Campgrounds for backpackers in South Africa

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

Mac Mac Forest Retreat

• Peaceful forest camp with trails to Mac Mac Falls
• Within 25 minutes of God's Window and Mount Sheba Nature Reserve
• An hour's drive from the Kruger National Park's Phabeni gate

Bateleur Nature Reserve

• Peaceful resort in a large nature reserve half an hour from Modimolle
• Spot giraffes, zebra, wildebeest and other wildlife in the park
• Hiking trails and swimming pool on site

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

Mutale Drift Pafuri Gate

• Quiet off-grid rural cabin just outside the village of Bende Mutale
• A 10-minute drive from the Pafuri Gate into Kruger National Park
• Covered deck area with braai overlooking the Mutale river

Amapondo Backpackers

• Stunningly scenic hillside site on South Africa’s Wild Coast
• Five minutes’ walk from a sandy beach; 10 minutes’ drive from town
• Sundowner trips, guided excursions, bar, restaurant and music events

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

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

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

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

Isinkwe Safaris Bush Camp

• Family-friendly bush site on the stunning Elephant Coast
• Full-day guided safaris in Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Park from the site
• Pool, bar, canteen and regular bush baby feedings

Elundini Backpackers

• Eco-friendly rural site in Elundini, high in the Amatola mountains
• Half an hour's drive from Hogsback
• Community activities including bread baking and Xhosa language lessons

Loch Maree Guest Farm and Field Camp

• Unfenced farm site with swimming pool and views of the Kalahari Desert
• Just over an hour's drive from the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
• Private reserve with lookout point, 4x4 trail and sunset game drives

M'kama

• Secluded riverside bush site in the Western Cape mountains
• Kammanassie Reserve 15 mins; Knysna Forest and Elephant Park 1.5 hour
• 40 minutes to shops and pubs in Uniondale

Thabaphaswa Mountain Sanctuary

• Small site with pool and mountain views in Witvinger Nature Reserve
• Adventure camping within 50 minutes' drive of Polokwane Game Reserve
• Half an hour from hikes and biking trails in Percy Fyfe Nature Reserve

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