Where the swallows settle

Campsites in the northern parts of the country are a winter favourite for a special group of campers known as "swallows". Marula Oase is one of their top spots.

- Helenus Kruger

The term “swallows” is well known in camping circles.

It refers to retired campers who, just like our feathered friends, head north for warmer pastures in winter - and stay put for a couple of months. Birds of a feather, you could say.

The mild winter days and nights in Limpopo and northern Mpumalanga make this region a prime destination for those escaping the chill of the rest of the country.

Marula Oase, just north of Bela-Bela, is a popular landing spot for the swallows. You'll spot the signs as soon as you arrive: double awnings in front of caravans, sites neatly framed with shade netting, braais that don't burn every night, and the odd tent zipped up for days on end while the owners are off visiting friends or family. And of course, Baxter, the dog. All signs that the swallows have landed.

But Marula Oase isn't only for long-term campers. Over long weekends and holidays, the otherwise quiet camp comes alive with families - kids on pushbikes, fires crackling all around, and loud laughter spilling from the pools.

The campsite sits on a slope at the foot of a small koppie, and you'll reach the stands via a narrow, slightly washed-out track. Right away, the monkeys make their appearance, checking what mischief they can get up to.

The grounds are split into three sections (A, B and B2) with a total of 77 stands. Block B2 is closest to the entrance and has 24 numbered stands (22-45) arranged in three rows. Stand sizes vary – some are a tight fit for just your van and tent, while others can easily accommodate two vans.