You've gotta love Autumn. Not too hot, not too cold – it's the ideal time of year for nature lovers to get outdoors and put their camping gear to good use one last time before the dark, big chill of winter sets in. Check out these five great camping locations where you can kick back, relax and soak up the last bit of summer sun this Easter. Camping's got a lot going for it. First up, it's affordable – allowing cash-strapped South Africans (and that's most of us!) to experience the many natural wonders our beautiful land has to offer without breaking the bank. It also makes for seriously fun family adventures, the kind fond memories and humorous stories are made of for years to come. Just as importantly, it's an outdoor activity that taps us straight into the most effective work de-stressor ever invented – Mother Nature herself. That said, here are five great campsites where you can dodge the maddening crowds, take in the great outdoors and have some fun with your family these Easter holidays. Mountain Sanctuary ParkLocation: Magaliesburg. GPS Coordinates: 25.8363° S, 27.4747° E Gautengers wanting a decent break close to home need look no further than the legendary Mountain Sanctuary Park. Tucked away amid the peace and quiet of the ancient Magaliesberg mountains, and just an hour and 15 minutes drive from Johannesburg, this 1000-hectare private nature reserve has been open to the public for 37 years. Once here you'll find out why it's been so popular with nature lovers for so long. Magnificent rock formations, millions of years old, have created numerous natural rock pools flanked by indigenous vegetation, where you can swim and the water's still so pristine you can drink it. Then there's the unblemished African bushveld littered with weird-shaped boulders, where you can walk under big skies for hours – with the pools becoming welcoming stop-off points during hikes. Relaxing with a good book under a shady tree is one way to absorb the peace and tranquillity of this natural haven. And, if you’re really quiet, you might get lucky and spot some of the endemic fauna such as klipspringers, monkeys, jackals and warthogs, not to mention an amazing plethora of birds and butterflies. If action's more your thing, then you'll find the hilly, rocky terrain to be pure mountain bike heaven. Hiking is also very popular, with trails ranging from 15 minutes to eight hours to suit all interests and fitness levels. For those with a head for heights, a number of abseiling sites are available (guides and own gear required). Traditional rock climbing can also be enjoyed at designated points, but make sure to bring along your own gear. Each campsite comes equipped with braai and grid, and there's a freezer for campers to use. Some sites have power, but this needs to be requested on booking and costs a bit more. The ablution facilities are well kept and provide hot water, decent toilets and basic kitchen functionality. Day visitors can also enjoy the lovely picnic and pool area, where they can braai. Only 180 people are allowed on the reserve each day. This includes folk staying in the chalets, campers and day visitors, so be warned – booking ahead is essential. How to get thereThis is one destination where following the directions will get you there better than your GPS. Take the R512 (past Lanseria), heading north. At the Broederstroom T-junction turn left. After Pecanwood turn right at the Sun City/Brits turn-off. At the T-junction turn right again, still following the Brits/Sun City signs. At the 4-way stop (Engin garage on right) turn left towards Sun City. Follow the road for about 38 km through Majakaneng, Mooinooi and Buffelspoort. After Buffelspoort turn left at the 3-way stop. Continue for about 10 km, then turn left towards Maanhaarrand and follow the Mountain Sanctuary Park signs. Website: www.mountain-sanctuary.co.za Glen Reenen Rest CampLocation: Golden Gate Highlands National Park. GPS Coordinates: 28.5167° S, 28.6167° E The only grassland national park in South Africa, the Golden Gate Highlands National Park is a must visit. Set beneath the rich gold and ochre-coloured backdrop of the Maloti Mountains, it covers a whopping 340 km². Boasting over 60 species of grasses, the most noticeable being the Red grass (Themeda traindra) that grows in summer, this 11 600 hectare park is a true highland habitat – providing a home to a variety of mammals, including black wildebeest, eland, blesbok, oribi, sprinkbok and Burchell's zebra. Bird watchers get a chance to see the rare bearded vulture, as well as the equally rare bald ibis, both of which breed on ledges on the sandstone cliffs. Other large birds you can expect to see soaring around the rocky crags include black stork, cape vulture, Verreaux’s (black) and martial eagle, jackal buzzard, lanner and peregrine falcon and rock kestrel. Black and alpine swift are also common airborne species. Being such a large park, it covers a range of habitats. Afromontane forest sticks to sheltered ravines and gorges, where the necessary moisture level is maintained and vegetation is protected from unfavourable weather conditions, including fire. While the valleys on the south-eastern side of some slopes are dominated by Ouhout woodland. Isolated patches of Protea woodland also occur. Two veld types (Highland-Sourveld and Themeda-Festuca) dominate the rest. Activities include short nature trails varying from 1 hour to 5 hours (no bookings required), game viewing at leisure in your own vehicle, guided excursions, night drives, horse riding, video shows and lectures during school holiday periods. Canoeing is also available on the Gladstone Dam for groups of 4 - 20 under the watchful supervision of experienced guides. The Glen Reenen Guest Camp, situated close to the Golden Gate Hotel & Chalets, provides the ideal base for campers wanting to explore the park. It has 45 available sites, 30 of them with power. There's a natural rock pool where you can swim, and many of the hiking trails in the park start and end here. How to get thereLocated 320 km from Johannesburg, 330 km from Bloemfontein and 350 km from Pietermaritzburg. You'll find the camp sited along the Maluti Drakensburg Route only 55 km from Harrismith and the N3. Website: www.sanparks.org/parks/golden_gate/   Keurbooms Lagoon Caravan ParkLocation: Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route. GPS Coordinates: 34.0379° S, 23.3777° E Situated just outside of Plettenberg Bay on the banks of the Keurbooms River. The Keurbooms Lagoon Caravan Park is the perfect base from which to explore the wonders of the Garden Route any time of year. Plett never goes out of style, here the idyllic landscape and moderate climate combine to offer activities like surfing, swimming, scuba-diving, walking, cycling, boating, horse-riding, fishing and golf… or just plain relaxing. The park has about 270 sites, of which 32 are located on the water’s edge and the others very close to the lagoon. For 11 months of the year you can choose almost any site to meet your needs, although in peak season bookings are essential. All sites are grassed, with electrical plugs and ablution facilities nearby. Fresh water taps are spread among the sites and there are a number of free-standing braais available. Whether you are using a caravan, motor home or simply pitching a tent… you'll definitely enjoy your stay here. All guests have easy access to the river and sandy lagoon beach. And, although most visitors reportedly prefer to remain in the park surroundings, there's much to do nearby. You can cross the river to Keurbooms beach and spend time looking for the beautiful pansy shells that sometimes wash up onto the shore, or maybe take a boat upstream for some water-skiing, fishing or even birdwatching and sundowners in the nature reserve. Alternately, you can paddle right up the river in a canoe and spend the night in a hut at the end of the trail. It's not a hard paddle and most people reach this secluded spot after a few hours. Remember though, the Keurbooms is a tidal river, so it's important to factor in extra time if you are returning back to base during the incoming tide. How to get thereDriving from Plettenberg Bay towards Port Elizabeth on the N2, you'll find the turn-off for the Keurbooms Lagoon Caravan Park on your right hand side opposite Old Nick Village – a popular tourist shopping venue just 3 km out of town. Website: www.keurboomslagoon.co.za   Kromrivier Cederberg ParkLocation: Cederberg, Western Cape. GPS Coordinates: 32.5392° S, 19.2819° E The crystal clear waters of mountain streams and steep orange and yellow ravines gleaming in the bright sunlight, turning purple as the sun sets. What's not to like? Situated in the heart of the Cederberg mountains, 280km north of Cape Town lies the working farm Kromrivier, home to Cederberg Park. This breathtakingly beautiful part of the world, with its aroma of buchu, rooibos tea and Cederwood, has been in the Nieuwoudt family for seven generations. Their park, bordering the Cederberg Wilderness Area, was created in the 1960’s and is acknowledged as the oldest tourist destination in the area. The primary focus here is peace and quiet. As such, it offers a tranquil base for many of the famous hikes in the Cederberg area. Those with a keen sense of adventure can take a flying leap 5 meters down into the deep, chilly mountain waters of the famous Disa Pool (3 - 4 hour return hike). Those less brave can just cool down in the dam or river when they get back to base. Mountain biking is another popular activity. Riders have six trails to choose from, varying in difficulty and ranging from a quick, 2-hour spin, to the full Kromrivier Circular Route that takes between three and four hours. Budding mountain climbers can also pit their wits against Bobbejaankop, where they can work on their skills before progressing on to more complicated climbs. Being a working farm, Kromrivier has an entertaining, child-friendly farmyard where cows get milked twice a day. In lambing season bottle lambs are fed three times a day. Visitors can also collect a container from the office and feed their food scraps to the pigs. All the campsites are located on the banks of the Kromrivier, some have power and some don't. Ablution blocks provide hot showers and cooling facilities are available in the office. Light meals and beverages are served during the day, so you can really camp in style if you want. The farm's also home to Nieuw Brew, the only craft beer brewery in the Cederberg – so whatever you've been up to, you can always quench your thirst with a truly original local pint. How to get thereFrom Cape Town, travel 180 km up the West Coast on the N7 until you reach Citrusdal. Drive through the town towards Clanwilliam for another 27 km, then turn right at the Cederberg/Algeria sign and continue on the gravel road for another 57 km. Website: www.cederbergpark.com/ Ilanga Resort and Caravan ParkLocation: Port Shepstone, KZN South Coast. GPS Coordinates: 30.6634° S, 30.5147° E Sometimes, the only place you want to get away to is the hospitable KZN South Coast, with its rock pools, soft sand, warm waters and pounding surf. Just an hour's drive south of Durban, the Ilanga Resort and Caravan park is situated alongside Banana Beach – allowing you to literally step out of your tent and into the Indian Ocean. This well-run resort provides a shark net-protected beach with lifeguards on duty during holidays and weekends. Four pathways provide direct access to the beach. And, to make sure everyone stays safe, guards are on duty 24/7. The available activities are exactly what you'd expect on the sunny Hibiscus Coast. There's a safe tidal pool for children (and adults) to enjoy. Surfing and snorkelling happen literally on your doorstep, while local scuba diving trips are easy to arrange. Rock and surf fishing is a no-brainer – there's always shad, cob and garrick hunting for something tasty to eat. Those wanting to check out something different can head out to the Oribi Gorge about an hour’s drive away. And golfers in need of their fix can visit the Port Shepstone country club just 10 minutes down the road. The campsite comprises 110 generous-sized stands (most well grassed), all with 15 amp power points. All sites are level with over half of them being shaded by trees, and no stand is further than 60 metres from the high water mark. Ablution facilities provide clean and neat showering and bathing, along with scullery, laundry and ironing facilities. There's a freshwater swimming pool for those who don't enjoy the sea. Plus you can keep your family busy in the resort’s entertainment area with darts, table tennis and video games. Ice, bait and fishing tackle is also for sale in the shop. How to get thereFrom Durban, drive south on the N2 for 93 km. Take exit 72 (R102) and follow the coastal road for another 14km. Turn left into Petrea Road and continue straight until you enter the resort. Website: www.ilangaresort.com

Blessed with over 3 000 kilometres of coastline, a plethora of dams, lakes, rivers and streams, South African anglers don't have to travel far to get their fix. Heck, even landlocked Gautengers can find great spots within an hour's drive to drop a line, take in their tranquil surroundings and unwind. So why not pack the family into the car this Easter, go explore the waterways near you and do some fishing? Think about it: casting a line in a pretty setting sure beats dealing with bored, housebound youngsters while on their two-week school break. And, although the year's still relatively new, that doesn't mean it hasn't been stressful – you're probably due for a little reprieve on the work front anyway. That said, here are five cool fishing destinations where you can avoid the maddening crowd, chill with the family and hopefully catch some lunch over the upcoming Easter holidays. Brookwood Estate Trout Farm (Cradle of Humankind)Location: Muldersdrift. GPS Coordinates: S25' 58.605, E27' 48.558 Gautengers spending the Easter holidays at home can head off to Brookwood Estate. This idyllic retreat, about one hour's drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria, boasts 5 well-stocked dams as well as about 700 metres of river frontage along the Blaaubank River. Three of the five dams cater exclusively to fly-fishing. Stocked mainly with rainbow trout (including some brown and golden trout in winter), these dams are said to be home to some of the largest trout in Gauteng – the biggest caught to date being a 4kg rainbow, 3.6kg golden and 3kg brown. The fourth dam, by far the largest, lets your kids refine their fishing skills and entertain themselves while you concentrate on the serious stuff – bagging lunch. Using anything from spinners to bait (no earth worms allowed), they can hunt a variety of species ranging from trout, bass, carp, bream and barble. Here, all fish except trout must be released. The fifth and final dam is for folk with no interested in trout. Containing bass and carp, this dam is fished on a strictly catch and release basis. The largest catches hauled out to date include an 18 kg carp and a 2.5 kg bass. Oh, and don't forget the Blaaubank River – it's a great spot for hooking yellows. Facilities include a well manicured picnic site situated along the river (that's safe for your kids to swim in). There's also a fully equipped tackle shop with one of the largest selection of flies in Johannesburg. And, after spending a fun day's fishing, you can kick back at the pub with a refreshing drink in hand while overlooking the dams and river. For those wanting to spend more time than just a day visit, Brookwood Estate offers two luxurious fully equipped, self-catering, two bedroomed chalets with open fireplaces as well as three camper's cabins. There is also a quaint, fisherman's cottage for those who prefer a more rustic experience. How to get thereComing from Johannesburg, travel straight along Beyers Naude and cross over the N14 Pretoria/Krugersdorp highway. Exactly 3km further on, turn left at the tar road (big satellite dish with advertising on corner). Continue straight, passing through 2 traffic circles. 2 km past the second circle you'll see Brookwood's on the right. Website: www.brookwoodtroutfarm.co.za Dimalachite River Lodge (Vredefort-Dome)Location: Parys. GPS Coordinates: S 26° 54’378, E 27° 21’823 Named after the Malachite Kingfisher that nests along the banks of the Vaal River, Dimalachite River Lodge is the go-to place for Gautengers wanting to indulge in some serious river fishing. Without a doubt, the main drawcard here is a chance to bag a monster largemouth yellow (the biggest caught to date being about 11 kg). That said, you can also expect to catch smallmouth yellows, carp and barbel too. Thanks to the many deep holes and rapids on the river, you can choose between fly or deep-water fishing. And, for the more adventurous, guided fishing trips on rafts can be arranged – giving you the chance to catch something nice in the rapids. For the more sedate at heart, there's the scenic riverbank right next to your campsite where you can drop a line. You can also hire rafts to paddle to the islands and rapids or bring your own. As the lodge's motto is “catch and release”, they request you take a nice photo, then release the fish as soon as possible. All the resort’s camp sites are on the riverbank, with lovely views over the river. In total, there are 60 to choose from, all with Eskom electricity and braai facilities. The 28 dedicated fishing campsites directly on the water are slightly more expensive. The venue is also extremely family friendly. Everyone can relax around the swimming pool or jacuzzi, go bird watching, paddle on the river or enjoy the thrill of white water rafting. Kids can bring their bicycles, play on the Jungle Jim, jump on the trampolines or do paintball target shooting. You can even join a self-paddling sunset cruise on rafts with snacks or a bonfire braai. Game drives are also available on request. How to get thereDrive through Parys towards Vredefort on the R59. 2 km out of Parys, take the Scheomansdrift turn-off to the right. Continue for 7 km where you'll see Dimalachite on your right-hand side. Website: www.dimalachite.co.za Stonecutters Lodge (Mpumalanga)Location: Between Lydenburg and Dullstroom. GPS Coordinates: S 25.2176, E 30.3151 Lying in the heart of fly-fishing country, the up-market Stonecutter’s Lodge is surrounded by a scenic mountainous backdrop and gets regularly enveloped in mist. Aesthetics aside, it boasts two well-stocked trout dams and 3 km of free-flowing river.The Dorp's River, one of the head tributaries of the Olifants, is a perennial stream offering different fly-fishing experiences around every bend – with large deep pools, free-flowing sections and rapids guaranteed to challenge even experienced anglers. The pathway around the river is mowed and, at strategic spots along the riverbank, regular brush-cutting makes direct access to the water possible. Catch and release of uninjured fish in the dams is permitted. All fish caught in the river are to be released.Understandably proud of their excellent fly-fishing reputation, Stonecutters Lodge only uses reputable hatcheries to regularly restock their dams. And, to supplement the wild trout that breed naturally in the river, they stock that when necessary too. To help keep things the way nature intended, trout at Stonecutters feed naturally. Supplementary feeding (floating pellets once a week) only occurs during the winter months when natural food is scarce and the trout that are caught (although healthy) are long and thin. The lodge's luxury accommodation comprises self-catering houses or spacious executive studios for couples. All of the accommodation is stylishly furnished and is serviced daily. Their DSTV package includes all sports channels, movies and news programmes. The Internet is also available at the main lodge. How to get thereFrom Johannesburg and Pretoria, take the N12 or the N4 to eMalahleni (Witbank). Continue on the N4 towards (Mbombela) Nelspruit through the toll plaza and exit the highway at Belfast. At the third 4-way stop in Belfast turn right at the Dullstroom signboard. Continue through Dullstroom towards Lydenburg until you see the Stonecutters Lodge signboard 35 km later on the left. Turn left onto the Capstone / Stonecutters dirt access road (The gate may be closed but is not locked ) and follow the road, keeping left for 800 m. Press the buzzer for access to the lodge. Website: www.stonecutters.co.za Jozini Dam (Northern KZN)Location: Jozini. GPS coordinates: S 27.4294, E 32.0651 Nothing beats the rush of having a monster tiger grab your hook, then bolt so fast your line tears through the water as if a deranged bull has snagged it and gone on the rampage. And, when it angrily launches itself out of the water, shaking so aggressively that your lure gets flung through the air, that's when you know you're in game fish heaven. Jozini Dam's main claim to fame is tiger fishing. Thanks to the space, availability of food and warm water the dam provides, populations have grown to the point where Jozini is now one of the most popular fishing destinations in the country – making it comparable to places like the Okavango Delta and Zambezi River. Apart from tigers, 27 other species call it home, the most common being tilapia, barbel, yellowfish and carp. Tigers are voracious, aggressive predators and fish form the largest part of their diet. As a result, using bait is the most popular method of bagging one. They'll take almost anything, including tilapia, barbel, sardines and chicken, even ox liver. Make sure to bring your heavy gear – these guys rip light tackle to shreds. If you are planning a Jozini fishing trip, a boat is essential to get to all the good spots. If you don't have your own, you can hire one with a skipper/fishing guide who will take you to all the best locations. Two places where shore fishing is possible is at the Phongolo Game Reserve camping site near Golela and the Fish Eagle camping site on the southern side of the dam. With the tiger fishing being the major drawcard for visitors to Jozini, you have plenty of accommodation options, ranging from luxury resorts to affordable, rustic campsites. Word of warning though – wherever you choose to stay, watch out for the hippos and crocs (there's a lot). How to get thereFrom Durban, take the N2 heading North. Continue on the N2 passing Richards Bay, Mtubatuba , Hluhluwe and Mkuze. 10km past the town of Mkuze, you will see a right turn indicating Jozini. Turn right at the sign board and continue for 19km over the Lebombo Mountain Pass. Website: www.jozinidam.co.za Wacky Woods Private Resort (Gamtoos River, Eastern Cape)Location: 15 km outside Jeffrey's Bay. GPS Coordinates: S 33.908634, E 25.023993 One of the most popular edible fish along our coastline is the cob. As luck would have it, it's a species the Gamtoos River has in bucket loads – with large specimens caught on a regular basis. It's also a prime fishing location, giving you the opportunity to fish a variety of species in three different environments (river, estuary and surf) without having to travel far from the comfort of your base. Large dusky cob and white steenbras are predominantly found in the lower reaches of the estuary, while spotted grunter, seabarbel, garrick and mullet are found throughout the system. A number of elasmobranch species are also frequently captured near the estuary mouth – these include the diamond ray, eagleray, blackspotted electric ray, ragged tooth shark and lesser sank shark. Cob are voracious, shoaling predators and highly specialised for feeding in the often murky, silt-laiden waters of estuaries. Bait options include small fish, crustaceans (prawns and crabs) and molluscs (squid and cuttlefish). When using lures, half of the skill of catching cob is knowing where to look. These guys are ambush predators – they want their prey to come to them. That said, the easiest way to hook one is to find a spot where you have shallow water flanked by deeper gulleys.The Wacky Woods Private Resort, nestled on a 58-hectare sliver of paradise next to the river, places you right in the centre of all the action. It also provides affordable, well-appointed accommodation comprising a few thatched chalets and 16 caravan/camp sites (all with lights, power points, braai facilities, grids, taps and bins). Apart from the fishing, it also offers canoeing, aquatic birding and advanced hiking trails. There's a safe playground for young families with children, of which all ages are welcome. There's also a slipway where you can launch your boat, and deep sea fishing charters can be arranged. How to get thereTravelling on the N2 from Port Elizabeth, take the second turn-off (Thornhill/Hankey) after Van Stadens bridge. At the off ramp take a left, then turn right at the stop. Continuing on the R102, drive for about 15km until you see the Gamtoos valley. Turn a right at the bottom (about 150m before the single lane metal bridge), drive for about 1km and Wacky Woods will be on you right. – (c) 2017 NavWorld Website: www.wacky-woods.page.tl