For the next two or so weeks, we are camping at the foot of the Drakensberg Mountain at the Drakensville camping site in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. My girlfriend’s family is into camping, so I always tag along with them as the camping thing is really fun. Not just does camping expose you to the most beautiful nature, you are also constantly surrounded by birds and other wildlife. The facility we are camping at provides so much to do, but the beautiful views are top of the list. From various pools to a strange church in the middle of seemingly nowhere, the perfect breakaway is just around the corner for anyone who visits this place.
So please join me on this virtual journey of setting up camp with the mountains in our every backdrop and the many birds chirping around us. The views alone make this place really worth it (even if the wind is blowing a little bit)!
Without further ado, please come along.
An Early Start
Our day began at 4 am as we drove about 500km to the camping site. Setting up camp is obviously the first priority of the day. But we were also very tired as early mornings are not for everyone. But we managed to get some energy as we set up the tent and the caravan. The sun was out with its full strength as it really burnt us a bit. If we could drink a beer at this stage, we would! But that would be disastrous for our setting up schedule.
While we were doing this, we constantly appreciated the view that lay in front of us. It is one thing to see it on photographs, it is another to experience it for yourself in person. I could not keep my girlfriend away from looking at the mountains. But we needed to set up camp as quickly as possible.
A Little Help Goes a Long Way
The camping site has friendly people on staff that help with setting up your camping gear. My girlfriend had a small operation on her finger, so she could not help 100%, neither could her mother who also had some trouble with her shoulder. With them out, we needed the extra help as setting up the tent in particular can be difficult and tricky. But we managed to do it in a record time and with less equipment than we anticipated.
It is funny, as they were so good and efficient that we ended up having more poles than we expected. These poles needed to be in some place, but they helped us set up so efficiently that we have no idea where these poles needed to be. Luckily the tents are stable and strong, nothing feels like it is out of place. So it really is a mystery concerning these poles and their roles…
The View: It is Always About the View!
How can you get used to or bored from a spectacular view? The view we were granted is amazing. It feels like it came from a movie, or something similar. The Drakensberg Mountains are some of the biggest in South Africa, and hold for example one of the highest waterfalls in the world (that post will also come soon!). From our tent, we can see one of the many waterfalls in the mountain, and we can see them cover the horizon from left to right.
The sun also sets over the mountains right from our window. We were blessed with the most beautiful sunset. My girlfriend and I used this opportunity to ponder the beauty for a while as the other family members began preparing some food.
In typical South African fashion, we had a “braai” or BBQ with the sun setting just behind us. I cannot explain this with words, and my photographs does not do justice to it. But the setting sun in the background with the meat and food cooking, life just feels good!
Drinking Beer at the Pool
At the camping site, they have various swimming pools. As it gets really hot here, the necessity of a cold pool becomes pertinent. But having a cold drink, like my own beer, or my girlfriends ice drink, is even more important. There are few things as nice as having an ice-cold beer whilst watching the beautiful view on the horizon. It also helps to cool down, as even the water in the pool is not always that efficient to cooling us down. Plus, who does not want a cold drink on a hot day?
A Strange South African Church
Walking towards the pools, you come across this strange but quite beautiful church. It is rather odd regarding the place, but apparently, some people even get married here.
You will understand this as soon as you see the view though. Everything on the camping site faces towards the magical Drakensberg Mountain range. It really makes for a beautiful backdrop, one that you can even feel spiritual energy rising from it.
The view from outside the church is even better. This place would really be so beautiful if a wedding will be held here.
Here is a short video that I took...
Camping at Lot D23
For the next two weeks, we are stuck here on camp lot D23. The views are spectacular, beautiful, breathtaking, awe-inspiring, and so much more. This part of the country has its own unique beauty with all of the birds, wildlife, and the mountain’s gorges covered in beautiful forests/woods.
Postscriptum, or It is the Beginning of Something Beautiful
I hope that you enjoyed this beautiful campsite we are currently residing in. As time goes on, we will venture deeper into the mountains. For now, we enjoyed a cold beer, some good food, family time, and beautiful views. If you ever come this side of the country, you really need to visit the Drakensberg Mountains. They are some of the most beautiful in South Africa, and having them as your backdrop every day is something to experience!
For now, happy travelling, and keep well.
All of the writings and musings are my own, albeit inspired by the beauty that surrounds us. All of the photographs (and video) are my own, taken with my Nikon D300 or iPhone.