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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Valley View Backpackers

• Family-friendly site on the stunningly scenic Panorama Route
• A 50-minute drive from Kruger National Park, 75 minutes from Nelspruit
• Hot showers, kitchen facilities, bike rental, free tea/coffee, parking

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

Kranzkraal

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

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

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

Kareekloof Game Farm

• 1,400-hectare game farm site 40 minutes from Rustenburg
• Spectacular views over the foothills of the Magaliesberg mountains
• Game drives on site to see 17 species of mammals