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Tag: Holiday

Must do’s at AfriCamps at Pat Busch

A stay at AfriCamps is not just about glamping. It is a chance to experience the surroundings, taste the local produce and simply unwind in nature. AfriCamps at Pat Busch offers the most breathtaking mountain views and plenty of ways to explore the mountain up close. Get closer to the fynbos, streams, mountain dams and birdlife. Explore the surrounding wine farms famous for award-winning wines, or just have fun with the family, swimming the day away.

Here are a few activities to tick off during your stay at AfriCamps at Pat Busch…

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Swimming

During our hot summer days nothing is better than going for a dip. The salt water pool is a favourite among the kids. Keep an eye on them from the sun beds while soaking up the rather magnificent mountain views (you can’t really go anywhere at Pat Busch without being surrounded by the majestic Langeberg Mountains.) Get a spot of shade beneath our sun covers, stretch out on a sun bed and get lost in a good book.

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Thrill seekers might prefer to cool off in our farm dam after a hike or mountain bike ride. Our farm dam is located beyond the tents at the top of the property. You will also find row boats and kayaks available for rent. Try your luck at catching Bass and Tilipia (strictly catch-and-release). 

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Mountain Biking

Rent a bike for a half-day or a full-day to explore the farm and the surrounding area. How does a wine tour by mountain bike sound? A 30km route takes you past some of our neighbouring wine farms for tastings or meals. Book your bike with us in advance (helmets included).

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Hiking

When arriving at Pat Busch, you can already spot some of the trails leading up the mountain. These can be quite intimidating, but fear not, there are trails for all fitness levels! These hiking trails are not open to the public, so you can hike in complete privacy. Make sure you pack enough water, power snacks, good hiking boots, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. 

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Guided Day Hike

Duration: 2,5 – 3 hours

An early start is advisable because in high summer months the temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees. A qualified field guide will walk with you through the area. During this hike he will tell you everything that you want to know about the local fauna and flora! *Minimum of 2 adults. Subject to prior arrangement and availability.

Self-Guided Hiking Trails

There are also three self guided hiking trails on the property. On arrival at AfriCamps you can find information on the various hikes inside the welcome book in your tent. !

Middelrug Trail

Duration: 3 – 4 hours

The hike begins at the farm dam just beyond the tents. This is a fantastic trail to hike in the morning, not only because of the cool weather but also for the sunrise. The hike will return along the stream and kloof.  The hike is quite steep but other than that not difficult.

Hermit’s Ridge Trail

Duration: 2 – 3 hours

Hermit’s Ridge Trail is named after the legend of an old hermit who used to live in the Langeberg Mountains. The story goes that he hoarded a fortune in Kruger Rands and the secret of this treasure was lost when he died. Start at the gate near Oak Cottage where the trail takes you deeper through the Poplar Forest where, if the legend is true, the treasure can still be found. This trail from bottom to top should take about 2-3 hours, but don’t forget to add on the return time for returning via Karin’s trail.

Karin Trail

Duration: 2 – 3 hours

This beautiful hike is named after Pat Busch’s wife, Karin Busch. You can choose to continue this hike from the top of Hermit’s Ridge Trail, or follow the trail there & back. This popular trail follows the mountain streams along shaded valleys. Indigenous trees, boulders and the gurgling stream are your companions.

Watch the sunset

Sunsets at AfriCamps at Pat Busch Mountain Reserve are simply one of the best sunsets you will ever see. Watching the sun disappear behind the mountains, see the sky change colour from orange to pink. There are simply no words to describe it! Make yourself comfortable in one of the comfy deck chairs outside and watch the sun slowly going down. (A glass of Robertson’s finest wine will make it even more special.)

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Guided Wine Tour

Last but not least, Pat Busch Mountain Reserve offers a guided wine tour which starts at the property. This tour shows you around the beautiful sights and tastes of the Robertson Wine Valley. And no worries about driving! Your chauffeur will drive you all the way to the world-famous wine cellars. Lunch, wine tastings and an underground cellar tour is included. If you want to extend your tour with a boat trip along the Breede Rivier, your guide is happy to add that in the tour. All tours can be tailor made to suit your preferences. A minimum of 2 persons is required for a guided tour.  *Subject to availability and prior arrangement.

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We look forward to host you at AfriCamps at Pat Busch. For more information and bookings click here.

5 summer activities to try while glamping at Kam’Bati

Summer is here and we can’t wait for the holidays to be in full swing! AfriCamps at Kam’Bati truly comes alive in the holiday season when families take the open roads to go glamping. Kam’Bati is especially well-loved among families and there’s plenty of reasons why.

AfriCamps at Kam’Bati is situated on an Overberg farm, Jubileeskraal, about 20km west of Swellendam, perfectly located to kick off your Garden Route holiday and only a 2.5-hour drive from Cape Town. Whether you join us for your first or last Garden Route stop, AfriCamps at Kam’Bati is definitely worth a visit. With its three swimming pools and a majestic river, Kam’Bati is one of our favourite places to cool off during these hot summer days.

Take a look at our top 5 summer activities at AfriCamps at Kam’Bati to get you in the summer mood:

Stay cool by the pool

After a long drive, drop your bags in the tent, turn the aircon on (yes, there is air-conditioning in the tents!) and relax for a few minutes while making yourself at home. When you’re ready – go for a dip in one of our pools!

There’s a pool especially for the toddlers with 3 small slides. The pool is shallow and perfect for the little ones to play for hours. For the older kids, we have a slightly deeper pool with 3 longer slides. Sorry parents, these slides are only for kids. If braving the steps slowly and calmly, or getting lost in a book on a lounger NEXT to the pool is more your thing, we’ve got a pool for you too.River Adventures

The Breede and Sonderend Rivers meet on the property which means plenty of river fun awaits. Rent a canoe at reception or bring your own. Pack a picnic and your fishing rod and spend the whole afternoon on the river.

The kids will love the rush of adrenaline from jumping off the jetty or swinging from the rope into the river (remember to check the water level first.)

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Kam’Bati Putt-Putt course

After a day full of swimming and splashing, see if you can beat your family in an exciting game of putt-putt. Our 8-hole course is a perfect way to spend your summer days on the property.

Add a little twist by setting special rules. The winner doesn’t have to do the dishes, right? Time to start practicing those putting skills!

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Traditional AfriCamps Braai

Light the fire for a traditional South African braai. Kam’Bati offers great braai packs with something in it for the whole family. You can enjoy a 200g Rump steak, sausage, chicken kebab, beetroot salad, potato or pasta salad with a garlic & cheese roll, but remember to pre-order when you book your stay.

If you’d rather braai your own creations, take a look at our exciting braai recipes for some inspiration – tried, tested and loved by our contributors, the AfriCamps camp owners.

Leave a little space for braaiing marshmallows or making s’mores! Go back in time and reminisce about being a kid again, you’re never be too old for a braaied marshmallow. Yummy!!

When night falls, turn off all the lights and look up at all the star constellations. Who will be first to spot the Southern Cross?

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Breede River Rafting

For those seeking something a bit more adventurous, Xama Adventures offers a river rafting tour on the Breede River. The river rafting trip includes a light lunch and a safety briefing before launching your 2-man inflatable raft onto the water. Xama Adventures also offers a full day fishing trip

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With so many activities right here at Kam’Bati, you don’t even have to leave the camp – but Swellendam is a quick drive away and offers many more things to do. Keep an eye on the Swellendam Tourism Page for updates on activities and events in the area or check your welcome book on arrival for our top picks of activities nearby.

See you at AfriCamps at Kam’Bati!

10 things the ladies will love at AfriCamps

At AfriCamps we love when families come together – whether it’s for a holiday, a birthday, or just a getaway. There is truly something for everyone at each of our AfriCamps locations. The kids will spend hours swimming, sliding, canoeing, making new friends on the playground or just roaming around to explore. The men love to come together for a braai or a spot of fishing, and the ladies, well, where do we begin?

The ladies at AfriCamps have rounded up some of their favourite things to do, for some inspiration. Try them all on your next AfriCamps adventure.

1. Early morning run

Our locations boast the most scenic tracks for an early morning ladies run. And what better motivation than knowing breakfast will be waiting… Happily prepared by dad and the kids.

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2. Enjoy breakfast with friends and family

All AfriCamps locations offer sumptious breakfast baskets including the best fresh produce and dairy for you to prepare. Breakfast baskets differ slightly between our locations, as each location fills their baskets with the freshest local produce.

Freshly baked muffins, muesli, fresh fruit, yoghurt, juice, preserves, eggs, bacon, sausage, freshly baked bread, fresh milk, coffee and rusks are some of the items you can expect to find in your basket.

Pre-order your breakfast basket from R110 per person.

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Photo taken at AfriCamps Champagne Valley, Drakensberg

3. Get a head start on your tan

Grab a deck chair, catch some rays and relax! The deck is the perfect tanning spot, but depending on your location, you can relax and catch a tan next to a swimming pool or find a quiet riverside spot. Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours – the hot African sun can be brutal in summer.

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Photo taken at AfriCamps Waterberg, Limpopo.

4. Sundowners with a view

It’s not an AfriCamps experience without spending some time relaxing on our decks and enjoying the views. (It’s even better enjoyed with a pink G&T, or whatever your heart desires.)

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5. Walks among fauna and flora

From beautiful blooming Proteas at Stanford Hills to walking among various buck species at Ingwe or Klein Karoo, all AfriCamps are located on beautiful properties where the unspoiled nature can be enjoyed.

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6. Finish that novel you’ve been reading for months.

Whether you do it curled up in front of the fire or stretched out on the deck. Whether it’s The Great Gatsby, Gulliver’s Travels or Eat Pray Love – take a time-out and get lost in a good book.

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Photo taken at AfriCamps Waterberg, Limpopo

7. Did someone say wood-fired hot tubs?!

Visitors to AfriCamps at Ingwe in Plettenberg Bay can warm up in our outdoor wood-fired hot tubs. Simply light the fire and let the brilliant design do the work. Sit back and soak up that Tsitsikamma view.

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8. Find your zen

Our guests have proven our decks to be the perfect spot for stretching out with yoga or pilates. Bring your yoga mat, leave your worries behind.

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9. Massage at Mackers

Our newest camp, AfriCamps at Mackers in Hazyview offers massage treatments from the comfort of your own tent. Book a treatment and prepare to be pampered to the sound of the Sabie River. View the Mackers activities page for the price list.

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10. Take the scenic route

All AfriCamps’ are in close proximity of attractions that make for memorable day drives. Visit Kruger National Park from AfriCamps at Mackers in Hazyview, go wine tasting form AfriCamps at Stanford Hills in Stanford or Pat Busch in Roberston. Explore the 4th oldest town in the country, when staying at afriCamps in Kam’Bati Swellendam, or meet the ostriches and meerkats at AfriCamps Klein Karoo. AfriCamps at Ingwe is surrounded by Garden Route attractions like the Tsitsikamma forest and Plettenberg Bay.

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AfriCamps at Mackers, Hazyview is officially open!

On the 1st of July 2018, AfriCamps welcomed the first guests to their newest camp – AfriCamps at Mackers in Hazyview, Mpumalanga. Hazyview has officially joined our list of glamping locations, making it the first of many planned locations outside of the Cape.

If you’ve been to any of our boutique glamping camps, you will know that our 5-sleeper, two-bedroom tents are pure luxury. Complete with a kitchen and bathroom, air-conditioning and a closed combustion fire place, these are no ordinary tents and you’re in for a glamping experience to remember.

You will find this self-catering escape between the Kruger National Park and the magnificent Panorama Route – two of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.

Tours for these (and more) experiences can be pre-booked and you will be collected and dropped off from your doorstep. From hiking to hammocking, exploring the rapids and rock formations along the river, cooling off in the on-site pool or even booking a spa treatment in the comfort of your tent – you will find it all at Mackers

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Ten glamping tents face an exceptionally beautiful part of the Sabie River. Wake up just meters from the streaming water and step outside to your surroundings of lush green grass and indigenous forest. This idyllic location ensures glampers will find loads of adventure outdoors, whilst returning to the comfort of our fully equipped tents for some well-deserved rest.

The owners, Ryan and Michelle Mc Kain eagerly welcomed their first guests this week. Guests were welcomed with bubbly, something sweet for the kids and something a bit stronger for those late nights by the fire. The Mc Kain’s even added a few charming extra touches, like Michelle’s honesty shop and a complimentary herb garden for guests to use.

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We wish Ryan and Michelle all the best on their new adventure and welcome all glampers to experience Mpumalanga’s beautiful lush surroundings in true AfriCamps style. Visit AfriCamps at Mackers in July and August 2018 from only R595 per person sharing. We can’t wait to show more guests this remarkable spot.

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Blog post: AfriCamps at Ingwe

There are few places in South Africa that could be called paradise. One springs to mind, especially for those who are familiar with the popular resort of Plettenberg Bay. Conveniently situated only within half an hour from this town is a gem of a destination, The Crags.

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(Click here to go to our camp page  in the Crags or continue reading this blog post below)

You will be almost overwhelmed with the plethora of activities, adventures and places to visit. A definite favourite for locals and tourists alike is the boutique wine estate, Bramon Wine Estate.As the first wine estate in The Crags, they pioneered vineyards with their first vines, Sauvignon Blanc, resulting in Plettenberg Bay being classified as a Wine of origin region.

Winning awards both nationally and internationally (most recently double gold in 2015), this family run estate lead to the birth of Plettenberg Bay’s own Bubbly and Wine Route

The aspiring owners Peter and Caroline Thorpe hope to create a ‘Sparkling Wine Route’ in the near future. Enjoy the restaurant uniquely set in the vineyards and gardens overlooking the Elephant Sanctuary and Tsitsikamma Mountains; or the cathedral-like cellar.

For the more adventurous, the pristine indigenous forest of AfriCamps at Ingwe offers a haven for plant, bird and animal life and is a very special location to restore your soul. Relish in a pre-hike breakfast or lunch picnic as you are guided along a hiking trail in the natural forest, hearing about the flora and fauna of the region. Or savor celebratory sundowners as part of your hike.

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The Eden to Addo Corridor, being the most bio-diverse corridor in the world, passes through a portion of the farm where AfriCamps at Ingwe is situated.

For the intrepid adventurer, the family hike with the Eco Warriors is guaranteed to quench your thirst for adventure and exploration and is also for a good cause, namely the Green Ticket

Orienteering, trail running, mountain biking and horse riding are also among the numerous activities on offer. Or plant a tree in support of the local NPO. For those wanting a restful time, soak up the tranquil sounds of nature, breath in the fresh air and enjoy the spectacular forest, mountains and calm surroundings.Discover delightful water adventures with the Keurbooms River Gorge, Bitou River & Wetland and Keurbooms Lagoon; all offering guided canoeing eco adventures. The Keurbooms River Nature Reserve is a world heritage site with sightings of ververt monkeys, blue duiker, mongoose, grysbok and the elusive leopard. This is best suited for the active traveller who loves the outdoors while having fun on the water. Each of these canoeing adventures offers something distinctive.

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Paddle on the lagoon, venture to the other side to visit Keurbooms beach or canoe to either the Bitou or Keurbooms River. In and around the lagoon there is lots of wildlife to be seen, such as flamingos, spoonbills and oyster catchers.

The Keurbooms River Gorge is one of the most beautiful in the world, with numerous secluded beaches amidst the natural forest and high gorge solid with vegetation in an untouched atmosphere

Along the way, settle on white beaches with picnic baskets, a good book and a bottle of wine; while the kids safely explore. The Bitou River section winds along a channel through a wetland system, with plenty of birdlife including South Africa’s national bird, the Blue Crane; and the African Fish Eagle. Enjoy the Keurbooms Lagoon with the beauty of Bird Island and the largest breeding colony of Kelp Gulls, amongst other bird species.

One can easily understand now why this region is named the ‘Jewel of the Garden Route’, with its splendid natural selection of beauty in its forests, beaches, lagoons and magnificent mountains.

Top 5 things to do in Robertson

What is the first thing that comes to mind when we say Robertson? It must be wine. Known for it’s wine tasting and beautiful views, this town in the Western Cape of South Africa offers much more than just your odd wine tasting on route down the coast. Have a look at our list of highlights in the area and extend your stay for a few days to explore this area more thoroughly.

Here is our list of the 5 things to do in Robertson.

1. Wine time

Robertson is known as a wine valley, so of course, you have to do a wine tour. But which tour do you have to do? We definitely recommend the Viljoensdrift wine tour. This tour is nestled in the south of the Elandsberg Mountains. The main benefit of the tour is the possibility to do the tour on a boat down the river.

Beautiful picture by  @guy_mcdonald

2. Wine Festivals

Every first Thursday of June the Robertson wine valley will host the Wacky Wine Weekend festival. The festival takes place over 4 days and with over 40 wineries participating. Boutique wineries and tourist establishments showcase the valley’s award-winning wines. Thousands of wine lovers come to this lovely festival. For around R150 you are allowed to visit this festival every day. You also get a glass, water and a tasting voucher at every winery.

Photo Credit @WackyWineWeekend.

Another popular festival is called the Wine on the river festival, which will take place every second Friday of October. This festival is known as the “most beautiful wine festival” because this festival takes place on the riverside farm of Goudmyn and gives wine lovers the opportunity to taste more than 250 wines from 30 wineries. The ticket prices are between R90 till R180 a day and R190 till R250 for the entire weekend.

3. Best view of Robertson

Want the best view of Robertson then head over and do the tractor trip in Montague. This tractor trip is Nestled at the foot of the majestic Langeberg mountain range. 

“The tractor, pulling its load of sightseers, meanders its way up the Landeberg Mountain, reaching an altitude of 1500m above sea level. On the way up you will have a bird’s eye view of the Koo Valley and, once at the top, you can look down into the Robertson Valley.”

For more information check it here.

A really nice picture by @Amanteco_almonds

4. Cacti world

If you want to do something different, then you have to visit the world’s largest hedge-maze.This botanical garden is chosen as one of four best botanical gardens in South Africa. A really nice part of this garden is the possibility to do a guided tour, where you can do a ‘’flower tasting’’ and you get to hug a cactus. This entrance has to be booked online here.

Amazing photos by @ninadupl

5. Fly in the air

If you are looking for an adrenaline rush then you have to go skydiving. Skydive Robertson is one of the longest running Parachute Association of South Africa (PASA) approved dropzone. You can do 2 different falls from 3.500 ft to 11.000 ft. Are you already excited? Book it here.

So come for the beauty, the nature, the wine and get some rest in this beautiful part of South Africa, Robertson is just one of the many gems along the Western Cape of South Africa. With our third location, AfriCamps at Pat Busch Mountain Reserve situated in Robertson we are sure that you will find these activities and many others to keep you entertained when you come and stay with us.