South Africa Tourism Awards Logo

South Africa Tourism Awards

Type: Camping & Caravan site
Category: Child Friendly

Motivation for award: Nominated by past guest

Region: Kwazulu Natal / South Coast – Umdoni

Characters Garden Park

A South Coast Gem

Situated in the picturesque seaside village of Pennington in KwaZulu-Natal, Characters Garden Park offers caravanners and campers a completely unique experience for their next holiday, where indigenous coastal forest and unspoiled sandy beaches meet.

The tranquil setting has you feeling miles away from civilisation, but shops and restaurants are all within a short walk. While Pennington Beach is only a few steps away, offering up a sandy beach, tidal pool, crystal clear rock pools and some of the best fishing spots in the area.

We are frequently commended on our spotless ablutions and our terraced sites give campers a sense of privacy. Braai while watching the sun set over the ocean while the indigenous trees shelter you from any wind.

Umdoni Park, which features 18 holes of golf at one of South Africa’s most underrated courses with spectacular sea views is only two kilometres away. There is a number of outdoor activities on offer at Umdoni Park, including horse riding, mountain biking, trail running, hiking and birding. Over 100 bird species have been spotted at Characters – see if you can add to our list!

Visit us to see why we’re everyone’s new favourite South Coast camping and caravan park KZN.

Vote and request your R1000 travel voucher

* The system only allows you to vote once for an entry. You may however comment multiple times per entry. We thank your playing your part and contributing to the South Africa Tourism Awards though voting and submitting comments.

* As a thank you we will send you a R1000 travel voucher to enjoy. We  ask you to share these awards with your friends and request them to vote too. By voting they too will receive a R1000 travel voucher. 

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Comments

Kate – 18.04.2022
Our favourite caravan park on the South Coast!

Bianca Johnson – 13.04.2022
Wonderful campsite that’s well run by such genuine and enthusiastic people. We can’t wait to bring the family again!

Keith Hasenbroek – 13.04.2022
What a great place to recharge after the stressful year we have had.

Irene – 25.03.2022
Characters is a winner for sure!

Peter Hood – 21.03.2022
A beautiful park in the garden; individual hedged open and shaded stands, good security and enthusiastically hands-on owner managed. Super facilities and everything works. One of the few truly pet friendly KZN coastal parks, no silly 5kg restrictions..Well done Chris, Alex and team

Louis & Sheliah Lazare – 21.03.2022
We hereby vote for Characters Garden Park. Not only is the park well run by a lovely couple (Chris & Alex) but they go the extra mile. We needed accommodation at a drop of a hat and they accommodated us with a smile and also supplied us with linen. To top this all off they went out of their way to bring “Josie” to visit us before we left and this over a very busy long weekend – they made the time. No only was Josie spoilt but our hearts were once again filled with warmth from this lovely little girl and this beautiful gesture. We desperately needed to unwind and destress and Characters Garden Park did this for us. Our heartfelt thanks to both Chris and Alex, may you receive this award as you have only gone from strength to strength and you deserve it.

Phyl Russell – 18.03.2022
A tranquil well looked after park is our top priority when out and about in our Skipper. Characters Garden Park is certainly on our bucket list when travelling from the ECape.

Patty Headley – 15.03.2022
We hope to visit you in May this year. Heard so many good reports. We already pensioners.

Rob Dantuma – 15.03.2022
I look forward to going to this resort at the next opportunity that I have. I certainly has all the facilities that I require and is close to a host of other attractions that will make a holiday there pleasant.

Paul Dantuma – 15.03.2022
Looking forward to camping there… Sites and facilities look awesome.

Symonds – 14.03.2022
Wonderful place for a getaway!

Kay Zijl – 14.03.2022
What a wonderful place..just love Characters! Set your camp up in the lush tropical gardens near to the beautiful beaches and rock pools in Pennington on the KZN South Coast

Alex – 14.03.2022
Perfect spot to recharge and get back to nature – incredibly beautiful and close to the beach, shops and restaurants.

Tracy Coningham – 14.03.2022
Awesome secret hideaway!

Jodie du Plessis – 14.03.2022
Character’s is the best new park around. Anyone who hasn’t been there needs to book ASAP!

Julia Nicholson – 14.03.2022
I vote for Characters Garden Park. It is a family friendly, clean and secure camping park. A very pretty setting where a wonderful holiday is enjoyed. Close to the beach and all other amenities one may require.

Wanda Mouton – 14.03.2022
My Happy Place

Carina Snyman – 14.03.2022
Very clean and neat caravan park. A must on any caravaner’s list.

Alex van Wyk – 14.03.2022
Awesome place. Clean and tidy situated in a beautiful plac.

Glen Pyle – 14.03.2022
Great park in a lovely town. One of our favorites for camping

Elize Botes – 14.03.2022
Beautiful park and surroundings.

Barry Hall – 14.03.2022
Best on the south coast

Helen Johnson – 14.03.2022
Beautiful campground. Very helpful, lovely owners. Beautiful beach…

Francois Steyn – 14.03.2022
A real South Coast gem as been said very central and beautiful.

Viv – 14.03.2022
Characters is a gem if looking for a tranquil camping experience

Lee – 14.03.2022
Amazing place

Charlaine Donald – 14.03.2022
An amazing place.

Linda Olivier – 14.03.2022
Lovely well maintained caravan park been there twice and cannot wait to go back.

Jenny – 14.03.2022
The most beautiful, tranquil and peaceful getaway you will ever have

Wendy Hannocks – 14.03.2022
Characters Garden Park is an exceptionally friendly, well run gem on the South Coast. Our favourite weekend getaway!

Pieter – 14.03.2022
Absolutely epic!

Kate – 14.03.2022
Wow!!! What a gem of a place. There’s no other caravan park like it. So many indigenous trees and native bird life, with the sound of the waves crashing nearby. Utter bliss. Will not camp anywhere else on the South Coast!

Carolyn Logan – 14.03.2022
Love this place

Melissa – 14.03.2022
The most tranquil setting. Friendly staff. Shady grasses sites! It’s really an oasis

Penny Harvey – 14.03.2022
Awesome little piece of paradise on the South Coast with all round good weather.

Wendy Matthews – 14.03.2022
Characters Garden Park is amazing!

Sandy Bleach – 14.03.2022
Had a wonderful month there ablutions always spotless and the ambiance just let you relax and chill out under the trees and watch the birdlife.Help was on hand to set up when I arrived and the guys were well trained.Viv and Jean checked every day to ensure Everything was ok and my furkid had an absolute ball running around with the campsite pups.Thankyou will definitely be back

Alex Morris – 14.03.2022
Love the bird life, peace and tranquillity

Ray & Marilyn Lavarack – 13.03.2022
Great choice of name as it certainly has lots of “character” as well as pristine ablutions .

Trudie Struweg – 07.03.2022
Best Caravan park in the entire world! Great and neat stands and ablution blocks. Never going to camp on the South Coast in any other park than Characters ever again.

Yasmin Rahaman – 05.03.2022
What beauty i would really love to experience clamping by the sea

heather bowren – 04.03.2022
Beautiful sites, well looked after and friendly vibe… Close to beach and amenities… And dog friendly which is a huge plus.

Bridget Mcilroy – 03.03.2022
Characters caravan park is the best!

Gaynor Gilfillan – 03.03.2022
Characters is one of the best Caravan Parks on the South Coast. Beautiful large private stands, easy access to all amenities, 2 min walk to a beautiful beach, amazing ablutions and a lovely pool. Plenty of shade, kiddies playground, and good security. Owners Chris and Alex live on the property and are amazing. Well worth a visit.

Cheyne Neubert – 02.03.2022
What a fantastic spot!

Danie Nothnagel – 02.03.2022
Characters is a fantastic park, from the management, amenities, beautiful birdlife and of course the access to the sea. My favourite camping destination

Kevin Wearne – 02.03.2022
The resort was really nice, staff and owner always available and very service orientatedgood sites, easy beach access, wonderful Birdlife in the camp. Will definitely be doing regulat visits to this park.

Tammy Erasmus – 02.03.2022
Our favourite place on the South Coast. Fur babies allowed out of season. Beach, restaurants and shops close by. Characters sites and ablutions are always clean and the bird life is amazing. Staff are super friendly and welcoming. Its home away from home. Love it x

allan manser – 01.03.2022
Great caravan park, v ery friendly and helpful hosts

Neale Möhle – 01.03.2022
Not just safe secure and near the beach, but caring and welcoming hospitality!

Vic Grobbler – 01.03.2022
The success of this resort rests soly on the dedication shown by the team that is running it so efficiently

Wanda Mouton – 01.03.2022
MY Happy place since 1994

Jurie – 01.03.2022
Best camping site Huge stands , Rustic feel to compliment the outdoors. Owner is very active , friendly and fantastic service

Fanie le Grange – 01.03.2022
To camp at Characters Garden Park is an absolute joy! Clean and peaceful with wonderful helpful hosts.

barbara green – 01.03.2022
5 star!!!!!

Jenna Faulds – 01.03.2022
Characters has massive Character!!!

Retha van der Walt – 01.03.2022
I have not been to Characters yet but would LOVE to go! I have been following their FB since last year and hope that we will soon have a chance to go there, I just know our family will all enjoy it there!

AD Niemand – 01.03.2022
Best ever caravan Park.

CHERYL HOFERT – 01.03.2022
I VOTE FOR CHARACTERS GARDEN PARK, IN PENNINGTON. IT IS PERFECTLY AWESOME!!!!

Mr & Mrs Rob Milne – 01.03.2022
We stayed at Characters Garden Park for 4 months last year, an enjoyed every minute of our stay. The park is beautifully kept, abolutions are spotless an huge plus is security. We’ll done Chris an gang .

Pam Munthree – 01.03.2022
simply love camping here. The quiteness, the stillness , the freshness of nature. Mother Earth is not a resource, she is an heirloom…. Absolutely amazing place….

Ali Kingsley – 01.03.2022
What an incredible campsite !

Patricia McCann – 01.03.2022
What a tucked away paradise. Beautiful sites, lovely established trees and grassy stands. Clean ablutions, very friendly and professional owners. Beautiful quiet private beach within walking distance and a pool on site to relax. Such a wonderful place and we will definitely return time and time again.

Renske Fitzjohn – 01.03.2022
We had a great time over new year. The sites were spacious, the ablutions meticulously cleaned, and the pool and play areas well kept. Just a step away from the beach and close to shops.

Mark Kirkbride – 01.03.2022
Our Easter getaway last year and it was idyllic. A fresh start for an old park. The grounds are beautifully kept, the swimming pool is amazing for laps in the morning. Chris and family are very attentive and friendly. Awesome Stay!

Molly Staats – 01.03.2022
A wonderful escape! Certainly award deserving!

Chris Scorer – 27.02.2022
Truly lovely camping here. The quintessential South coast camp site with friendly staff and hands on passionate owers

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