Mesmerising Mpumalanga
Each of South Africa’s nine provinces boasts breathtaking scenery, but
Mpumalanga especially is known for its panoramic views and picturesque
landscapes. Fortunately for camping enthusiasts, there are plenty of choices when it comes to exploring what this province has to offer. Rikus Truter from Lekker Kampplekke shares his favourites with us.
1. Marlothi Safari Park
Marlothi Safari Park is located in the pristine Marloth Park, only 17km from the
Crocodile Bridge gate entrance to the Kruger National Park. The campsite boasts six
lovely spacious stands, each with its own private ablutions, a braai area and a kitchen facility. Whether it’s during an early morning coffee or early evening sundowners, visitors are guaranteed to see an abundance of wildlife from the lookout point near the camp, as several mammal species are constantly roaming the camp. The beautiful swimming pool offers wonderful refreshment in the hot summer months, and bird watchers can look forward to ticking off more than 300 bird species in the area. You will drift off to sleep hearing the sounds from the neighbouring Lionspruit Nature Reserve, ensuring a wonderful bush getaway.
NEAREST TOWN: Komatipoort (29km) / Malelane (36km)
SHOP: Yes
PET-FRIENDLY: No
FISHING: No
CELL PHONE RECEPTION: Yes
ACCESSIBILITY: Tar road
RATES: From R470 per night, per stand for four people and one vehicle (R70 per additional person with a maximum of 6 people per stand and R50 per night per extra vehicle)
*Self-catering and luxury tent options available from R900 per night (maximum of 4 people)
CONTACT: +27 82 401 5999 | www.marlothisafaripark.co.za
2. Elandskloof Trout Farm
Elandskloof is one of the oldest trout farms in Mpumalanga and offers beautiful natural camping stands, each surrounded by lush green grass and equipped with an electrical point. The camp has several neatly maintained ablution blocks and kitchen units, and for a small fee you can bring along your four-legged friends. There are 11
dams on the farm stocked with trout, and there are hiking and mountain biking trails, horseback riding and game drives where you can spot 15 different species including eland, blesbok, springbok, fox, zebra, otter and aardvark. There are also more than 200 bird species in the area, including fish eagle, blue crane and various owl species.
NEAREST TOWN: Dullstroom (12km)
SHOP: No, but basic necessities are available at reception
PET-FRIENDLY: Inquire upon booking (there is an additional cost involved)
FISHING: Yes (dam)
CELL PHONE RECEPTION: Limited
ACCESSIBILITY: Gravel road (accessible to high-clearance non-4WD vehicles and
road caravans)
RATES: R90 per person per day (free for children under 2)
*Self-catering and luxury tent options available from R900 per night (maximum of
4 people)
CONTACT: +27 13 254 0136 / +27 71 698 7845 | www.elandskloof.co.za
3. Oppi Rooiplaas
The peaceful farm atmosphere at Oppi Rooiplaas is a wonderful escape from the
hustle and bustle of the city. The campsite is located next to a beautiful river on this working farm farm, where hiking trails and fishing are among the activities on offer. When the river is in full flood, it is ideal for hours of fun frolicking with tubes. There is no electricity, but there is solar power and warm water at the ablution and washing-up facilities.
NEAREST TOWN: Volksrust (40km)
SHOP: No
PET-FRIENDLY: Yes (arrange beforehand)
FISHING: Yes (river)
CELL PHONE RECEPTION: Limited
ACCESSIBILITY: Gravel road (accessible to high-clearance non-4WD vehicles and
road caravans, but be warned it is a long stretch of gravel road, and progress will
be slow).
RATES: R150 per person per night for stands with an ablution block and R100 per
person per night for wild camping (R50 for children under 12 for both options). Day
visitors – R50.
*Self-catering and luxury tent options available from R900 per night (maximum of
4 people)
CONTACT: +27 82 227 4195 | www.oppirooiplaas.com
4. Lake Umuzi Camp Oasis
With a wide range of activities for the whole family, Lake Umuzi offers a true oasis
in the heart of Mpumalanga. Located next to the Graceland Casino and Country Club in Secunda, the campsite boasts 66 lovely stands. All are equipped with braai facilities, a power outlet, a tap and modern ablution blocks. There are several cold and warm water pools, and when campers book for two or more nights, they get
free access to the AquaZone Waterpark, where the young ones can enjoy the use
of five water slides and the heated indoor pool (this is subject to reservation and
excludes public holidays). At R60 per child, the little ones (shorter than 1.35m) can
also have loads of fun at Carnival Square, the largest jungle gym in Africa. For the
fishermen, the dam boasts monster carp and barbels, and there are five different
restaurants within walking distance of the campsite. On Sundays, several artists
perform at the Eish! Restaurant.
NEAREST TOWN: Secunda (12km)
SHOP: Yes
PET-FRIENDLY: Yes
FISHING: Yes (dam)
CELL PHONE RECEPTION: Yes
ACCESSIBILITY: Both tar- and gravel road
RATES: R100 per person per night and R100 per stand (maximum of 6 people and
one vehicle per stand). Children under 12 and pensioners pay R60 per person per
night. Free for children under 6.
CONTACT: +27 17 631 3452/41 | camp@lakeumuzi.co.za | www.lakeumuzi.co.za
5. Kimburu Bushcamp
Kimburu Bushcamp is the ideal destination for those looking for a bushveld getaway not too far from the city. It offers a variety of accommodation options and communal ablution and kitchen facilities. The curious meerkats, Stoffel and Binkie, will entertain the little ones for hours while the miniature horses, Ode and Newsmaker, also attract a lot of attention. Bird watchers and hikers can be on the lookout for various species, including the Woodland kingfisher, Paradise flycatcher, Red-crested cuckoo, barbet and Grey go-away-bird. Visitors can explore with mountain bikes or quad bikes, enjoy the lovely cold pool or just spend nights around the campfire with the calls of guineafowl and partridge in the background. The Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, only 25km away, is also a major attraction.
NEAREST TOWN: Middelburg (25km)
SHOP: No
PET-FRIENDLY: Yes (arrange beforehand)
FISHING: No
CELL PHONE RECEPTION: Yes
ACCESSIBILITY: Gravel road (accessible to high-clearance non-4WD vehicles and road caravans)
RATES: R200 per person per night for a stand (maximum of 4 people). Children under 11 pay R100, and for children under 3 it is free.
*Various self-catering options are available from R300 per person per night to
R1 400 for family rooms that accommodate up to 4 people. Children pay less per night – inquire upon booking.
CONTACT: +27 82 494 4596 | bookings@kimburubushcamp.co.za / kimburu@lantic.net | www.kimburubushcamp.co.za
*Prices and facilities highlighted in this article are subject to change without notice. – Ed.
Let’s cook with Lekker Kampplekke
Bottled salads are a great option for a quick lunch or as a side dish to your braai when camping since you can prepare them ahead
of time. They take up relatively little space, but must stay cool, which means you need good refrigeration in your set-up.
Potato salad
Ingredients:
- 2kg potatoes
- 500g onions (plus cooking oil)
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 50g gherkins
- Pepper and cayenne pepper to taste
- 2 cups mayonnaise
Method:
- Peel and cut the potatoes into cubes (about 2 x 2cm) and cook until soft but still firm.
- Chop the onions and place in a large pot with a little bit of oil – fry until soft but not browned.
- Chop the gherkins into smallish cubes or into rings if they are small.
- Add sugar, salt and gherkins together with 2 tablespoons of water to the onions and bring to the boil.
- Add mayonnaise and stir quickly (the potatoes should still be boiling hot when you add mayonnaise).
- Bottle immediately, while still hot.
Shell noodle salad
Ingredients:
- 3 large onions
- 2 green peppers
- ¼ cup cooking oil
- 1 pack tomatoes
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 500g shell noodles
- ½ bottle mayonnaise
Method:
- Chop the onions and the green peppers into fairly small cubes and place them in a large pot. Braai until tender.
- Chop the tomatoes into small cubes and add it to the onions and green peppers. Now add the rest of the ingredients and cook for 15 min.
- Cook the noodles in a separate pot.
- Drain the noodles and mix everything together while still boiling hot.
- Add the mayonnaise and mix well.
- Bottle immediately, while still hot
.*For more recipes: www.lekkerkampplekke.co.za
