Tag: Stanford

10 things the ladies will love at AfriCamps

At AfriCamps we love when families come together – whether it’s for a holiday, a birthday, or just a getaway. There is truly something for everyone at each of our AfriCamps locations. The kids will spend hours swimming, sliding, canoeing, making new friends on the playground or just roaming around to explore. The men love to come together for a braai or a spot of fishing, and the ladies, well, where do we begin?

The ladies at AfriCamps have rounded up some of their favourite things to do, for some inspiration. Try them all on your next AfriCamps adventure.

1. Early morning run

Our locations boast the most scenic tracks for an early morning ladies run. And what better motivation than knowing breakfast will be waiting… Happily prepared by dad and the kids.

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2. Enjoy breakfast with friends and family

All AfriCamps locations offer sumptious breakfast baskets including the best fresh produce and dairy for you to prepare. Breakfast baskets differ slightly between our locations, as each location fills their baskets with the freshest local produce.

Freshly baked muffins, muesli, fresh fruit, yoghurt, juice, preserves, eggs, bacon, sausage, freshly baked bread, fresh milk, coffee and rusks are some of the items you can expect to find in your basket.

Pre-order your breakfast basket from R110 per person.

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Photo taken at AfriCamps Champagne Valley, Drakensberg

3. Get a head start on your tan

Grab a deck chair, catch some rays and relax! The deck is the perfect tanning spot, but depending on your location, you can relax and catch a tan next to a swimming pool or find a quiet riverside spot. Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours – the hot African sun can be brutal in summer.

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Photo taken at AfriCamps Waterberg, Limpopo.

4. Sundowners with a view

It’s not an AfriCamps experience without spending some time relaxing on our decks and enjoying the views. (It’s even better enjoyed with a pink G&T, or whatever your heart desires.)

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5. Walks among fauna and flora

From beautiful blooming Proteas at Stanford Hills to walking among various buck species at Ingwe or Klein Karoo, all AfriCamps are located on beautiful properties where the unspoiled nature can be enjoyed.

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6. Finish that novel you’ve been reading for months.

Whether you do it curled up in front of the fire or stretched out on the deck. Whether it’s The Great Gatsby, Gulliver’s Travels or Eat Pray Love – take a time-out and get lost in a good book.

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Photo taken at AfriCamps Waterberg, Limpopo

7. Did someone say wood-fired hot tubs?!

Visitors to AfriCamps at Ingwe in Plettenberg Bay can warm up in our outdoor wood-fired hot tubs. Simply light the fire and let the brilliant design do the work. Sit back and soak up that Tsitsikamma view.

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8. Find your zen

Our guests have proven our decks to be the perfect spot for stretching out with yoga or pilates. Bring your yoga mat, leave your worries behind.

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9. Massage at Mackers

Our newest camp, AfriCamps at Mackers in Hazyview offers massage treatments from the comfort of your own tent. Book a treatment and prepare to be pampered to the sound of the Sabie River. View the Mackers activities page for the price list.

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10. Take the scenic route

All AfriCamps’ are in close proximity of attractions that make for memorable day drives. Visit Kruger National Park from AfriCamps at Mackers in Hazyview, go wine tasting form AfriCamps at Stanford Hills in Stanford or Pat Busch in Roberston. Explore the 4th oldest town in the country, when staying at afriCamps in Kam’Bati Swellendam, or meet the ostriches and meerkats at AfriCamps Klein Karoo. AfriCamps at Ingwe is surrounded by Garden Route attractions like the Tsitsikamma forest and Plettenberg Bay.

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Blog post: AfriCamps at Ingwe

There are few places in South Africa that could be called paradise. One springs to mind, especially for those who are familiar with the popular resort of Plettenberg Bay. Conveniently situated only within half an hour from this town is a gem of a destination, The Crags.

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(Click here to go to our camp page  in the Crags or continue reading this blog post below)

You will be almost overwhelmed with the plethora of activities, adventures and places to visit. A definite favourite for locals and tourists alike is the boutique wine estate, Bramon Wine Estate.As the first wine estate in The Crags, they pioneered vineyards with their first vines, Sauvignon Blanc, resulting in Plettenberg Bay being classified as a Wine of origin region.

Winning awards both nationally and internationally (most recently double gold in 2015), this family run estate lead to the birth of Plettenberg Bay’s own Bubbly and Wine Route

The aspiring owners Peter and Caroline Thorpe hope to create a ‘Sparkling Wine Route’ in the near future. Enjoy the restaurant uniquely set in the vineyards and gardens overlooking the Elephant Sanctuary and Tsitsikamma Mountains; or the cathedral-like cellar.

For the more adventurous, the pristine indigenous forest of AfriCamps at Ingwe offers a haven for plant, bird and animal life and is a very special location to restore your soul. Relish in a pre-hike breakfast or lunch picnic as you are guided along a hiking trail in the natural forest, hearing about the flora and fauna of the region. Or savor celebratory sundowners as part of your hike.

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The Eden to Addo Corridor, being the most bio-diverse corridor in the world, passes through a portion of the farm where AfriCamps at Ingwe is situated.

For the intrepid adventurer, the family hike with the Eco Warriors is guaranteed to quench your thirst for adventure and exploration and is also for a good cause, namely the Green Ticket

Orienteering, trail running, mountain biking and horse riding are also among the numerous activities on offer. Or plant a tree in support of the local NPO. For those wanting a restful time, soak up the tranquil sounds of nature, breath in the fresh air and enjoy the spectacular forest, mountains and calm surroundings.Discover delightful water adventures with the Keurbooms River Gorge, Bitou River & Wetland and Keurbooms Lagoon; all offering guided canoeing eco adventures. The Keurbooms River Nature Reserve is a world heritage site with sightings of ververt monkeys, blue duiker, mongoose, grysbok and the elusive leopard. This is best suited for the active traveller who loves the outdoors while having fun on the water. Each of these canoeing adventures offers something distinctive.

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Paddle on the lagoon, venture to the other side to visit Keurbooms beach or canoe to either the Bitou or Keurbooms River. In and around the lagoon there is lots of wildlife to be seen, such as flamingos, spoonbills and oyster catchers.

The Keurbooms River Gorge is one of the most beautiful in the world, with numerous secluded beaches amidst the natural forest and high gorge solid with vegetation in an untouched atmosphere

Along the way, settle on white beaches with picnic baskets, a good book and a bottle of wine; while the kids safely explore. The Bitou River section winds along a channel through a wetland system, with plenty of birdlife including South Africa’s national bird, the Blue Crane; and the African Fish Eagle. Enjoy the Keurbooms Lagoon with the beauty of Bird Island and the largest breeding colony of Kelp Gulls, amongst other bird species.

One can easily understand now why this region is named the ‘Jewel of the Garden Route’, with its splendid natural selection of beauty in its forests, beaches, lagoons and magnificent mountains.

Top 7 Things To Do in Stanford

We are opening a new AfriCamps glamping location in Stanford! It’s a great place and there are a lot of things that you can do in this area. We’ve made a selection for you, of our highlights of things you must do during your stay in Stanford.

1. Whale Watching

From June until November, Southern Right whales are highly visible along the Cape south coast, making this the perfect time of year for a whale-watching trip. You can do these trips at several companies near Stanford but you don’t even have to go out on a boat to see them because Hermanus, overlooking Walker Bay, is considered to be the best land-based whale watching spot in the world. Southern Rights often come in close to the shoreline, sometimes appearing only metres from the shore. Hermanus’ cliffs offer an incomparable viewing point.

You can also do a whale-watching from the sky! It’s a unique experience to see the whales from the air.

2. Shark Diving

Go shark cage diving close to Stanford to see these amazing creatures. The area around Stanford is known for the numerous sharks who visit this area. You can go on a half day tour with a shark diving company, where you will go into a cage and see sharks up close!

3. Wine Tasting – Stanford Wine Route

The Stanford Wine Route officially launched late 2015 and is seen as one of the up and coming wine routes in South Africa. This close-knit group of wine farms with their cooler temperatures have produced outstanding wines over recent years. This wine route meanders through the Stanford valley and each wine farm welcomes you into their tasting room. The Stanford Wine Route encompasses Springfontein Wine Estate, Raka (try the Biography Shiraz), Brunia, Boschrivier, Sir Robert Stanford, Stanford Hills, and Lomond Wines.

As with the other wine routes, this one holds a number of smaller wine festivals throughout the year with the Stanford Stumble being one of the known favourites.

 4. River cruising

River cruises are a relaxing way to spend the day. These cruises will take you through the Klein River and will offer you breathtaking views of the Klein River Mountains. Relax on the boat, braai, jump in the river or get pulled along in a tube. These cruises cater for everyone. If you are lucky you can spot 129 species of birds who make this area their home. There are a few companies in this area who arrange these river cruises. Platanna: www.platanna.com or African Queen: www.africanqueenstanford.co.za and River Rat www.riverratstanford.wordpress.com

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5. Horse Riding

One of the best and most highly recommended ways to explore this beautiful area is by horseback. These horse riding tours will allow you to escape into nature for one, two or three-hour tours.

6. Hiking & mountain biking

Fancy a bit of adventure, why not go into the mountains for a nice hike or a mountain bike ride. This is an incredibly beautiful area and you will not get bored for a second. You will find these hiking and mountain bike trails all around Stanford.

Stanford is home to beautiful indigenous flora and fauna which make this area a delight to explore. For all the mountain bike enthusiasts this area covers part of a few famous mountain bike races, the most famous being the Cape EPIC.

7. Cape Agulhas

You are spoilt for beauty when you head through to Stanford as the surrounding areas are all spectacular. Cape Agulhas being one of them. This is the southern-most tip of Africa, perfect for a day trip to see the point where the Atlantic ocean and the Indian ocean meet.

Our fourth camp, AfriCamps at Stanford Hills Estate is set to open later on this year. Check into our Facebook page for more info on bookings and launch dates.