Hi all,
My wife and I will be touring the eastern Cape in April or May and would appreciate recommendations or comments about suitable sites (or places to avoid!), for short stays:
Aliwal North
Queenstown
East London
Port Alfred
Grahamstown

many thanks,
Ian.

My wife and me Tour East Cape Coastel area 2012 and wil reccomend strongly Green Fountains 6 km from Port Alfred Tarrif for pensioners was R133p/n or R1500 p/month ,Absolutely amust ,own ablusions ext.

East London: JUst outside on the way to Port Afred is a delightfull place called Natures Rest. I Wil recommend that one over all other around E.L.

Other campsites around E.L That is also good are; Yellow Sands,Areena Riverside Resort, Morgansbay. A must a little down the coast is Storms river camp.

Enjoy camping,

Johan

Not Aliwal, Queenstown or Grahamstown IMO !

Avoid Aliwal North itself. About 6k's away is a place called The Nest that seems to be an option overnight. I have not stayed there though. Remember to factor in extra travel time. That road is not great.

Hi Ian,
Valschfontein Farm stopover, 100 km from Aliwal 60 km from Queenstown
road from Aliwal to EL very good.
Enjoy,
Graham

Thanks for the info i can update my book

Just don't stay at what was Aliwal Spa - the place is a disaster zone

we were going to camp at Aliwal but found the camp site not so good, therefore booked in at the self catering which was basic, had two separate bedrooms with good matresses, TV was clera but only of course 3 channels. Swim pools might be used for fishing, there were some deer in the park , great exp. when they came close to the unit. We felt safe. It was clean. Water in bathroom hot. Had stove. BASICS. Reasonable for overnite.

I am camping in Golden Gate at the moment. I am also on my way to Knysna. One of the campers recommended to me Badfontein Guest Farm, 16 km outside Aliwal North.  I googled it, it looks good and positive reviews. i am also looking for a camping site near Grahamstown, Aliwal North is too far to Knysna for one day. i am not towing, camping with a tent. GOing to Coffee Bay at the end of the month.

I cannot comment on Badfontein Guest Farm.  Hopefully it will be good enough for a stay over.  There are no camping sites near Grahamstown which can be recommended.  Also, I do not know how long since you have been to Grahamstown, you may be disappointed in the town at the moment.

If you need to travel to Knysna, and looking for a stop over, I would rather suggest Port Alfred, which will be about 50 km longer.   From Aliwal North you can travel via Queenstown or via Cradock.  I would suggest the Cradock road but Edge from King Williams Town can maybe tell you more about the Queenstown route.   In Port Alfred you can stay over at Green Fountain, which is very nice.

Frans,
I left Golden gate yesterday. Almost sure I saw you there. You can also stay over at The Nest B+B 5km before you reach Alival North. Its close to the main road and traffic can be a factor, otherwise a lovely stay.