Campsites for backpackers in South Africa

Harriets Venture

• Small, scenic Limpopo site at the foot of the Kransberg mountains
• A 10-minute drive to the entrance gate for Marakele National Park
• Swimming pool, shared firepit and lots of space for kids to play

Khamkirri

• Award-winning site by the stunning Orange River
• River views from all accommodation areas
• Activities, tour bookings, pool, braais, fishing, bar and restaurant

Highover Wildlife Sanctuary

• Rural site on a 3,000-hectare nature reserve a half-hour from Richmond
• 11km of river frontage for fishing, swimming and canoeing
• Trail maps available for hikes, mountain biking and game drives

Pearson Park Resort

• Family resort in Colchester with stunning views of the Sundays River
• Less than 10 minutes' drive from the entrance to Addo Elephant Park
• Cruises, canoeing and fishing trips organised from the site

Karoo Gariep Tented Camp

• Family-friendly campsite located in a nature reserve in Hanover
• See rare bird species and hippos in the site surroundings
• Go swimming and fishing on the Karoo river

Kaoxa Campsite

• Simple site by a large baobab tree in the wilds of the Limpopo valley
• Next to sandstone koppies with fig trees growing into the rocks
• A 10-minute drive from Mapungubwe National Park

Tweni Lagoon Resort

• Small family-friendly waterside resort at Umtentweni in KwaZulu-Natal
• Leopard Rock and Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve both 40 minutes’ drive
• Swimming pool, kids’ gym and zipwire; communal braai with lagoon views

A Day in Africa

• Small, friendly site 20 minutes' walk from the beach in Sodwana Bay
• Linked to a well-established scuba diving centre
• Excellent restaurant and bar with top-notch local meals and drinks

Eagle Falls Country Lodge and Camping

• Remote site above the Molen River Gorge in the Kammanassie Valley
• Hikes from site; half an hour's drive from Kammanassie Nature Reserve
• Bar, restaurant, 4x4 driving trails, horse treks and air rifle range

Kosi Bay Casitas

• Well-located resort a 30-minute walk to Lake Nhlange in Kosi Bay
• A 20-minute drive to Manguzi and 25 to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• Restaurant, kitchen, pool and bar plus organised boat and 4x4 trips

Kranzkraal

La Belle Esperance Adventure Farm

• Peaceful, safe and secure farm site in the KZN mountains
• A 20-minute drive from Volksrust and 45 minutes from Newcastle
• Simple pitches by a river for birdwatching and swimming

Kareekloof Game Farm

• 1,400-hectare game farm site 40 minutes from Rustenburg
• Spectacular views over the foothills of the Magaliesberg mountains
• Game drives on site to see 17 species of mammals

Boelamien Rivercamp

• Peaceful family-friendly site in the South African bushveld
• Top spot for wildlife spotting and stunning African sunsets
• Fishing paradise on the banks of the Limpopo river

Buyskop Lodge

• Stays on a private game reserve in the foothills of the Waterberg
• A five-minute drive from Bela-Bela, and 70 minutes from Pretoria
• Restaurant, braai facilities, game watching, biking trails and a spa

Pafuri Rivercamp

• Secluded bush camp on the banks of the Mutale River
• A 15-minute drive from Kruger National Park
• Fishing, tubing and birding walks from site; bar, restaurant and pool

Old Mill Drift Guest Farm

• Remote site deep in the stunningly scenic Maluti mountains
• Huge site with off-roading trails, hiking paths and river for fishing
• Top spot for stargazing, with clear night skies