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Columbine Nature Reserve

130km from Cape Town
Coastal reserve with a rustic campsite - 3km from Paternoster

Quick Facts

Where
3km from Paternoster
GPS
S 32°49'25''
E 17°51'28''
Sleeps
70 stands for tents & caravans
Braai
Yes
Meals
No
Pet-Friendly
No
Camping
Yes
Activities
birdwatching, fishing, spring flowers, swimming, walking, whale watching

Budget Getaways Review

Every now and then one stumbles across an exception to the general rule of ‘progress’. Columbine Reserve, or Tieties Bay, as it is commonly known, is one such exception. Nature as God intended it, evangelises Mr Dekker, a State-employed official who has passionately nursed Tieties over many years, from a place of drunken weekend mayhem to its present tidy state. His feelings on development are clear: “I am so green, I’ll kill them,” referring to anyone who dares to lay a finger on his beloved Reserve. We believe him, and so should you. The beauty of a weekend at Tieties is the raw simplicity of the experience. There are no chalets and no hot water or electricity: just 70 sites on the seafront for either tent or caravan. The only luxury you’ll encounter is 11 flushing toilets, six showers and cold water on tap – a commodity that was trucked in until quite recently. Spring flower season and December to Easter are the reserve’s high season, so it is a good idea to work around these periods, or head out during the week to experience Tieties’ solitude.

Guest Reviews

"Ahhh Tieties... I've been a number of times but this past weekend was the best. Camped right on the beachfront, on my own (a break from noisy city life) and had nobody within 70m of my tent. Paradise! Gets cold and windy, camp behind the boulders! Try the fishing, showers were warmish for a change :-D"

"My family has been camping in Paternoster ever since I was in nappies. I try & go at least twice a year, my parents go as often as they can. It's a real break away from the busy city life where you can switch off and enjoy the beauty of God's creation. It will continue to be my favourite breakaway for many more years to come!"

"Been going there every year since I was a kid, sometimes twice a year and I can't get tired of it.There's a certain magic about this place and nothing else matters when you are there."

"One of the best camp spots in South Africa. Sun downers on the rocks, wonderful swimming beach around the corner near Shelley Point. Remember to bring warm clothes - night can be cold and wind can be an issue. Mr Dekker is the best - just don't get on his wrong side."

"Just the scenic beauty alone makes this a destination worth visiting."

"We recently found out that on busy weekends in off-season they allow in double as many groups as there are sites - up to 140 according to Mr Dekker - so avoid long weekends unless you fancy sharing your site with strangers!"

"What an idyllic and perfectly beautiful setting. The wild crashing waves, the white powdery sand, the almost total seclusion... Wonderful. And at R54 a night for a large site, a total bargain. Best surprise - the solar panels in the ablution block - yay, proper hot water! Worst surprise - the teeming carpet of sand lice on some sites at night. Not for the faint-hearted...!"

"Perfect place to get away and just relax."

"Take warm clothes and be prepared for wind and sea mist, whatever time of the year."

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Getaway Map
Columbine Nature Reserve, Paternoster, Western Cape
GPS: S -32.8236   E 17.8578
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