Wagendrift dam outing.

This weekend our church had a family camp at the Wagendrift dam just outside of town. From my cottage to the dam is a five minute drive, (I could walk there in about 30 minutes), but in all the years I've lived here I can count the number of times that I've been there on the fingers of one hand. I've decide that from now on that's going to change. 


Fish that can be caught here are Natal Yellow fish, large mouth black bass, monster carp, barbel (sharp toothed cat fish), and tilapia.


The area around all dams in South Africa are designated conservation areas and controlled by the Nature Conservation authorities. Wagendrift is controlled by KZN Wildlife and Nature Conservation. Entry fees are very reasonable, at Wagendrift it's R15 per adult, that's about  $2 US. Camping fees are just as reasonable.


At about 8 o'clock this morning I joined the group who have been camping there since Friday afternoon for a hearty breakfast of eggs, pork sausages, bacon, fried tomatoes and mushrooms. Not a fat free thing in sight.

There are two camp sites at the dam and we were at the smaller of the two, only about a half a dozen stands. The photo above is looking across the water to the southern shore. You can only get to the opposite shore by boat, there is no road access. 

The grounds are well maintained with lots of shady trees. All campsites have electrical power points so you can take most of your mod cons with you. The ablution blocks have hot and cold water and are very neat and clean.


Apart from the camp sites there are picnic sites all along the northern shore of the dam with their own ablution facilities.

Only a very small part of the dam can be seen from this point. 

Some of the lush vegetation surrounding the camp sites. One of the rules that is strictly enforced here is no loud music, break the rule and they throw you out on your ear. 

Some of the group enjoying a ride in Nils Dahl's boat.

Nils at the wheel of his boat. South Africa has very strict boat safety regulations, only a person with a skippers licence may drive a boat, boats have to be tested every year for sea worthiness, and every boat has to have all it's cavities filled with flotation foam. Even if a boat should be swamped or capsized it must still float.  

The dam wall seen from the boat. 

One of our party skiing. As you can imagine this is a very popular venue for all sorts of  water sport.