May 2023

It seems we’re going to be staying here longer than we originally thought, so it’s definitely time to explore East London and the surrounding area more.

We’ve heard good things about a resort just 25km (15 miles) from East London. Apart from being a resort, it is also a private game reserve and that sounded promising. So, a week ago we decided to check out what Areena Riverside Resort had to offer … and we weren’t disappointed!

Entrance to Areena Riverside Resort

There are several accommodation options, such as:

  • Camping *
  • Family cottages
  • Rondavels
  • Timber Chalets
  • Double en suite couples’ units

I would guess that camping is the most popular here – they have 110 spacious caravan and camping sites. We would have liked to camp, but our camping gear is still in Langebaan. However, we were very happy with our choice of the riverside timber chalet, especially as it had a private deck overlooking the Kwelera River.

* Note: You can read about our camping weekend at Areena Riverside Resort in February 2024 here.

Our timber chalet overlooking the river

Rooms in the timber chalet

After checking in, we walked around the resort and along the river. We saw lots of bunnies and even an antelope feeding on a tree. They didn’t startle at all when we walked between them and we were able to take pictures without them running away.

An antelope next to one of the camping sites

Bunny (one of many)

A leisurely stroll

Areena offers many adventures and activities for the whole family. We saw colourful canoes on the river bank that can be hired for a morning or afternoon of river fun.

Two-man canoes

We ended our first night at Areena with a ‘braai’ on the river bank. It was dead quiet and we only occasionally heard some night sounds from nature. By now you probably know what I’m going to say: Yes, there are few things as wonderful as sitting next to a fire in nature.

Our fire on the river bank

Day 2:

We were wide awake early in the morning because something very exciting was in store for us. We booked a guided hike that would take us to a scenic viewpoint as well as a stroll among wild animals!

On our way to meet our guide

Lovely reception area of Areena

After checking in at reception, the ladies showed us to the adventure village where we would meet our guide. On the way there we encountered a noisy group of ducks, as well as a friendly ostrich.

Ducks and an ostrich

Our guide, Shelton was very friendly and oh so energetic! For the next hour he took us through beautiful scenery. We got very fast to a steep climb that almost left us out of breath!

Shelton (our guide) and trail directions

On our hike we saw ziplines between the trees (10 of them in total) for the adrenaline junkies. After walking through thick bushes and trees, we reached the top of the abseiling site (another adventure one can book). From here we had breathtaking views of the Kwelera River.

Almost at the top with great views over part of Areena and the river

Zipline platform and ziplines between the trees

At the top

Lovely views from the abseiling site

This was the halfway mark where we could enjoy a well-deserved rest. As we caught our breath, Shelton showed us a place in the river where on one side the river is salt (as the sea at high tide pushes up into the river) and literally on the other side of the rocks is the river fresh – nature is amazing.

To the left of the rocks it’s salty and to the right is fresh water

From here the walk was much easier. We walked on a more level area, past a dam until we reached the highlight of our hike – game viewing!

Statue of an eagle (symbol of Areena) and shiny cobweb

Farm dam

It was really wonderful to walk among the wild animals. They just looked at us and calmly continued to graze. It was probably one of those wow moments for us.

South African Blesbok

Zebras

Zebras and Wildebeest

Ostrich and Wildebeest

Giraffe (Indian Ocean in the background)

Close-up of another giraffe

After our hike we walked back to the resort. On the way we saw another ostrich as well as emus on the side of the road – it’s really amazing to see these animals roaming around in nature.

Ostrich and emus

As we walked into the resort, we took some fun pictures of ourselves at one of the Areena frames (there are a lot of these frames all over the resort and you should take at least one before you leave). We also walked to the pool area – in the summer it must be a busy place!

Fun Areena photos

Swimming pool area

We took the scenic route back to our chalet, which meant we walked along the river. It was such a lovely day to be out in nature (remember, here in the Southern Hemisphere we are currently in winter). We walked past the Kareena, Areena’s river cruiser. We wanted to book a river cruise, but unfortunately the Kareena was not operating this weekend. We hope to do it a next time.

Kareena on the Kwelera River

On our way back to the chalet we saw our resort friends

Before we left for this weekend, I baked blueberry muffins and Berto made a berry compote at home. It was now a good time to enjoy it with coffee and tea on our chalet deck overlooking the river.

Snack time

After our hike it was nice to relax on the comfy couches while we each read a book. Later in the afternoon it was time to make a fire again. We sat by the fire in the late afternoon sun and to our surprise a small antelope appeared higher up in the river. This is such a wonderful weekend surrounded by nature and wild animals.

Late afternoon fire

Antelope at the river

Perfect spot to prepare food on the fire

In the evening we took a last walk around the resort. We walked down the river again, surrounded by nature sounds and absolute tranquility.

Evening stroll

Our timber chalet during the evening

Day 3:

It was time to head back home again. But before we did that, we had one last appointment at Areena – a Sunday buffet lunch in their lovely restaurant, Areena Quays Restaurant.

The restaurant is also on the Kwelera River bank

We each enjoyed a glass of white wine and then feasted on their delicious food. We had salads and onion soup for a starter and then enjoyed a wonderful main course of gammon, chicken, roast potatoes and other vegetables with rice. The dessert consisted of ice cream and a baked pudding, but as delicious as it looked, we couldn’t eat anything else.

Glass of wine to end our amazing weekend

Delicious Sunday meal

What an amazing weekend! The friendly staff, beautiful scenery and of course … the animals. It all added up to an unforgettable weekend. We will definitely go back again (and again).