Camping in South Africa gained popularity when the economy started pinching. More and more people bought camping equipment and recreational vehicles to enjoy the rainbow nation without reducing the bank manager to tears. South Africa offers tourists a wide variety of camping grounds, including camping on the coast, in the mountains, in the bush and with wild animals.
The campsites in the National and wildlife parks of South Africa are affordable while offering enough of the comforts of home to suit anyone's needs. A major tourist attraction in South Africa remains the Kruger National Park with its variety of accommodation options and excellent game viewing. Tourists tend to forget about several other national parks in the country that each offers a unique camping experience.
Camping at Bakgatla Resort Pilanesberg Nature Reserve
Only two-hour's drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria, Pilanesberg Nature Reserve remains a popular tourist destination for both local and international tourists. Proclaimed as nature reserve in 1979 and covering an area of 55 000 hectares, Pilanesberg Nature Reserve offer tourists excellent opportunities to view the Big 5 as well as other smaller animals.
Golden Leopard Resorts administers Bakgatla resort, which is situated just outside the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve. Besides camping, the resort also offers various self-catering and fully catered accommodation options. The camping sites are spacious, shady and equipped with barbecue facilities. When making a reservation for Bakgatla Resort, campers must request electrical outlets should they wish to have a site with electrical power.
The campground is divided into 123 caravan stands and two open areas without power points for tent campers. The campsites are mostly level, but campers should take note of any water ditches indicating a down flow of water when it rains. During the summer months, the campsites may become a little muddy due to the lack of grass cover on some of the sites. The ablution facilities at Bakgatla are clean and adequate although a bit old.
What to do When Camping at Bakgatla Resort, Pilanesberg
Bakgatla Resort is minutes away from the world-renowned Pilanesberg Nature Reserve where tourists have the best opportunity to view Africa's Big 5. The birdlife in and around the camp is prolific and birders will find it hard to leave the campground due to the myriad of species resident inside the Bakgatla camp.
Children can spend hours on the hiking trails, swings, trampolines and outdoor chess table. The huge sparkling pool remains a favorite for cooling down after a drive through the reserve.
Bakgatla resort also has a restaurant and well- stocked superette.
Due to the popularity of the resort, the campgrounds can become quite noisy during peak periods and campers seeking the quiet of the bush should rather visit during off-peak season or during the week.
Yolande Pienaar - Yolande traveled extensively through Southern Africa and frequently visits places off the beaten track where she discovers gems to share ...
