Top 10 Campsites in and Around Cape Town

Voëlklip Camping lies in the beautiful seaside town of Hermanus, situated adjacent to the Voëlklip suburb and walking distance from the blue-flag Grotto beach. The camp site is located amongst natural forest consisting of indigenous milkwood bushes, allowing one to embrace the natural environment to its fullest. The view from your site includes the ocean, the Klein Rivier Lagoon and the spectacular mountain.

Facilities

The camp sites are fitted with plug points and the communal ablution blocks have hot water. Each site is equipped with braai facilities.

Activities

The site is within walking distance of the blue flag Grotto beach. Other activities in the area include hiking, swimming, kayaking and canoeing.

This spectacular campsite is located on a working fruit and wine farm, just outside the little Klein Karoo town of Rawsonville. It is the perfect getaway spot from the city with the rolling hills wrapped around the farm, you can soak up the beauty of the Breede Rivier Valley to refresh your soul.

Facilities

Each camping site is fitted with its own private ablution, with hot water. On weekends you can use one of the portable braais with two bags of free wood. During the week you can purchase wood from the kiosk. Other supplies sold include ice, snacks, fresh farm bread, and coffee. Some of the sites are fitted with electricity.

Activities

Besides soaking up the pure nature, you can do some bird watching or trout-fishing. There are also mountain bike and hiking trails meandering through waterfalls. Or you can indulge in a bit of wine tasting.

This SANParks-operated campsite offers you amazing ocean views. Tucked away between the mountains, this little village is on the edge of the city. Step away for a moment from civilisation and soak in all the nature around you. It’s located on the Hoerikwaggo Trail, so you can use it as a quick overnight spot if you want to do a more extensive hike of the area.

Facilities

The tents sleep two people each and bedding is included. There is a shared bathroom with hot water. The communal kitchen is self-catering, and the dining area has an open fireplace.

Activities

There are various hiking trails in the area. Stop for a picnic at one of the designated spots in the Table Mountain National Park. Great surfing available at the beaches close by. You can walk to the little town of Kommetjie to treat yourself to a restaurant outing. Visit the tallest lighthouse of the South African coast, called the Slangkop Point Lighthouse.

This is one of the city’s eco-labeled Blue Flag beaches. The area overflows with indigenous plants and the peaceful waters will beckon you to come dip your toe. But beware, it is on the cold side. It is located on the West Coast Culture Route.

Facilities

Camping and caravan site and chalets also available. It has ablution with hot water. There are picnic and braai areas, as well as a conference room.

Activities

You have easy beach access from the campsite. There is also a tidal pool nearby. It’s safe for swimming and fishing is allowed. You can relax on the beach with a picnic or braai.

This camping outing can be combined with an educational moment as well. Learn more about the interesting history plus culture of the San. Staying in the Bush Lodge can create an almost-glamping moment or keep things basic at the Bush Camp, but with the bonus of your tent already pitched for you.

Facilities

The campsite is solar-powered. There are five freestanding tents at the Bush Camp, sleeping up to four people. Each tent has a little lounge area, as well as a covered outdoor deck. The bathroom and kitchen areas are shared. There’s also a communal boma area with a fireplace. You can request the following: extra beds, towels, utensils, and firewood

Activities

Stop at the farmhouse restaurant to treat yourself to an authentic African dish. Book a San guided tour if you are curious about these reclusive people. You can even learn to speak a bit of their language! Take home your own San-themed art piece from the little shop. The herbal-tea tastings are also a great treat. The area has beautiful hiking and cycling trails. Game drives can be organized. It’s the perfect base to explore the West Coast.

This campsite is well-maintained with a beautiful setting among the vineyards. The tents are situated next to a tranquil stream with beautiful green grass for kids to play on. It is a perfect spot for a family getaway.

Facilities

Each campsite has private washing facilities with hot water showers. There are power points available and the electricity usage is included in the camping rates.

Activities

Every Saturday morning you can go horse riding, stables located near the campsite. There is a putt-putt course at the campsite and swimming pools. Go fishing near the campsite at the dam. A hiking trail starts at the putt-putt course and meanders up the hill to offer you spectacular views of the valley.

A little cluster of camping spots is situated on the Olifants River banks. The campsite is tucked away between the mountains, with outstretched green lawns. Another site with permanent tents, saving you the effort, and making it feel more like glamping than just camping.

Facilities

A Bedouin freeform marquee is set up at each little camping village. The canvas tents are equipped with their own mattresses, bedding and towels. The campsites have their own braai grids, utensils, as well as outdoor seating. Campsites are equipped with power points and electric lighting.  You can purchase firewood.

Activities

There are various hiking and mountain bike trails starting from the campsite. You can hire a canoe and explore the meandering rivers of the Citrusdal area. Fishing is allowed at the Biesievlak Campsite. The campsite has a strict policy against music and making too much noise, unless you book out the whole campsite.

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Always wondered what it would feel like to live in the mountains? Then this camping site is ideal for you. It is situated close to Bainskloof Pass in the Du Toitskloof Mountains, near the original 1851 tollgate. Surround yourself with forests, fynbos, and rugged wilderness.

Facilities

There are no power points but the communal washing area has hot-water showers. Every campsite has its own braai grid, and you can purchase firewood at the gate.

Activities

Overnight campers can access the Wolwekloof swimming holes. The reserve has various hiking trails. There are shaded picnic area equipped with braai facilities and a jungle gym for kids. If you want a more private camping experience, there are six fenced-off campsites, each with their own bathroom and kitchen.

How does a camping trip to an ancient forest sound to you? This is a privately-owned campsite. The owners are conservationists, focused on preserving the rich biodiversity of the area. To name but a few – bushbucks, baboons, thousand-year-old milkwood trees, and even some leopards. The entire camp site is off-the-grid, with solar-powered lighting and antique donkey boilers to heat the water. There are different accommodation options available including tented rooms and secluded log cabins.

Facilities

The Forest Camp has two tented units with two single beds each. It has a fully-equipped kitchen with an outdoor fireplace. There is an open-air shower with warm water. And the toilet is waterless. The donkey boiler is supplied with firewood. You can also purchase firewood. No power points but it is solar-powered.

The Owl Camp offers camping spaces under the forest canopy. There are parking spaces available for canopy tents or camper vans. It has an open-air shower with warm water and the toilet is waterless. There is a fire pit with a braai grid. A communal freezer is available. The donkey boiler is supplied with firewood. You can also purchase firewood. No power points but it is solar-powered.

Activities

There are various forest trails to explore, as well as a labyrinth made from mother-of-pearl seashells. Browse the Platbos Forest Tree Nursery or visit the Grootbos Nature Reserve at Gansbaai. Another fun outing is the Klein River Cheese Farm. Perfect for exploring Hermanus and Stanford

Another great mountain getaway, with a river thrown in for good measure. The campsite is situated in the Groot Winterhoek Mountains, close to Porterville. It’s a quaint little back-to-basics campsite, experience the great outdoors in all its unfiltered glory.

Facilities

The campsites are non-demarcated. There are communal ablution facilities with a few offering hot water. The campsite doesn’t have electricity, but you can access power point and a freezer at the little camp shop. It also sells ice, snacks, meat, wood, beer, wine, cold drinks, and ice cream. You must bring your own braai grid. There are also nine self-catering cabins available, most of them have electricity. Contact campsite for rates and to book.

Activities

There are various hiking trails from the campsite, which are dog-friendly. Mountain bike trails also meander through the mountains. Keep your eyes open for the ancient rock art hidden in the area. Take a dip in one of the rockpools scattered along the Ratel River.

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