MATAMBA BUSH CAMP

June 2022

Matamba is up there on my list of favourite Bush Camps. I prefer secluded bush camps to busy resorts and Matamba is most certainly one of them. If you stay in Gauteng like me, Matamba is probably the closest you are going to get to an African Bush Safari right on your doorstep.

It ticks all the boxes for an excellent camping experience in the African bush with the added advantage of being able to walk around or cycle freely on this game farm. My dad and I booked for a midweek in June 2022 but were unfortunately only able to stay for three nights.

Matamba is situated approximately 32 kilometers from Vaalwater in the Waterberg. From Johannesburg it is about 2,5 hours drive. Leave just after rush hour traffic and you will still be in time for a nice brunch or lunch at the Vaalwater Hotel. The food is as good as it gets, and you will be ready for your camping trip in the African bush. When you enter Vaalwater just keep an eye out for the Hotel it is on your right-hand side and easy to miss.

Booking at Matamba was quick and easy. The hosts, Alan and Sue, owners of the game farm, quickly responded to my email and once payment was made the booking was confirmed. We arrived at Matamba just after two in the afternoon with Alan waiting for us to open the gate and escort us to our campsite. We camped at the Francolin stand. Alan quickly explained the rules of the campsite with the most important, being not allowed to drive around on the farm.

Matamba has six campsites; five of which are grouped together and one campsite in the middle of the farm, Mara’s Camp, which is a private campsite. All campsites are spaced out far from each other, so you will not be camping on your neighbour's doorstep. The campsites are flat and sandy with plenty of trees to camp under, each with its own water tap and electrical outlet. There is also an open pit braai and a dustbin.

There are four ablution facilities scattered throughout the campsite. The facilities are unique, and the open-air showers will not disappoint you. Water pressure is good and there are no problems with hot water. If you don’t enjoy camping in the African bush these bathroom facilities will certainly change your mind.

The shared scullery is housed in a separate building where you will find a dustbin and two basins for washing the dishes. There is also a table with chairs where you can sit and relax, meet up with other campers and enjoy nature.

There is no shop at Matamba so make sure that you come prepared or stockup at Vaalwater for the last essentials before you set up camp.

When it comes to activities at Matamba, nature provides all the entertainment. It is a nature lover's paradise. There are several hiking trails leading to waterholes and hides. Remember to bring something for the ticks; this is the bushveld after all.

Expect to see Eland, Nyala, and Giraffe and if you are lucky, Porqupine, Jackal, Brown Hyena and Aardvark. If you enjoy bird watching, there are an abundance of birds at Matamba. And when the days get hot, there is also a fenced swimming pool to enjoy after a long hike. During summer months expect thunderstorm in the late afternoons.

Although some travellers use Matamba as a stopover on their way to Botswana, this bush camp is also ideal for those campers that want to take a break from city life and just spend some time in the bush. I can not wait for 2023 to return to this campsite.

What to expect: Expect an African bushveld experience without the need to cross the border into Africa.

Website: www.matambabushcamp.com

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