Omdat ons by die see woon vermy ons gewoonlik die malligheid van ‘n Desember vakansie by die see en kies eerder koers binneland toe.  Karoo toe.  En waar meer kry jy Karoo as in die Baviaanskloof? 

Hier is dit boeklees-tyd, koffie-tyd, gesels-tyd en vriende maak-tyd weg van tegnologie en die gewoel van die stad.  Die staanplekke is met groot sorg uitgelê sodat elkeen ‘n koelte kolletjie het, wat belangrik is in die somer, maar tog nie so ingedruk dat jy oor mekaar kamp nie.  Dit is nogal iets wat vir ons baie punte tel.

Hier is oorgenoeg om te doen, as jy iets wil doen!   Jy word  begroet met ‘n blouste blou plaasdam swembad met ‘n groen grassie wat sorgvuldig elke dag nat gemaak word en waar die kinders bal skop en speel terwyl die grootmense in en rondom die dam kuier.   Wat is nou lekkerder as dit? 

As jy die oggend energiek voel kan jy met die paadjie stap tot bo op die kop en die wêreld bespied tot daar ver.  Begin maar vroeg, want hier word dit warm in die somer.  

Indien jy  wil weet in die buitewêreld aangaan kan jy data koop en op die regte kolletjie opvangs kry.  Omdat die kloof afgeleë is, is tegnologiese konneksies  uitdagend hierso, so hou moed.  Die klein winkeltjie het die mees basiese goed en ietsie koud, maar bring maar jou luukses saam vanaf die huis.   In die droogte tyd is die kampplek en winkeltjie vir die mense ‘n lewensaar so ondersteun hulle.

Jy kan ook jou fiets pak om die paaie in die kloof verder te verken.   Ons gesin het egter heelwat tyd spandeer om die kleiner voël lewe dop te hou en te identifiseer terwyl ons agter die koelte aan geskuif het. 

Die weer verander vinnig hier. Ons het in die hitte van die somer gekamp, maar een middag het die weer vinnig ‘n ander neiging getoon toe ‘n ysige wind instoot en ons moes skuiling gaan soek in die lapa teen bakke vol reën. Wees maar voorbereid vir alles!

Uitspan is ook ‘n lekker oornag stop vir ‘n eerste of laaste aand wanneer jy ver reis, want dit is aan die westelike ingang van die Baviaanskloof geleë.  Daar is ook chalets indien jy wil vroeg roer omdat die pad nog lank is. 

Akkommodasie:  kamp, boskamp en chalets

Waar:  westelike ingang na die Baviaanskloof  (  Longitude: 23.7008   Latitude: -33.51585)

Naaste dorp:  Willowmore (45 km)

Kontak:  Nico & Alta Smith  (044 923 1511)

oooOooo

*Artikel soos verskyn in Kamp is Lekker se aanlyn tydskrif vir Oktober 2020*

Kamp is Lekker>

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Nestled in the heart of the Gamtoos Valley, 12km outside the town of Hankey in South Africa, lies the perfect spot to spend the weekend. John and Catherina Wait have outdone their selves with providing an enjoyable camping spot for the whole family at inniKloof. Whether you are looking for a place before you enter Baviaanskloof or have just exited Baviaanskloof or even just a nice breakaway weekend, this is the place to be.

inniKloof offers a main campsite with grass and multiple electricity points. The ablution facilities are neat and clean with an attached scullery. A big undercover platform is available with a built-in braai for those who do not wish to make use of the big round braais in the middle of the campsite. Might I add that these big braai pits becomes the centre of attention when a big group descends on inniKloof.

A new addition to the campsite is “Boskrapper” which offers two stands in “Bosloerie” and “Bosmusikant”.  These stands are under big yellowwood trees and are a bit more private.  These stands can only take tents and no electricity is available.  Each site has it’s own pool and the ablutions has a gas geyser and solar lighting.

With awards such as “Best Value for Money” and “Best Establishment in the Gamtoos Valley” it isn’t difficult to see why inniKloof became so popular under bigger groups as well as the small family.

Not only do they offer a big open area with shaded camping spots and ample space for kids to ride their bicycles and enjoy a game of cricket. inniKloof also now has three bush camping spots along the river. These camping spots share an ablutions. Two of the three camping spots have their own swimming rock pool and none of them has electricity. You will be away from the hustle and bustle of the big campsite, but you will have to follow a path of about 30m from your car to your camp.

Apart from the big rock swimming pool at the main camp, filled with canoes and tubes, inniKloof also offers 2 short hikes. Draaikloof is about 2.2km and Die Nek is about 2.5km. These hikes are available for overnight visitors. Day visitors can make a reservation and pay a day visitors fee to do the hikes.

Not only does inniKloof offer camping opportunities, but four pristine cottages awaits those that would rather opt for the self-catering option. Bedding is supplied and each cottage sleeps either 6 or 8 people. The cottages provides you with a kitchen, multiple rooms and a lounge as well as a bathroom with a shower and hot water.

The venue can be reached by a normal sedan car. Driving along the entrance path lined with Yellowwoods alongside the river, you immediately feel that this is a special place. A place that will steal your heart in a second. As you lose cellphone reception, you realize that this is the perfect place to get away from the city.

For bird watchers this is truly paradise, rare species such as the African Finfoot often makes it’s appearance at the waterhole. Knysna Loeries dance in the trees around the campsite and birdsong wakes you in the morning. For those who would like to relax in a different way, there is a golf course just outside of Hankey. For the food lovers, there are farmstalls all around the area in the likes of Padlangs and Tolbos close to Patensie. A visit to the Mooihoek strawberry farm to buy some good quality frozen berries is a must!

For the more adventurous, why not hike up to Bergvenster to appreciate the views over this beautiful valley. Then visit some historical sites like the Old Mill Ruins, The Miller’s Grave, Phillips’ Tunnel, Phillips’ Grave and the slave tree.

The Gamtoos Valley truly offers something for everyone. So why not make inniKloof your basecamp and explore the area.

Contact John or Catherina at 042 284 0940 or 042 284 0697 to make your booking.

oOo

*This post was reviewed on 15/12/2020

A few notes:

• Hankey has a Spar for refreshments
• inniKloof has no cellphone reception
• You need to check-in at the Reception past the campsite upon arrival
• Bring your camera with, there are plenty of birds and photo opportunities
• It is only about 2.5km gravel road

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