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
Sites - 6/10
Tranquility - 6/10
Water, electricity, braai place - 7/10
Location: 7/10
Overall - 7.5/10
