Quick Facts
E 29°08'18''
Budget Getaways Review
Just an hour's drive from Pretoria, Ezemvelo cuts it as a satisfying family bushved jaunt: ample activities, bucket load of fresh air, the sounds of the wild to lull you to sleep at night.
Tucked between grassland and savannah biomes, it's home to a variety of species, including kudu, leopard, brown hyena and aardwolf.
Scanning the feedback on Tripadvisor, consensus is that Ezemvelo packs some punch: “Awesome hidden gem.” “Surprisingly awesome breakaway.” “Good for hiking, cycling, relaxing. You get the picture...
Accommodation comes in several forms, namely: Three-sleeper brick and thatch rondavels, with single and double bed options, and two double rondavels for couples. These are all within walking distance from the main camp, have outdoor braai facilities, equipped kitchens, and linen and towels supplied.
Moving on a bit, the Family Huts offer lovely mountain views and secluded settings. Each sleeps four in two bedrooms and are also thatched. As with the rondavels, they have outdoor braai facilities, equipped kitchens, and linen and towels.
The Hikers Huts are compact units with eight bunk beds and outdoor ablutions. Each sleeps up to 16 and all have braais and hot showers.
For the rugged camper in you, there’s a spacious campsite on the banks of the dam, with electrical points and ablution facilities. The campsite can handle a total of 50 guests.
Activities are on tap, from night and day game drives on the reserve, to birding hikes, mountain bike trails, fishing, horse riding, a volley ball court, a nine-hole putt-putt course, and a swimming pool to keep the summer heat at bay. For sundowners, head to one of several picnic areas in the reserve.
Easy-peasy to get to from the big smoke, plenty to do, decent beds, Ezemvelo Nature Reserve is your go-to for that weekend escape into the wilds.
"Really enjoyed our stay. very tranquil and not overcrowded, unlike other venues during that time of year. Will definitely come again."
(visited December 2015)
"An awesome, quiet getaway. We stayed in the chalets, very basic, but more than adequate for a weekend away. Lovely hiking trails and good mountain biking too. Swimming pool is a great attraction, but can get very busy with day visitors. On site shop stocks only the bare essentials. Staff are super helpful and very friendly. A great venue if you like the outdoors and hiking or camping. Not much to do if you need kids to be entertained (i.e. no televisions). It's a 20km sand road which was in very good condition in December, however, it might be a little tricky if there is some rain."
(visited December 2015)
Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland