Sunday, November 11, 2018

Lake Eland - Campsite Review and Rating

For our second trip in the Commander, we joined friends at Lake Eland for a long weekend away. We had one off-road caravan, one on-road caravan and two tents.

The thing I remember most about this trip was the bone-chilling, mind-numbing, teeth-chattering cold! It was freezing! Thank goodness I'm a pack rat and there, in amongst the pile of ''definitely not going to be needed but bringing it anyway' items, was a small heater fan. If you ever go to Lake Eland in the winter months...you really need one of these!

Upsides:

  • The park is about 30mins from Port Shepstone so not too far
  • There are a few wild animals such as Giraffe, Wildebeest and buck that make you feel like you are in a game reserve
  • There is a well stocked shop
  • The campsites are large
  • There is a privi fence between sites at the top dam
  • Each site has a shaded area
  • The sides all face onto the dam
  • Fishing in the dams
  • The ablutions are clean
  • The showers are hot
  • The communal washing up area is spacious, clean and the sinks have plugs
  • There is a kids jungle Jim near the shop
  • Plenty to see and do between fishing, game drives, the suspension bridge across the gorge, scooter tours and ziplining
Downsides
  • No counter to put clothes on in bathroom and the floor gets really wet. There is a small shelf and a few hooks for towels.
  • No mats on the floor to give you somewhere dry to stand while dressing
  • The basin to brush your teeth is in another room
  • The check-in process is quite stern and you need to take proof of payment along with you as they only pull a statement on specific days. It's never nice to start your holiday trying to prove you paid.
  • It is not a cheap holiday with the various activities the kids will want to take part in.
  • Small circular braai
  • The ground is rock hard and smashing tent pegs in is not easy
Tips:
  • If you are camping in winter you need really good sleeping bags/feather duvets and a heater fan
  • Take a portable boma fire with you in winter so you can enjoy the evening outside
  • Take a mallet and strong tent pegs
  • Don't leave anything outside at night, the dew is crazy in winter and everything gets wet
  • Print your proof of payment and have it ready
  • Budget for Ziplining - it is so much fun
  • Visit the restaurant at Leopard Rock to take in the view and watch the Hornbills eating french fries
  • Take groundsheets - in winter the grass is dry and lands up all over the tent or caravan floor.
  • The campsites at the lower dam look amazing but small - I don't think we would have managed to get the Commander onto the site.
  • Take bicycles and running/walking shoes - it is an active person's dream location and kids will love riding bikes to the shop.
  • Take a scorpion torch for night time. We managed to find one and it's amazing for the kids to see.

Ratings:
Kid friendly - 8/10
Safety - 9/10
Overall Camp Cleanliness - 8/10
Bathroom Cleanliness - 7/10
Sites - 6/10
Tranquility - 6/10
Water, electricity, braai place - 7/10
Location: 7/10

Overall - 7.5/10