I last visited Kameel, a tiny hamlet in South Africa’s North West Province, in February 2020 as part of my (never finished) #10SouthAfricanTowns project. At the time, I was certain I’d be back in Kameel before 2020 was over; it’s a perfect stopover point on the way to the Northern Cape, which I planned to explore later that year. But then covid happened, of course. So I didn’t make it back to Kameel until last week — more than four years later — when I finally did that Northern Cape road trip to celebrate my 50th birthday.
I look back very fondly on my 2020 Kameel trip and I was ecstatic to go back, even for one (very chilly) evening. Patrick and Hercules, who run the Kameel Rust & Vrede B&B and Campground, are the loveliest of people, as are Sandra (Patrick’s sister) and her husband Hennie, who also live in town. I got to introduce them all to Thorsten and we caught up over delicious stuffed chicken breasts, courtesy of Chef Hercules. Sleeping in the Campovan was so much fun.
A Night in a Kameel Campovan
Despite growing up in America, land of the RV, I don’t think I’d ever slept in anything resembling a Campovan before. I was delighted by how retro and perfectly restored Ou Lady was (I’m guessing it was built in the 1960s or 70s), and it had everything we needed for a comfortable overnight stay: a bed, sitting area, outdoor seating with a view of the sunset, small kitchen, and nicely designed outdoor bathroom.
Kameel is about 4.5 hours west of Joburg and (as previously mentioned) is a perfect stopover point on the way to the Northern Cape, including Augrabies Falls (where we were going), Namibia, and southwestern Botswana. Kameel Rust & Vrede has a variety of accommodation options and campsites available; the Campovans cost between R750 and R900 ($40-$50) per night for two people. Patrick and Hercules also serve breakfast and dinner for an additional charge. Browse all the accommodation and rates here.
Until next time, Kameel. Next Up: Augrabies Falls National Park.
Thanks Heather, That is the province where I grew up in and the vegetation is exactly how I remember the kalahari.
You’re welcome. Love those camelthorns.
Thank you Heather. We love your story and pictures of our Ou Lady Campovan. Glad you enjoyed your trip. Was a pleasure to host you and Thorsten at Kameel Rust and Vrede B and B and Camping.
Thanks for everything guys — we loved it!
Love those old caravans.
Me too!
I have always wondered how comfy the beds are in campers and RVs. Because we are not camping people.
I would say definitely more comfortable than camping (I’m also not a camping fan) but less comfortable than the Hilton 🙂
Retro everything! Loved seeing you and T’s socked feet together on the bed. xo
Thanks. I thought it was funny that our socks inadvertently matched.