Retreat-Doringlaagte Camping & Chalets
Caravan & Outdoor Life|April - May 2020
Take a seat at this quiet
Richard van Ryneveld
Retreat-Doringlaagte Camping & Chalets

A serious dose of cabin fever had built up and I was off on my first adventure of 2020. My escapade began when I fetched the Isuzu D-Max with a rooftop tent in Cape Town and ambled up the N2 to my home in Greyton. This gave me a chance to pack all my cameras and camping gear. After a pit stop or rather a pie stop, in Riviersonderend, I headed on to Montagu to my first campsite of the trip. I love turning left off the N2 at Stormsvlei, for the scenic drive across to Bonnievale and on to Montagu. The Stormsvlei Farmstall and Restaurant is also well worth a visit when in the area. Soon I was on my way to the Doringlaagte Camping & Chalets, a few kilometers outside the town of Montagu.

Friends of mine, Brett and Cindy Byrne, who live in Montagu said, “It’s a really great campsite, we once stayed there for two weeks.” As they are seasoned campers, I heeded the Byrne’s advice. In fact, I had an escort to Doringlaagte. Not the blue light brigade but rather Brett, on an off-road motorbike who was waiting in Montagu’s main road as an escort. Shortly after the Doringlaagte entrance gate, Brett stopped. We were looking over at a row of cottages with lovely green lawns. In front of the cottages was a large dam but the water level in the dam was quite low. Brett explained, “It’s hard to believe, but this dam stretched all the way to the reception building in the far distance. It is the terrible drought we’ve experienced here. But it will hopefully fill up again soon,” he added.

This story is from the April - May 2020 edition of Caravan & Outdoor Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April - May 2020 edition of Caravan & Outdoor Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CARAVAN & OUTDOOR LIFEView All
Resorts Of The Month: Kruisrivier Guest Farm
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Resorts Of The Month: Kruisrivier Guest Farm

Off the beaten track and ideal for the off-roading camper

time-read
4 mins  |
June - July 2020
Lagoon And Beachfront Bliss
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Lagoon And Beachfront Bliss

Morgan Bay Campsite, EC

time-read
2 mins  |
June - July 2020
Conservation: The Endangered Vultures
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Conservation: The Endangered Vultures

Rating: The conservation of vultures in Africa is generally regarded as high priority, although limited resources are made available to assist with this important work.

time-read
5 mins  |
June - July 2020
Crisp, Clean Air & Gurgling Streams It Seems
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Crisp, Clean Air & Gurgling Streams It Seems

Old Mac Daddy, WC

time-read
2 mins  |
June - July 2020
Destination Of The Month: Transkei On The Fly
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Destination Of The Month: Transkei On The Fly

When the call came in from a fellow journalist, that his doctor had suggested he not travel due to a recent op, I had about a day to get everything prepared for an adventure to the Transkei Wild Coast.

time-read
10+ mins  |
June - July 2020
13 Top Tips For Outdoor Accessory Maintenance
Caravan & Outdoor Life

13 Top Tips For Outdoor Accessory Maintenance

You certainly don’t want to arrive at your holiday destination only to find your gas bottles are empty, the tent has been chewed to heavenly holiness by marauding mice, and you left grandma napping in the caravan when you put it out to pasture at your local Storage Land for the winter season.

time-read
2 mins  |
June - July 2020
our take on SNAKES
Caravan & Outdoor Life

our take on SNAKES

Caravan & Outdoor Life joins some of South Africa’s leading herpetologists in the Maputaland region to find rare species and teach the local rural residents how to react to snakes. With Opposite Lock on board, we’re all set to strike at a moment’s notice…

time-read
10 mins  |
June - July 2020
Caravan clinic
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Caravan clinic

Our expert answers your technical questions & gives camping advice

time-read
7 mins  |
June - July 2020
Around The Campfire
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Around The Campfire

Readers share their outdoor adventures and air their values

time-read
4 mins  |
April - May 2020
In The Shade Of A Dappled Glade
Caravan & Outdoor Life

In The Shade Of A Dappled Glade

Slanghoek Mountain Resort, WC

time-read
1 min  |
April - May 2020