This list contains a selection of camping destinations that we have visited and experienced over many years of camping throughout South Africa. The sites range from coastal caravan parks and riverside camps to dam resorts, safari parks, and bushveld retreats. Each location offers different facilities, surroundings, and recreational opportunities, making them suitable for a variety of camping preferences. The purpose of this list is to provide a useful reference for fellow campers seeking long-stay camping destinations that offer enjoyable outdoor experiences, scenic settings, and reliable amenities.
1: CANNON ROCKS
Region
Overview
Cannon Rocks – Situated near the beach at Cannon Rocks, approximately 20km from Kenton on Sea in the Eastern Cape, 135km to the east of Port Elizabeth and 180km west of East London. A seaside holiday resort for the whole family
Sites
74 Level, grassy and wind-protected sites with plenty of trees.
Activities
- Cold Pool • Kiteboarding • Windsurfing • Beach activities • Fishing • Bring your own gear for all activities. • Sand-boarding • Birding • Nearby: Golf • Tennis & Squash • Bowls • Games Room
Amenities
- Communal Ladies and Gents ablutions. Clean & modern with hot water, showers and flushing toilets. • Scullery for washing dishes. • Coin-operated washing machines & tumble dryers.
Contact Details
- 046 654 0043
- cannonrocks@telkom.net
- https://www.cannonrocks.co.za
- -33.74859 26.54403
2: THE GARIEP DAM
Region
Overview
A convenient stopover between Gauteng and the Cape, 180 km South of Bloemfontein, just off the N1. The Gariep Dam is the largest in South Africa, bordering three provinces, the Free State, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape.
122 Well-laid out, level, demarcated sites. 16 Luxury paved sites offer private ablutions and kitchens. Many sites have large shady trees, which may inhibit grass growth – a netted ground sheet is needed • Site numbers cannot be booked – these are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Site Essentials
- Power points available. Bring a 20m extension cord. • Water points on or near sites. • Built-in braai facilities available at each site.
Activities
- Heated, warm and cold swimming pools • water sports • Boating – slipway available for launching boats and jet-skis • Fishing • Bring your own gear for all activities. • Walking Trails • Exploring the dam and surrounds • Tennis • Putt-Putt • Trampoline
Amenities
- One large clean ablution block serves the general camping area – showers & baths, hot water, flushing toilets. 16 Luxury paved stands offer private ablutions and kitchens. Chemical toilet dump station at the ablutions. • Scullery for washing dishes. • Coin-operated washing machines and tumble dryers. Obtain tokens from the security guard at the gate. Washing lines available.
Contact Details
- 051 754 0045
- gariep@foreversa.co.za
- https://www.forevergariep.co.za/
- -30.63343 25.38023
3: MAGALIES SLEEPY RIVER
Region
Overview
Nestled in the Magaliesberg mountain range, an hour’s drive from Johannesburg.
Sites
Sites on seasonal grass and gravel under large shady trees.
Site Essentials
- Power points on a central stand – bring very long extension cords 30m. • Portable braai facilities available – bring your own grid. Communal water taps throughout the campsite.
Activities
- Swimming Pool with slides • Birding • Nearby: Hiking trails • Kiddies play area
Amenities
- Communal ablutions with hot water, showers, basins and flushing toilets. • Scullery area for washing dishes. • Hand washing and laundry facilities.
Contact Details
- 082 555 9684
- info@magaliessleepyriver.co.za
- https://magaliessleepyriver.co.za/
- -25.93806 27.59225
4: ATKV NATALIA
Region
Overview
The inviting silver sands and sparkling blue waters of this family-oriented resort can be found just 40 km south of Durban – a tropical paradise with balmy, blissful weather all year round.
Sites
108 sites. Upper Terrace – some sites have a seafront view. Lower Terrace – no sea view but more sheltered from the wind. Most sites are paved and grassed, with some shade or shade net.
Site Essentials
- Power points available. Bring a 20m extension cord.
- Water points on or near sites.
- Communal Braai facilities. Bring your own if you want to braai at your site.
Activities
- Outdoor swimming pools • Semi-private beach with shark nets and lifeguards • Super tube at pool • Fishing • Bring your own gear for all activities. • Miniature Golf • Snooker • Pool Tables • Beach activities • Nearby: Crocworld • Dolphin watching and yacht trips • Horse Riding on the beach • uShaka Marine World • Trampoline • Games arcade
Amenities
- Communal Ladies & Gents ablutions. Family Bathroom. Large clean ablution blocks with hot water, showers, bath and flushing toilets. Scullery for washing dishes. • Token-operated washing machines and tumble dryers. Hand-washing sinks.
Contact Details
- 031 916 4545 |
- natalia@atkv.org.za
- https://natalia.co.za/home/
- -30.12174 30.84673
5: FOREVER RESORTS PHALABORWA SAFARI PARK
Region
Overview
Located on the doorstep of the Kruger National Park, a stone’s throw away from the Phalaborwa Kruger National Gate. The camping site is nestled in between indigenous Mopani trees. The resort is the ideal stopover to the Kruger National Park.
Sites
45 Well-laid out demarcated sites. Sites are on bare ground with some having large shady trees – a netted ground sheet is needed to keep the dust from your van • Site numbers cannot be booked – these are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Most sites are not completely level, so bring the levellers • Other accommodation: Chalets, Safari Tents
Site Essentials
- Power points available. Bring a 20m extension cord. • Shared water points for two neighbouring sites. • Braai facilities available at each site.
Activities
- Outdoor swimming pool • Birding • Giant chess • Nearby: Mountain Biking • Golf and adventure sports • Bring the kids’ bikes
Amenities
- Two large clean ablution blocks serve the general camping area, showers & baths, hot water, flushing toilets • Porta-A-Potty station at the ablutions. • Scullery for washing dishes. • Laundry facilities available.
Contact Details
- 015 781 7500
- safarires@foreversa.co.za
- https://www.phalaborwasafaripark.co.za/
- -23.94683 31.16222
6: FOREVER RESORTS LOSKOP DAM
Region
Overview
On the banks of the Olifants River, 48 kilometres north of Middelburg, 230 kilometres East of Johannesburg. This family-friendly favourite is surrounded by the Waterberg Mountain Range and Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, which is home to antelope, leopard, crocodile and hippo.
Sites
236 Well-laid out, level, demarcated sites. Many sites have large shady trees, which may inhibit grass growth – a netted ground sheet is needed • Site numbers cannot be booked – these are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Site Essentials
- 210 x Powered sites, 26 x Non-Powered Sites – upgrades in progress. • Water points on or near sites. • Braai facilities available at each site.
Activities
- Cold / Heated Swimming Pool • Fishing • No Canoes or Kayaks allowed • Boats allowed – valid skippers’ licence, certification and fishing permit required • Bring your own gear for all activities. • Tennis • Hiking • Kids Playground • Putt-Putt
Amenities
- Large clean ablution block – showers & baths, hot water, flushing toilets. • Scullery for washing dishes. • Laundry facilities available.
Contact Details
- Tel: 013 262 3075 |
- loskopres@foreversa.co.za
- https://www.foreverloskopdam.co.za/
- -25.42492 29.38599
7: KALAHARI MONATE LODGE
Region
Overview
This small nature reserve was named after the rocky protrusion that is the Spitskop granite koppie outside of Upington.
Sites
43 Large, sparsely grassed sites with some shade trees.
Site Essentials
- Power at each site. Bring a 20m extension cord. • Water points on or near each site. • Braai facilities at each site.
Activities
- Outdoor swimming pool • Birding • Game Viewing • Hiking – A ten or fifteen-minute climb will bring you to the summit of Spitskop Hill
Amenities
- Communal ablutions with hot water, showers, basins and flushing toilets. • Scullery for washing dishes. • No laundry facilities.
Contact Details
- 082 445 8324
- teuns@intekom.co.za
- http://www.upingtonmonatelodge.co.za/
- -28.37690 21.15825
8: YZERFONTEIN CARAVAN PARK
Region
Overview
This municipal-run campsite is a firm favourite with many who return again and again. The campsite lies on the coast overlooking the beach and ocean, 26km west of the village of Darling in the Western Cape.
Sites
121 Level sites with a mix of grass and sand, demarcated by trees & shrubs, which also provide some privacy. Net ground sheets only. Wind comes from the South.
Site Essentials
- 10 amp Power points on shared posts – bring a 30m extension cord. • Shared Water points near the sites. No hosepipes. • Brick Braai
Activities
- Ocean swimming and water sports • Fishing (permit holders) • Bring your own gear for all activities. • Beach Walking • Beach activities Birding • Mountain Biking • Playground • Play on the beach
Amenities
- Communal Ladies and Gents ablutions. Reasonably modern with hot water, showers and flushing toilets. • Scullery for washing dishes.
- Coin-operated washing machines & tumble dryers. Washing lines.
Contact Details
- 022 451 2211
- yzftnpark@swartland.org.za
- https://www.swartland.org.za/pages/english/yzerfontein-caravan-park.php
- -33.33835 18.16232
9: LEENTJIESKLIP
Region
Overview
This municipal-run campsite is situated between Langebaan and Club Mykonos, approximately 120km from Cape Town. While overlooking the lovely lagoon, visitors can enjoy the cold West Coast water and beautiful sunsets.
Sites
147 Level sites on seasonal grass. Choose between Beachfront sites, Ordinary Sites and sites with private ablutions. Download the Booking application from the website.
Site Essentials
- Power points for each Luxury Site – bring a 20m extension cord. • Water points on or near sites. • Bring your own braai. No fires on the ground/grass.
Activities
- Ocean swimming • Surf Fishing • Bring your ocean water-sport & fishing gear • Beach activities
Amenities
- • Communal and private ablutions – hot water, showers, basins and flushing toilets. Private ablutions are not on your site. • Scullery for washing dishes. • No laundry facilities.
Contact Details
- 022 772 2461
- Lise.Geldenhuys@sbm.gov.za
- https://sbm.gov.za/leentjiesklip-resort/
