42.723´
Facilities
All camp sites have braai areas and water nearby with electrical points (3 prong plug). Hot water ablutions and swimming pool can be found on the camp site. There is also a coffee shop, tuck shop and entertainment area with a big screen TV with DSTV, pool table, darts, soccer table, braai areas and swimming pool. To keep busy you can partake in some river tubing, bass fishing or take on one of the many world-class mountain bike routes.
Contact
For reservations and queries call 078 801 0453 or mail ride@mankele.co.za
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