Look In On The Loeries

[ Resort Review ] Nature’s Valley Rest Camp

- Francois Huysamen

From the very first time I stayed at Nature’s Valley Rest Camp, I fell in love with this campsite on the bank of the Groot River.

There is something almost magical about the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park. The lush vegetation of the indigenous forest, filled with the calls of birdlife, makes one think of a more primitive world from a time before humans decided to spread and destroy and build all over so much of our natural spaces.

While almost the entire journey on the N2 highway through the Garden Route National Park is quite scenic and pleasant (thanks to quality of the road and the greenery on either side), it’s when you turn off on the R102 and cruise down the Grootrivier Pass that nature envelops you.

The entrance to the Rest Camp, a SANParks resort, is about 500 metres before you reach the small town of Nature’s Valley.

The first time I stayed at the park was actually completely unplanned. While I had visited Nature’s Valley often in the past, I had always rented a house. My “discovery” of the campsite came while I was on a trip down from far up north in the country. I was actually planning to overnight in Knysna, but it had been a long day’s drive and as I said, I love Nature’s Valley!

Coming down the pass, you turn left into a small parking area of De Vasselot, where you will find a neat wooden SANParks office for the campsite.

The staff at the check-in are always friendly (as I’ve come to know after repeated visits), even though there is often some issue with “the computer system being slow”.

Don’t let this peeve you. Give them your details, and while they sort you out, browse the wall full of leaflets of exciting activities you can do in the area.