News

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…

MEA Business Awards

MEA Business Awards 2021 winners are here. We have patiently waited for the outcome of the 2021 awards. The MEA Business Awards  reward companies across the Middle East and Africa region. For those who demonstrate true determination and dedication in their industry. We share the following exciting news received just today from Victoria Cotton, –…

Milkshakes burgers and beers for dad.

Kaalgat Karel wins more international accolades

We are thrilled to announce that tummy-tickling Afrikaans romcom, Kaalgat Karel, has been scooping up international awards. KAALGAT KAREL is the hilarious tale of thirty year old Karel Venter (Jacobs).  A social media sensation who loves the thrill of streaking during sports matches. He falls head-over-heels for the paramedic, Rita (Visser) who saves him after…

Leopard Tortoise at Areena

The Leopard tortoise, are a large tortoise species that have marks on their carapace like a leopard. And yes that’s right we have beautiful leopard tortoises living among us in the wild calling Areena home. Come and meet Rambo, Randel, Pickle, Meryl, Bobby and Tarzan’s Jane. We have named each tortoise we come across for…

Best Riverside Holiday Resort

Best Riverside Holiday Resort – Eastern Cape has been awarded to Areena Riverside Resort by LUXLife magazine. The winners of the 5th annual Resort and Retreat Awards 2021 proudly hosted by LUXLife magazine have been announced. “Areena Riverside Resort, like all of our winners, has demonstrated excellence and commitment in this industry, even in the face of uncertainty and more…

Where Does Our Areena Water Supply Come From

Areena water supply is totally dependent on rainfall which fills our dams. Our area is constantly in drought with inadequate rainfall to FILL dams. Often a “Green” drought occurs where there is enough rainfall to make everything look Green but the Dams still do not get adequate rainfall to fill up to supply our water…

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…

NEW ENTRANCE SIGN

New entrance sign at Areena is currently being revamped. Welcome to Areena! Look out for our new entrance sign, standing tall and proud. Come and see us, and admire what we are currently constructing.  We are excited with the outcome. Taking the oppurtunity during this tourism recovery time, we made many upgrades to Areena Riverside…

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’…

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…

Valentines Sunday buffet lunch

Areena Quays Restaurant is celebrating the return of our Sunday Buffet Lunches, and this coming valentines Sunday is no exception. Spoil your loved one with a delicious Sunday Lunch buffet, bring the family and share the love this Valentine’s Day 14 February 2021.  Don’t worry about planning the perfect meal, or doing the dishes, or…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Couples weekend special

With the start to 2021 underway, we are spoiling you with a little treat. We have a Couples weekend special, to get some much needed couples time.  A break from children, family and the chaos of the start of the school year. Our couple’s weekend special is the perfect way to reconnect, relax and have…

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…

Festive Season 2020 with Areena Spa

Areena Spa has wonderful Christmas Season Specials for you treat yourself. We have all experienced a tough year and can do with some destressing and relaxing. After enjoying the summer sun, how does a Cooling Back, neck and shoulder massage with a cooling Aloe Vera treatment with cold stone therapy sound? The Cooling Back Massage…

Enjoy Yoga at Areena this festive season

Join Cher this Festive Season for yoga sessions at Areena Riverside Resort. A great way to end your day with an afternoon session of stretching, reconnection and breathing. Cher has many years’ experience in yoga and runs many yoga classes along our East Coast, at various venues. Yoga is made up of poses, or asanas,…

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,…

Winners of the 2020 African Excellence Business Awards Announced

United Kingdom, 2020– MEA Markets magazine announces the winners of the 2020 African Excellence Business Awards. Where we are proud to announce that we were awarded the: Most Accommodating Holiday Resort – Eastern Cape -Areena Riverside Resort This year, more than any other, it has been easy to ignore the everyday successes in favour of…

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…

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…

Areena Spa loves Healing Earth

We are proud stockist of Healing Earth Skincare products, so next time you have a treatment with us using these amazing products, you can place orders to enjoy them at home too. Healing Earth is a premium African spa brand that offers natural, organic products, therapies and spa concepts. Healing Earth products harnesses the restorative…

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…

River view dinning at Areena Quays Restaurant

The best way to enjoy a burger is with a beautiful river view, and this is just what we offer at Areena Quays Restaurant. Our restaurant is right on the banks of the Kwelera River, with active bird life to watch and krantz flora to enjoy on the opposite side of the river. Watch canoe…

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…

CRAZY REP RATE 2020

Travelling for work? This special is for you. Reps travelling for work between Monday and Thursday, can book single accommodation with us for only R395 per night, self-catering. Enjoy a Bed and Breakfast option at R475 per night or a Full board option (Dinner, with free glass of wine or beer, bed and breakfast) at…

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…

Milkshakes are better with waffles

When you need a delicious treat or to reward yourself for getting through a challenging week, Areena Quays Restaurant knows just what you need, a waffle and a milkshake, but just not any milkshake, a gourmet milkshake. Delicious creamy icy cold milkshakes are waiting to be enjoyed at Areena Quays Restaurant. Try our Gourmet Shakes…

Be the best you, with Areena Spa

Self-care is an important part of living a happy healthy life. The happier and healthier you are, the better equipped you are to deal with stress, get jobs done, achieve and make goals and live your best life. Scheduling self-care into your weekly or monthly routine is important as paying the bills and doing the…

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…

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…

Areena Specials for October 2020

We are still celebrating Tourism Month of September up to 22 October 2020, by extending our special accommodation and camping rates a little big longer. Be a tourist in your own back yard. Enjoy a camping trip at only R80 per person per night, this is a great time to spend some family time together…

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…

Areena Spa September Packages and Specials

Areena Spa is once again open for all your beauty and treatment needs. Rene, Areena Spa’s resident therapist, has vast experience in the beauty industry. The spa is not only open to Areena Riverside Resort guests but to the public as well. Facial rituals and treatments include, Hydrating and Rejuvenating face ritual, Balancing Beauty face…

Tourism Month Specials

September is Tourism month and with travel within South Africa now open we are celebrating.  Having spent the last few month at home, now is the time to do some exploring, get outdoors, and have some fun with the family, away from home. We are running some awesome specials for September 2020 and encourage you…

Restaurant trading hours

An update from Areena Quays Restaurant this September 2020. With COVID 19 restrictions on the restaurant industry our Areena Quays Restaurant is currently only open for sit down bookings on a Friday to Sunday as well as offering a delicious take-away menu. The take away menu is available by what’s app – Bevan 071 720 5867…

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…

Woman’s Day Weekend with Areena Quays

It is that time of year already when we can give thanks for the woman in our lives. Celebrate Woman’s Day Weekend with a delicious meal at Areena Quays Restaurant. From Friday 7th August 2020 until Monday 10 August 2020 we will be OPEN, yes you read that correctly, you will be able to visit…

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…

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…

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…

Areena accommodation OPEN with resort restrictions July 2020

We are happy to announce that under advanced level 3 restrictions (July 2020) we are now able to open our self-catering accommodation to leisure travelers from the Eastern Cape. Come and enjoy our wide open spaces, beautiful scenery and enjoy a break from the stresses of life. A walk along the river is a great…

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…

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…

Areena Baby Zebra and Lamb

Although spring is a few months away, we have seen a few new offspring being born at Areena this past week. Firstly we were introduced to an adorable and super fluffy baby zebra. It was proudly paraded for us by its mother when she came for an extra morning treat at the stables.  Little baby…

Try some bird watching in your own Garden

Bird watching is an easy activity to do, and can be done from the comfort of your own home, you do not need to venture far. Encourage birds into your garden, by planting flowers to attract sunbirds, create water features, for bathing and drinking. Put up a bird feeder with wild bird seed, and enjoy…

The Riverside Retreat winner is….

We recently partnered with the Go Express Publication, and ran the Win a Riverside Retreat Competition. An overwhelming number of entries were received, just over 2000, which was fantastic.  Every correct entry in the competition will receive a discount voucher for Areena Riverside Resort.  The winning prize is a 2 night stay for a couple,…