[Michelle&Peter]

Hi, we planned a weekend at Bergplaas Resort in Stellenbosch with family who are "new campers" and what a terrible time. The site advertised security, there was none, no access control at the gate, so free to all, the site advertised renting of a rondavel to a couple or couple with 2 children, no, pack 10 people and pitch a tent, party the whole night through, loud, foul and abusive language and especially when asked to tone down. And rev the motorcycle not once but twice. We actually feared for our safety when we were intimidated by the group who insisted that they had more rights because they had spent more money than we had on their accommodation. We packed up at 05h30 and left on the Saturday morning. The "handyman"/supervisor was in no means capable of throwing the lot out and also felt threatened. The only good was the abultions facilities which were clean. Such a pity because I feel the site is situated close to wine farms, butterfly world etc. and has a lot to offer. Would I go again, unfortunately not, left a bitter taste in my mouth.

[regstone]

Michelle & Peter,

It's unfortunate being new to camping that something like this happened to you. To some it could be enough to put them off camping for life.
We also have experienced similar situations in the past. Now we never ever visit camping sites that are anywhere near to a city over weekends for fear of experiencing exactly that, either privately owned or in particular municipal or government owned.

Young working families can only get away over weekends, so it would be wise to get recommendations from previous visitors to any resort beforehand or return to campsites you know.
A few years back we had bad experiences at Algeria and Palmiet. Recently we have found this sort of behaviour creeping into the so called more controlled parks.

For us unemployed or retired folk, we tend to go away only during the week and then when the little darlings are at school.
At times when we intend staying more than a week and over a week end, we choose a spot far away from the ablutions and known favourite sites. Even during these times it sometimes gets a little too close for comfort for us.
Come the weekend when young families arrive with their little screaming brats and just take over the whole campsite allowing them to run amuck without consideration to anyone else. Don't parents teach their children consideration for others anymore? By all means enjoy yourself but consider those around you.
Then you get the worst type who arrive, open the car doors and boot and proceed to blast out their so called choice of music thinking that everyone else in the park wants to hear. Brandy and coke and beer becomes the main refreshment, this continuing throughout the night with ever increasing volume of shouting and foul language being the accepted way of behaviour.
Try and contact the security at these times, they either are nowhere around or are taking part in these festivities themselves.

If one looks at it from the park owners point of view, their main objective is to make money. They don't always live on the property and therefore don't react until someone complains. That's if you can find them at the time of the disturbance.
We need to control this more before it has a detrimental effect on camping and the tourist industry.

I often wonder what people who are full time campers do during these times. Where do they go during season time and school holidays? If any of those reading this are full timers, please let us know, it would be very interesting to hear.

At our age we have had all the noise, fun and games and prefer the quiet times.