Quick Facts
E 20°12'15''
Budget Getaways Review
Looking for a spot where you can let it all hang out? Hessequas is it! The concept is novel - a ring of tiny huts moulded from mud and straw, and a new 'family hut' called Cuckoo's Nest (which we haven't yet seen), both set in a forest of giant blue gum alongside the Zonderend River.
The location is totally private, so you and your tribe are free to do more or less as you please – as long as it adhere's to a general respect for nature and fellow man. Hessequas is popular among general campers and nature lovers – basically anyone who wants to let the hair down. Everything about the bushcamp is rough and ready - which is the appeal.
The huts provide little more than a roof over the head, organic affairs featuring bamboo-and-branch bunks, cement floors and bamboo ceilings. They are definitely built for balmy summer weekends, but owner Oliver reckons they are also fine for winter – if not, the generous mountain of logs will help keep the chill at bay. Hell, what are you complaining about Martha, there's even hot water at Hessequas, provided courtesy of a classic 'donkey system', plus two flush toilets (purist campers can find a longdrop nearby).
For meals and general socialising, there's a communal lapa with electricity and utensils for 30 weekenders. With fridge, freezer, a mountain of enamel crockery, pots and pans, real wine glasses, braai grids and potjies, Hessequas is a far cry from your average Survivor episode. Other extras like loo paper, candles, black bags, etc, are also kindly provided. Like Oliver says, just bring your dop en chop.
About 50m away, Cuckoos' Nest is equipped with the basic necessities and aimed at a family of six keen to rough it. There's a also a further clearing close by, this time dedicated exclusively to campers and with even rawer facilities.
For all the camps, the main activities at Hessequas include mountain biking (bring your own), canoeing (canoes not supplied), fishing and swimming in the river, and general exploring.
"It was our second time at Hessequas and just as beautiful and relaxing as before. Summer times are great as you can go swimming, fishing or boating in the river and witness warm evenings and fantastic magic hours. This time it was winter, and for sure it was just as fun and an adventure as before; we went down the river with a big tube, went for small walks in the rain, smelled the grapes off the farm, saw a beautiful hawk and had cosy nights braaing marshmellows at the fire, while it was drizziling around the tent. Hessequas is an all around year place to go enjoy, We would recommend it for sure."
(visited April 2011)
"A great place to get away from all the daily stresses. One needs at least two full days to explore. Pets and small children will also enjoy. Oliver is a great guy!"
(visited August 2008)
"Difficult directions"!
(visited October 2005)
"A wonderful place to visit with people you haven't been able to spend time with in a while. Relaxing and comfortable in combination with a great outdoor experience. Something for the whole family! Thanx - it was great!"
(visited October 2005)
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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 • Porterville • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay • 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 • Uniondale • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wellington • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland