March 2024

At the mouth of the Kwelera River

Our camping weekends during the summer season will soon come to an end. And although we will still want to go camping in the winter (weather permitting), we will have to plan it a bit more carefully.

But while the weather is still nice and the evenings warm, we once again packed our camping stuff to go camping for a weekend at one of the most popular camping sites (not just in the Eastern Cape Province, but in the country).

Where is Yellow Sands:

Yellow Sands Caravan Park is located at the mouth of the Kwelera River and only 25km/15 miles from East London.

We pitched our tent at Yellow Sands

Yellow Sands, owned by the Leppan family, began as a dairy farm in the 1950s. At first, they entertained their family and friends at the farm, but then word began to spread about this little paradise. Today Yellow Sands is one of the top-rated camping resorts in South Africa. (Source: Yellow Sands)

We thought it was time to see if Yellow Sands lives up to its name … and we weren’t disappointed! We arrived late Friday afternoon and were just in time to see the sun set after pitching our tent. A stroll on the beach would have to wait until the next morning.

Sunset over Yellow Sands’ pool

The Indian Ocean

As we started to make a fire for dinner, the animals of Yellow Sands trotted leisurely past our tent – perhaps they had just come to greet the strangers in ‘their’ resort.

Bunny and a few guinea fowl

While Berto got chicken and ‘boerewors’ (sausage) ready on the hot coals, I quickly made a salad. We were tired after a busy week and were looking forward to sleeping in our tent with the sound of the waves.

A quick and healthy camping dinner

The next morning, we got up early. While the sun’s first rays fell on our tent, we enjoyed bran rusks with coffee and tea. And then it was finally time to walk down to the beach.

Bran rusks with our morning hot drinks

With the Kwelera River flowing into the Indian Ocean at Yellow Sands, one has the privilege of walking along both the sea and the river.

A footpath through the park took us to the beach

Fig-leaf morning glory (to some it’s a weed, but to others a pretty flower)

Beach at Yellow Sands

We saw a couple of surfers patiently waiting for the right wave.

Surfers at Yellow Sands

As we walked towards the river, we looked back and were surprised at how the rising sun had decorated the sea in a spectacular silver cloth. In front of us, however, the see appeared in beautiful blue. Isn’t it surprising how the sea can look so different at exactly the same time.

The silver Indian Ocean

But, at the same time, it’s also the blue Indian Ocean

On the way to the river, the picture completely changed again. There was a dune covered with beach plants and then a long stretch of white sand that led us to the river.

White dune covered with beach plants

White sand towards the river

It’s always fun to see what we can spot in the sand. Like a single tiny green beach plant that grows on its own and closer to the river a blue bottle washed up by the sea.

Beach plant and blue bottle (‘bloublasie’ in Afrikaans)

Kwelera River

A seagull enjoys the calm river water

Canoe on the river bank

We turned around again and walked back to where the river flows into the sea. Here a dog with his owner was excitedly waiting for his buddy to come out of the water. It was fun to see how happy the dog was when the boy finally reached the beach on his surfboard.

Friends – one on the beach and the other in the water

We also saw a crab walking sideways across the beach. He literally froze when we got closer and Berto was able to take a close-up. A little further away, a seagull watched the crab, but eventually lost interest and flew away.

The crab and the seagull (sounds like a poem)

Not a pretty face

The things you see on the beach, right? On the way back to the campsite we saw a few more surfers in the water, but we didn’t linger any longer because it was now time to make breakfast.

On our way back to the campsite

As we walked through the tree-lined campsite, the other campers greeted us friendly. I was surprised to see that some of the long-stay campers had their own little gardens next to their caravans.

Shady campsites at Yellow Sands

Camper’s charming garden

Yellow Sand’s crystal-clear pool

Berto made Sloppy Joe for breakfast (this recipe will be our Dish of the Week on Thursday). After eating and washing the dishes, we pulled our camp chairs out and each relaxed with a book. Sometimes a quiet weekend like this is just what you need to completely relax after the stress of a working week.

Sloppy Joe for breakfast

Later in the afternoon we walk through the camp again and then back to the beach. This time we turned in the opposite direction and encountered a more rocky beach.

Fishermen on the rocks

Looks like an egret

Rocky beach and pretty shells

As we walked back to our campsite we saw dark clouds over the sea. We immediately made a fire to ‘braai’ our curry ‘sosaties’ (Dish of the Week #20 – read here). We sat around the fire for another hour until fine raindrops began to fall. This was a sign to get into our tent and zip up all the windows. We listened to the rain until late while reading our books. Thank goodness for a waterproof tent!

A fire to ‘braai’ our curry ‘sosaties’

After quite a bit of rain through the night, we woke up to lovely sunny weather. This gave our tent a chance to dry out before we could fold it up again.

I just want to once again brag about how neat the ablution facilities are at the campsites here on the south-eastern coast of South Africa. There is even a beautiful flower arrangement in the ladies’ bathroom. It’s an absolute pleasure to camp at places like these.

Ladies bathroom at Yellow Sands

Our tent is going to take a ‘rest’ for a weekend or two, because we are off to another adventure this coming Easter weekend. But more on this soon.