We off to Karridene for a month 

Can anyone suggest any particular sites there ? 

Hi Brian,

As a historian and lover of history you propably know this...

- One of the most alluring tourism routes, and popularly known as "Shaka's Way" from Durban up the north coast along the coastal belt of Zululand to Mtubatuba then inland to Nongoma, Mshlabatini, Ulundi, Mgungundlovu, Melmoth, Eshowe and back to Durban.

- The Nkandla Forest is well worth a visit, the journey into the Tugela Valley and to Kranskop in Natal is also good.

- The history of John Dunn the "Big White Chief", who became the great white chief of the Zulu's, he befriended Chetshayo and became a real power in Zululand, should be interesting too.

All this according to a book we have.

Thanks Estelle

We are looking forward to visiting some of the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Reserves as well. 

Injoy Brain.

Hi Brian,

Just returned from Karridene camped there for 3 weeks. It is a lovely park, really I have nothing to complain about. The camp was full but the ablutions was kept spotless at all times. Never had a problem with hot water.

The beact in front of Karridene was washed away by the heavy rain just before we arrived, so it was a long walk to get to the beach over the dunes.

I camped on stand 11 and my family on 10. Both right on the road, so traffice could be a problem although we just switched off. They are lovely big stands. I also liked 15 and 16 they are in the middle of the camp but lovely.

I think all the stands there could be nice, after all it is what U make of it, also the camp won't be as full as in December.

Enjoy your stay, tarvel safe.

Cheers

Hi Brian,   All the sites are a good size, and not one that I would not camp on. I prefer not to camp on the road boundry sites as the caravan park is above the road and when the wind blows these sites get the most wind. But on the other hand they have some nice trees on them. A lot of the trees on the other sites were cut down because they had white ants in them.

Sites 1 to13 are on the above the road on the boundry

Sites 59 to 64 are on the back edge - on the boarder of another caravan park (if I remember it is Natalia)

Sites 50 to 58 are on the sea boundry behind the timeshare flats (you cant see the see)

There are four inner groups of sites

Sites 41 to 44, Sites 35 to 49, Sites These are opposite the sea boundry sites

Sites 17 to 31, Sites 14, 15, 16,32, 33 34 These are opposite the road boundry sites.

Regards MArg

Hi Brian.

I am not familiar with Karridene, that can mention a few KZN wildlife run sites we experienced or heard about on our trip from Cape Town to Kruger in August last year.  An anticipated highlight was Albert falls, and we had hoped to stay there for about 3 nights, but ended up staying for one. No braai spots, just holes in the ground, cracked and missing toilet seats, barely warm water and I could go on and on. We had planned to stay at Monks Cowl in the Drakensberg, but when we were in Winterton, we shared our plan with some locals and they strongly suggested we stay away from KZN Parks facilities. We ended up at Dragon Peaks and two nights became 6 - enough said, but cannot comment on Monks Cowl, since we never saw it. On our way back from Kruger, we stayed at Chelmsford, about 25km south of Newcastle (also KZN Parks) - it was deserted (for good reason) and, in a word, disgusting.

Many of those with whom we spoke whilst in KZN echoed that all the infighting and politics in KZN Parks, and funds intended for maintenance apparently not finding their mark, was sending parks under their administration into ruin, and quickly. I thought it fair to mention this so that you can very carefully research where you go without facing disappointment, and I'm certainly not suggesting that there arent other KZN Parks facilities that are still in great shape.

I hope this is of some assistance.

Mike 

Christa, Marg and Mike

Thanks for the feedback esp that on Karridene I have the camp layout but if they are all good then I'll just wait until we get there to choose, just don't want to stay on the road as the traffic will probably keep me awake.

Mike strangely enough we went to the Chlemsford Dam reserve today for a drive from Kwa-Rie in Dundee, looked in at the caravan park camps there. The actual sites are ok, just the ablution facilities I must agree are awefull, Although our van has all the facilities but still I would not stay there especially having stayed at Kwa-Rie in Dundee which is just down the road from the dam which is a 3 star park.

Does anyone have any comments on Richrds Bay Caravan Park? I have the layout as well

 we arrived at Richards Bay this afternoon - will be here for 3 weeks 

Fan on and a little radio to play in the tent to chase away the creatures when you are out ?

Enjoy !