Campgrounds for backpackers in South Africa

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

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

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

Arendsnes Holiday and Conference Centre

• Family-run resort in Chintsa, 200 metres from an 8km-long beach
• 8km from game drives and outdoor activities at a private game reserve
• Hiking trail, tractor rides and cable car on site

Kranzkraal

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

Steenbokkie Nature Reserve

• Family site on a working farm and private nature reserve
• Hikers' and bikers' haven: a 30-minute drive from Karoo National Park
• Meet the farm animals, and the springbok and wildebeest that wander in

Xamarin Guest Farm

• Surrounded by vineyards five minutes' drive from Lambert's Bay
• Five minutes' drive from the beach and Bird Island Nature Reserve
• Swimming pool, bar, fishing river and braai areas

Khamkirri

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

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

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

Verbe Caravan Park

• Privately-owned, family-run park in rural Northern Cape
• In Kamieskroon, 40 minutes' drive from Namaqua National Park
• Covered and open-air braai facilities; dogs allowed

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

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

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

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'

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