We spent the long weekend of the 16th – 18th of June 2017 bush camping on “Oupa se Plaas”.
Oupa se Plaas is situated on the Grootfontein road which turn off from the Modimolle (Nylstroom) Mookgopong (Naboomspruit) road, also known as the R101. The Grootfontein road turns off to the left 8km from the R101/R33 crossing in Nylstroom. From the Grootfontein turnoff to Oupa se Plaas entrance gate on the left, is 3.5km. This is unfortunately a very badly corrugated gravel road. Enter the gate and immediately turn left along a “twee spoor” track. Continue for plus minus 250 meters, then turn left and almost immediately right again. Follow this road to the campsite on your left.
The owners, Regard and Donne Veldsman, recently acquired the farm and is currently busy developing it. A lot of work still needs to be done but they decided to open the farm for camping to start generating much needed funds for further development. Reinhardt is very energetic and lots of effort is put into the farm to ensure you enjoy your stay.
The campsite on Oupa se plaas is very basic. It is an open short cut “veld grass”, no fences and caters for more or less 8 groups.
The ablution block has 8 private cubicles each equipped with a toilet, wash basin and a shower. On the outside of the ablution block is a basin for dishes and cutlery. Warm water is provided by a “Donkey”. There is no electricity.
The ablutions are basic, but has all the features that you require. Enough hooks to ensure your shower equipment and towel does not get wet. Warm water throughout.
At Oupa se plaas you can do some hiking, mountain biking, swim in a pool in the mountain stream, drive the short 4×4 route or just relax.
Wildlife is roaming freely (no fences between Oupa se Plaas and the neighbouring farms) includes: Kudu, Waterbuck, Nyala, Bushbuck, Caracal, Aardwolf, Bush pig, Warthog, Porcupine, Mongoose, Tortoise, Baboon, Blue Monkey, other small animals and insects of the area and a variety of birdlife.
With the permission of the owner we opted to camp in the Kloof next to the river. The road leading to this spot had just been completed a few days earlier. The road leads to a very steep mountain pass. We drove down the pass very carefully with Piper our Land Rover Forward Control Camper.
The campsite in the Kloof is basically an open area with no facilities. It was previously a picnic site with a small ablution block developed by the previous owner. The water supply to this area has however been cut and the ablution block is currently unusable.
The current owner plans to renovate the ablutions and put it in use again now that the road into the Kloof had been completed.
We enjoyed camping in the Kloof as this is just what we were looking for. With Piper we were totally self-sufficient and did not need water, electricity or ablution facilities. We even had our own firewood (although there were plenty at the campsite that the owner provided) which came in handy as the evenings were quite chilly.
The first morning I took a walk following the road into the Kloof pass the swimming pool to where it ends at a huge cliff. The road crosses the mountain four times between the camping spot and the cliff. A very refreshing walk with lots to see. The silence, peace and tranquillity is abundant at Oupa se Plaas. Absolute bliss.
To soon the time to leave for home arrive. However, getting out of the Kloof with Piper was a challenge. Piper refused to climb the mountain pass. She only went about three quarters of the way and then flatly refused to go any further, her engine just died on us. After two attempts, I decided to call for help. I walked all the way the main campsite (not to far from us) to call the owner for assistance. He came with a tractor to assist by pulling Piper up the pass. That’s when Piper decide this is too much of a humiliation and she did the pass on her own without any help from the tractor. Maybe she overcame her fear for heights.
We enjoyed the stay on Oupa se Plaas very much and will definitely visit it again in future. If you like bush camping, basics, fire in a boma and abundant peace and quiet, Oupa se Plaas is the place to go to.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Thanks for the review! Glad you enjoyed the stay at OUPA SE PLAAS! Hope to see you again soon!