Tweede Tol, Limietberg Nature Reserve (January 2010)

I have always been one to say that South Africans should not be so eager to want to travel abroad to experience new and different environments when we are so blessed to have such vast diversity in our own land. I, however, have to admit that I too have fallen victim to this eagerness of wanting to see the big world out there and in the process neglecting all the natural beauty that my country offers. I think starting this year I'm going to make a change, especially after my experience this week. A few friends and I visited a place for a day that I've always heard much about but never had the opportunity to experience. Tweede Tol Camp and Picnic site. Situated in the Limietberg Nature Reserve, a huge 102 000ha of mountain, wildlife and fynbos found at the tollgate of the beautiful Bainskloof Pass. All this beauty and just over an hour's drive out of Cape Town! Nature's best on our doorstep!

Being so close to Cape Town you can imagine this site to be quite the hot spot for Capetonians during peak season, so my wake up call was at 3am! We arrived at Tweede Tol at about 6am and was number 2 in the que. Gates only opened at 8am and only 80 - 100 day visitors are allowed with a R30 ($5) per person entrance fee. Besides the picnic area which gives access to braai facilities and the Witte River swimming holes, there are 25 camp sites equipped with hot water showers and also giving access to certain hiking trails which do require permits. The swimming holes are absolutely amazing and the water is so refreshing. It was just over 40 degrees Celsius when we were there and the fact that there is absolutely no cellphone reception at all gives you a true feeling of being out in nature without the constant disturbance of ringing phones and text messages. I spent a full day at Tweede Tol and most definitely got my money's worth (lol). A weekend camp at Tweede Tol is definitely going on the "to do list". For a quick escape into nature from the hustle and bustle of the city life I highly recommend Tweede Tol.

Below I've added a Google maps link with easy directions from Cape Town to the Limietberg Nature Reserve

Tweede Tol, Limietberg Nature Reserve