From Gamkaskloof to Gamkasberg.

We left “The Hell” this morning on a bright and clear day with no clouds and crispy cool air. The trip out of the Kloof was spectacular as everything was open and the sun was shining and the peaks of the Swartberg mountains were covered in snow. What a beautiful picture that made. We travelled down to Oudtshoorn for the last shop of the holiday. We have slowly been running down on our food, however running down and running out are decidedly different. We then headed off to Gamkasberg, about 33 km from Oudtshoorn, towards Calitzdorp.

Snow on the Swartberg

We had originally booked to stay at Oukraal, which is a rustic shelter about 16 km into the reserve, but when we got here the Tourism officer on duty advised us against staying there as they have had quite a bit of rain and the camp was too wet.  We drove there today  along the 4X4 track to see it and it is wonderful, but truly “rustic”, as in built around rocks and no real walls and the winter wind that blew trough there was icy. It is the hikers overnight stay, but open to the public if you book and it is available. The views from there are over the Outeniqua mountains to the one side and the Swartberg on the other side. We even saw 6 Cape Mountain Zebra close to Oukraal.

The view across to the Outeniqua mountains from the top of Gamkasberg

The endangered Mountain Zebra in Gamkasberg

As Oukraal was not on we opted to stay in the Stables at the Camp site. There are 2 rooms with 2 bunkbeds in both and in between there is a fully equipped kitchen. We made ourselves at home in the one room and made a bed on the floor, as we only have double bed bedding. We slept so snugly and warm.

Our Stable.

We have spent many nights in many camp sites over the last 3 months and we have seen and experienced various levels of service and facilities, but none was a patch on Gamkasberg where we are now. We were met by the Tourism official on duty, with a full pack of info on the park. We were fully briefed on what we can and cannot do. The facilities are superb and the level of upkeep and attention to detail in the park is something we have not experienced anywhere else. We will definitely be back to this one and again I think spring will be a good time.

Tomorrow morning we are off to Majiesvlei and Cloetehuis for our last night of holiday and then back to Bellville and home and our animals and our bed!!!