Must do’s at AfriCamps at Pat Busch

A stay at AfriCamps is not just about glamping. It is a chance to experience the surroundings, taste the local produce and simply unwind in nature. AfriCamps at Pat Busch offers the most breathtaking mountain views and plenty of ways to explore the mountain up close. Get closer to the fynbos, streams, mountain dams and birdlife. Explore the surrounding wine farms famous for award-winning wines, or just have fun with the family, swimming the day away.

Here are a few activities to tick off during your stay at AfriCamps at Pat Busch…

africamps pat busch robertson glamping south africa

Swimming

During our hot summer days nothing is better than going for a dip. The salt water pool is a favourite among the kids. Keep an eye on them from the sun beds while soaking up the rather magnificent mountain views (you can’t really go anywhere at Pat Busch without being surrounded by the majestic Langeberg Mountains.) Get a spot of shade beneath our sun covers, stretch out on a sun bed and get lost in a good book.

Thrill seekers might prefer to cool off in our farm dam after a hike or mountain bike ride. Our farm dam is located beyond the tents at the top of the property. You will also find row boats and kayaks available for rent. Try your luck at catching Bass and Tilipia (strictly catch-and-release).

Mountain Biking

Rent a bike for a half-day or a full-day to explore the farm and the surrounding area. How does a wine tour by mountain bike sound? A 30km route takes you past some of our neighbouring wine farms for tastings or meals. Book your bike with us in advance (helmets included).

Hiking

When arriving at Pat Busch, you can already spot some of the trails leading up the mountain. These can be quite intimidating, but fear not, there are trails for all fitness levels! These hiking trails are not open to the public, so you can hike in complete privacy. Make sure you pack enough water, power snacks, good hiking boots, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses.

Guided Day Hike

Duration: 2,5 – 3 hours

An early start is advisable because in high summer months the temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees. A qualified field guide will walk with you through the area. During this hike he will tell you everything that you want to know about the local fauna and flora! *Minimum of 2 adults. Subject to prior arrangement and availability.

Self-Guided Hiking Trails

There are also three self guided hiking trails on the property. On arrival at AfriCamps you can find information on the various hikes inside the welcome book in your tent. !

Middelrug Trail

Duration: 3 – 4 hours

The hike begins at the farm dam just beyond the tents. This is a fantastic trail to hike in the morning, not only because of the cool weather but also for the sunrise. The hike will return along the stream and kloof. The hike is quite steep but other than that not difficult.

Hermit’s Ridge Trail

Duration: 2 – 3 hours

Hermit’s Ridge Trail is named after the legend of an old hermit who used to live in the Langeberg Mountains. The story goes that he hoarded a fortune in Kruger Rands and the secret of this treasure was lost when he died. Start at the gate near Oak Cottage where the trail takes you deeper through the Poplar Forest where, if the legend is true, the treasure can still be found. This trail from bottom to top should take about 2-3 hours, but don’t forget to add on the return time for returning via Karin’s trail.

Karin Trail

Duration: 2 – 3 hours

This beautiful hike is named after Pat Busch’s wife, Karin Busch. You can choose to continue this hike from the top of Hermit’s Ridge Trail, or follow the trail there & back. This popular trail follows the mountain streams along shaded valleys. Indigenous trees, boulders and the gurgling stream are your companions.

Watch the sunset

Sunsets at AfriCamps at Pat Busch Mountain Reserve are simply one of the best sunsets you will ever see. Watching the sun disappear behind the mountains, see the sky change colour from orange to pink. There are simply no words to describe it! Make yourself comfortable in one of the comfy deck chairs outside and watch the sun slowly going down. (A glass of Robertson’s finest wine will make it even more special.)

Guided Wine Tour

Last but not least, Pat Busch Mountain Reserve offers a guided wine tour which starts at the property. This tour shows you around the beautiful sights and tastes of the Robertson Wine Valley. And no worries about driving! Your chauffeur will drive you all the way to the world-famous wine cellars. Lunch, wine tastings and an underground cellar tour is included. If you want to extend your tour with a boat trip along the Breede Rivier, your guide is happy to add that in the tour. All tours can be tailor made to suit your preferences. A minimum of 2 persons is required for a guided tour. *Subject to availability and prior arrangement.

We look forward to host you at AfriCamps at Pat Busch. For more information and bookings click here.

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.

africamps at ingwe plettenberg bay boutique glamping south africa

(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.

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.

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.

AfriCamps 9-Day Route

Sometimes a holiday at one camp is just not enough. Now that we have three camps on the Garden Route and Route 62, we are introducing a full glamping tour.

Yes, why not stay at all three!

At the moment we are planning this route with different activities on the route and in the area. We will focus on three different groups of people, families with kids, couples and a group of friends in more details later.

The route is planned for a total of 9 days, with a 3-day stay at each camp. You can add in a stop or two at different places on the Garden Route as well. For instance Mosselbay, George, Amalienstein, Hartenbos, Calitzdorp and Montagu are beautiful. It is also possible to do a shorter tour, of course, we just want to show you the possibilities.

There is so much to see in the Western camp and along this route you can be sure that this will be a road trip that you won’t forget.

Let’s go.

AfriCamps at Kam’Bati

Starting from Cape Town it’s a 2.5-hour drive to our first camp AfriCamps at Kam’Bati in Swellendam. On your way there you can have a break at the Stormsvlei Restaurant & Farmstall, this is our recommendation for a great lunch. During your stay there you can also do a lot of things in the area.

3 days in Swellendam will give you ample time to relax in your tent and to also explore the area. Some activities in the area are horse riding, canoeing, hiking and you can even book yourself a massage (can also be enjoyed in your tent) from Rain Spa. Do you want more info on the highlights surrounding AfriCamps at Kam’bati?

Read our blog post about things to do in Swellendam.

Breakfasts and braai packs are also available for purchase at the farm.

africamps at kam'bati swellendam boutique glamping south africa

After your stay in Swellendam at Africamps at Kam’bati, you can move onto our next camp, AfriCamps Klein Karoo in Oudtshoorn.

This drive will take you 2 hours and 50 minutes. If you go straight of course. However, if you want more of a scenic route you can take a detour and visit one of these three beautiful towns; Mossebay, Hartenbos and George.

If you do not have a lot time then you can drive straight to Oudtshoorn through Barrydale where you can have take break at Clarke of the Karoo or visit the famous Diesel and Creme for a good lunch.

Detour options

Mosselbay, a harbour town is a beautiful place to visit. Thank you for the picture Reece Briesies.

   
  
 
 
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Hartenbos, a small town near to the beach is a perfect stop for a quick swim and some relaxing time on the beach. Thank you Perot Louw for this picture.

Another coastal town to add on the list, should you choose the detour route is George, This will leave you with an hour and a half to head off to AfriCamps Klein Karoo.

Thank you Beautiful Towns and Cities for this perfect picture.

   
  
 
 
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AfriCamps Klein Karoo

Ostriches and Cango Caves, both possible when you stay at AfriCamps Klein Karoo in Oudtshoorn. This location has become a favourite among many international guests as it offers something unique to their holiday. Besides the standard activities in the area, we offer sunset game drives and biking trails on the property.

Breakfasts and braai packs are also available for purchase at the farm.

africamps klein karoo oudtshoorn boutique glamping south africa

africamps boutique glamping south africa

After 3 days in Oudtshoorn, it will be time to move onto Robertson. During this 3-hour drive. You can stop at Calitzdorp, Amalienstein and Montagu. Why not try something different with Vilioensdrift wines & cruises for lunch and wine tasting, before checking in.

On Route

Calitzdorp is a quaint karoo town. Thank you The Inside Guide for this picture

   
  
 
 
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Amalienstein, a town with rich historical past as it still is a mission station. Thank you, Sweis van der Horst for this picture.

   
  
 
 
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One of the most beautiful stops close to Robertson is Montagu. This town is a favourite among locals for it’s beautiful location and it’s great restaurants and coffee shops. Montague is also the home to Sanbona Wildlife reserve, why not add in more wildlife to your trip.

Africamps at Pat Busch

Africamps at Pat Busch in Robertson is the last stop on the list before you head back to Cape Town.

Being a wedding venue and a nature reserve, you know you are in for a treat when it comes to this view. Try a hike through the surrounding mountains or just enjoy a dip in the pool or dam on the property. At AfriCamps at Pat Busch you are surrounded by great wine and olives, why not hire some bikes and explore the area? There are a lot more that we can recommend, take a look at our blog about the

There are a lot more that we can recommend, take a look at our blog about the things to do in Robertson.

Breakfast baskets are available for purchase at this camp.

With only 2 hours back to Cape Town you can drop in at Nuy on the hill for lunch, wine tasting and more spectacular views. This place is in a beautiful area, we are sure you would love it.

Are you ready to book your glamping road trip?

#WeAreGlamping

The Launch of AfriCamps at Kam’Bati

AfriCamps at Kam’Bati was launched with champagne and great company. Being the second location in our collection we have a great sense of pride as this one rolled around. As we edged closer to the launch date we saw the camp bloom with an upgrade to the design and our team’s adaptability with handling the new terrain much different from the rocky Klein Karoo. This new location brought with it, it’s own special charm and as you enter off the N2 and drive through the farm, the green pastures unveil a deep sense of relaxation. Depending on what time you arrive, you will have either the beautiful sun shining over these pastures or the beautiful sunset to welcome you to AfriCamps at Kam’Bati.

Entrance to Africamps at Kam’Bati Photo by Pieter Wolhüter, official photographer for LekkeSlaap.co.za and Travelground.com

The day started off with grey skies, which cleared up around 10am bringing through a gorgeous day. Our guested started arriving after 2pm and were welcomed with a glass of bubbly. Some got to explore on their own and others got a guided tour. A great collection of people stood around chatting and getting to know each other.

Perfect for toasts Photo by Pieter Wolhüter, official photographer for LekkeSlaap.co.za and Travelground.com

Cheers to the start of our second camp, AfriCamps at Kam’Bati Photo by Pieter Wolhüter, official photographer for LekkeSlaap.co.za and Travelground.com

This welcoming energy from new and old friends gave this special day the feeling of a family gathering. We loved having everyone over and were blessed again with a great bunch of people.

The team from AfriCamps Klein Karoo got to meet the new team from AfriCamps at Kam’Bati, and thus our AfriCamps family has now grown. Jaco, Deen, Liza and Tanja were the perfect hosts for this day, making everyone feel welcomed to their stunning property.

Jaco topping everyone up. Photo by Pieter Wolhüter, official photographer for LekkeSlaap.co.za and Travelground.com

After the glass or two of bubbly, some guests got to settle into the tents. We learnt that the only way to truly travel, especially for glamping, was to bring your own cooler box full of champagne. This is now the glamping standard thanks to Liza from Nosy Rosy and her bestie, Vanya. As the rest of our guests made their way to the conference area, one tiny guest got to test out the kiddies play area.

First welcome from AfriCamps at Kam’Bati. Photo by Pieter Wolhüter, official photographer for LekkeSlaap.co.za and Travelground.com

Living room, kitchen, dining room and woodstove at AfriCamps at Kam’Bati

Second bedroom – queen sized bed and single bunk bed above the queen. Both comes with comfy duvet, fluffy pillows and electric blankets. Photo by Pieter Wolhüter, official photographer for LekkeSlaap.co.za and Travelground.com

Tent on stilts for AfriCamps at Kam’Bati Photo by Pieter Wolhüter, official photographer for LekkeSlaap.co.za and Travelground.com

As the sun began to set the fire for the braai was lit and dinner was on it’s way. More drinks and one great speech by Jeroen, to thank all those involved in making this AfriCamps dream a success. It’s been 10 months since we launched AfriCamps Klein Karoo and we have had great reviews from guests who have stayed with us, such great reviews can only come from the welcoming hospitality from our hosts.

A wonderful speech by Jeroen AfriCamps at Kam’Bati

The evening continued much like the family braai with the young ones going to bed early, some turned in to enjoy a glass of wine by the fire in the tents and some, of course, stayed up celebrating until the early hours of the morning.

The morning started off with breakfast baskets delivered to the tents by Liza and Tanja. These fresh morning smiles helped set the pace for the day as people enjoyed the last few hours in the tent and around the property.

Breakfast baskets at AfriCamps at Kam’Bati – Fresh, wholesome and healthy. Photo by Pieter Wolhüter, official photographer for LekkeSlaap.co.za and Travelground.com

Breakfast is served at AfriCamps at Kam’Bati. Best enjoyed as you take in the morning view from the deck of your tent. Photo by Pieter Wolhüter, official photographer for LekkeSlaap.co.za and Travelground.com

To sum up this weekend, it was a joyous occasion with friends new and old who are now part of the AfriCamps family. AfriCamps at Kam’Bati is open for bookings which can be done through our website. So come along and check in with us and enjoy this new location and all of it’s charm.

A big thank you to all who made their way to AfriCamps at Kam’Bati for our launch.

Vanya enjoying the view. Photo by Liza Botha from Nosy Rosy

Our AfriCamps Team from Cape Town and Klein Karoo, Inge and Lourens from Cape Town Magazine ,Ankia Wolf and Pieter Wolhüter from Travelground/ Lekkerslaap, Liza and Vanya from Nosy Rosy, Amanda and Dave from Swellengram Media, Nicki and Allision from Swellendam Tourism, Trevor from Bulletin Media, Rikus and Loret from Lekkerkamplekker, Eloise Krige from Overberg Magazine, Stephanie from Two Feather horse trails and Max and Kat from Felix Unite River Adventures.

All bookings can be made via our website. Come sit back and relax with us at our new location.