7 nearly wild Tent campgrounds and tent camping parks in South Africa

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hippo Farms Camping

• Quiet pitches by the Komati River 10 minutes’ drive from Komatipoort
• Kambaku Golf Course 15 minutes’ drive; Kruger National Park 25 minutes
• Fishing, sunset boat cruises and barbecues all available on site

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