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So you’ve decided to take your family on a camping trip, whether it is because you (desperately) need some sort of break, the kids have been nagging you to go for what seems like forever, or because you enjoy camping with the family. Whatever the reason, camping can be a great bonding experience and lots of fun for all.
The Western Cape is spoilt for choice when it comes to camping with an endless selection of beach resorts, riverside campsites, wildlife parks, and mountain ranges to appeal to everyone’s taste. You’ll even be able to include more than just one campsite since the drive between many of them are fairly short. Always remember that you have quite a few options in terms of vehicles as well, as you can rent a camper, rent a 4×4 or go for the larger car rental option as well.
A self-drive camping trip is fairly cheap compared to most other holidays with 4 basic choices:
– 4×4 vehicle fully equipped with tents – Very little has to be done when it comes to setting up camp and you only have to pay for the camping site. This option is also ideal when you want to take take the family on a 4×4 specific camping safari.
– Tented – This will take slightly more time to set up camp depending on your level of expertise in pitching a tent. Warning: for the not so experienced this could lead to some new and very colourful words being added to your children’s vocabulary
– “Splurge” for a chalet or cottage within a campsite – No need borrow tents and mattresses from friends and your unit will have it’s own private kitchen and bathroom
– Boutique glamping – Do I need to say more? Experience camping in style
Kids get bored and you can’t blame their budding minds and active bodies. A lot of campsites offer activities to keep them entertained, but make sure you also take some board games with for those lazy afternoons and evenings or for when the weather is not ideal. Keep in mind that activities advertised may not be available throughout the year. If you’re setting up camp you want to be near the facilities, but also want to be near the river, pool, and areas where the kids will be spending most of their time. Even though it’s fairly safe, you’d still want to be able to keep an eye on them.
Bergplaats Game Lodge, Beaufort West include horseback safaris, pony rides, 4×4 tracks, quad biking, bush dinners, and game drives and have a jungle gym, swimming pool, and toys at the main lodge.
Guano Caves, Montagu will have the kids exploring the bat cave which goes back hundreds of years while also offering heated rock pools, a scenic tractor trip, swimming, and horse riding.
Africamps at Pat Busch Mountain Reserve, Robertson is just one of their sites in the Western Cape. There are some good walking trails, swim in the salt pool, go paddling in the farm dam, or entertain yourself watching the various animals walking around. Some of the Africamps also offer a private hot tub on the deck.
Vloedbos, Caledon as a list of activities for the kids and offers swimming pools, supertube, fishing, paintball, mini-golf, trampolines, 4×4 trails, train rides, and more. You definitely won’t need to find ways to keep them entertained here.
I think every kid needs to experience a camping trip so light a fire, sing campfire songs, roast marshmallows over the flames and enjoy the serenity of your surroundings.