The Land Of The Silver Mists

Coral Tree Camp, Magoebaskloof

- Richard Van Ryneveld

Sometimes one discovers a campsite so beautiful it can bring out the, ‘I don’t want to share it’ syndrome. I found a place like this and it’s called Coral Tree Camp.

This campsite lies high up on the edge of the, oftentimes morning mist-shrouded, indigenous forest of Magoebaskloof. Fortunately, or perhaps, unfortunately, Coral Tree Camp is only accessible by 4x4 vehicles with off-road trailers.

Adding to its exclusivity, the campsite is a private camp, accommodating a minimum of two people and a maximum of six. It is a private camp, where only one party is able to book it at a time. It is only accessible with a 4×4, but once you are there you won’t want to leave! Owners, Elsbeth and Ralph Humphreys have created one of the most tranquil, ‘far from the madding crowd’ campsites in this country. I will try to describe why I felt this way.

It’s a steep climb up through the indigenous forest to the small, grassed shelf high up on the mountain slope. Pushing the low range button, the bonnet of my vehicle aimed heavenward as I ambled up to the campsite. I can only wonder what the reaction of newcomers to the camp would be. Mine was a slack-jawed, “Oh my goodness!”

The grassed campsite, fringed with flowerbeds and herbs, is what first caught the eye. Above the grassed mountainside slope is the indigenous mountain forest. With the herby smell of rosemary and thyme wafting in the air, you take in a wood-decked earth-colored building with a crystal clear plunge pool. After parking the caravan, I ambled around for a quick look-see. A similarly large, earth-colored building, with distinctive varnished wooden trellis work, turned out to be the most romantic bathroom of any campsite I’ve visited in this country. Open-plan with a massive bathtub and a shower, the bathroom – surrounded by herb beds – looks out into the often early morning mist-shrouded mountains.