“Taking it easy”- weekly camper

by Louise CARTER

So camping has never really been your ‘thing’ and to first time campers it may seem unpractical and quite intimidating but once the camping bug has bitten, it never lets go…

Every so often you stumble upon a place that never leaves its spot in your heart and you find yourself referring to that specific place when you ‘tune’ into your ‘happy place’ of your psyche, a spot such as Wilderness National Park.

There is something very soothing about a flowing river. It has to do with the certain rhythm, the pace at which the water quietly courses to or from the sea. It is as if the river runs through your veins and brings forth a calamity that none other can release.

At the Ebb & Flow rest camp in the Wilderness National Park, the temptation to do absolutely nothing but relax is overwhelming. Just divine. The things most likely to disturb the silence are ducks splashing in the river and a small flock of tame guinea-fowl flapping past your caravan.

The sites are strung out along the banks of the Touw and Serpentine rivers. The railway bridge, over which the Outeniqua Tjoe-choo passes every afternoon, divides the camp site in two parts: Ebb and Flow South and Ebb and Flow North. The South camp is bigger, more open and gets more sun. You can hear the birds twittering in the reeds all day long. The children play in the sandpit or spend hours on the jungle gym with new friends and under the watchful eyes of their parents.

The North camp site is between two high gorges which cast a cool shadow over the camp in the afternoon. The vegetation around this camp site gets denser as you into the aloof. The Gant Kingfisher trail (12km) which takes you deeper in the bush starts at the furthest end of the camp site and is a rejuvenating, slightly challenging walk all along the valley.

You could, of course, explore the whole park, which stretches from the Touw river mouth to the Swartlvlei Estuary and beyond, where it links with the Goukamma nature reserve. Apart from bird watching, you have the choice of fishing, swimming, canoeing or mountain biking.

The best thing to do here? Take a seat on the wooden walkway next to the river, swing your legs and relax as you watch the sun slowly setting over the river…

Wilderness National Park Camping Tips:

• There are only 116 sites here. It is wise to book well in advance as the campsite is quite popular especially the sites on the river bank. There is also bungalow or wooden cabin facilities and the camp is designed to be wheelchair friendly.
• Not all the sites have power points. If you want one make sure to request beforehand otherwise other arrangements can be made for adapters from reception offices.
• The ablution facilities are neat and well maintained although hot water is not always available for showering and laundry.
• There is a small shop in the valley that supplies basic essentials such as bread, wood and milk and a shopping mall in George 20 minutes’ drive away.
• Costs vary from season to season and are subject to change, contact Wilderness National Park for enquiries as well as bookings (044) 873474645.
• For more information go to the SA National Parks Home Page.

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