A Place To Take A Break
Caravan & Outdoor Life|January 2020
Zwakala River
Richard Van Ryneveld
A Place To Take A Break
I guess we all have our favorite campsites. I certainly have a favorite, it’s called the Zwakala River Retreat near Haenertsburg, in Limpopo Province. It’s on a working farm in a small tranquil dell overlooking the Broederstroom River, high up in the misty Magoebaskloof Mountains in Limpopo.

The scenic beauty of this area is incomparable to anything I’ve seen before. Let me take you on a ride down to, what I can only describe as, a magnificent campsite, a place where you can relax and take a break from your everyday stress.

How to get there

It’s quite easy to get to Zwakala. Roughly 4km from the small village of Haenertsburg, heading on the R71 towards Tzaneen, turn left at the Cheerio Road. Follow the signs for approximately another 5km to the entrance gate.

‘Zwakala’ means to come closer. At the gate, a couple of friendly country horses were waiting to meet me. Further along the driveway, on the right, was a large, grey building. The grey-washed walls had large windows with an added small half-moon window detail. Simple, yet ultra-modern, this is the Zwakala Brewery.

You will also find Mina’s Art Café and Farm Venue a short distance down the road. Like so many things at Zwakala, Mina’s grew out of family gatherings, and you can still sense the fun and laughter that took place in what was the old farm homestead back in the day. This “caring and sharing” as Denise Tooley explains, grew from the old farmhouse into the shed and became a gathering place for a quarterly farmers market. This continues today and takes place on the 1st Sunday of March, June, September, and December, every year. I just missed it by a fraction. But, by the number of stalls set up inside and outside, it must be a lively affair! Mina’s is also a well-known venue for weddings and music events.

This story is from the January 2020 edition of Caravan & Outdoor Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 2020 edition of Caravan & Outdoor Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ 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