TO Strand, the old Transvaal Education Department camping ground, is a campsite that has been around for many years, and it remains popular.
Contact:
Tel: 039 319 2729
Email: bookings@tostrand.net
Website
After our 3-month forced stay in the Eastern Cape at Yellow Sands, our July 2025 camp was at TO Strand near Port Edward.
Using this road allows you to bypass Mthatha, but due to major roadworks, our average traveling speed was 60 kph.
On our previous trip via Mthatha, the average speed was 72 km/h due to the numerous speed bumps.
The road to Ugie was under construction, and our average speed was 60km with a 20 km stretch of speed bumps and bridge construction. When construction is finished, it will be a good route to travel, and I will again rather travel this way than the route through Mthatha.
We stayed over at Tortoni campsite on a farm near Ugie, via the R56 about 4 hours from Yellow Sands.
Although the owner said her son would start a fire in the donkey for us to use for hot water, by 17:00, there was no fire, so I made one. Unfortunately, it was winter-cold, and by 18:30, the water wasn’t nearly hot enough for a shower, so we just washed our faces, brushed our teeth, and went to bed.
Tortoni is rustic, but good for a night’s sleepover.
The next day’s travel went smoothly through Kokstad and onto the South Coast. We travelled the shortcut from Izingolweni, which was a slow process as the road surface was not very good in some places, but it saved us from going the N2 via Port Shepstone.
The whole trip from Yellow Sands to TO Strand is not bad if you are patient and not in a hurry.
We turned off at Izingolweni.
TO Strand
TO Strand was about to start renovations on their ablutions, so we limited our photos because it will look different when you visit.
It is easy to understand why this is a popular campsite for families. Many campers visited as students in school groups and kept coming back with their families.
The restaurant is exceptional.
It is a restaurant and coffee bar, and their dishes are well prepared and delicious. We enjoyed the breakfast burger for R35.00, but we can vouch for all their food, which was outstanding during our visit.
TO Strand caters to school groups, true to their original intention, so that you can expect some activity, which we did not find intrusive at all.
During the July holiday, the camp was quite full, but after that, it was mainly “lankstaners” and weekend campers. During the holiday, we had no problems, but after most people had left, we had some problems with hot water, which was unexpected, although the staff were quick to respond to complaints. I encountered a few swearing old campers every time another shower tap was opened.
The nearest town is Port Edward, but we made use of Mac Banana Farm Stall because it wasn’t as crowded as Port Edward, and offered the products and freshness we prefer.
They are a bit more expensive than Spar in Port Edward, but we found good quality, fresh products there. It is a one-stop centre for families with activities for children, a restaurant, a wine shop, and a car wash.
TO Strand has many beaches and towns around, so it is a good place to spend a holiday.
The campsites are well protected from the elements, which means you can’t see the sea, which is about 50 – 100 metres from the gates behind the first dune.
What does TO Strand Caravan Park offer?
Safety: Safe. Fenced and security.
Wi-Fi: Yes
Private ablutions: No
Standard of ablutions: Modern
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Plugs in bathrooms: Yes
Laundry: Yes, paid laundry. No self service.
Condition of access roads: Good
Nr of stands: 135 mostly wind-protected stands with plenty of trees. 10-amp connections.
Paved stands: No.
Unpaved stands: Yes
Shade: Yes
Shop on-site: Yes
Nearest town: Port Edward/ Leisure Bay
Load shedding: Yes.
Hot swimming pools: No.
Pensioners rates: Yes.
Long-term camping rates: Yes.
Pet friendly: No.
Location:
1299 Bournemouth Ave,
Ivy Beach,
Port Edward,
4278
Map
Contact:
Tel: 039 319 2729
Email: bookings@tostrand.net
Website