Nestled in the heart of the Overberg, between Caledon and Bredasdorp, lies Vloedbos, a picturesque family resort 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 Google search, I remembered Vloedbos, a place I’d always wanted to visit with my family.

One of the big attractions for families with children is the range of facilities. Vloedbos has heated indoor swimming pools, two supertubes for all ages and even a thrilling speed slide.

Reaching Vloedbos is easy in almost 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. Things 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 camping stands covered in a lush, thick carpet of grass.

Each stand is well spaced, yet still within easy reach of the 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 full-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 though they had been freshly cleaned between guests, 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 photograph 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 loud music 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 a wonderful choice.

Activities include a 4×4 track, hiking trails, dirt tracks and much more.

I took my two sons for a walk to the dam. Both are keen birdwatchers, each with more than 300 species already on his life list, and the outing was one of the highlights 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 a few life lessons with our kids during a casual chat.