We are going to Scottburgh caravan park end Dec 31/2010 - Jan 8/2011, is there anyone that has been camping there in the last few months that could send me some photo's as well as up to date information,I have been reading some of the topics people have posted on the forum about Scottburgh and it did not sound very nice, but that was in 2007, we have already had some very unpleasant holiday's because of going according to websites. This will be our first coastal camping experience and we would like it to be as perfect as possible, so any extra advice would also be greatly appreciated, we will be in a tent. Thanks

Hi Mandy, I have been going there for the last 8 years or so, same time (early Jan) and must say that I am considering another camp....they are not maintaining the resort at all. Ablutions very dated and old. They try keep them clean but not in a good state. Did you receive any other comments since posting this? Regards Johan

Hi Johan, that is what I was worried about, friends have told me it is a lovely place to go the place is spotless and well maintained, lots for teen agers to do...., the last place we went to also came highly recommended the website looked totaly amazing it was disastrous,it was totally different to there web, the family was very disappointed, old un-maintained ablution blocks can really put a person off, but is the rest of the park okay, and could you advise on the weather at that time of year, we have opted for a stand closest to the beach front, would you say this was a wise choice or not, and is there anything else we need to keep in mind when camping at the coast. There have been no other comments. Regards Mandy

Hi Mandy, My husband and I (just entered the category of Senior Citizens) have spent our Dec holidays at Scotties for the past 5 or 6 years usually mid Dec to about 8 Jan. Whilst this is truly a beautiful park on the beach, with good security at entrance and generally a well maintained resort, it's sad to see how little has been done thus far to improve ablution facilities and certainly don't be convinced by their "swimming poools" in the park. It's said there are 2 I've only seen one which is nothing more than a splash pool and not at all healthy. I''ve heard of many infections picked up by people using this pool. Unfortunately, when the river comes down after heavy rains, bathing in the sea is prohibited, so you pretty much don't have anywhere to swim/cool down. The sea views from most sites, either full or partial, are lovely but be warned the wind can blow off the sea with strong force and ensure you have storm straps especially for the sites along the beach front - in fact most campers set them up as a precaution. Lovely rock pools to paddle in on our "private beach", but swimming at main beach which is very close. Whilst we all like well maintained modern ablutions, you're not going to get this at Scotties. My opinion the blocks are kept at an acceptable level of cleanliness throughout the day and into the night cleaners are busy but obviously it's the campers who create unpleasant conditions in most cases by not being considerate of others. I've been to 5 Star parks with beautiful ablutions, but left messy by the campers using them. This happens at the best of places when so many people are using a facility every moment of the day. Whilst the blocks are old, they are neat, and painted regularly. Having said all this, my only gripe is the daily rate is VERY steep, especially at R570 per day for 4 people and we're only 2 which is think is a bit unfair. Out of season from about 6th Jan it reduces to R365/day. The little shop in the park closes at 5pm and does cater for those last minute forgotten items, but it's a very short drive up to the village to the local Supermarkets open until 8pm. Shopping in the village caters for every possible need and there's a Pick n Pay and Woolies a few kms out of the town. The young people flock to the games room and make use of what's on hand for them or they stroll up to the main beach for fun. All in all, we love it there and can't wait to become "out of season" campers when we retire (hopefully in 2 years time). Finally, I always say "I don't spend my holiday in the ablutions" and theirs are acceptable. Thank goodness I can use my own shower in our caravan. The beach front at the park is fantastic fun for children and adults alike whether going for a stroll, flying kites or generally having fun. New Years Day on the main beach is a no-go area as with most beaches at that time, but most people stay in the park and utilise our "private beach". I have always found the office staff and cleaning staff to be very friendly and accommodating. I have just today paid our fees for our 23 days there from December 18 and cannot wait. Look us up on Site 42 - you cannot miss the Christmas Lights on our tent. Haver a safe trip and I hope to meet you there - stop buy for a chat and coffee and my husband will show you and your family the Mermaid on the beach ! You will enjoy your holiday - it's what YOU make of it that makes the difference. Unfortunately one can please some of the people all the time, but you cannot please all the people all the time. In closing, I think the number of years many people have returned speaks for itself - we made friends with people who've been going there for in excess of 20 years. Come to think of it, my husband literally "grew up" there spending 2 holidays a year back in the 1950's and 1960's so the park has been going for a very long time and has indeed improved in leaps and bounds since them All the roads in the park are tarred (but some nasty pothioles last year from all the rain), sites are grassy and there's not much shade. If you're in a caravan consider the product "Flysheet" which really reduced the heat in the tent and van. With our current weather patterns one doesn't know whast to expect anymore so be prepared for hot, cold, wet and inbetween weather. God Bless Helen from Germiston

Hi,we are also going to Scottburgh for the first time this December. We are fairly new to caravanning and this will be our first coastal trip. We have two small toddlers aged 2 and 3. Not sure what to expect either. We have weighed a lot of options and recommedations from readers before finally deciding on Scottburgh. So far the help from the staff have been helpfull in assisting us on deciding on a stand. As I understand it is at the back between the two swimming pools with a slight seaview. I'm a bit surprised to hear about "no bicycles". I was under the impression that was the whole reason for camping. Where else can I teach my children to ride a bicycle? Surely not in the streets of gauteng. We just bought my son a bicycle (with training wheels) for christmas yesterday. The box not even open yet. Does anyone know of an area in Scottburgh where he can ride his bike? Don't want to take it along if there is no place. How many storm straps will be enough? Is there a special way of tying down your normal tent straps to make it stronger as well?

Hi Helen, Thank you very much for all the info, we will be there from 31 Dec to 8 Jan, I am a bit worried about the winds etc, as we are booked on site 96B, we are going to be in a tent,( our first coastal camping experience), so it is quite worrying as to all we have heard about the winds etc. I wonder if they would object if I were to bring my shower tent and porta potti, but as you say we are not going to spend all out time in the ablution blocks, I have 2 teen age girls and 2 teenage boys, I hope they wont get bored as every where else we have been going has been boring for them so that is why we have decided to go to the coast, and alot of the places we have been to look beautiful on the web, with plenty to do and plenty pools etc, when one gets there it looks like a dump. We normally go to Pilanesburg etc. Pity old years cant be spent on the beach as I am originally from Dbn and we had plenty of fun celebrating on the beach but that was many years ago, we will def. make a turn at your campsite as I will have my Mom with, she is 81 yrs (hope she can hold up to the weather)and it would be lovely to have someone to chat to. God Bless, Mandy

Hello Mandy & Surita, Nice to know we have 2 "newbies" to Scottburgh. Firstly, you need to know that any caravan park close to the beach will encounter heavy wind when it blows from the sea but you know what, it all adds to the excitement! We've already been in such severe wind in Pennington many years ago on Christmas day that my husband tied the caravan tent ropes to the bumper of our car! Make sure you have good quality pegs to secure your tents. The ground is inclined to be rather soft and pegs pull out easily in even mild windy conditions, so have extra pegs and make sure they are the longer ones. I know some tents come with very weak short pegs. Surita, Site 96 at the back, as I recall it, you will be well protected from wind, as we are on out site which is against the perimeter wall. The seafront sites get the hardest blast of wind but I don't think you must worry too much as it's not every day. As stated, our weather patterns are so weird we don't know what to expect. The "no bicycles' well, that's been on the rule book for years and without doubt every year, children still enjoy riding bicycles, skate boards, scooters etc. It's your choice. If it's a small bike I see no problem. Where it becomes an issue is the older kids who go too fast bearing in mind people are walking on the roadway all the time. The teenagers should enjoy themselves with what's on offer. Bring some beach games, i.e. bats balls kite Frisbee etc. There are lots of young people ambling in the park and up to the beach. The games room has snooker table and TV. Mandy, the ablutions cater for elderly/wheelchair residents and I am sure your mom is going to have a lovely time at the sea. Mandy, it's your choice if you take your shower tent and porta potti - if it makes life a little more comfortable then by all means. I use my own shower mostly simply because I can avoid waiting in a queue especially a peak times. My porta potti is there for emergencies. The toilets are kept clean, but high volumes of people will create problems from time to time no matter where one goes, even in shopping centres. A good thing to bear in mind for health reasons, have plastic flip-flops to wear in the showers - just a precaution for prevention rather than cure! Also, I carry a small bottle of dettol in my vanity bag and sprinkle the floor before I use any public showers. As campers/caravanners, there are things one needs to be aware of and act accordingly. After all is said and done, I would never give up this life for a chalet, cottage or holiday home. We've already set out dates at Scotties for Dec 2011. I do hope to see you both there, and let's have a tea party one afternoon to introduce each other. A rainy, cloudy day is ideal ( good pannekoek weather)as you must take advantage of all the sunshine days to be on the beach with the kids. Till next time. God Bless, Helen PS There are registered helpers for washing and ironing, dishes, etc., and helpers to assist with erecting tents on arrival. Be assured this park IS maintained as best as can be during peak holiday season with hundreds of people utitilising the facilities. The lawns are mowed as soon as one camper moves off and before the next arrives.

Hi Helen Thanks for all the advice, really appreciate it, our campsite is the 96b and is s'posed to be very close to the beach front, but we have storm straps etc, so hopefully everything will be fine, it will be lovely to get together with everyone, I just hope we will still be able to make it as my Mom has taken seriously ill and is in hospital, it will be a great disappointment should we not be able to as we have all been looking forward to this all year, as I am originally from DBN and have not been back for many years. But we pray all goes well with my Mom and we hope to get to meet you all. Thanks again, Mandy