Campfires allowed: Campgrounds in Northern South Africa

Country Park Caravan and Camping

• Countryside setting on the outskirts of Johannesburg
• Half an hour from Cradle of Humankind and several game reserves
• Outdoor pool, play area, indigenous garden and small-game viewing

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

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

Red Sands Country Lodge

• Peaceful Kalahari site just off Highway 14, 10 minutes from Kuruman
• Game drives, mountain bike routes and hikes in a large private reserve
• Restaurant, bar, swimming pool and private braai facilities

Molalatau Lodge and Campsite

• Spacious, well-kept bushveld site 10 minutes' drive from Lephalale
• Open-sided wooden bar with views over the Mogol river
• Two swimming pools, baby pool, volleyball court and putting course

Rinkhalskop Safari Lodge

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

Thorn Tree Bush Camp

• Family-friendly site in Dinokeng Big Five Game Reserve
• An hour’s drive from Pretoria; an hour and a half to Jo’burg
• Stargazers’ paradise: top spot for views of the clear night sky

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

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

Mmabolela

• Camping pitches by the Limpopo River on a private Swartwater reserve
• Mountain biking, horse riding and four-wheel drive safaris from site
• Communal camping kitchen and firepit, plunge pool and star gazing

Rivier-Oord Vaalwater

• On the banks of the Magol River: fish for carp, perch and barbel
• Vaalwater setting for stays and overnights on the way to Botswana
• Playground, braai facilities, bar, large lawns and a tractor museum

Witput Country Lodge

• Peaceful farm site on the edge of the scenic Karoo
• A 15-minute drive from Hopetown, and an hour from Kimberley
• Gazella Game Reserve and Mokala National Park within 40 minutes’ drive

Mbizi Game Lodge and Spa

• Smart bush resort 20 minutes' drive from Bela-Bela
• A 15-minute drive from activities and spa days at Warmbaths resort
• Indoor and outdoor pools, miniature golf, spa, bars and restaurant

Amanzimlotzi Riverside Bush Camp

• Small family-run bushveld site on the banks of the Klaserie river
• Kruger National Park tours available on site
• Plunge pool, kitchen and covered eating lapa

Inibos Luxury Bush Camp

• Stays on a 700-hectare wildlife reserve home to 22 animal species
• Half an hour’s drive from Marblehall and three hours from Johannesburg
• Swimming pool, game drives, hiking, hunting, horse riding and fishing

Modimolle Holiday Resort

• Family holiday park in shady bushveld near Modimolle in Limpopo
• Half an hour’s drive to Thaba Kwena Crocodile Farm and game reserves
• Shared barbecue, swimming pools, sports courts and kids’ entertainment