The Long Trip Up
Living in the Cape means any visit to Kruger—or really anywhere up north—is going to be a proper road trip. So instead of just gunning it up the N2, Alec and I figured we’d take our time and enjoy the journey.

We hit the road bright and early on Monday, 15th September, knowing the first leg to Camdeboo Reserve near Graaff-Reinet would be our longest stretch. Things were going smoothly until just before Swellendam, where we found ourselves trailing behind a combine harvester being moved between farms. With steady traffic coming from the other direction, overtaking wasn’t an option—so we leaned into the moment, slowed down, and soaked up the scenery.

We stopped in De Rust for a late brunch at Johnny’s Café, then pushed on to Camdeboo, arriving just in time before the gates closed. We picked a campsite and settled in for the night. It’s a great stopover—close enough to Graaff-Reinet for a quick bite in town, but also perfect for a quiet braai if you’d rather stay put. The sites are nicely spaced and feel private, and while the ablutions are a bit dated, they’re perfectly functional. All in all, a comfortable start to the trip.

Onward to Bloemfontein
The next morning, we hit the road toward Bloemfontein, with our second stop planned at Bietjie Rus—a campsite that came recommended by the Gecko Owners Group. The drive itself was smooth and uneventful, and we gratefully tucked into a late breakfast in Colesburg before continuing on.

We reached Bietjie Rus with time to spare. It’s a decent spot for a quick overnight stay, though the stands are quite close together, so don’t expect much in the way of privacy. The ablutions were clean and tidy, which made things comfortable enough, but the nearby truck stop meant the night wasn’t exactly quiet.

Friends, Farms, and Gecko Gatherings
On Wednesday, we headed to Kroonstad to stay with our good friends, Paul and Maureen Lindsay. After a bit of a squeeze getting the caravan through their gate and nudging the Ranger into the garage, we settled in for two lovely nights of catching up.

Thursday was a treat—Paul took us out to his farm to show off his herd of beef cattle, flocks of sheep, and a group of Blesbok. Like many farmers, he’s keeping a hopeful eye on the skies for rain, but his animals are looking fantastic. It was a relaxed, memorable day spent with great company.

Cathy & Maureen admire the horses

Beef Cattle

Friday morning, we packed up and made our way to Bass Lake near Pretoria for the Gecko Owners Get Together. That meant braving the traffic through Johannesburg and Midrand, but we navigated it without too much fuss and soon found ourselves at the most impressive gates I’ve ever seen—so big, I’m convinced a double-decker bus could cruise right through.

Bass Lake is a beautiful lodge, with large, tranquil lakes stocked with trout and bass for catch-and-release fishing. The campsites are level and well laid out, and the paved paths make it easy to wander around.

The weekend was a joy. It was wonderful reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones. Kobus, our host for the weekend, greeted us with name tags and a thoughtful welcome gift of rusks and coffee sachets—a lovely touch to start things off.

Friday evening’s braai was our first group meal, and it was our turn to bring a salad, so we contributed a mixed one. Each couple took a turn providing a salad, which made catering simple and stress-free. Saturday started slowly, with a relaxed morning followed by tea at the lodge. Sitting on the patio overlooking the lakes, sipping tea and enjoying a slice of Lemon Meringue Pie—it was just perfect.

After another great braai on Saturday night, we turned in early, ready for the next leg of our journey: the long drive along the N4 to Komatipoort, where we’d enter Kruger at Crocodile Bridge.

Some standout moments from the weekend included Rudi and Mariaan’s delicious pudding, and watching Herman and Marie teach Margie and David how to make Pot Bread. And a special thank you to Margie for the gift of homemade cookies—absolutely delightful. It was also great to hear how our old travelling companions, Earl and Helen, were sorely missed!

We also enjoyed chatting to Johan about the plans for Gecko going forward. It seems there are some exciting new ideas in the works, so we will have to watch out for them.

Alec Packing up at Bass Lake

All the Geckos in a Row

Morning Tea at Bass Lake

Alec enjoying the view at Bass Lake.