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Blog

  • 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

  • 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  Only the hellish heat of the Karoo could surpass the warmth of the quirky Tankwa Tented Camp. All amenities were well maintained and comfortable. Honest home cooked food, added to... read more the works of art in and around the camp, made this visit even more memorable.

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    JoleneNell
    January 7, 2020

  • star rating  People at Tankwa Padstal recommended us to sleep at the tented camp. Arrived without a booking, but Wessel and Elsabet made us feel welcome from the first minute. Introduced us... read more to "skaaptjoppie" - tequila with a shot of Worcestershire sauce. Braaied with them in the lapa. The bungalow was comfortable with basic bathroom - loo and shower with hot water. Breakfast a bit pricey for the quantity of food, but still good

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    Igmar P
    October 14, 2018

  • 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  ANE, I just want to say that you are one amazing Manager. You have a great personality and you did your very best. Thanks we will definitely will support again... read more . One off the best MANAGER.
    Thank you Ane

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    avatar thumb F4589EXjanett
    December 26, 2022

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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