The Best Luxury Glamping Getaways in the Cape
Feature image courtesy of @cherryglamping
What do you get when you combine camping with luxury accommodation? Glamping. Glam camping has opened up the wild outdoors to those who prefer to sleep and wake up in comfort (and adore a hot shower). It’s the perfect way to get your dose of nature, without feeling uncomfortable in it.
If the idea of roughing it up doesn’t appeal to you, but you still long for a moment of pure natural bliss, then glamping is the perfect option for you!
The Old Mac Daddy, Elgin
The Daddy Brand is famous in Cape Town for The Old Biscuit Mill and The River Club. And the quirky Old Mac Daddy luxury airstream trailers on top of the Daddy Long Legs Hotel in Long Street. These airstream trailers are also found on the Elgin campsites: Daddy’s Den and Daddy’s Hideaway. They are tucked away in the valley, next to a tranquil lake with a white-sand beach. It’s the perfect weekend getaway, less than an hour’s drive from the city.
It’s also a great family-friendly space, relax in a hammock with your Daddy’s Beach Bar cocktail while the kids frolic in the woods or splash in the nearby pool. Enjoy awe inspiring views of the lush Elgin valley.
Facilities
Daddy’s Den features two tented bedrooms, one with two bunk beds and the other a double bed. Your tent is fitted with a tea-and-coffee station, mini bar, air conditioning as well as a private bathroom. Breakfast included.
Daddy’s Hideaway is a luxury tent with a double bed and two single beds. It also has a heated bathtub plus shower, and a private plunge pool. Make use of the premium coffee-pod machine and lounge on the swinging deck chairs. Free wi-fi included.
Activities
Restaurant and bar, mountain biking, wine tasting, archery, SUPing and kayaking, zorbing, tractor rides, and fishing (catch and release).
Pets not allowed.
Visit oldmacdaddy.co.za for more information
Cherry Glamping, Elgin
Enjoy your very own forest hideaway, lounge in your tent between looming pine trees. At night the campsite lights up into a real enchanted space. Special forest festivals are hosted here from time to time. It’s truly a magical place.
Facilities
Twelve fully-furnished bell tents with an equipped kitchen on site, a communal lounge area with a big dining table plus fireplace. There is also a lapa area with braai facilities.
Activities
Hiking and mountain biking, bird watching. Nearby: Cape Canopy Tour, Klein Paradys Equestrian Centre, Nature Discovery Tours, wine farms and the Whale Route.
Pets not allowed.
Visit cherryglamping.co.za for more information
West Coast Luxury Tents, Elands Bay
Situated between Elands Bay and Dwarskersbos, embrace the ruggedness of the West Coast terrain on the Fork West Farm. Turn the wild seaside into a glamping haven of crowdless bliss with access to an unspoiled private beach.
Facilities
Three luxury lodge tents, each accommodating two adults. The Fork South tent also has another thatched unit beside the tent that can accommodate four extra guests. Each tent has a fully-equipped kitchen and en-suite bathroom, with electricity. Each tent also includes a private braai area.
Activities
Beautiful beach near the camping site, boat launching facility, surfing, and bird watching. The farm has an airstrip that can be used by arrangement.
Pets welcome, by arrangement.
Visit westcoastluxurytents.co.za for more information
Luxury Treehouse, Vindoux Guest Farm, Tulbagh
Tucked away between the Tulbagh vineyards and fruit trees, lies a secluded getaway in the tree tops. The treehouses feature big comfy beds and delectable farmhouse breakfasts. Ideal spot to recharge and soak in the tranquillity of nature.
Facilities
The treehouses are perfect for game viewing (springbok, wildebeest and zebra). They look out over the Saronsberg Mountains and orchards. Equipped with a double bed, en-suite bathroom and a spa bath, coffee/tea making station, plus a balcony. The Honeymoon Suite is situated apart from the other treehouses, the secluded setting includes an indoor seating area with a partially covered balcony.
Activities
Gym and spa, picnic/braai packs from the farm’s deli, mountain biking (bikes available for hire) Nearby: wine farms.
Pets allowed, but have to adhere to property rules.
Visit vindoux.com for more information
Thali Thali Game Lodge, Langebaan
A family-run fynbos private reserve. Enjoy the rugged beauty of the West Coast. The deer will offer you a friendly welcome, oftentimes wandering into the lodge for a quick investigation of the new guests. The reserve features five luxury en-suite tents. The farmhouse has a vintage porch to escape the hot days and cosy fireplace for the chilly winters.
Facilities
The tents are equipped with a microwave, toaster, kettle and fridge. Plus an outdoor stoep and braai area.
Activities
Restaurant, game drives or walking tours, archery (with lessons from professional coaches) and a 3D archery course.
Pets not allowed.
Visit thalithali.co.za for more information.
!Khwa ttu, Yzerfontein
Situated just over an hour outside the city, the name comes from the ancient San culture. Escape the bustling city and learn more about these mysterious people that roamed the bush. Great spot to reconnect with nature.
Facilities
The Bush Lodge consists of four large tents. Each sleep two adults, with a lounge area, en-suite bathroom, covered outdoor deck and small kitchenette, plus private braai area.
The Bush Camp has five tents, with more basic facilities. Each tent sleeps two to four people, with communal bathrooms, a central kitchen, plus a boma with fireplace.
Both the campsites are solar-powered.
Activities
Game drives, walking and cycling trails, nature walks (learn more about the tracking skills of the San people), a photo exhibition with ethnographic film, restaurant, herbal tea tastings, and San language sessions.
Pets are welcome.
Visit khwattu.org for more information.
Africamps at Kam’Bati, Swellendam
Indulge in the countryside lifestyle at this tranquil riverside getaway. The luxury tents are nestled in a charming little forest next to the river. Fall asleep to rumbling water passing by your tent and wake up to a family of ducks cruising down the river.
Facilities
Five boutique luxury tents, with fully-equipped kitchens and en-suite bathrooms. Tents are equipped with two queen-sized beds and one bunk bed, a wood-burning fireplace and braai area. The tents also have air conditioning and electric blankets. You can order a breakfast or dinner braai pack. The bar is open on weekends and the on-site shop open daily.
Activities
Swimming pools with water slides, pool lounge, putt-putt course, jungle gym, hiking trails, and fishing. You can also canoe or take a tube ride on the Breede River. Nearby: wine farms, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Cape Agulhas and Swellendam.
Pets not allowed.
Visit the Africamps at Kam’Bati website for more information.
Other Africamps: AfriCamps is a glamping service provider, working in collaboration with family-run farms and reserves. Other locations to explore include Pat Busch Mountain Reserve (Robertson), Ingwe (Plettenberg Bay), Stanford Hills (Stanford), and Oakhurst (Wilderness).
Wolfkop Camping Villages, Citrusdal
The camping site strives to offer you a no-hassles camping experience. The tents are situated on the riverbank of a peaceful river. Follow the wooden walkways down to the edge of the water.
Each little campsite has its own private jetty, to canoe from. And you can easily explore the farmland and mountains of the area from this base.
Facilities
Each little camping village has a Bedouin freeform marquee plus a few canvas tents. The camping villages include a braai area with seating, electric lighting and a power point, as well as cooler boxes.
Activities
Canoeing, fishing trips (R30 per person), hiking, and horse riding (on nearby farms). Nearby: Stadsaal caves, Cederberg Wilderness Area.
Pets not allowed.
Try out their associated luxury campsite called KleinVlei, at Hermanus. The wooden cabins are situated near Grotto Beach, next to a lagoon.
Visit wolfkopcampingvillages.co.za for more information.
Africamps at Stanford Hills, Stanford
Another awesome glamping experience created by Africamps! This one is situated near rolling hills and lush green meadows, at the foothill of the Klein River Mountain Range. Peer out over the dam for a picture-perfect idyllic moment. The campsite is on a boutique wine farm, which offer wine-tasting experiences with authentic country food to guests. Eat the scrumptious farm-fresh vegetables, sourced from the estate’s own garden.
Facilities
Five luxury tents with en-suite bathrooms and fully-equipped kitchens. The tents have two queen-sized beds plus a single bunk bed. Each one features a braai area, with a wood burning fireplace. Tents are equipped with air conditioning and electric blankets.
You can order a breakfast basket or traditional South African braai pack, delivered to your tent. The wine farm’s Tasting Room serves both breakfast and lunch. They can also create a personalised picnic basket for your enjoyment.
Activities
Swimming in a farm dam, bass fishing at the top dam, wine tasting, horse riding, as well as hiking and mountain biking. And a very unique experience to consider, whale watching from an airplane.
Pets allowed, but must follow property rules
Visit the Stanford Africamps website for more information.
Lancewood Tipi Lodge, Assegai Rest Farm, Robertson
These unique tents offer you camping with a Native American twist. The campsite has three areas: the Paws TiPi site, Magic TiPi Lodge and the Noy Noy TiPi. The Paws TiPi site has two tents; the one sleeps two people and the other accommodates five. The Magic TiPi Lodge is one tepee that can accommodate between two to five people.
And the Noy Noy TiPi can sleep two to three people. It’s a romantic tent with a shaded terrace, a hammock, plus extra luxuries. All the sites have solar power lighting, and gas/solar for hot water.
Facilities
The TiPi tents feature double or single beds, sleeper couches plus other furniture. The Paws and Magic TiPis each have a private outdoor shower and wash basins (as well as an inside shower and toilet), with hot water from solar/gas geysers. The Noy Noy TiPi includes an open air bath plus a shower with a “twist”. The campsite has a fully-equipped kitchen area, private braai areas per tent and each TiPi includes a fireplace for cosy winter nights.
Activities
Swimming pool, relaxing spa treatments from a massage therapist, field archery, hiking, and bird watching.
Pets allowed by arrangement.
Visit the Tipi Lodge website for more information.
Dwyka Tented Lodge, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Montagu
350-million-year-old rock formations enfolds the campsite. The reserve is a hidden, sacred space. The Khoisan people once called it home and their fascinating paintings, dating back over 3 500 years, are scattered across the reserve. This one is a bit further away from Cape Town (roughly three hours) but it’s worthwhile for a solitary getaway.
Facilities
Nine luxury tents, each sleeping two adults. The tents are equipped with en-suite bathrooms, (including a shower and basin), tea and coffee facilities, a mini-bar, heating and cooling, plus a private deck with a Jacuzzi.
The lodge features a lounge with a fireplace and satellite TV, open-air dining area, wi-fi, as well as a wine cellar.
Activities
Spot the Big Five on the expansive Karoo plains, visit a San rock art site (seven in total), games drives (two per day), guided walks, bird watching, stargazing, boat safari (dependant on the weather), and special relaxation retreats
Pets not allowed.
Visit the Dwyka Tented Lodge website for more information.
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