Campgrounds for backpackers in South Africa

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

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

Kranzkraal

Woody Cape Nature Lodge

• Rural camping a few minutes' stroll from a spectacular sandy beach
• Access the famed Alexandria Trail straight from the grounds
• Bar, restaurant, braai facilities and two pools

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

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

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

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

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

Tava Lingwe Game Lodge

• Luxury game lodge over 170 hectares of farmland
• Game drives and lion tours available directly from the lodge
• Two pools and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner

Arch Rock Resort

• Spectacularly set beachfront site with stunning views
• Monkeyland primate sanctuary right next door
• Clean and up to date amenities including separate ladies' and gents'

Rooidam Campsites

• Spacious stays on a working Karoo sheep farm in a malaria-free area
• Just off the N12, halfway between the Cape Peninsula and Gauteng
• Swimming hole, tennis court, braai facilities, walking/cycling trails

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

Rooihoogte Guest Cottage and Camping

• Secluded farm site where mountains and grasslands meet
• In a region famed as one of the most biodiverse in the world
• Fish for bass and trout in pristine waters

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

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

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