February 2024

On the banks of the Kwelera River

When we returned to East London at the end of our summer holiday at the beginning of January, we loaded up our ‘bakkie’ (truck) with our camping gear. It was time to camp on the south-east coast of South Africa – something we hadn’t done before and were really looking forward to!

Our first camping weekend was at Areena Riverside Resort on the banks along the Kwelera River. We stayed here in a timber chalet last year (read here) and promised ourselves we would come and camp here … we were so happy to be back at Areena!

Where is Areena Riverside Resort:

This lovely resort is only 23km/14 miles from East London on the Wild Coast, along the banks of the unspoilt Kwelera River.

This time it’s not a chalet, but our beloved tent

We were lucky to have a hot weekend for our first camping weekend of the year – temperatures were in the mid 30°C/86°F – ideal weather conditions for relaxing along the Kwelera River.

The Kwelera River was picture perfect

View of the river from the ablution facilities

There are quite a few plots at Areena Riverside Resort where people have set up permanent residences with their caravans and tents. Close to our plot was such a permanent setup and it was great to see how they put out food for the wild animals in the area.

Small bushbuck and bunnies enjoy food near our tent

After setting up our tent it was time to make a fire to prepare our food. We sat back in our camp chairs and enjoyed the gentle flow of the river as the moon rose. Life is good.

A fire and glass of wine – camping is the best!

The moon high above the trees

In my weekend kitchen

Hot coals to prepare our garlic chicken, ‘boerewors’ (sausage) and ‘braai broodjie’ (grilled sandwich)

We were up early the next morning and the river was like a mirror in front of our tent. There’s not much wrong if you wake up with a view like this.

Our view for the weekend, the lovely Kwelera River

On our way to the ablution facilities, to wash the sleep from our eyes, we walked past some of the permanent animal residents.

Bunny and bushbuck

The handsome Nyala, one of Africa’s most alert antelope

Berto made us real camp coffee and afterwards we enjoyed a delicious breakfast of Peri-peri chicken livers (this was our Dish of the Week #16 – read here).

Coffee and breakfast

A few plots from our tent, a family was camping and the father and his little boy were fishing in the Kwelera River early in the morning. We brought our fishing rods with us and decided to go and buy fishing bait at the small shopping center close to Areena.

Crossways Village Shopping Complex is conveniently located 6km/3.7 miles from Areena Riverside Resort and we were surprised to find several shops there.

A big Superspar for all your grocery needs (and fishing bait)

Clothing shops

Tommy’s Coffee and Just Surfing shop

There’s even a hair salon and big dam with koi fish

Although there are quite a few small shops to browse through at Crossways, we preferred the tranquility of the river instead. It was also very hot and we hadn’t visited the pool yet – it was time to return to Areena.

Lovely gardens at Areena Riverside Resort

Time to cool off in the sparkling pool

After cooling off, we walked back to our tent to prepare lunch. We made a fire to ‘braai’ ‘boerewors’ (sausage) for our hotdogs.

Back at our tent we saw a small barge on the river

Another fire for our ‘boerewors’ (sausage)

Hotdogs on the banks of the Kwelera River

It was now time for a bit of fishing. Berto often fishes when we are in Langebaan, but I’m still a rookie. He caught one small fish which he put back in the river. And I can confirm that I can throw a line in the water pretty neatly, but that the fish swam wide circles around my fishing rod’s small hook!

Fishing while camping – another way to relax

At least it wasn’t a disaster that we didn’t catch any fish, because we brought lamb with us to prepare for dinner. While I cooked rice on our camp stove, Berto made a delicious lamb stew in our ‘potjie’.

Berto making a ‘potjie’ while rice cooks on our camp stove

Lamb stew in the making

Dinner time

On our last day, the bushbuck came to greet us at our tent early in the morning. We decided to go for a short walk before making breakfast and starting to pack up everything.

Bushbuck enjoying a green breakfast

On our walk we saw the father and his little boy fishing again. We talked about how wonderful it is to see the little one fishing with his dad instead of sitting with a cellphone – almost unthinkable these days.

A dad and his son enjoying quality time together

One of the permanent residences

Beautiful tree

Outside seating area at Areena Quays Restaurant

Green grass at Areena

As a bonus, we ran into a few more animals from Areena.

Bontebok

Pony

Ostriches

Zebras and Emu

Quacking duck

After our morning stroll, Berto made a delicious bacon and cheese omelette. It was time to pack up our tent, but not for long, because we were already planning our next camping weekend.

Breakfast omelette

Areena Riverside Resort is such a lovely place and it’s neat with friendly staff. It was once again an absolute pleasure for us to spend a weekend here.