KLEINE BELA FAMILY RESORT

May 2024

Kleine Bela Family Resort offers a relaxed getaway for families and campers in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Situated between Bela-Bela (Warmbaths) and Modimolle (Nylstroom) on Eersbewoon Road, the resort caters to both permanent residents and weekend campers.

Drivers have two main route options to reach the resort from Johannesburg / Pretoria:

• N1 Route (approximately 10km longer): This paved route takes the Kranskop Tollgate off-ramp. Turn left towards Modimolle and travel until you see Castle De Wildt on your right. Turn left onto Eersbewoon Road and continue for approximately 9km. The resort will be on your right. There are no directional signage, so be aware of your surroundings.
• R516 Route: This route avoids the Kranskop Tollgate but involves secondary roads that may be in rough condition. Take the R516 Bela-Bela offramp and join the R101. Continue for about 6km until you reach Eersbewoon Road (opposite ATKV Klein Kariba entrance). Turn right and continue for about 7km the resort will be on your left.

Be aware that some GPS systems might recommend a gravel road leading directly to Kleine Bela Family Resort from the Kranskop Engen garage. This route is not recommended, even though it may appear as a shortcut. It's best to stick to the paved routes described earlier to avoid potentially rough road conditions.

Upon arrival at the gate, simply press the intercom. Anne-Marie, one of the owners, will confirm your booking and open the gate for you.

Booking at Kleine Bela Family Resort is easy, all communication is handled conveniently via email. The owners, Koos and Anne-Marie, are known for their professionalism and helpfulness, ensuring a smooth booking experience.

As you enter, the first stands on your right are allocated for non-permanent and weekend campers. Permanent campers have their stands towards the top of the resort. There are also a few cottages with permanent residents on the premises.

Even though the resort was fully booked during our stay, we were fortunate to be allocated a beautiful stand with partial shade amongst some of the permanent campers. It was also conveniently located right next to the scullery and ablution facilities.

All the stands are fairly level with the non-permanent stands covered with lush green grass. Although there is no natural vegetation between the different stands they are large with ample space between them. Some of the stands are under beautiful indigenous trees. In fact, this is one of the first things that will grab your attention, these magnificent trees that are scattered throughout the resort.

Each stand is equipped with a standard three-point plug for electricity and convenient access to water taps scattered around the campsite. It's important to bring your own braai as there aren't any dedicated braai facilities at individual stands. However, there are two communal boma areas with braai facilities conveniently located near the campsites. While dustbins are cleaned daily, you are responsible to clean your own braai. Note there are no designated bins for ashes.

There are several well-maintained ablution facilities conveniently scattered throughout the campsite, ensuring easy access no matter where your stand is located. These modern facilities are shared, with individual bathrooms offering showers or baths, toilets, and basins. The cleaning staff keep them spotless, and during our stay, we enjoyed consistent hot water and excellent water pressure. Each ablution block is conveniently complemented by a scullery featuring hot water and two basins for dishwashing.

While Kleine Bela Family Resort caters to families, it also welcomes larger gatherings and weekends can get lively, especially with functions. If you prefer a peaceful bushveld escape, consider booking during the week. During our stay, a group celebrating a 21st birthday filled most of the non-permanent stands, creating a festive atmosphere. Loud music is allowed on weekends, but things quiet down significantly during the week. Another point to consider is Eersbewoon Road bordering the campsite. Traffic can get busy, with large trucks passing by throughout the night, so you might experience some noise.

One of the main attractions of this resort is the fact that it is pet friendly. Fury friends are allowed to roam freely throughout the resort. With that being said, just keep in mind that not all campers are pet friendly people. Just be sure to confirm pet policies with the owners beforehand. For the safety and comfort of all guests, aggressive or dangerous pets are likely not to be permitted.

The resort boasts two large swimming pools located at opposite ends for easy access. One pool features a water slide and a dedicated playground, making it ideal for families with young children. Both pools are well-maintained and kept clean. Some of the cleanest pools we have seen. Lush green lawns surround the pools, offering ample space for relaxation. You can easily spend a day lounging at the poolside, enjoying the sunshine, whilst being close to your tent or caravan.

A hiking trail leading into the mountains starts near the first swimming pool. The trail is considered manageable, but caution is advised due to slippery conditions, especially after rain. Given the resort's spacious grounds, you can also bring your mountain bike to explore the area. A morning cycle or hike around the resort can be a refreshing way to start your day.

The resort boasts a vibrant array of birdlife, offering opportunities for keen birdwatchers. Smaller animals like squirrels, bush babies and lizards may be spotted throughout the grounds. While rumours circulate about occasional visits from baboons and monkeys, we only encountered their tracks during a morning hike on the soft sand.

One of the highlights of this resort is the small shop right on-site. Here you can purchase necessities like ice, bread as well as a variety of take-away food, such as burgers or toasties. Boet and Susan that are running the shop are doing an excellent job. On Sunday, for Mother's day, the shop served a lovely buffet at a very reasonable price. This shop is a rare find for a smaller campsite; you not only feel welcome here, but you can see that Boet and Susan really care about their customers.

Cell phone reception for Telkom and Vodacom is available at the resort, but there is no free Wi-Fi. The resort has a social media presence where you can find updates and special offers throughout the year. It receives positive reviews online, but its website is currently only available in Afrikaans.

As far as safety is concerned, we felt safe throughout our stay at Kleine Bela. While we didn't see any security guards patrolling the campsite, some permanent residents seemed to keep an eye out at night. It's always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings, just like anywhere else in South Africa.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay at Kleine Bela Family Resort and would recommend it for campers seeking a relaxed bushveld escape with convenient access to nearby towns.

What to expect: A small well-run family resort perfect for campers seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Website: www.kleinebela.co.za

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