Clothes are Optional

South Africa

Introduction

Naturism is fairly new in South Africa, and there is a small but growing number of naturist places. I was fortunate enough to have the chance to visit four of them. March is autumn in South Africa, but has good weather for visiting the Cape.

South Africa is a big country, and the climate varies considerably from one region to another. The Western Cape, around Cape Town, has a 'mediterranean' climate, with sunny summers, cool winters and winter rain. Because of the mountains and cold Atlantic water, it can have cloud and strong winds at any time. The Eastern Cape has warm summers and mild winters, with summer rain. KwaZulu-Natal, around Durban, has hot and humid summers. The north-west around Johannesburg, where most of the population lives, has hot summers and cold winters, on account of the altitude. South Africa, of course, has its summer when those of us in the northern hemisphere are having our winter.

Most of the naturist facilities in South Africa are on a small scale and informal, and can be considered 'clothes optional'. There is a national naturist organisation, The South African Naturist Federation (SANFed), from which you can get up-to-date information. Its web site lists all member resorts, including those I have not visited.

Many visitors to South Africa rent a car and drive all or part of the route Johannesburg - Durban - East London - Port Elizabeth - Garden Route/Cape Agulhas - Cape Town. Renting is reasonably priced, and driving, I found, is safe and comfortable on account of light traffic outside the main cities. (The route I took, Cape Town to East London, is over 1000 km.) It's possible to stay in naturist accommodation en route. The main gap is on the lovely Garden Route - let's hope someone fills that soon!

Cape Town: B&B in Hout Bay

The owners are a friendly couple who live a naturist lifestyle, and welcome naturist visitors to their 'homestay'. I have never stayed in a B&B with such a splendid view before - it overlooks the bay and fishing village with Chapman's Peak standing high beyond. They offer excellent breakfasts in the Dutch style: cereals, fruit, yoghurt, bread, cheese and cold meats. They have two comfortable double bedrooms with shared facilities. There is secure parking.

Outside there is a sunning area, a small unheated pool, and a covered patio where breakfast was served. Hout Bay is about 20 minutes drive along the coast road from central Cape Town. Both owners are registered tour guides, and can take you on excursions to the city, Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope national park, the winelands and other tourist areas. They can also collect you from the airport. The owners are a fund of knowledge on South Africa: I kept them up talking very late one night!

Update October 2009: Here is a success story! The owners report that they have much improved the property. Both rooms have been considerably enlarged, with en-suite bathrooms and mini kitchens, table/countertop and chairs for eating and writing and televisions/DVD players. A petanque court has been added. They will send you full details on request.

Contacts: gnatural@iafrica.com
http://www.sanfed.com/html/resorts.html

Sandy Bay naturist beach

Sandy Bay is a beautiful beach surrounded by mountains. About half is white sand, the other half is rounded granite boulders, some of which provide useful shade. As is so often the case, it has become the naturist beach because it is not easy to get to, so inconvenient for families with small children.

The beach can be reached from a car park up a hill in Hout Bay. This involves some further walk uphill, then a steep descent down a sandy track to the beach. There is also access from another car park in the suburb of Llandudno, which I understand may be easier.

I was there on a Sunday, which I was advised was the best day for a good atmosphere, with more families attending. The morning was unpromising, and there was a lot of cloud around that day. I found the temperature very pleasant though - I had just arrived from an English winter!

Unfortunately, Sandy Bay has a problem with 'meerkats' and prowlers. That day, I think, most local families had decided the weather was not worth going to the beach for, and most of the beach users were 'lone men' who seemed to be moving around in order to stay near the few couples. This problem is a great shame, but I must emphasise that I have been told my observations are not typical for a Sandy Bay weekend. It shouldn't put naturists off using the beach - the only way to deter the prowlers is for real naturists to take the beach back from them.

Information: SANFed Beaches page

Squire's, Somerset West

Buff Lodge, near East London

Note: When I visited Buff Lodge, it was trading under the name Lazy Haven. It now uses the name Buff Lodge for its naturist trade, and Lazy Haven for textiles.

This place is something unique in my experience! Colleen and Joe have taken a farm and turned it into an excellent naturist resort. The only problem is that it's not well enough known.

Buff Lodge has 4 self-catering suites and 2 self-catering cottages for up to 4 persons. B&B is also possible.

The natural surroundings are wonderful. There are 160 hectares of grazing land for cattle and antelope, with walking trails and a little wooded stream crossing the property. All this is naturist. There are gardens and sunning areas, and the central feature of the landscaping is a natural spring by the lodge, with wildlife and fishing, and swimming for experienced swimmers.

Indoors there is a large, enclosed, heated spa pool, lounges and colour TV in all bedrooms. Like all South Africa, there are braai (barbecue) facilities. Buff Lodge offers secure parking, and office facilities for business people visiting the East London area.

Buff Lodge is just off the 'Sunshine Coast' highway of the Eastern Cape, about 30 km from the city of East London, with an airport 15 minutes away. It is ideally situated for a stop on the popular tourist route from Johannesburg via Durban and the Garden Route to Cape Town.

It is 6 km from the village of Kidd's Beach, with local facilities and fine beaches, and a short walk north takes you to isolated stretches where you can do discreet skinny-dipping and sunbathing.

The area probably has the best climate in South Africa for year-round naturism, warm in summer and mild in winter. It does not have the summer humidity of Durban, or the cold winters of Johannesburg and Cape Town. The coastal area has the highest sunshine hours of any South African coast, averaging about 7 - 8 hours a day throughout the year.

Coming to Buff Lodge on the drive from Cape Town I felt I had returned to the real Africa, after the very 'Mediterranean' feel of the Cape and the Garden Route. Tourist attractions within a few hours drive include game lodges and nature reserves, mountains and forest trails up to about 2000 metres (with snow in winter), the 'Wild Coast' of Transkei and the shopping centres and other facilities of East London. I am told that the beaches at East London are noted for surfing, diving and fishing. The area is entirely free of malaria, but there is a risk of sharks!

Contact: http://www.bufflodge.co.za/index.html

Buff Lodge is looking for overseas partners (tour companies, agents etc.)

Conclusion

Copyright © 2005-2009 Richard Burnham