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Adventure & Fun

Wed
11
May
Zebra at the front door
My Days off

My Days Off I love the fact that on my days off, I am at peace. My name is Peta, I have been living on the Areena Property for just over a month now.  My boy’s Seth who is 12 and Reid who is 10 live with me. They often tell me they love their…

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Mon
9
May
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JULY JUBILEE – KIDS STAY FREE!

Book a campsite in July 2022 and the kids stay free! July  Jubilee will make you love camping! Our river resort, is one of the best hidden gems you will find this year, and you will definitely add us to your list of favourite camping destinations. Book our July Junior Jubilee Camping Special and the…

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Thu
2
Dec
New Adventure Village
Adventure Village begins a new chapter

As the festive season kicks off, our Adventure Village begins a new chapter. Like a worm out grows its skin, so the Adventure village has outgrown its humble office. A beautiful bigger village has grown as a butterfly does, into its full potential. We are full of excitement with the new home of our adventures….

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Thu
4
Nov
Baby Zebra and mom grazing at Areena Riverside Resort
What makes the zebra so interesting?

What makes the zebra so interesting? I will begin with the black and white of it all. A zebra’s stripy coat has developed for 2 interesting reasons, as suggested by scientists. Both as important as the other I think. Firstly to keep the zebra cool while spending hours grazing in the hot sun. The black…

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Fri
1
Oct
Matthew with his kob
Internship at Areena

I would like to introduce Matthew, our nature conservation student doing his 12 month practical internship at Areena Riverside Resort. For six months so far Matthew has been learning the ropes at Areena. Our student intern for 2021, is gaining a great deal of practical experience from our team on a daily basis. You will…

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Thu
30
Sep
Areena's Sunbirds
Areena’s Sunbirds

Areena’s Sunbirds are jolly little things, enjoying the abundant flora of the resort. Attracting these chirpy little birds is easy and I love watching them. You can attract them into your gardens by installing nectar feeders. The males of the species are very colourful while the females are normally a uniform dull green, brown or…

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Tue
31
Aug
Pied Kingfisher
Kingfishers at Areena

Tick kingfishers at Areena off your birding list, this summer. If you are an avid birdwatcher, we have 4 species to be spotted at Areena, the Malachite, Pied, Brown hooded and the Giant Kingfisher.  Seen almost daily in the resort. These amazing birds are often seen living their best life. We have the banks of…

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Thu
29
Jul
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Camping, a growing trend

Camping and caravanning is growing in popularity. The new way of enjoying a holiday that won’t break the bank. Families to pensioners, everyone is catching the camping bug. We are experiencing an influx of new holiday makers taking up the camping and caravanning holiday lifestyle . A sense of adventure goes hand in hand with…

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Thu
1
Jul
Local restaurants on our route
Local Restaurants on our route

Try different local restaurants on our route when you next visit Areena Riverside Resort. You can enjoy breakfasts, lunches out doors, and dinners with beach views, river views and country settings all offering a unique experience. Areena Quays Restaurant Our very own Areena Quays Restaurant is situated on the banks of the Kwelera River. You…

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Wed
2
Jun
BIRD WATCHERS PARADISE

Bird watchers program. A Bird watchers program was held at Areena Riverside Resort over the Easter weekend. Dylan Rawlins organised the event and David Hoddinott  a leading international birding guide, lead us on the bird watch. The African record for the number of birds spotted on the continent is held by David. A total of…

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Wed
2
Jun
Craft Beer Tour
Craft Beer Tour on the East Coast

Looking for something to do on the East Coast? Craft Beer Tour a perfect afternoon activity. Why not pay a visit to one of our local craft breweries? We are fortunate to have two breweries very close to Areena Riverside Resort, both of which we highly recommend. Emerald Vale Brewery, about 10 kilometres down the…

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Thu
6
May
Kids stay free in July
KIDS STAY FREE!

 Kids stay free! when you book a campsite in July 2021  Kids stay free! Love camping? So do we! Our riverside resort, is one of the best hidden gems you will find this year, and you will definitely want to add us to your list of favourite camping destinations. Book our July Junior Jubilee Camping…

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Mon
1
Feb
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A romantic proposal

Imagine thinking you are coming to Areena for a delicious lunch, at Areena Quays Restaurant. You see a photographer taking pictures of the river and your boyfriend, who usually does not speak to strangers, asks the photographer to take a photo of the two of you. He happily agrees, and suggest you take the ‘Titanic’…

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Mon
1
Feb
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Get a kiss from Abby this Valentines

Wondering what to do this upcoming Valentine’s Day with your special person? Visit Areena Riverside Resort and enjoy a delicious riverside Sunday morning breakfast with your loved one, including coffee at Areena Quays Restaurant on Valentine’s Day 14 February 2021. Spend the morning on the Kwelera River, taking in the amazing views, on an unguided…

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Mon
1
Feb
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Squirrel love

The Areena reception office has been playing day care to two baby squirrels. Squirt, the first baby to arrive, was found wondering aimlessly in the resort, without parents nearby.  Luckily we have a ready supply of baby animal milk powder for when baby animal emergencies arrive. We started to syringe feed the baby squirrel, who…

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Wed
6
Jan
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Best Adventure Tourism Experience – Eastern Cape

As we welcome 2021, we reflect on how 2020 was a tough year, we battled through closed doors, operational regulations, less travellers, and yet we survived. It is due to our staffs unwavering commitment to see the year through, despite the hardships, and for that we are truly grateful. So when we received the news…

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Wed
6
Jan
Coral-Tree
Coral Trees at Areena

You know spring has arrived at Areena Riverside Resort, when you see the thick red mass of brilliant flowers of the Coral Tree. The beautiful Coral Tree, or lucky bean tree is a welcoming site at the resort entrance and dotted about the resort. In spring time it bursts into bloom, with the fiery red…

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Wed
6
Jan
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Holiday Fun at Areena – Dec 2020

We were lucky to have Father Christmas visit the resort this holiday. Bringing gifts for the children and good cheer to all. An outdoor Christmas party was enjoyed by the kiddies, especially when Father Christmas arrived on a quad bike with a trailer full of gifts and sweeties for them. Our craft classes for children…

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Wed
6
Jan
TENNIS
Family Tennis fun at Areena

A popular attraction at Areena Riverside Resort is the beautifully surfaced tennis court. The usage of the tennis court for guests staying at the resort is absolutely free. Although we encourage guests to bring their own tennis rackets, we do have some for rental in reception, and sell tennis balls as well. The game of…

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Fri
27
Nov
Why Kids love to camp at Areena

Remember when as a kid you could safely play outdoors and have fun? Well, at Areena Riverside Resort, your kids can and they love the freedom. Kids can be kids, swim in the river if they want to, climb trees, ride their bikes and be safe. Our large playground has a trampoline, round about, swings,…

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Fri
27
Nov
Abby-scaled
Top 10 things to do at Areena

With so many activities to choose from at Areena, we have tried to narrow it down to a top 10 list of must do activities for you. MEET ABBY – our friendly giraffe Abby loves to meet new people. Enjoy a giraffe interaction, get a kiss and take a selfie with Abby. COMPLETE THE 10…

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Fri
27
Nov
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Lucky Lynx sighting

Have you ever watch a nature program and wished you could see some of the wondrous sightings or animal hunts in persons? To be amazed at the natural order of life unfold in front of your very eyes? That very opportunity presented itself at Areena Riverside Resort, a little while ago. An excited few Areena…

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Thu
29
Oct
ELgolf
Golfing weekend with us

Feeling like a Golfing weekend with the family, we have the answer for you. Book a weekend with us, your family will enjoy our family friendly, resort, set along the banks of the Kwelera River. You can book relaxing treatments at the spa for your wife, your children can bring their bicycles and enjoy the…

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Thu
29
Oct
Abel-and-Phila-being-adventurous-at-Areena-scaled
Adventures at Areena

Where good friends meet and adventure begins, the Areena Adventure Village is the place to be. From mild to wild activities there is something for everyone. Activities suited to young teens and adults, with a desire for adventure.  Game viewing with a difference, on a guided quad bike safari tour, have a once in a…

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Fri
2
Oct
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Imagine Areena Camping

Imagine you sitting on the riverbank with the water lapping at the edges, the kids playing safely nearby. The trees casting their shade while the birds are enjoying the fruits. You have set up your tent in the most scenic park. The wood is waiting at the braai stand for the evening braai under the…

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Fri
2
Oct
Bees
Our Bees at Areena

The Areena honeybee hives have been busy during lock down. While we have all been at home under quarantine, and lockdown levels, the honey bees have been hard at work gathering pollen, and making honey in our hives. They have been enjoying the winter flowering trees and plants throughout the Areena private game reserve and…

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Fri
2
Oct
sipho-and-the-sisiterhood-with-tarzan
What is the Areena Adventure Village all about?

Areena Adventure Village was born by the need to keep the resort guests entertained. We had the space, the adventure spirit and so all came together and the Adventure Village was opened.  It quickly became popular, offering some awesome adventures, right at the resort. The quadbike tours have always been the most popular activity, and…

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Mon
7
Sep
Lambs-on-playground
Lambs enjoy the playground at Areena

Our five dorper lambs, born during lock down, have been assisting their flock with grass mowing in the resort. They have enjoyed grazing on the green grass and keeping it short and assisting the maintenance staff with this job. This weekend they decided to enjoy the spring weather and celebrate tourism month this September by…

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Mon
7
Sep
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Couples Adventure Package

We are sure by now, lock down has built up your need for some outdoor adventure and activity. We have put together a fun little adventure for you and your partner, to get you out into the fresh air, to get some exercise, do some game viewing and have some fun together. Treat you partner…

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Thu
30
Jul
60394023_2719730984743848_442936652931792896_n
Couples Adventure Package

We are sure by now, lock down has built up your need for some outdoor adventure and activity. We have put together a fun little adventure for you and your partner, to get you out into the fresh air, to get some exercise, do some game viewing and have some fun together. Treat you partner…

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Thu
30
Jul
Abby-with-quads
Adventure Village Open for bookings

Our Adventure Village is open for certain activities at this time. Available to book are; Quad bike safari tours, Giraffe interactions, hiking and canoe hire. The Quad safari tour options are a 20 min tour at R180pp, the 60 min tour at R340pp and 2hr tour at R480pp. One Adult rider per quad bike. Our…

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Thu
30
Jul
COT-1-ENTRANCE
History of Cottage no 1

Areena Riverside Resort, started as a caravan park in the early 1980’s along the Kwelera River, with only 30 sites, then gradually increased to 70 sites. As the resort developed, it was decided that self-catering accommodation was needed and planning began. The first unit was the water reservoir converted into a thatched rondavel. A charming…

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Mon
6
Jul
Rondavel-no-1-entrance-and-parking
History of Rondavel 1

Our popular Thatched Rondavel no 1 has an interesting history that you may not know. It started out as a farm reservoir supplying the only ablution block in the caravan park for the first four years or so. This was when Areena Riverside Resort was only a caravan park. When the water supply was changed…

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Mon
6
Jul
ANN-AND-GAVIN
Areena, a place we call home

A camping holiday with the grandchildren back in 2000, started their love of Areena. A few years later, having loved what Areena offered they took up a more permanent site and become an Areena Clubmember. Fast forward a few more years, Ann sold her business and they both decided to give living at Areena a…

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Tue
2
Jun
Luxury-River-Cruise
Where did the Areena in Areena Riverside Resort Originate?

The name AREENA originates from the Rathbone family itself. Nola Rathbone (Ed Rathbone’s mother) used the front letters of her 6 family members as the farm name of the property that Areena Riverside Resort is now on. A – ALON – SECOND OLDEST SON- (Alon is Nola spelt backwards) R – RUSSEL- THIRD BROTHER, (deceased)…

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Mon
4
May
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Leave your Areena review on Google, share the love  

During this time of business interruption, we are looking towards what we can achieve, and this is where we need your help. We all know you had a great day, weekend, adventure at Areena, and we encourage you to share your love of Areena Riverside Resort and leave a review on Google for us. This…

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Mon
4
May
Snapseed
Areena Residents for over 30 years Roy and Maureen Stagg share their story beginnings.

Roy and Maureen Stagg arrived at Areena 1st February 1990. They have lived here permanently for over 30 years and this is how it all started for them: We arrived to meet with Ed & Karen at the end of January 1990 walking across the field to pick out our site for our Cabana home. …

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Mon
4
May
lockdown-pic
Areena Staff on lock down

It is always great to learn new things about your colleagues, and this stressful time in the tourism industry, when we are in such unknown territory, when positivity counts the most, I have found the Areena team has truly shown their Amazingness. We always affectionately call ourselves the A team, and now more than ever…

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Mon
4
May
1986-the-start-early-camping-sites
An Areena History of the beginning

Ever wonder how Areena came about? Well here is a highlights version of the story. Ed and Karen Rathbone started with a caravan park in 1984, but back then you could hire only one of the 34 sites on offer along the Kwelera River, compared to the 150 sites they have today. These sites had…

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Wed
11
Mar
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Areena Guides visit Forest way

Areena Guides visit Forest way Areena Adventure Guides had a great day of teambuilding, sharing experiences, going beyond strengths and weaknesses. Stan and Helen of Forestway in Stutterheim, were gracious hosts, sharing their many years of experience in school camps, teambuilding and leadership with us. We were treated to a delicious lunch followed by a…

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Wed
11
Mar
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Abby wows Minnesota students

The Abby fan club grows on a daily basis, and this fame is world known, we are surprised daily at just how far his Abby welcomes students from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, Minnesota USA. Abby has worldwide fame, and loves meeting his fans up close, and of course sharing a…

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Wed
11
Mar
AKA-Risk-Solutions-Teambuild
Teambuilding day – AKA Risk Group

AKA Risk Management Specialists had a great team build event with us this month, with every team member going the extra mile to dress the part of the Hippie theme. Areena was their playground for the afternoon, with quad biking safari tours and pellet gun target shooting being their adventures of choice. The day was…

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Wed
11
Mar
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KAALGAT KAREL FILMING

We had first-hand experience of just what goes into making a film. The crew of locally filmed South African film Kaalgat Karel, due to be released in September this year, spent a day at Areena, filming adventures and various other exciting scenes. We don’t want to give away too much, but this film is going…

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Sun
2
Feb
abby-zipline-film-crew
AREENA ADVENTURE Zip line with Abby

A recent zip line at our AmaZing Zing Zip line 10 stage zip line was joined by a rather keen participant, Abby our giraffe. Very keen to keep a close eye on proceedings, he followed the group from zip line to zip line much to the delight of the participants. Our zip line has 10…

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Sun
2
Feb
Nola-at-her-90th
Nola’s 90th celebration

January 2020 saw us celebrating Nola Rathbones 90th birthday. Nola, Ed Rathbones energetic and spritely mum, celebrated her birthday at Areena, surrounded by family and friends. Nola decided to mark her 90th birthday with some adventure and chose to take part in the zip line activity on the day. Nola is no novice to adrenaline…

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Sun
2
Feb
Luxury-River-Cruise-snacks
Luxury River cruise on the Kwelera River

R255 and R445 limited drinks and snacks included on board, min/max 15 persons. Ranging from a mini lux option with 2 drinks and 2 snack platters, to a full lux option with 4 drinks and 5 snack platters included. This hour long lavish cruise on the Kwelera River is the perfect way to celebrate your…

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Wed
22
Jan
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Fisherman’s bounty this holiday season 2019

What a great fishing season our guests had this past holiday season, the Kwelera tidal river gave up some great fish, to the joy of the fisherman. What a thrill was had when the tug on the line was felt and a fish was caught and landed, we saw Spotted Grunter, River Snapper, to name…

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Wed
22
Jan
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Ostrich chicks update January 2020

Ostrich chicks update January 2020 Our little ostrich chicks that were born latter half of last year, have been growing steadily and are a happy little band of chicks. Still too small to let into the game reserve, they will be transferred into the touch farm, from there holding pen in a month or two,…

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Wed
6
Nov
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Areena visiting tortoises

Come meet Rambo, Randel, Pickle, Meryl, Bobby, Bruce and Tarzan’s Jane…. Areena’s walking shells, each one named, so we can keep track of who is who. Yes that’s right we have beautiful tortoises living among us in the wild calling Areena home, but roam freely between the neighbouring farms. If you are lucky enough one…

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Wed
6
Nov
Ford-training-group-wednesday
AREENA RESORT HOSTS FORD 4 X 4 TRAINING WITH AMATOLA WATER

I had the opportunity to join Amatola Water on their recent 4 x 4 training hosted by Ford Adventure Club at Areena recently.  Many locals spotted the numerous vehicles in the game reserve over the few days that the training was hosted, and were curious as to what exactly was happening. The Level 1 training,…

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