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Blog

  • star rating  So about 40km away from the Tankwa Tented Camp on my Adventure motorcycle, a sharp stone cuts my rear tyre bad enough that I could not plug it. ... read more Stranded alone on that endless road on the first day of my week trip, with no one in sight, I start imagining spending the night freezing or being eaten by some Tankwa animal. A half an hour later, a trokkie stops and offers help…. It is no one other than Deon, the Manager at Tankwa Tented Camp. He was returning from Worcester on a supply run and as luck would have it, he came past in my moment of need. We tossed my helmet and gear on to the back of the trokkie, whereafter he opened and gave me a much needed cold beer, chatting all the way back to the camp. On arriving at camp, he got some booked in and settled, and then introduced me to my next hero, Chucky! This guy is mechanically brilliant, in no time he hooked up his bike trailer to his vehicle and we were on our way to fetch a very lonely bike. Within a few hours, we were back at the camp, where Chucky told me to forget about the bike and go have something to eat and drink. I had planned to help him the next morning, but on arriving at his small workshop, the bike was already offloaded from the trailer... So about 40km away from the Tankwa Tented Camp on my Adventure motorcycle, a sharp stone cuts my rear tyre bad enough that I could not plug it.

    Stranded alone on that endless road on the first day of my week trip, with no one in sight, I start imagining spending the night freezing or being eaten by some Tankwa animal. A half an hour later, a trokkie stops and offers help…. It is no one other than Deon, the Manager at Tankwa Tented Camp. He was returning from Worcester on a supply run and as luck would have it, he came past in my moment of need. We tossed my helmet and gear on to the back of the trokkie, whereafter he opened and gave me a much needed cold beer, chatting all the way back to the camp.

    On arriving at camp, he got some booked in and settled, and then introduced me to my next hero, Chucky! This guy is mechanically brilliant, in no time he hooked up his bike trailer to his vehicle and we were on our way to fetch a very lonely bike. Within a few hours, we were back at the camp, where Chucky told me to forget about the bike and go have something to eat and drink.

    I had planned to help him the next morning, but on arriving at his small workshop, the bike was already offloaded from the trailer and the rear tyre removed.

    Within an hour, Chucky had found and fitted a good second hand tyre from his stock of tyres. With a smile, he gave the bike back to me with inflated tyres and wished me well on the next stage of my journey!

    As I write this, I am in Knysna after having ridden 100s of kilometres on Chucky’s tyre! Mostly on gravel backroads through the vast Karoo.

    Thank you to Deon, Chucky, Grey and Kathy for going out of your way to fix my tyre and make my stay pleasant!

    See you soon! More

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    Vagn-Anelda
    October 4, 2021

  • star rating  I'm in love with this place of open roads, open skies, open hearts and open minds. I've met so many wonderful people here, most of all the manager Deon Joubert,... read more for whom absolutly Nothing is too much trouble and who manages everything with a  graceful ease that belies how much hard work is actually going on to ensure every guest gets everything they need and more. Original site of the legendary Afrika Burn, this is a vast dreamspace of peace, freedom,  fun and adventure. An immense playground scattered with epic art-works of breathtaking creativity. It's impossible to describe the boundless generosity of spirit that is etched into its soul. All this within a vast dreamscape of unspoiled geological wonder, infinite horizons,  psychedelic sunsets and a dazzling nightsky. If u want to chill with family and friends, wonder for days without seeing a soul and/or party up a storm in the bar or by the pool, u can't Not be delighted inspired and  rejuvenated here. But beware... Ull never want to leave and ull always dream of returning.

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    JoS2846
    August 21, 2020

  • star rating  Now that I have been here I figured I made a mistake and misread the reviews...but I did not!
    This place is not for everyone. I never new its... read more proximity to Afrika Burn and this should have guided me.
    Our chalet's carpet had not been cleaned in ages, the tent windows could not zip up and were flapping and the music was incredibly loud. We opted out of staying over and went straight home.
    If you are keen on spending your days at the bar with a crowd, this will be a great place. This is a 'kuier plek'.
    If you are expecting a quiet Karoo spot, with views for ever, this is not it.

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    Tanya R
    April 22, 2019

  • star rating  Spend the long weekend at this gem in the Tankwa Karoo. Hats off to Deon and Martin running the show from behind the counter at Onverklaarbar, and all the staff... read more we encountered - what a friendly team! JP & Laetitia were gracious hosts, showing us how to really experience all the property has on offer. The solitary walk is a must, and be sure to time your activities to take in the sunrise and sunsets. If you ever need to just get away from screens and people, and have some proper time away, this is the place to go to.

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    P-J B
    June 21, 2022

  • star rating  I'm in love with this place of open roads, open skies, open hearts and open minds. I've met so many wonderful people here, most of all the manager Deon Joubert,... read more for whom absolutly Nothing is too much trouble and who manages everything with a  graceful ease that belies how much hard work is actually going on to ensure every guest gets everything they need and more. Original site of the legendary Afrika Burn, this is a vast dreamspace of peace, freedom,  fun and adventure. An immense playground scattered with epic art-works of breathtaking creativity. It's impossible to describe the boundless generosity of spirit that is etched into its soul. All this within a vast dreamscape of unspoiled geological wonder, infinite horizons,  psychedelic sunsets and a dazzling nightsky. If u want to chill with family and friends, wonder for days without seeing a soul and/or party up a storm in the bar or by the pool, u can't Not be delighted inspired and  rejuvenated here. But beware... Ull never want to leave and ull always dream of returning. More

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    JoS2846
    August 21, 2020

  • star rating  On an impromptu adventure motorcycle trip from Cape Town, a friend and I made our way through the Cedertberg from Wupperthal, via the Old Postal Route, to the R355 (the... read more longest stretch of road in South Africa without a town or fuel station).

    After a hot, hard, technical day of riding, the Tankwa Tented Camp was an oasis in the middle of nowehere. We were greeted by warm, friendly staff, with refrigerated, moist cloths to clean up and cold beer in the bar.

    We hadn't booked, but luckily two of the tents were available. The beds were comfortable, the linen was clean - it was all we needed. We could not have asked for more, especially considering where we were. A (simple, but more than hot enough) shower later, we went back to the bar for a few beers before a hot dinner. The chops, wors and pap were perfect.

    If we weren't so knackered form the ride, the trucker in the bar, or the overlanders making their way down to Cape Town would have offered more than enough entertainment in the absence of TVs and cell phone reception. If you find yourself bored, go outside and look at the night sky, free from light pollution for hundreds of kilometers in any direction. If you are still unsatisfied, or unamazed, you probably shouldn't be in this part of the world anyway.

    In the morning, my bike's key broke. The owner, Wessel, went out of his way to help me resolve the issue, which we did (without having to bore anyone with the details).

    A quick drive around the burn site, where Arika Burn is held every year, took us past a big herd of Oryx, some red hartebeest in the distance, and a lot of sandgrouse. There is something quite magical about seeing wildlife in this desolate place.

    If you find yourself considering a drive along the R355, do stop at the Tankwa Tented Camp. As an added bonus, listen to Valiant Swart's "Die mystic Boer" while you watch the sunset over that majestic and unique landscape.

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    dphll
    March 21, 2018

Due to the remote location of Tankwa, the best way to contact us is by WhatsApp

GPS: -32°.20 / 19°.43

071 078 4400

tankwatentedcamp@gmail.com

Emergency number: 023 0040123

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