Childhood friends, Noël Cloete and Gavin Manuel, adore this country and its unrivalled scenic beauty. So, when the opportunity arose to start a business to inspire more people to see and appreciate this wonderful country in its purest form – camping at various scenic spots, mostly along the pristine West Coast – the boys jumped, both feet in! Mary Willemse caught up with them and one of their guests.
I have been stalking the PadlangsZA boys on social media for quite some time, always getting a distinct sense of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out, for those who don’t speak social) when looking at their feed that shows the most stunning places, stunning sunsets and meals that always look so mouth-watering. I am still convinced they are hiding a professional chef and fully equipped kitchen somewhere in their Fortuner!
Says Boland boytjie, Sergio Opperman (also known as the@ “Kuier-leier”), who joined PadlangsZA on a recent weekend camping trip to Tietiesbaai: “Much like you, when I stumbled across the PadlangsZA Instagram page and fell in love with what I saw, thinking that it looked like such a jol, camping in a group with lekker people and good vibes.”
So, the minute his schedule allowed for a break, Sergio booked his first trip during October last year – the inaugural Halloween camp to Rawsonville – and absolutely loved it! “These boys know what they’re doing, no doubt! Adventures like these are not always accessible for someone like me, who drives a Polo hatchback, but with PadlangsZA supplying all camping equipment and preparing all meals, it opened a whole new world for me. Now I’m hooked!”
He took his friend, Nathalie Cupido, along on the Tietiesbaai trip and she also raves about the experience, which she describes as ‘stupendous’. “Overall, this was a brilliant camp with the best people with the best gees! And the food… glorious! The signature PadlangsZA breakfast Shakshuka and the cheese platters are to die for, not to mention the oysters and mussel potjie – simply an amazing experience I will treasure forever.”
Sergio chips in: “Oh and don’t forget Noël’s barista-quality coffee and the sunsets. It is simply next level, especially when you can share it with a bunch of like-minded people who appreciate the beauty in life!” For the PadlangsZA team hearing such feedback is super rewarding. “It is important for us to show that camping can be accessible for everyone. This country is simply too beautiful not to appreciate it in the best possible way – and what better way than camping?”
The boys aptly call their regular Tietiesbaai adventure ‘Chasing Sunsets’ and the one Sergio joined was the third of its kind since the company started towards the end of 2020. “We love how our trips bring people from all walks of life – and as far as Kuruman, Kathu, Aggeneys and Lutzville – together, all with one common interest: to enjoy the outdoors to the utmost,” says Gavin.
“A great camping experience, for us, is all about exposing yourself to the elements of fire, water, earth, and air. Going back to the roots of our heritage, embracing a nomadic existence and for a moment in time, shunning the comforts of our daily lives and allowing nature to engulf us, temporarily,” he explains
Whether it is next to the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, the rustic Riemvasmaak area or the tranquility of 22 Waterfalls in Porterville, the PadLangsZA team finds beauty all around South Africa and their dream is to explore every inch of it, all the while inspiring other people to do the same. “In South Africa, we have majestic campsites, located next to beautiful rivers, in the heart of the valleys, by the roaring ocean or just on elegant wine farms – all offering great amenities, exciting outdoor activities, luscious grass terrain, and hygienic and safe ablution facilities. Why not experience it with us?”
The Tietiesbaai adventure – taking place in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve – is especially close to the boys’ hearts since it was the destination of their first trip. Known for having the last manually operated lighthouse in South Africa, the historic campsite offers visitors scenic hiking trails, romantic and picturesque sunsets, panoramic sand dunes, mountain biking trails and idyllic swimming and snorkelling in the Atlantic Ocean.
About Tietiesbaai
Tietiesbaai is located close to the small fishing village of Paternoster and doesn’t have much to offer other than a caravan park, a campsite and a beautiful beach with some amazing boulders. It translates to ‘boobies bay’, and while that may seem funny, the reality is far blander. The isolated seaside campsite has nothing to do with a woman’s curves, but is instead named after Frenchman, Jacques Titius, who was a trader in the area many years ago.
Join the padlangZA crew
The adlangsZA vision is to give clients an excursion that they won’t easily forget. Whether it is an introduction to camping for newcomers or an exciting encounter with the outdoors for more seasoned campers, the team strive to make your outdoor adventure comfortable, fun, and hassle-free.
All camping equipment – consisting of tents, stretchers, individual self-inflating mattresses, camp chairs and gazebo’s – are supplied and erected by the PadlangZA team. All you are required to bring is your own cooler box with beverages, and warm bedding. On arrival, you are greeted with fresh oysters, a glass of sparkling wine, campfires burning, and all your outdoor needs catered for. While continuously adding to their events and tours, the boys have secured the following tours for the remainder of the year – be sure to book your spot!
- 2 – 4 September 2022: Wolvenberg Stillewaters, Rawsonville
- 23 – 25 September 2022: Wolvenberg Stillewaters, Rawsonville (school camp)
- 28 – 30 October 2022: Wild Wild West Coast, Redelinghuys
- 25 – 27 November 2022: Leopard Trail Guest Farm, Bonnievale
- 9 – 11 December 2022: Tietiesbaai, Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, Paternoster
CONTACT: +27 83 659 1596 (Noël) | noel@padlangsza.net / gavin@padlangsza.net | Social media:@padlangza
*The team thanks their sponsors and partners: Charlie’s Breweries, Camp & More and Acroyd de Vries.
