De Ark Campsite in Clarens

In December 2019 we planned a trip to the Kgalagadi and Orange River. We decided the journey needed to be part of the holiday and began researching truly amazing places to stop at along the way....

We found De Ark on the 4x4 forum as an alternative to Glen Reenen campsite in Golden Gates near Clarens, which we had already stayed at and knew it had some ongoing construction in the campsite. De Ark captured our attention in a few reviews and we booked with Kelly, who offered fabulous customer service from the outset.

This site started a new love for us: remote camping. Isolated on the top of a hill and overlooked by mountains on all sides, this private campsite was a real gem. Having our own private awning, kitchen and bathroom was a luxury and not seeing any neighbours nearby (except for Zebras and wilderbeest) was an unexpected treat.

We had two wonderful nights here sitting around the fire listening to Indy Folk songs under the brightest stars with a glass of vino. Outstanding!

It appeared to be a newly graded site and was fairly sandy (not soft sand, but rocky hard clumps of sand) with a steep gravel entry that had us worried about having left the 4x4 at home. In the end though, the Hilux made short work of this hill and we had no struggles with the 2x4 towing the Invader out.

Our daughter's tent withstood the afternoon wind, but knocking the tent pegs into the gravel was definitely a job for stronger hands. On the upside the caravan was nicely sheltered by the awning and bathroom building.

There is no pool at the campsite but a short 4km trip into Clarens means you can go explore the scenic Kloof Dam, have a refreshing swim and a picnic made up with treats from the many wonderful local eateries in town.

Although no kiddy areas our kids enjoyed collecting quartz rocks, hiking and zebra watching.

Upside:
- views views views
- close to town
- secure
- private ablutions and kitchen
- awning
- solitude

Downside:
- no pool
- sandy gravel campsite
- can get quite windy (doesn't last all day though)
- a bit pricier than Glen Reenen (almost double, but worth it)

Ratings:
Kid friendly - 4/10
Safety - 8/10 (a guard patrols at night)
Overall camp cleanliness - 8/10
Bathroom Cleanliness - 8/10
Sites - 7/10
Tranquility - 10/10
Water, elec, braai place - 8/10
Location - 9/10

Overall: 8/10