Tent: Campgrounds in South Africa

Areena Riverside Resort

• Family-friendly campsite on the Eastern Cape’s Kwelera River
• Glen Eden Lagoon 10 minutes’ drive and East London half an hour
• Quad biking, archery and abseiling; meet-and-greet Abby the giraffe

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

Springbok Caravan Park

• Peaceful site one mile out of Springbok town
• Deep in Namaqualand; excellent stopover for trips to and from Namibia
• Pool and laundry services on site; well-maintained facilities

Elevated Valley View Campsite

• Back to basics Limpopo wild camping site with stunning views
• A 20-minute drive to Vaalwater; 25 minutes to Jugomaro Predator Park
• Near the Kamonande Game Park, home to many species of plains game

Op-i-Plaas Bush Camp

• Rural bush site off the R36 15 minutes' drive from Ohrigstad
• Handy stopover for travellers on the Panorama Route
• Artist-owned site with sculptures and other works on display

Busa House

• Well-maintained and peaceful campsite in Mpumalanga’s White River
• On the Panorama Route; Kruger National Park 45 minutes’ drive
• Private facilities and kitchens; pool and play area in leafy gardens

DeKotzenhof Camp

• Quiet family-friendly site in the Mpumalanga village of Wakkerstroom
• Wakkerstroom wetlands 20 minutes’ walk; Zaaihoek Dam 20 minutes’ drive
• Braai and restaurant; deli and art gallery; mini-golf and trampoline

CradleLicious Farm Camp

• Quiet site 10 minutes drive from the UNESCO-listed Cradle of Humankind
• Maropeng visitor hub 10 minutes’ drive; Bothongo Wondercave 15 minutes
• Café, restaurant and chill-out area; fishing and stargazing available

Slievyre Game Farm

• Pitches on a 5000-acre game farm 20 minutes' drive from Estcourt
• More than 70 km of trail on site for walking, quad biking or 4WD
• Outdoor pool and play area on site; guided game drives available

Beach Farm Camping

• Back-to-basics site next to Selah surfing beach in the Eastern Cape
• Kap River Conservancy 15 minutes’ drive; Addo Elephant Park two hours
• Tame animals on site; surfing lessons and board hire on the beach

Spinlea Farm

• Peaceful, simple and spacious Western Cape farm site
• A 20-minute drive to Greyton; 45 minutes to Franschhoek
• Trail runs, mountain biking and swimming dam on site

Maru Djembe

• Campsite in untamed bushveld near Hoedspruit in Limpopo province
• A 45-minute drive to Kruger National Park and Blyde Dam river cruises
• Swimming pool, wildlife walks, shared barbecue and stargazing on site

Moretele River Lodge

• Peaceful park by the Moretele river in the Dinokeng Game Reserve
• A 40-minute drive north of Pretoria; 45 minutes to Cullinan
• Outdoor pool and lake beach for swimming; game drives to book

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

Kranzkraal

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