10 Most Beautiful Spots to Camp in South Africa!

If you’re looking to really get away from it all nothing beats a good old-fashioned camping trip. From the breathtaking mountains of the Cederberg to the beaches of Paternoster, these are our favourite spots to pitch a tent in South Africa. Of course, since we live in the most beautiful country in the history of ever all of these spots come with breathtaking backdrops and views. Instead of travelling overseas, make this the year you vow to explore South Africa and then get out there with your camping gear and your favourite people!

1. Tietiesbaai – Paternoster

If you’ve always dreamed of camping on the beach then you need to make your way to the pristine and secluded white sand beaches of Tietiesbaai. Nothing beats watching the sun go down, beer in hand on this beach and being this close to nature is beyond incredible. Spend your days fishing, hiking, or just chilling out on the beach. The camping area offers ablution blocks with flush toilets and solar-heated showers as well as a fresh water source. There are 60 campsites available, with 6 people allowed per site.

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2. Sea Shack – Paternoster

Another winner in Paternoster, the Beach Camp offers the Tietiesbaai camping experience with a little more glam thrown in. The beach-side camp offers beautifully furnished wooden shacks on the beach and luxury facilities for those who prefer ‘glamping’. With Beachfront shacks, Garden shacks, and more modest tents, there’s a ‘shack’ to suit any budget.  Each tiny wooden cabin is the vision and design of local artist Dianne Heesom-Green and themed to suit its name. All shacks are fitted with crisp luxury linen in a queen size bed while tents are fitted with 2 x stretch beds and luxury linen. Powered by solar and gas, Sea Shack is off the grid but still offers creature comforts like free WiFi for those who simply cannot disconnect from ‘the real world’ for too long. At night guests are invited to join fellow campers around the fire pit to cook and ‘kuier’.

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3. Beaverlac Camping – Cederberg

Just 2 hours from the Mother City, Beaverlac offers adventurous types a getaway like no other. With plenty of hiking trails, mountain biking, spectacular rock pools and waterfalls, and a picturesque natural setting Beverlac is a must-visit of note. The campsite is pet-friendly and ultra-comfortable with well-maintained ablution facilities, hot water, braai areas and a well-stocked shop. You don’t have to walk far to enjoy the area’s stunning rock pools – with the closest just a quick five-minute walk from the camp.

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4. Fiddlers Creek Campsite – Orange River

Nestled on the banks of the Orange River, Fiddlers Creek Campsite is the ultimate in riverside camping. Each campsite is enclosed with a reed fence and offers an undercover kitchen, washing up basins with running water, countertops, lights, power (220V) and a built in braai area. Some of the larger sites have large tables and benches as a permanent fixture under the roofed area. Communal areas include a bar, pool table, small shop, pay-per-coin filtered water, and volleyball area. The camp offers 14 grassed campsites, a mere 200 metres from the water. Spend your days hiking, swimming and relaxing with friends.

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5. Storms River Mouth Rest Camp – Tsitsikamma National Park

Camping in the Tsitsikamma National Park is the stuff dreams are made of. There’s no doubt about it, this is one of the most breathtaking regions in South Africa. Located on the seashore, Storms River Mouth Rest Camp offers an unbeatable setting with guests having access to over 80km of beautiful coastline. The facilities at this camping spot are also great and campers have access to a communal ablution block, laundromat, kitchen facilities, restaurant and a small shop.

For more information click here.

6. Tsendze Rustic Campsites – Northern Kruger National Park

This beautifully rustic camp offers 30 campsites with kitchen and ablution facilities (with open-air showers!) Don’t expect luxury here but you will get hot water, electricity and lights and frankly, what more could you ask for in the bush? Tsendze Rustic Campsite is a very popular spot and it’s all due to its incredible setting and excellent bird and game life spotting and a down-to-earth feel. If you’re lucky you can expect to see everything from elephant, zebra and various antelope, to lions and leopard in this neck of the woods.

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7. Albert Falls – Pietermaritzburg

Located just 24km from Pietermaritzburg in the 3000-hectare Albert Falls Dam and Game Reserve, Albert Falls campsite is the perfect getaway for keen fishermen and adventurous types. The campsite offers an idyllic setting as well as excellent bass fishing and watersports on the dam. With 110 campsites available (60 at Notuli, overlooking the game reserve; and 50 at Pelican Bay overlooking the dam), the camp is a great place to get away from it all. Campers also have access to well-maintained ablution facilities with hot and cold water, electric lights and power points.

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8. Stoney Ridge Campsite – Colenso, KwaZulu Natal

Located amongst 6000 acres of unspoiled natural beauty on a private game farm Stoney Ridge offers keen campers superb game and bird life viewing as well as killer 4X4 trails. Spend a few nights camping on the banks of the Bloukrans River while you take in the sights and sounds of the area. The campsite offers meal catering for campers should they wish to partake as well as ablution facilities. But be warned, it is rustic and you’ll have to leave your creature comforts at home.

PFor more information click here.

9. Mountain Sanctuary Park – Rustenburg

Located in the beautiful Magaliesberg, with sweeping views of surrounding farmland and the nearby Buffelspoort Dam, the 1000-hectare property, is a must-visit for all keen campers. Well-known for its hiking trails, Mountain Sanctuary Park is an outdoor lovers dream. Explore the natural pools just 20-minutes away from the campsite and then head back to the grassy picnic area with a viewing deck back at camp for a long leisurely lunch. The campsite offers shared ablution facilities as well as electricity points (needs to be requested on booking), and a braai and grid at each campsite. There are also cabins for an affordable alternative to camping. The camp also offers a beautiful shaded pool for afternoons when all you want to do is veg out poolside.

For more information click here.

10. Augrabies Falls National Park – Upington, Northern Cape

Few sights are as awesome as water thundering down the 56m Augrabies Waterfall when the Orange River is in full flood and that is just what you will experience staying at this breathtakingly beautiful spot. You can also spot some pretty amazing game while staying here as the 55 383 hectares on both the northern and southern sides of the Orange River provide sanctuary to a diversity of species, from the very smallest succulents, birds and reptiles to Hartmann’s mountain zebra, springbok, gemsbok and giraffe. The rest camp offers caravan and camping sites in a shaded area with a maximum of six persons permitted per site. Facilities include power points at each camp, a communal camp kitchen with two-plated stoves and sinks, communal ablution facilities, laundry and ironing room.

For more information click here. 

PLEASE NOTE: Information was corrected when publishing in January 2019. WomenStuff.co.za is an independent publication that is not affiliated with the accommodation facilities listed above and cannot be held responsible for the information published here. Please contact the accommodation facilities directly for up to date prices and information.