Clarens – Bergwoning at Kiara Lodge

Just before I rate the above caravan park.  On arrival in Clarens, we had actually booked to stay at the Clarens Inn and Backpackers which is right in the centre of town.   On arrival, I was met by Nicci, I presume is the Managerss of the Backpackers.  She walked me to the only caravan/campervan site they had.  I was shocked at how dirty and unkempt the small space was.   Anyway so as not to judge immediately, I proceeded to investigate the ‘fully equipped kitchen’ and the ‘clean and neat’ ablution block.   Mmmmm, the kitchen had mouldy bread on the surface, definitely had been there for a while. Loads of dishes stacked in the drying rack, no staff to be seen.   The ablution block was another story….the doors to the loos were actually shower curtains, affording absolutely no privacy at all, in fact the last loo had no shower curtain at all, it was lying on the floor. I’m not sure how long it had been broken.  So if you are having a good ‘session’, be careful in case somebody walks in to shower, both of you can have a good squizz at each other, one from the loo and one from the shower.   John said ‘give it a chance’, so we pitched campervan for one night only….that was enough for me, thanks.    Definitely a NO-NO, especially seeing the price per night was on par with some of the better and star rated camp sites we had stayed in.  Even the dogs couldn’t wait to move on.

So back to Bergwoning.  After our experience at Clarens Inn and Backpackers, I was on the scout for something more rustic and in the country.  Thats how we came upn Bergwoning.  Owned by Thys and assited by his daughter and wife, this gorgeous campsite is situated on Thys’ farm.  There are no set sites, just take your pick and seeing we were the only ones camping, we had the whole camp to ourselves.  John was delighted to find out that he could fly fish for bass, but only for catch/release.  Magic, the dogs could also be off lead, so long as they stayed in the camp area.  The showers were big and roomy with lots of very hot water, too hot for me, so I had to get John to work his magic as there was no cold tap, the hot had been set.  Great as there were no lights at night, just our big starry sky.

If you didn’t feel like cooking and were early enough, you could trundle down the dusty jeep track to Thy’s little coffee shop and enjoy a coffee and toastie.  If you felt like something more extravagent, then a walk to Kiara Lodge is in order.   Their menu is extensive, but expensive.  Restaurant open till 9pm.

The Golden Gate National Park entrance is a mere 5 minute drive from Bergwoning.  John enjoyed some much needed cycle therapy, training for the Argus and of course he was safe…no taxis….no crazy drivers.

All in all a very pleasant experience.   A big THUMBS UP for Bergwoning.