Camping in South Africa is about appreciating the darkest skies filled with twinkling stars, sleeping to the sounds of lions on their nighttime hunts, and waking up to the pastel hues of sunrise over craggy mountain peaks. It’s about being in and at one with nature. The best thing about camping in South Africa is that you can do it year-round. Because of its subtropical climate, any time is a good time to visit South Africa for a camping experience, but you may need to adjust where you camp seasonally. Here are some of the most beautiful campsites in South Africa.
Mabibi Beach Camp
If you’ve ever dreamed of being lulled to sleep by the thunderous waves of South Africa’s beaches, then take a look at Mabibi Beach Camp. Nestled between the shores of the Maputaland Marine Reserve and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Mabibi Beach Camp is a remote and isolated campsite a stone’s throw from the coast. With only eight private sites, this camping site is the place to be for a secluded beach getaway surrounded by verdant coastal forest and unspoiled wilderness. Each campsite comes with its own shady area under the milkwood trees, a braai station, and a tap.
From the campsite, you can swim in the bay, hike around the shimmering lakes, and snorkel on the nearby reefs before catching a sunset from the pristine beach. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a leatherback turtle coming to shore at dusk to lay its eggs.
Cederberg Algeria Campsite
Just a couple of hours’ drive from Cape Town, the Cederberg Mountains beckon to adventurous souls looking to connect with nature. The Algeria Campsite is a peaceful spot in the foothills, surrounded by lush pine forests and the gentle flow of the Rondegat River. What makes Algeria one of the most beautiful camping sites is its connection to nature. There are 48 comfortable sites for tent camping or campervans, and it also has some self-contained cottages for a more glamorous glamping experience.
It has the usual facilities you might expect, such as clean, hot showers and braai (barbecue) areas, but it also has some resort-like facilities, such as a coffee shop, restaurant, and gift shop. Popular activities include swimming in the shady water hole, which serves as a natural infinity pool framed by the sandstone cliffs, and hiking through the Cederberg Wilderness Area.
Moretele River Lodge
A haven for nature enthusiasts, Moretele River Lodge is an exclusive campsite on the banks of a tributary of the Crocodile River in the 21,000-hectare (51,892-acre) Dinokeng Game Reserve. This charming campsite puts you in the heart of a protected refuge where animals roam freely. Self-sufficient travellers can stay in a wild campsite, or lovely lodges are also available.
What sets Moretele River Lodge apart is its commitment to conservation and preserving the environment. When building the camp, no bricks or mortar were used to reduce its environmental footprint and preserve the lush and unspoiled surroundings. When staying at Moretele River Lodge, head off on safaris or bird-watching excursions. Look out for the rare African finfoot, which is known to live in the Moretele River.
Crocodile Bridge Safari Lodge
A serene campsite on the Crocodile River overlooking Kruger National Park, is Crocodile Bridge Safari Lodge, located 200m (656 ft) from the national park entrance. This adults-only campsite has a combination of safari tents and river-view suites. Whichever accommodation option you choose, you get a private bathroom and air conditioning. All campers are invited to pre-dinner drinks and a freshly cooked meal of South African food, which is included with your stay.
A highlight of staying at Crocodile Bridge Safari Lodge is the opportunity to watch a golden hour show from the riverside viewing deck. Not only is the landscape awash in hues of pink and orange reflecting on the river’s surface, but this time of day also brings an abundance of wildlife to the river. It’s possible to see zebras, elephants, and antelopes drinking from the river’s edge, and of course, crocodiles sunbathing on the sand banks.
Mdluli Safari Lodge
For a safari camping experience, Mdluli Safari Lodge inside Kruger National Park is an experience not soon forgotten. Mdluli Safari Lodge has 50 safari tents, each a spacious 70 sq m (230 sq ft) with their own viewing decks and private outdoor showers. Although you stay in a canvas tent, the tents are far from your ordinary camping experience. Framed by natural timber and lovingly furnished with oversized beds, soft sofas, and a writing desk, these tents feel like a home away from home. Each tent is also connected to wi-fi, and you have a free golf cart shuttle to take you around the resort to the lounge, coffee bar, restaurant, and a bar with an infinity swimming pool, where you can cool off after a safari and watch more animals ambling past.
Experience it for yourself on: South Africa: Kruger Wildlife Tracking & Vineyards
Storms River Mouth Rest Camp
Known for being the trailhead to the iconic multi-day Otter Trail hike, Storms River Mouth Rest Camp is a campsite with unrivalled coastal views. Nestled on the shoreline of Tsitsikamma National Park on the Garden Route, this campsite is basic but comfortable, with simple facilities like a laundromat, kitchen, communal shower block, and a restaurant. Self-contained chalets offer a more upscale experience, but you don’t come for the facilities; you come for the surroundings.
Tsitsikamma National Park is one of the largest and oldest no-take marine protected areas in the world, covering 186 sq km (72 sq mi). From the shoreline, it’s possible to see whales, dolphins, and sea otters swimming in the waters. There aren’t too many campsites in South Africa where you can listen to the waves crashing at night and wake up at sunrise to see playful otters on their morning hunt.
Sabie River Camp
The Sabie River Camp provides self-catering safari tents built on wooden platforms and stilts on the riverbanks. The town of Sabie, where the campsite is located, is a pitstop on the aptly named Panorama Route, known for its scenic vistas, striking canyons, and limestone mountains. Within an easy drive of the campsite are the Makobulaan Nature Reserve, Lisbon Falls, and the Blyde River Canyon. A standout feature of Sabie River Camp is the heated rock pool, which has a wraparound deck overlooking the river. If you need more entertainment than the serene setting, there is also an on-site mini-golf course. For the rugged traveller, the site also has a grassy area for tent camping with electrical points, a communal kitchen, and a shower block.
Shindzela Tented Camp
Nestled in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in Kruger National Park, Shindzela is an eco-friendly campsite with a passion for conservation. The campsite is powered by solar energy and offers canvas safari-style tent accommodations under a thatched grass-roof structure. To keep the carbon footprint down, the campsite can accommodate only 16 guests at a time in its eight safari tents. As with most campsites in Kruger National Park, a stay at Shindzela Tented Camp includes an evening and day safari of the park.
Hermits Wood, Underberg
If hiking South Africa is on the agenda for you, consider a stay in Underberg, a rural area in the Garden Castle Nature Reserve in the UNESCO-listed Maloti-Drakensberg Park. Hermits Wood is a small and remote campsite with only 10 camping spots. Each campsite sits under the canopies of the yellowwood trees and comes with a view of Rhino Peak. Numerous hiking routes leave from the campground, taking you to caves, through the verdant valleys, and to the pebbled Mlambonja River. Swimming spots in the river can be accessed from the campground, which also includes a small communal kitchen and a block of gas-heated showers.
Tembe Elephant Park Lodge
Nestled in the remote KwaZulu-Natal Province, Tembe Elephant Park Lodge is a community-owned and operated campground in a 300-sq-km (186-sq-mi) reserve that is home to the oldest wild elephant population in South Africa. Tembe was set up as a sanctuary for elephants targeted by poachers on the borders of Mozambique. It’s common to see elephants roam in the campgrounds day and night, but many of these giants still remember their encounters with poachers, so keep your distance — an elephant never forgets!
Stay in a classic A-frame safari suite, which comes with a full-size bed, a fan, and an ensuite bathroom with an outdoor shower. Each tent has a private patio area for wildlife viewing. After a day of elephant watching, head back to the campsite to swim in the outdoor splash pool or mingle with other travellers around the campfire.
​Â
