Dwesa Nature Reserve | Established Campground
South Africa
Details
- Verified:
- 10 days ago
- GPS:
- -32.30447, 28.82933
- Altitude:
- 1.6 masl
- Website:
- None
- Phone:
- 043 705 4400
- Contributor:
-
Only the Wind Knows
Amenities
- Electricity:
- No
- Wifi:
- No
- Kitchen:
- No
- Restaurant:
- No
- Showers:
- No
- Water:
- No
- Toilets:
- No
- Big Rig Friendly:
- Yes
- Tent Friendly:
- Yes
- Pet Friendly:
- No
- Sanitation Dump Station:
- Unknown
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Description
Dwesa is a small, secluded nature reserve on the Wild Coast - owned by the local Xhosa people and operated by Eastern Cape Parks. The campsite is cut into the coastal forest, and it's a quick walk to the beach. On a weekend in April, we were the only ones camping. The campsite has over 50 large sites on a grassy lawn, each with a brick braai stand. No electricity. The only trash cans are by the ablutions. The unusual thing is that there is just one ablutions block, which is located across a stream from most of the sites.
Please check before visiting as there was no water when we arrived and the lawn wasn't cut for a long time.
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Latest Check-Ins
Still officially closed, but you can stay and pay the full rate even if no water and ablutions. 400R for a single international is a bit much. Nice private beach though
Road in is very rough when the tar ends after Willowdale
Report Check-InTemporarily closed until beginning of 2024 due to renovation.
Very nice camping spot, quite far away from the N2 (about 3h drive). Bumpy road in bad condition, lots of pot holes. 324R pn.
Nice place with fishing opportunity. You need to get fishing licence before arriving. Great walks available with or without a guide. The road in is a tough one being totally potholed.
Report Check-InR335 per night for 2 people. A bit much. When we visited there was no water. The workers brought us 50 liters to fill our tank. There was also a bucket system going at the ablutions meaning you scoop a bucket full of water and take it to the toilet with you to flush. The grass hasn't been cut in a while, it was up to our knees. They did have a lot of rain and it was very wet so it could be why the grass was so long. There is no electricity and the light in the ablutions doesn't work. It's a short walk to a very nice beach with lots of shells and rock pools. There are 60 sites and there was only one other camper on the grounds.
Report Check-Instunning place but an absolute challenge to get too, DO NOT come elliotdale side, we did and lost a windscreen, snorkel and mirrors
Report Check-InCampsite is open again. Cost is R307 pn for the site. There are also nice self catering timber chalets in the forest. Lovely unspoilt beach nearby. Watch out for vervet monkeys and the slight possibility of crocodiles in the river. They were re-introduced to the area some years ago and are believed to have bred successfully. No electricity at sites or at the single ablution block which is supposed to have solar powered 220V but which wasn't working. The R408 road from Dutywa to Willowvale is good tar. From there to Dwesa is rough gravel but is being upgraded and tarred and will only likely be finished in 2022/23.
Report Check-Incampsite closed in feb 2021.
open only for daily visits
road in bad condition
Camping is 305R in peak season, conservation fee for Internationals 74 R pP. Unfortunately, ablutions are seriously outdated and not very well mantained. Water is brown, would not recommend to drink. Check in procedure took some time. Beautiful beach section but all in all too pricy for us for what you get.
Report Check-InGreat little spot! The roads here were terrible but worth it. Out of season rate 261 per night and conservation fee 12 per adult and 7 per kid per day. No electricity and ablutions were clean but small. Double ply toilet paper. Great staff
Report Check-InNice place to stay. Price is R258ppn + R12ppn fee for the reserve. Driving through the park possible, but 4x4 required and not much higher than 2.3m.
Report Check-InEverything as said before. Price is now 372,- for two. Very friendly stuff! If you need a guide (we paid 100,-) ask for Vuyani. He is very nice and tell you a lot of the nature and the culture of the local people. He offers: fishing, hiking, game drive, snorkeling, night drives or is organizing a local dinner with fresh seafood, ... We really enjoyed to stay here.
Report Check-InDwesa is a small, secluded nature reserve on the Wild Coast - owned by the local Xhosa people and operated by Eastern Cape Parks. The campsite is cut into the coastal forest, and it's a quick walk to the beach. On a weekend in April, we were the only ones camping. The campsite has over 50 large sites on a grassy lawn, each with a brick braai stand. No electricity. The only trash cans are by the ablutions. The unusual thing is that there is just one ablutions block, which is located across a stream from most of the sites. We had a lot of fun marching over the swinging suspension bridge to use the ablutions each evening. Ablutions are clean & reasonably well maintained.
The best way to get here is to take the N2 to Idutywa -- Willowvale -- gravel road to Dwesa. It's very well signposted. The road was in good condition but apparently it can be bad when wet. Cost to camp is R233 per site per night. Conservation fee included