PARADISE HOLIDAY RESORT

2 Bearz ???????? and a Storm ????, our 97 Sprite Storm, had the opportunity to camp at Paradise Holiday Resort over the past long weekend (7 to 11 August 2024). Well we made it a loooong weekend and spent the Wednesday to Sunday at the resort.

It has been almost 2 years since we last camped at this wonderful paradise of a resort.

The Ocean, which is most likely the main reason for many of you, especially those from inland, to camp on the KZN South Coast. Besides the sites that have an ocean view so that you can watch the ships passing by it is just a 3km drive to the amazing Marina Beach. This beach has the honour of being a Blue Flag beach. This wonderful beach is just one of only nine in Kwazulu-Natal that have this honour. For those that are not there to swim there is always rock-surf fishing, surfing and amazing walks along the sandy seashore.

There is a lot to do within the resort and the kids will love it. The amazing pool under huge palm trees is a great place to start. Unfortunately this time of the year a bit cool to swim. There is a Games room, TV Room (Dad can watch rugby), Pool room – NO not an indoor swimming pool room but a pool table kind, small library, small playground, trampolines, giant chess, beach volley ball court, darts, table tennis and a whole lot more.

If you are one of those campers who like to bring your adorable fur babies with you, Paradise is the place to be for them as well. Note: No pets allowed in High Season

If you enjoy bird watching there is a lot to see. We even got to spot two black-headed orioles drinking nectar from the coral tree flowers.

The resort is located on the top of a hill but somehow very much protected from the Southerly and northerly winds that can be known to blow at times on the south coast. The short 600m drive up the hill from the R62/N2 is picturesque and if you are lucky like we were you get to see buck bounding through the tropical bush on either side of the road.

You arrive after 600m at the entrance gate where reception will let you in. You book in and then proceed to your site. Laraine and Wilhelm are very friendly. You get a tag to open the gate and security is tight including perimeter beams linked to the local armed response. In season the small tuck-shop is stocked with all the necessary camping stuff and foods you might need. If they don’t have what you are looking for Southbroom town is just a short drive to where there is a SPAR.

We were allocated site 17 but were told we could choose any site. We decided in the end to set up on the allocated site as it is one of 5 paved sites in the resort. We had never camped on paving before. Note to self: Get different pegs if you going to camp on paving in the future.

There are over 40 sites to choose from, grassed, paved, half sun, fully shaded, ocean view, pool view etc all of which are level. A water tap services each two sites, Standard 3pin electrical SA Plug’s and a braai with a grid.

Water is all potable from the borehole so it means no water shortages when the municipal water is off.

Now for a part you all love to talk about. The ablutions. They are located on the lower section never too far from your campsite. There are Ladies and Gents as well as two family bathrooms on the other side of the resort. The ladies’ is stunning. No shower curtains for you but shower doors. There are baths, lots of basins, plenty of toilets and a large vanity mirror. All is tiled and kept impeccably clean.
The gents’ is next door with 4 showers, 4 toilets, bath, urinals and sinks. Hot water is plentiful and the pressure is good.

What to do outside the resort? There are a host of other activities other than the blue flag beach just a stone’s throw away. Other tourist attractions are the Wild Coast Casino, Wild Waves Water Park, Golf, Horse Rides, Red Desert, Croc Farm, Mpenjati Nature Reserve, Bowling Greens and of course Mac Banana. Mac Banana offers, Putt-Putt, Shops, Restaurants, Shops, Pont Rides, Zip Lines, Quad Bikes, Obstacle Course, Butterfly World, Paint Ball, Archery a whole day of fun with the kids. Just a few kilometres up the coast is the Upside Down House and Dino Park and more golf.

Cellphone reception for all major networks is good so you can catch up and obviously post all your amazing experiences at Paradise to make your friends and family not with you envious.

Overall this is a top campsite and a must on your bucket, list especially if you live in Kwazulu-Natal.