Resort Review: Vensterklip, Western Cape

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Sometimes one discovers a place of such magic that one is loath to share it with others. Vensterklip, situated on the bank of the Verlorenvlei near Elands Bay in the Western Cape, is one of these campsites. Verlorenvlei is a large natural wetland, an area of such importance that it has been declared a Ramsar site. The estuary is also one of the few coastal freshwater lakes.

The area is a birder’s paradise. Verlorenvlei is home to a reported 190 different species of birds. It also provides nesting and safety for more than 75 species of wading birds. There are approximately 5 000 birds at any one time on the vlei, with numbers of up to 20 000 recorded at times!

Apparently, Simon van der Stel was on his quest for copper in Namaqualand in 1861, and called the area Zeekoejen Valey because of the large pods of hippos he found here. Later, this Dutch settler renamed it Verlorenvlei, a translation of the San people’s name of Quaecoma, ‘the lost marsh’.

Vensterklip (which translates as Window Rock), is owned by Kobus and Jane Louw. The campsite is named after a nearby “hole in the rock” outcrop. It’s a lovely old West-Coast farm with a pub and restaurant.

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Vensterklip Images

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The restaurant building has thick walls and is housed in what used to be an old sandveld barn over 300 years ago. The food is served from a marvellous creation called the Tin Kitchen. Resident chef, Linda Koli, has made his kitchen famous for its steaks, ribs and seafood. Linda was, for many years, the grill chef in a Johannesburg steakhouse. All the pork, beef and lamb is locally sourced, and the veg comes out of Vensterklip’s own garden.

There is a great vibe at Vensterklip on a Friday night, with pizzas rolling out of the wood-fired oven. There are three camping sites available at Vensterklip.

Firstly, there are six stands in the Private Campsite. These are large stands of 15m x 25m overlooking Verlorenvlei. Each stand has its own braai area with a sink and an en-suite shower and loo.

Secondly, there are the caravan campsites numbered 7 and 8. These are two individual campsites of 10m x 9m each, screened for privacy. Each stand has a braai area, electricity and a light. There are shared toilets and showers and a scullery area all close at hand. A maximum of 8 guests is allowed at the caravan sites.

Lastly, there are 9 caravan campsites numbered 9 to 17. These consist of individually-screened 7m x 8m sites. Each stand has a braai area, electricity and a light. There are shared toilets, showers and a scullery area some 30 metres away.

The small fishing village of Elands Bay is literally a couple of kilometres down the road from the campsite. Elands Bay is a world-renowned surf spot known for its left break. It also has a great beach, with mile upon mile of pure white sand. There is good whale- and dolphin watching in season, too.

Take a drive out past the crayfish factory buildings to the mountain slope called Baboon Point. There is a short walk up to the Elands Bay Cave with its rock art and shell middens; a reminder of those forgotten folk who first lived in the area, way back in the mists of time.