Top 10 Campsites in and Around Cape Town
The Western Cape is an outdoor fanatic’s dream come true. With rolling mountains and endless open spaces, you can step away from your busy city life for a moment to refresh yourself. The following are a few of the top campsites in and around Cape Town.
Cape Town’s location between mountains and sea offers you endless opportunities for a nature-filled adventure within a short drive from the city.
#1 Voëlklip, Hermanus
Location: 1.5 hours from Cape Town
corner of 17th Avenue and the R43, Hermanus
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.
Cost
Pets are allowed (provided the owner takes full responsibility of them during their stay)
Contact
R300 to R750 (2 persons) and R100 per additional person (depending on season)
Special low season and pensioner rates are available
012 460 4047 | www.voelklipcamping.co.za
Special December relaunch offer: The first 30 bookings will receive a 30% discount (T&C’s apply)
#2 Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway, Trouthaven
Location: 1.5 hours from Cape Town
Dwarsberg Farm, Louwshoek Voorsorg Road, Rawsonville (via N1, R101)
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.
Cost
R990 (for the first 6 people) | R165 (per additional adult) | R80 per child (aged 4 – 12)
Free for children under 5.
Pets are not allowed.
Contact
023 349 1919 | www.trouthaven.co.za
#3 Slangkop Tented Camps, Kommetjie
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpM2oQRl8Ma/?tagged=slangkoplighthouse
Location: 1 hour from Cape Town
46 Lighthouse Road, Kommetjie (Via M3, Ou Kaapse Weg)
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.
Cost
R586 – R686 (1 – 4 people) | R263 (per additional adult) | R132 (per additional child)
Pets are not allowed.
Contact
021 712 7471 | SanParks Bookings
#4 Silverstroom Resort, Melkbos
Location: less than an hour from Cape Town
Silwerstroom Road, off the West Coast Road (R27)
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.
Cost
R375 to R450 (depending on season)
Pets are not allowed.
Contact
021 571 7080 | Silwerstroom Bookings
#5 !Khwa Ttu, Yzerfontein
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPK9fxpglU-/?taken-at=268699225
Location: 1 hour from Cape Town
Grootwater Farm, Yzerfontein (via N7, R27)
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.
Cost
R325 per person (includes breakfast)
Pets are welcome.
Contact
022 492 2998 | www.khwattu.org
#6 Slanghoek Mountain Resort, Rawsonville
Location: 1.5 hours from Cape Town
Slanghoek Road (via N1, R101)
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.
Cost
R600 – R720 per night (depending on season)
Maximum 2 vehicles per site | Maximum 1 caravan per site
Maximum 6 persons per site (excluding children 3 years and younger)
Pets are not allowed.
Contact
023 344 3138 | www.slanghoekresort.co.za
#7 Wolfkop Camping Villages, Citrusdal
Location: 2 hours from Cape Town
Citrusdal (via N7)
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.
Cost
R750 – R850 for 2 adults (depending on season) | R150 per additional adult
Maximum 6 people per campsite.
Pets are not allowed.
Contact
083 260 4822 | www.wolfkopcampingvillages.co.za
#8 Tweede Tol, Limietberg Nature Reserve (near Paarl)
Location: 1.5 hours from Cape Town
Tweede Tol (via N1, R44, R301)
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.
Cost
R160 – R360 for 2 people (depending on season) | R50 per additional person
R500 – R570 per private campsite (depending on season)
Up to 6 people allowed per campsite, with a minimum of 2 per site.
Pets are not allowed in CapeNature Reserves.
Please note: The cost of a permit (R40 for adults, R20 for children) for entering a CapeNature Reserve is not included in the accommodation rate.
Contact
021 871 1535 / 021 483 0190 | Limietberg Bookings
#9 Platbos Forest & Owl Camp, Gansbaai
Location: 2.5 hours from Cape Town
Gansbaai (via N2, R43)
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
Cost
Forest Camp: R1 050 per night (for up to 4 guests) | R90 per additional person
Owl Camp: R275 per night for 1 – 2 guests | R85 per additional adult
Maximum 6 guests
Contact
082 411 0448 | [email protected] | www.platbos.co.za
#10 Beaverlac, Olifants River
Location: 2 hours from Cape Town
Beaverlac, Porterville (via N7, R44, R365)
Another great mountain getaway, with a river thrown in for good measure. The campsite is situated in the 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 a 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 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.
Cost
R30 per car | R65 per adult | R40 per child (aged 4 – 17 years)
Free for children under 5.
R50 per dog per night.
Contact
022 931 2945 | www.beaverlac.co.za
