Nestled in the heart of the Overberg between Caledon and Bredasdorp lies the picturesque and beautiful Vloedbos, just 45 km from Hermanus along the R326.
We were looking for the perfect campsite while testing our Volvo EX90 press car, which arrived equipped with a Thule rooftop tent. Not only did we need to test the car, but also the Swedish “penthouse” on top. After a quick look on Google, I remembered Vloedbos, a place I’d always wanted to visit with my family. A big attraction for the kids at Vloedbos is the facilities: heated indoor swimming pools, two supertubes for all ages, and even a thrilling speed slide.
Reaching Vloedbos is easy with any vehicle. There’s only about 1.5 km of light gravel before you arrive at a neat and tidy resort. First impressions matter, and ours were excellent, and they only got better throughout the weekend.
Vloedbos is more than just a campsite. It’s an upmarket resort offering a variety of accommodation units, as well as camp plots covered in a lush, thick carpet of grass. Each plot is well spaced yet still within easy reach of ablution facilities. Speaking of which, these ablution blocks are a far cry from the spider-webbed bathrooms many of us remember from traditional campsites. Some even feature a proper-sized bath, toilet, and basin, allowing families to freshen up in privacy.
Cleanliness is one of Vloedbos’ stand-out qualities, it’s impossible not to notice. The bathrooms sparkled as if freshly cleaned between tenants, and even the mini-golf (putt-putt) surfaces were spotless, free of leaves and debris. All the facilities were tidy and inviting. A look at the Vloedbos website quickly explains why: the cleaning team is recognised with pride, complete with a photo on the site. During our stay, it became clear that at Vloedbos, people matter.
The rules clearly favour families, especially when it comes to noise levels and drinking habits. If your idea of camping involves more than a couple of glasses of wine and a rowdy atmosphere, this might not be the place for you. But if you’re after a peaceful, family-friendly weekend surrounded by nature, Vloedbos is perfect. Activities include a 4×4 track, hiking trails, dirt tracks, and much more. I took my two sons on a walk to the dam, both keen birdwatchers, each with over 300 species (“lifers”) already on their lists and it was a highlight of our stay.
Vloedbos will definitely see us again. We felt privileged to meet the owner, and even the friendly tuck shop lady made a lasting impression by sharing life lessons with our kids during a casual chat.
Article: Nico Boshoff