Hartenbos, where my heart lies

It's the summer break and we're rolling out the camping gear at Hartenbos. Sure, some campers are happy to laze for weeks on end... but others soon get itchy feet and start hunting for adventure.

- Cyril Klopper

Hartenbos was established in 1933 by the South African Railways and Harbours (today Transnet) as a holiday resort for its lower-rank employees. The Afrikaans Language and Culture Association (ATKV) has managed the resort from the beginning - and although access was originally limited to Afrikaners, Hartenbos now welcomes everyone.

Apart from relaxing under your awning and greeting fellow campers on their way to the ablution block, you can go fishing or take a dip in the ocean. Hartenbos is one of South Africa's 44 Blue Flag beaches, which means clean water, a safe and well-maintained shoreline, and unrestricted access.

Other must-do holiday rituals include grabbing an ice cream from Milky Lane on your way to the pool and its slippery slides. Hartenbos is a place where you can unwind while the kids run wild, but every now and then, you might get itchy feet. That's when you want to explore a little more of the area without driving too far. With that in mind, we set ourselves a simple rule: limit our outings to within an 80 km radius of Hartenbos. And since we're technically on holiday to relax, we only allow three days of adventuring while camping here.

Hop in and let's go explore the Hartenbos surrounds.

Leave your caravan at the ATKV resort and follow the Mossel Bay Road (also known as Louis Fourie Street or the R102) west through Mossel Bay's industrial area. The town has grown so much in recent years that it could easily be Declared a city. It's well equipped for travellers - you can get your vehicle or your camp gear repaired here if needed.