Relax By The River

[ Reader Resort Review ] Riverside, Western Cape.

- PJ Hannabus

Riverside is indeed at the riverside! The caravan and camping stands on the lower terrace of the resort are just 20 metres from the shore of the Kleinbrak River, and the upper terrace about 50 metres away.

There is total peace and tranquillity, with the wind sighing in the trees, and the distant sound of surf breaking on the shore mingling with the calls of Osprey, Marshall and Fish Eagles.

Riverside is very central for touring the Garden Route from Knysna, Sedgefield, George, and Mossel Bay to Oudtshoorn. There is also a horse-riding farm and Botlierskop Game Farm 5 km up the road.

Imagine waking up at sunrise, taking your fishing rod, strolling a few metres and casting into a tranquil river, before maybe bringing back a grunter or cob for the braai coals. Fishing is a popular pastime for the campers at Riverside – good-sized cob, grunter and leerfish have been caught here regularly, as well as giant river crabs which are a good substitute for crayfish.

I had to be happy with barbel, an unattractive yet edible fish.

Provision is made for day campers in the form of 30 shaded braai areas, with taps, on the lower terrace. This terrace doubles as a camping site, but there is no 220V on these sites.

For entertainment, there is a well kept tennis court, a rather tricky 9-hole putt-putt course (R5 per game), and two trampolines.