A Break to Nowhere

Our annual breakaway for Adri’s birthday was this year, destined to take us to a place a bit between somewhere and nowhere. A small location that lies on the edge of the Matroosberg mountains at the gateway to the mighty desert region known as the Karoo.

First founded in 1860 as a meat and supply station for those heading north to new frontiers looking for a better life away from the British rule of the Cape, who would eventually find wealth in farmlands, diamonds and gold. This small, privately owned oasis still exists in the form of a boutique hotel and Africamps Karoo 1, a place to come and do nothing. Perfect.

February is the hottest month in these parts, with daytime highs of 37 degrees, plummeting down 20 degrees just after sunset, the thirteen Africamp tents are well stocked and offer everything a holidaymaker would need to enjoy the environment. Their well-shaded tents, cool or hot dipping pool and for this site, a ravine pool supplied with icy mountain water, is the perfect place to rest up, dip into, and breathe with nature.

As the sun dips below the mountain peaks, the stars come out to play, as do the local wildlife. The air is filled with the buzz of insects, the distant howl of jackals and the barking of the Baboons as they settle down for the night. No TV, no internet, no entertainment: just the crackle of the fire, the clink of glasses and good old-fashioned conversation (remember that).

I am a big fan of Africamps, their well-chosen franchise sites around South Africa offer a comfortable way to enjoy the natural holiday destinations often overlooked by hotels and resorts. We are already looking through the brochure for our next escape into nature.