Camping vs a stay at Riversway Nahoon?.... its a no brainer

As seasoned coastal camper at numerous wonderful camping sites along our magnificent East Coast and beyond , I have come to the following realizations.

Camping is not cheap , in fact it has become one of the more expensive leisure activities to enjoy over season.

Herewith is my reasoning based on some good solid years of annual camping holidays.
Firstly just campsites without any preparation or replenishing /replacing equipment   can cost more than a self catering unit at a well appointed facility over season.

We usually camp with 5 family members at our special destination just 30 kms along the east coast.
Site for us is now close to R800 per day in season !!! That just a patch of grass , and a a water tap plus one power point.
Seldom will this include a view or shade unless one is that hyper-planning  type and one arranges and pre-plans accommodation more than a year in advance. ( not the impulsive type like our family)

So that R800 per day buys you a sun drenched site , far from the waters edge with little shade remnant of a school field camp out , only you are there for 10 nights. ( minus one for setting up and one for breaking down )

Then there is the equipment which seems to never satisfy the human need for mobile home comforts. Much of which is inappropriately stored away in a damp spot somewhere for a few months and looks disappointingly unusable when its unpacked the day before the big camp out.

Now add a few grand to get re-equipped , plenty cases of  beer to try and keep cool in the expensive Savannah setting of your  open field crowded site , and then there is the rain ...........

December is notoriously our most schizophrenic month of the year , and can vary from oven-like to wind blown torrents of rain in the space of days.

So to recap we often pay R800 per day to sometimes only to have to batten down the hatches and spend a day at Hemmingways mall waiting for weather to take its bipolar medication.

So what is the alternative you ask , well its easy I say.

Book a holiday at Riversway Guest house , and spend R650 a night for  a great self catering unit/s , easily takes a family of 4 with some creative space utilization.

We are 2 minutes drive to Nahoon Beach and river , for the great days . When the weather gods are hating on you , at least you can still socialize around our spacious bar and dining area , watch sport and TV or just hop up to Hemmingways ( 10 minutes away)and catch a movie .

Two Great  pool areas , braai areas  for you , and plenty space for kids to enjoy.

Let us make your life easier this year and take a holiday at our facility and really relax.

Minimum stay 8 nights , two blocks available ( limited rooms ) 10 to 20 Dec 2014, 3 Jan till 13th. 2015 . Perfect for smaller family groups ( no party animal groups as we are residential) Peaceful easy feelings holiday for those who want to really relax.

www.riversway.co.za 0836560915 , give me a call to discuss your needs for a December /Jan

break in East London.    

Christmas Holidays in Nahoon East London Stay at Riversway Guest House

A visit to East London South Africa over the December holidays this year will provide a great beach option with home comforts . A stay at Riversway Guest House offers a large yard space set on 3000m/2 across 2 properties. 10 well appointed rooms in a variety of configurations. 2 pool areas and braai areas .
We offer only self catering ( serviced ) room options over the season . There are 2 larger family style rooms with a double plus a single bed in a larger open plan unit with kitchens. 4 Rooms at the poolside will suite families traveling together .

We are just minutes drive away from Nahoon Beach an estuary.

Our minimum stay over this period is 10 nights and we offer affordable rates in season from R600 per room per night.

We provide cleaning on most days besides the main holidays.

Fantastic position in Nahoon , close to all amenities ,

Give us a call or check out our facility at www.riversway.co.za  2  10  day blocks to choose from from 10 till 20 December and from 4 till 14 Jan 2015 . Inquire now about these 10 day stay deals.

Late winter specials on Accommodation at Riversway

Riversway Guest House offers self catering options as well as B&B and dinners.

Our winter has seen magnificent weather conditions with windless perfect days and light warm berg winds.

The gardens are  dry and its been a virtually rain less winter.

So if you plan on a visit to East London why not take advantage of our late winter specials .

Self Catering units from R500 per night , ( up to 3 adults) B&B with magnificent Breakfasts for R595 per person. Great dinners at R 165 for a scrumptious meal which varies from Ribs , steaks , fish , roasts , phenomenal curries , and great deserts. Ask Dean to do a special meal and he is bound to create a good version of your favorite like trinchado .

Group discounts on request and weekend special deals based on the number of guests , also long stay discounts.

Just minutes from Nahoon Beach , and all amenities , you will love a stay at Riversway

 043 7353566 info@riversway.co.za www.riversway.co.za.

Flashpacking in East London choose a stay at Riversway self catering

At Riversway Guest House we offer self catering options in all our units . 2 of which are perfect for Flashpacking tourists visiting East London or passing through. 10 rooms in Total double or twin beds

The rooms at our poolside offer an authentic African Safari feel . Sharing options up to 4 persons in larger en suite unit.

There are many flashpacker options , however many are in remote regions and far out of East London. Riversway is just a few minutes drive from Nahoon main beach. The Nahoon Nature reserve is a worthwhile visit  , so book a stay with us and let us give you a free guide to Nahoon Beach and Nature reserve.

Great waves for surfers , world class beach and dining and entertainment options all within minutes of our Guest House.

Starting at just R500 ( about $ 55) for a serviced self catering unit , small groups sharing will be amazed at the quality of accommodation offered for this price.

Organise with us a day or two ahead and for a group we will offer an authentic African Barbecue ( Braai as we call it ) with meat , chicken and a range of salads . All prepared over a few drinks , bring your own and enjoy our outdoor cooking experience ( Ranges from R80 or  $ 10  pp. depending on size of group)

Free guide to surfing or nature reserve to groups that stay 5 nights or longer as well as free Airport collection for groups up to 5 persons with luggage .

Free trips to the East Coast from Riversway for small groups 5 persons staying longer than 5 nights , where you can spend more time at Chintsas famous Buccaneers , another great Flashpacker roughly 48 kms from Riversway.

Call us to discuss your next stay in East London on 0437353566 info@riversway.co.za www.riversway.co.za  

A few reasons to stay at Riversway Guest House When in East London-Accommodation Specials on offer

Fast approaching our twentieth year in business , Riversway Guest House in Nahoon East London offers a great choice of Guest House accommodation options when you visit East London.

There are many reasons traveling patrons choose Riversway Guest House including its superb position in Nahoon and close proximity to Nahoon Beach plus all amenities that our regular traveling patrons seek.
( Golf course , restaurants,schools and sporting facilities , nature reserve cultural and historical sites and many more)  

A range of accommodation options make up the ten well appointed rooms that include Self catering ( for small or large families sharing ) The two larger self catering units offer a double bed plus a single bed and a sleeper couch in a larger unit that has a kitchen and enough space to be sure of a comfortable stay no matter how long your visit.

The other 8 rooms are either double bed or twin bed configurations . All ten units have en suite bathrooms with showers. Each is decorated in a unique theme and offer a great blend of privacy , comfort and great value for money to our valued guests.

Our visitors will receive a personal welcome by the owners of Riversway Guest House  or one of the helpful team.

Once you are in your room , we realise that each guest has unique needs , so we cater for yours in many ways. Catch up with work in your room using our free wireless internet or come in to our dining area and bar and have a drink , and for those guests that choose Dinner Bed and Breakfast a great meal in our dining area.

Dinners are prepared each weeknight and breakfast is served daily. Our breakfast is legendary and offers a full choice , while dinners are the reason many people choose Riversway Guest House .

Our rates  vary depending on your accommodation needs , but we aim to keep these at a level that offers good value for money , starting at just R500 per night for self catering ( 2014 rates) and we aim to be a great blend of affordability yet offering you the stay you need to be sure we see you again and again.

Our bar and dining area is a great facility and centers the large grounds that house the ten units. Here our guests are treated  to a great atmosphere and Deans legendary cold beverages and highly rated home cooked dinners. Curry , Roasts , Lamb Shanks , Ribs and even some special request meals like Trinchado
or vegetarian meals are prepared fresh each day. Its important to book meals when reserving your stay , as each day is a fresh new meal for dinner and you will not be sorry you booked dinner.

These dinners are followed by a desert and a drink or two with great social vibe , with fires on cold winter nights or a quick splash in one of our two pools and a cold beer outdoors on a hot summer night.

Our self catering guests have an outdoor braai at the pool and often choose this option , or make a light meal in the self catering rooms kitchen.

Riversway Guest house caters for a variety of travelers  , so give us a call on 0437353566 , drop us a mail info@riversway.co.za to discuss your next visit to East London and we will be glad to design an accommodation deal that suites your needs. www.riversway.co.za   , Choose your stay@ Riversway .  

Surf Patrols around East London and earning shares in oil companies

Surfers are in tune with nature and we do care for the environment.... really !!! However when the urge arises to escape the local weekend  crowd at Nahoon Reef ( yes we call 8-10 crowded) we tend to lose sight of this deep connection with nature and conserving energy seems to be less important at this time .
A regular 3 ball crew ( sometimes only a duo ) we often set out to appease the surf demons in our old minds that haunt us each day. Sometimes to the degree where any work required for that day or any family responsibility is overlooked.

Windguru , Magic seaweed ,  and that Norwegian weather site that you just discovered , are all consulted at arms length , on the mobile screen that has become more difficult to read than the  contra-indications on your blood pressure  medication.

The morning Surf check at Nahoon Beach Break turns from lamenting the current lack of sand banks there  into a heated debate surrounding the very technical breakdown of the forecast sites. Any bystander would be excused for thinking this is a small group of scientists trying to resolve the global warming issue and ocean currents encroaching on the local seafront coffee shop.

Some time passes and abdication of responsibility eventually points all fingers to the driver of the day to " put us on the waves " ,,,, No Pressure!!!

We either head East or West ( never inland) searching for the perfect days surf.

The journey is filled with speculation of what we will find and the wave theory blends into blaming the current Government for restrictions on surf travel , damn fuel costs and drifts back into near future dreams of perfect surf. Recently one of the " learned trio " even got deep enough to ask " why do we surf ? There is not enough space here to document the list of responses. But an addiction was agreed upon and  blamed for our wasteful habits, and so its was that we continued West.  

Often along the way when heading out West to one of the "chosen spots "we pass Eastern Beach on our main city beachfront.  A quick pull over and a short debate as to whether we should join  the 3 or 4 locals tucking into near perfect barrels.
Debate rages on..." I'm sure that other spot will be better " or yes its good but looks shifty or difficult or maybe crowds are on their way. So off we go heading west as patrons of the fuel wasting oil company supporting hard core well aged surf trio.

Its not difficult to guess how this ends most times  , arrival at " The Spot"   is often accompanied by some very low pitched grumbling under ones breath that if deciphered often includes " told you we should surf Eastern Beach" or jeez I cant believe its this size , or many theory propping statements that try and absolve the "Joint " decision to blow out another  tank of fuel , earning another small share one of our struggling energy providers. This often subsides and we agree " at least the break is empty"?( like our tank)

Things are often made worse while we publicly bare too much while squashing into the wet-suite  , and a few beach goers will unashamedly pass comments like " shouldn't you be playing with your grand children " often with a too harsh response blurted out in response to the eighty year old local that makes one feel bad for the next 2 minutes at least.

But sometimes it all lines up and an epic day is offered up to the energy sapping ( in many ways ) old patrons of the weekend wave hunters trio , (or duo) and these are the ones we remember. I'm glad to be a part of it.The good days are imprinted over the bad and  keep us driving East or West to trade our fuel company share for another epic day along the East London coast.

See you on your next visit to East London and its wave rich coast . Stay at Riversway Guest house www.riversway.co.za  and join us on a weekend wave hunting adventure. 

Its time again to witness the greatest shoal on earth

2014 and its time to prepare for one of East Londons greatest ocean events. The sardine run is already showing its first signs of arrival. Flocks of gannets can be seen plummeting onto pods of early sardine shoals off Nahoon Reef.
Surfers start scratching out their shark prevention voodoo ranging from the high tech electronics to prayers or a visit to your local traditional healer.
Its a lively time along our coast as seasonal shad fishing fever hits even the most sedate and early arthritic mornings of rock hopping fishermen are seen all along our coast.
A plethora of breathtaking sea life plays out like an oceanic orchestra with a slow opening stanza of a few flocks of gannets soon erupting into a rival displays of air and ocean full orchesteral overtures of incredible proportions.
As predators attack the shoals of bait fish from all angles the sea is alive with sounds smells and sights that will astound visitors from the shoreline.

Pay us a visit at Riversway Guest House and stay a while this winter season and enjoy this world renowned phenomenal event.
Www.riversway.co.za Riversway Guest House in Beach Rd.  Nahoon is just minutes from Nahoon Point where you will be in a great position to witness the greatest shoal on Earth.
Ask us about a winter special that will suite your groups needs.

Weekends in East London Riversway Accommodation Specials

At Riversway Guest House www.riversway.co.za we offer a great no fuss self catering option for visitors to East London.
We are based in Nahoon , just minutes drive from great attractions like Nahoon Beach and Nature Reserve , Nahoon Estuary and  East London Golf Club.

Our Self Catering units offer a larger room with Kitchens and own entrance.

Our weekend special rate allows a small family ( one double bed plus a single bed and a sleeper couch for the kids ) to self cater at our poolside. There is a braai area and plenty yard space with a trampoline and jungle gym for the little ones.

For larger groups we offer 2 larger self catering as well as 2 rooms with double beds. Great for sporting outings or visitors for weddings and events in East London.

Our deal weekend deal is R990 for a 2 night weekend stay per unit. This applies to any weekend stay subject to availability till the end of October 2014.

We hope to see you at Riversway Guest House for a weekend in Nahoon East London.
www.riversway.co.za 0437353566 info@riversway.co.za 

Nahoon Point Nature Reserve is East Londons real Natural Asset

As a tourism and natural asset , little compares to the Nahoon Point Nature reserve. Comprising of natural sea bush and diverse coastal Flora as well as a healthy and growing indigenous fauna.
From the Nahoon estuary beyond Bats Cave on to Eastern Beach , this area offers a truly magnificent piece of coast .

Enjoyed by hundreds each day and particularly on weekends when the Park Run takes place , walking and running trails managed in this reserve are a true Natural wonder.

Yes these activities do impact , however the custodians of this reserve headed by the Management Committee and protection trust , the beady eye of Kevin Cole and his team always  weight the importance of low impact use as a way to preserve this magnificent asset.

Enjoyed by Surfers , Fishermen ( unique in that this is a marine protected area , however sustainable fishing from shore is still allowed) divers , beach goers ( Mermaids Pool is a great place to spend a morning) , paddlers , bird lovers , walkers runners and many more nature lovers.

The unique position of this Nature Reserve and its close proximity to the built up suburbs , makes the accessibility a great asset.

Enjoy the Reef Cafe and its fine dining , and now offering a great sun-downer option. Walk along the boardwalks and see dolphins and whales at play. Have a dip or snorkel around Mermaids Pool.

However you choose to spend time in this unique reserve , please keep it in pristine condition . This asset is way under appreciated as our very own Natural " Kirstenbosch Gardens or Cape Point " and the beauty of it is its 10 minutes away from most East London areas , free for your use ( but please support the Reef Cafe and Surfing Museum)

See you at the Nahoon Point Nature Reserve  , or let us at www.riversway.co.za . A great way to unwind on a business trip or enjoy on your next coastal holiday.

Riversway Guest House guide you on a walk when you next visit East London ,  

East London coastal holiday still a great option

Recently a family from Cape Town stayed with us at Riversway www.riversway.co.za . They had visited East London roughly ten years ago and lamented about the sorry state of the Cities decline. Sadly a lot of their observations are warranted and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality should take heed of this. East London has never enjoyed any real international Tourism other than some Backpacker visitors often just passing us en route to KZN or the  Wild Coast.
Local tourism in the form of beach holidays and sporting event visitors to East London , offers a fast growing segment of tourism for East London.

Hence observations of this nature , and such quoted comments emanating from paying visitors  " we don't think well be back here  unless we have to " leads one to seriously think about the state of our City.

In this thought process one begins to ponder the effects of this on our local tourism trade and the potential hazards it presents Guest House and resort owners.

Many great beach destinations globally however are in a far greater state of disrepair and cities that offer gateways to these paradise type locations are often nothing short  of third world ruins.

So why ,when a local tourist travels to a South African coastal resort city,  is it with such high expectations of the Cities Infrastructure?

As resort and guest house owners we should draw parallels to Mauritius , and many other coastal resort tourism hotspots and remind local tourists its our beaches that are the draw card and not the city?

In the absence of a functional local authority to improve the  Metropolitan area around East London , let us keep the focus on the natural resources that are our magnificent beaches.

An idea may be to blindfold all local tourists at the City Limit and drive them to Nahoon Beach and walk them up to seafront before removing the blindfold, . Sadly this aside, it is the first impression that lasts.

To our visitors who have managed to keep the blindfold on until you arrive at Nahoon , East Coast Resorts or West coast resort village we salute you and welcome you back to our poorly managed yet naturally beautiful resort City.

Pay us a visit at   Riversway Guest House in Nahoon www.riversway.co.za and don't switch on your holiday till you take the blindfold off once you reach our Beautiful Nahoon Beach Welcome.