MEIRINGSKLOOF NATURE PARK

May 2023

During the last weekend of May 2023, we camped at Meringskloof Nature Park. The park is nestled in a beautiful sandstone kloof, about 2 kilometers outside Fouriesburg in the Eastern part of the Free State. It was the perfect time for camping in this area with the trees still changing into their autumn colours.

Meringskloof is approximately 400 kilometers from Johannesburg depending on which route you follow. If you are traveling from Johannesburg, take the N3 South, follow the Harrismith offramp and travel through the Golden Gate National Park. This road, at the time of writing, was in good condition with only a few potholes. You also get the opportunity to enjoy the scenery that this national park has to offer. Stop at the Golden Gate Hotel for lunch or coffee.

Back on the road, before entering Clarens, turn left onto the R711 and follow it for approximately 32 kilometers until you reach Fouriesburg. Meiringskloof Nature Park is situated on the edge of the town and once you enter the town there is sufficient directional signage to prevent you from getting lost. If you cannot find your way, ask the locals, they will gladly direct you. The last stretch of 1.7km to the camp is a gravel road; the road is in good condition, just drive slowly.

Fouriesburg is a beautiful town with its own charm. There are a few coffee shops and eateries where you can enjoy lunch or a beer. When visiting the Eastern Free State most people opt for Clarens with its European character only to miss the beautiful sandstone buildings in Fouriesburg, and the spectacular scenery surrounding this area.

Booking at Meiringskloof Nature Reserve was super easy; Susan and Sharleen at reception were very friendly and helpful. Bookings can be made via e-mail. Upon arrival you are supplied with a map of the camp and hiking trails, as well as a brief description of each of the trails.

The Free State can get cold in the winter months and Sharleen suggested we take stand K12 that not only had the most beautiful views of the kloof, but also got the most sun. We were not disappointed.

Considering that it was late autumn with winter just around the corner, there were not a lot of people at the campsite itself; only a few campers from Bloemfontein Hiking Club. The chalets were all fully booked. It can get very cold here in the winter so if you are planning to camp in the winter months, bring along a small heater for your tent, as well as warm clothing.

There are 14 clearly demarcated camping stands to choose from, with the majority having a view of the beautiful sandstone mountains surrounding the kloof. Most of the stands are spacious with ample space for your tent or caravan, as well as parking for your vehicle.

The stands are well spaced with some foliage between each other. Even if all the stands are fully booked, you will not feel crowded at this campsite. There is partial shade at most of the stands with some having full shade. The stands are fairly level and mostly covered with grass. The stands under the trees have less grass and it looks like it can get muddy during the rainy season.

Each of the stands comes with a built-in braai, dustbin, and grid. The braai has a small built-in table next to it but if you are doing tent camping it is always good to bring your own table. Bins and braais are cleaned every day. There are several water taps distributed throughout the campsite that are shared by each of the stands.

Each stand has its own electrical point with a three-point plug. A 10-meter extension cord should be sufficient to reach the power point. At reception you will also find a noticeboard indicating the loadshedding times, and we found this helpful.

The ablution facility is centrally located at the campsite with some stands further away from the ablutions than others. There are separate facilities for male and female, but all housed as part of the same building. The scullery and laundry facilities are also part of this building.

The ablutions were recently renovated and in good condition; we never experienced any problems with water pressure or warm water. The showers have a wet and dry area with a small bench where you can put your clothing, as well as hooks to hang your towel or any other items. The ablutions were cleaned twice a day. There is not a lot of lighting at the camp, but sufficient if you want to use the ablutions at night.

The reception remained open throughout the weekend and we never struggled to find anyone at reception. The staff at this campsite is very friendly and helpful. There is no shop in this park but some essentials like wood and firelighters can be purchased at reception. It is best to come prepared and Fouriesburg is just around the corner should you have forgotten anything.

There is no cell phone reception at Meringskloof but a free wi-fi spot with table and chairs is provided next to the Office at the gate should you really succumb to that craving to have contact with the outside world.

Meringskloof Nature Park is a hiker's paradise and offers several hidden treasures in the form of large rock formations, bushman paintings and magnificent views of the area. There are hiking trails for all levels of hikers from the more experienced to those that just want a leisurely stroll through the kloof. The paths are well marked, and it was a pleasure to follow them as they meandered through the thick kloof forest allowing one to discover all that Meringskloof has to offer.

For those that are not into hiking, there is a beautiful pool as well as a smaller one for children. The pool area is well maintained and there is lovely grass around the pool. The pool area has its own ablution facilities. There are also braai facilities should you wish to spend a leisurely day around the pool. Note that day visitors are welcomed at this park.

There are also plenty of activities that are on offer in and around Fouriesburg; from golfing, horseback riding, to fishing. For a more extensive list visit the Meiringskloof Park website.

For bird lovers there is also a bit of birdlife at the campsite so bring your binoculars. We did not see any antelope, although some badgers (dassies) visited the campsite one morning. In the late evenings you could hear Jackel calling at the top of the kloof.

If you want to spend a few days hiking and camping, then Meringskloof Nature Park is a great option. It is kloof camping at its best.

Visit our Instagram page to see more pictures of this lovely campsite and surrounding area.

What to expect: Mountain splendor, natural hidden treasures, glorious hiking trails and friendly staff.

Website: www.meiringskloof.co.za

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