September 2025

Camping weekend by the murmur of the river

With our return to the Western Cape province, we have now already camped in the mountains (read here), next to a dam (read here) and in a semi-desert area (read here). It was now time for our friends to book the next camp, and they found a beautiful spot next to a river.

Batis & Bass River Camp is located on the Breede River, near the towns of Wolseley and Ceres and just under 120km/74 miles from Cape Town.

Breede River at Batis & Bass River Camp

Our campsite on the edge of the river

There are only 2 private campsites – we stayed at Bass – and each campsite can accommodate a maximum of 20 people (we were a group of 15 campers). Each campsite has its own rustic private ablution unit with 1 toilet, 1 gas shower, and a sink … all in one room. There was no problem with the ablution facility, but it was quite a challenge to share it with 15 other people! (Yes, I know – this is the kind of information for non-campers to confirm why camping is not for them)! However, through a lot of laughter, we managed to make it work.

We all arrived quite late at the campsite, and there was just enough time to set up our tents and caravans before we made a big campfire.

The joy of a campfire

As always, let me quickly show you what our friends’ camping options look like. The different ways of camping are yet again proof that you camp with whatever works for you, the level of comfort you prefer and how quickly you want to set up camp – whether it’s a tent, rooftop tent, or caravan.

Our off-road trailer with rooftop tent

Frans & Fiela love their rooftop tent that is mounted on their ‘bakkie’

Newlyweds, Francois & Phillizè, have a unique setup – a rooftop tent mounted on a normal trailer

Mihan & Anje have a sturdy canvas dome tent

Japie & Odette and Pierre, Elra & their son Liam are comfortable in their off-road caravans

*Liam and Tarien – who are getting married in a few weeks – also had a canvas dome tent (they arrived at the campsite on Saturday and I forgot to take a photo of their tent).

You can thus see that there were quite a few tents and caravans at our campsite (including everyone’s vehicles) and still there was enough space for everyone without the campsite feeling overcrowded.

On Saturday morning we were greeted by blue skies and a lovely sunrise. After a late morning breakfast, everyone decided to drive to a nearby pub to have a few local beers. However, Berto and I decided to rather enjoy the nice sunny day with a walk along the river.

Lovely sunny start to our day

The Breede River flows quietly past our campsite

The water is so clear that one can see the rocks on the bottom

Leaving our green campsite for a stroll along the river

At first, we walked past many vineyards and also saw quite a few flowers – perhaps some of these colourful flowers are weeds, but it was still beautiful to see (it’s spring after all).

Vineyards on our walk

Yellow and purple colours

*Interesting flower (probably weed)

*Thanks to my reliable gardening source (Jude from the blog Cornwall in Colours) this plant is known as Lion’s Tail (Leonotis leonurus), which is also commonly called Wild Dagga.

Spring blossoms

Exit road towards the mountains

After we had walked quite a distance, we finally reached the rivier again. It was so quiet here – there was only the chirping of birds and now and then the splash of a fish jumping out of the water – absolute tranquility.

Sandy road to the river

Back at the Breede River

Interesting tree

Breede River

It was great walking in sunny weather

Gorgeous view on our way back to the campsite

Back at our campsite, the rest of our friends had not returned yet. Berto decided to make a fire so that when everyone is back, we could ‘braai’ ‘boerewors’ (South African sausages) for hotdogs.

There is a great area at the campsite to relax and ‘braai’

Another fire for a late lunch

‘Boerewors’ rolls & curry pasta salad

Coincidentally, there were two campers in our group with the same name – Liam – and ironically both of them enjoy fishing. Liam (the one who is getting married soon) had competed professionally in fly fishing when he was younger. However, he now just does it for relaxation, and it was no surprise when he caught the first fish of the weekend.

The two Liam’s and Tarien (Liam’s bride-to-be) enjoying the afternoon on the bank of the Breede River

We could actually see the fish swimming the crystal-clear water

Liam caught (and released) a small mouth bass

Some of our friends enjoyed an afternoon nap, others read a book, and some of us sat on the soft grass by the river enjoying a glass of wine. Oh, I love camping!

Rugged mountains across from our campsite

Fiela and her daughter-in-law, Phillizè relaxing next to the river

Liam and Tarien on the other side of the river

For dinner, Berto and Japie made two big lamb ‘potjies’ (stews) on the fire. It was a lovely evening, and we all sat around the fire enjoying our last camping night.

Sunset at Batis & Bass River Camp

Full moon rises on our camping weekend

After a lovely warm day, we woke up the next morning to a cold wind and mist blowing over the mountain. It was time to pack up and head home.

A cold morning

After this weekend, we just realise once again how many beautiful campsites there are near Cape Town. If we want, we can camp in a new place every weekend. What a privilege for eager campers like us.