Brilliant For Families With Kids

Diamanté Resort, Pretoria

- Richard Van Ryneveld

Close to the small towns of Cullinan and Rayton, just north of Pretoria, are three very different camping sites. Each of the three has a unique character. The first of the trio, Somabula, reviewed in the December issue is a small private bush camp at heart, especially suited to wildlife and bird-lovers. What is the second? Today I am going to tell you about Diamanté Caravan Park. Diamanté is a malaria-free camping destination just 10km from Rayton and 13km from Cullinan. For me, this resort is perfect for families with kids. There is so much to do and the farmyard menagerie is what every city kid needs – to give them a bit of pure country living, with no additives.

This resort also has quite a lot of games. Approaching the campsite I saw a couple of sleek, well-fed nyala grazing behind the resort’s game proof fence. Inside the park, there’s a wonderful collection of farm animals, including chicken, a big old goose, turkeys, and four donkeys – all living together in friendly animal harmony. I remember the one donkey was named Blommetjie and the other Sweetiepie.

When in Gauteng I always make ‘pap en sous’. I quickly got out my braai pap to feed some hens and a cocky little rooster. A pair of turkeys added the bass notes to the bushveld chorus of some Arrow-marked babblers and the ubiquitous Grey loeries. May I suggest you add wild birdseed to your shopping list when staying here.