July 2026

Winter’s warm glow in the mountains

When we look back on our camping weekends during the winter, we only remember how beautiful it was (and quickly forget about the cold). Some campsites are, however, so popular that they are already fully booked months in advance (especially during summer). Since we really want to camp at some of these places, we just have to tough it out and go camping in the winter.

Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway has been on our camping wish list for a very long time. It’s a working farm, just outside Rawsonville in the Breedekloof and about 117km/73 miles from Cape Town. (*)

(*) Just a bit of road info for fellow South Africans who might want to visit Dwarsberg: Keep in mind that after the recent storm, the bridge to Rawsonville has washed away. We had to drive past the Rawsonville turn-off on the N1 highway until we reached Worcester and then took an alternative route back to Rawsonville.

To reach Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway, you drive the scenic (and very narrow) Stettynskloof Pass. This pass is 18.3km/11.3 miles long and follows the Holsloot River up to the Stettynskloof Dam. This pass lies mostly on private land owned by Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway. (We will write more about the pass and dam in upcoming posts.)

Entrance gate to Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway

Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway offers excellent trout fishing opportunities along the Holsloot River (as the name of the farm indicates). This area is recognised for its crystal-clear water and wild trout population.

Reception at Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway

Besides reception, there is also a bistro and kiosk. We didn’t visit the bistro, but we did stop at the kiosk to buy wood and ice. There are also quite a few other products for sale, like soft drinks, sweets, colouring books for the kids, and also essential camping supplies.

Bistro and Reception

Kiosk

While I was in the kiosk buying wood and ice, Berto walked down to the river. It’s hard to believe that just a few weeks ago this river overflowed its banks and was a roaring mass of brown water.

Holsloot River (after the storm)

On my way to join Berto at the rivier, I stopped dead in my tracks. There was the most beautiful protea in the garden, and as you know, I always get really excited to see our country’s national flower in nature.

Protea – what a stunning flower

There are several accommodation options at Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway:

  • Self-catering cottages,
  • Pod houses,
  • Camping along the river,
  • And then there’s three 4×4 mountain vista campsites (without electricity)

Can you guess which one we chose? You guessed it right – the 4×4 mountain vista campsite (of course).

However, it wasn’t the easiest road to get to our campsite. Just after we got off the main road, I had to get out of our ‘bakkie’ and walk ahead to show Berto where to drive to avoid a very deep and long ditch. Every now and then we came across deep ditches on the way to our campsite. I’m not sure if the road is usually in such bad condition, but I think it’s mostly because of the recent storm (*). On Dwarsberg’s website, they are warning campers who book the 4×4 campsites, to either have a 4×4 vehicle or one with high ground clearance. And if you tow an off-road trailer, like us, be extra cautious.

(*) We could see signs along the river where the staff were still busy cleaning up after the storm and are happy to report that most of the campsites along the river were occupied by campers again.

Start of the 4×4 road to our campsite

Last stretch to our campsite

However, driving on this rough 4×4 track was absolutely worth it. The moment we stopped at our campsite (Geelbos Vista), we were blown away by the view.

View of the valley from our campsite, Geelbos Vista

Hazy late afternoon view – we could see the valley between the mountains

But you guys, the best thing about this campsite has to be the hot tub (especially during winter). We took a quick splash on the first evening, and the next day, after a challenging hike, we soaked our tired and bruised bodies in it. (I’ll write more about this hike in our next post).

Imagine soaking in this hot tub overlooking the valley

We were surrounded by majestic mountains and the most beautiful, sweet-smelling fynbos. At that moment, it was hard to imagine a more beautiful place than this one.

Breedekloof Mountains

Sunset at Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway

After we set up our rooftop tent, it was time for a campfire. Berto had made a curry sauce at home the night before and let the chicken marinate in this sauce for 24 hours. The curry chicken (‘braaied’ on the fire) with finely chopped tomatoes and onion, as well as naan bread was a great meal to kick off yet another camping weekend.

Note: Although there is no electricity at the campsite, there are lights at the ‘afdak’ (shelter) and inside the private ablution that are powered by a solar system. However, there are no electric outlets, and campers need to provide their own power (if required). Hot water is supplied by a gas geyser.

Dinner made on the campfire

To our surprise, the night wasn’t too cold – well, there was the presence of a big fleece blanket and my beloved camping electric blanket. But still, when we got up the next morning, it was definitely not as intensely cold as with our previous camp at Suikerbossie Guest Farm in the Cederberg (read here).

Waiting for the sun to reach our rooftop tent

We sat in our camping chairs with cups of hot coffee and tea, watching the sun rise over the mountains while the colours in the valley kept on changing. Seeing nature wake up is always such a special moment during our camping weekends.

Sunrise over the valley

The morning sun lit up the mountains

We wanted to hike to a waterfall but first made a hearty breakfast. Sloppy Joe with a fried egg on top is always a good source of energy and just what we needed to tackle a challenging hiking trail.

Making breakfast under the ‘afdak’ (shelter)

Sloppy Joe – made on our camping gas stove

After we finished our hike, we drove up to the Stettynskloof Dam (as promised, we’ll write about this later). We were quite shattered after our hike, and when we got back to our campsite, Berto started a fire in the hot tub so we could relax in the warm water. The whole valley was now bathed in sunlight – this is what we call the perfect winter’s day in South Africa.

Green valley in bright sunlight

I suppose this ‘afdak’ (shelter) is perfect for those hot summer months

Before we came to Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway, we read on their website that there was no trout available in their bistro. Still, we figured we can’t camp here and not eat trout at some point during our camping weekend. Luckily, we found trout at our local supermarket. We used puff pastries that we made at home and topped it with cream cheese, dill and fresh smoked trout. There were also mini smoked trout terrines – all really delicious. When I think about it, we actually had quite a feast at a place that’s so famous for their trout.

Our trout plate at Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway

We ended the day again next to the campfire. I made a warm potato and bacon salad, while Berto took care of a piece of juicy steak on the fire. It was another wonderful day in nature.

Dinner with a view

Two days later and the weekend is over – I suggest that governments seriously look into changing weekends to five days and weekdays to two. A weekend is just too short for all the fun things you want to do. While we were watching yet another beautiful sunrise, it was time to pack up and head home.

Another beautiful sunrise

Time to pack up

Of course, we still had that thrilling ride down the mountain again. But we took it very slowly, and I even got out a few times to take photos of the beautiful fynbos.

Leaving our campsite, Geelbos Vista

Lovely fynbos

The beautiful Protea

Berto skilful manoeuvred the bakkie and camp trailer down the final stretch, while I decided it was better to just get out and walk down to the main road.

Driving down the last stretch of 4×4 road

With every vista more breathtaking than the last, our weekend at Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway unfolded in the perfect camping weekend – welcoming staff, sunny days, rugged hiking trail, and roads that tested both wheels and spirit. One thought is certain: this is a place we’ll gladly return to, again and again.

Panoramic view from our campsite, Geelbos Vista at Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway