Love camping? So do we. These are some of our favourite Western Cape campsites, our pick of the best camping in the Overberg, Cederberg, and Garden Route. Whether you’re looking for a private stand with your own loos and views, a river to swim in, or a crashing surf to send you to sleep, we’ve got a campsite for you.
Campsites in the Overberg
1. Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway, Rawsonville
Location: Dwarsberg Farm, Rawsonville
Dwarsberg Trout Haven, Rawsonville. Image credit: trouthaven.co.za
Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway lies snug on the banks of the Holsloot River, 15 km south of Rawsonville. Each campsite is private, with its own stretch of lush green lawn and private ablutions. There are trout in the river and hiking and mountain biking trails in the vicinity. For sports events that you just can’t miss, ask in advance for access to the big screen and DStv.
- Rates: From R260 p p (Riverside Camping)
- Pets: No
- Activities nearby: Fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, wine tasting
- Contact: [email protected]
2. Badensfontein Self-Catering and Camping, Montagu
Location: Baden, Badensfontein Eco Reserve, Montagu
Badensfontein, Montagu. Image credit: badensfontein.co.za
Baden Boskamp is tucked into a small, grassy hollow, 5 km north of Montagu. Out of season or midweek, you’ll probably have the whole place to yourself – a huge rolling lawn surrounded by vineyards, shady trees, and a small pool to cool off in. There are two lapas with power points, a communal fridge and portable braais to wheel out to your camp. These are limited, however, so in peak season you might want to bring your own.
- Rates: R160 p p
- Pets: No
- Activities nearby: Montagu Hot Springs, wine tasting, mountain climbing, walks in the surrounding farmland
- Contact: [email protected]
3. Oewerzicht, Greyton
Location: Oewerzicht Farm, Greyton
Oewerzicht, Greyton.
Sunset on the Langeberg is one of the most beautiful sights in South Africa, and Oewerzicht is a wonderful place to enjoy it. Apart from the stunning scenery, there’s also fishing and canoeing in the Riviersonderend River which gurgles right past the campground, plus hiking and mountain biking through the surrounding farmland. The ablutions are modern and first class and if you need supplies, the charming town of Greyton is just down the road.
- Rates: R120 p p
- Pets: Yes
- Activities nearby: Mountain bike trail, tractor rides, hiking, swimming, tubing, Greyton Saturday
- Contact: [email protected]
4. River Goose, Bonnievale
Location: Farm Eureka, Gelukshoop Road, Bonnievale
River Goose, Bonnievale.
Beautiful, green lawns flow into the Breede River at Eureka Farm’s River Goose Campsite. Spend your day canoeing or tubing in the warm river water, or pop down the road to one of the many wine farms for a tasting (Van Loveren Family Wines does an excellent cheese and wine pairing). Campsite owner, Kelvin, also operates a large double-decker barge for river cruises.
- Rates: From R200 p p
- Pets: Yes (by arrangement only)
- Activities nearby: Wine tasting, fishing, barge cruises on the river
- Contact: [email protected]
Campsites in the Cederberg
5. Houdenbek, Op-die-Berg
Location: R355, Koue Bokkeveld, Cederberge
Houdenbek, Cederberg. Image credit: houdenbek.co.za
You can’t get more private than one campsite, all to yourself in the wilderness. That’s Houdenbek – an exclusive sliver of rugged beauty on the banks of a small dam in the southern Cederberg. Pitch your tent, light a fire, and prepare to do nothing at all, except perhaps a lovely, cooling swim. There’s mountain biking and climbing on offer too if you’re not the kind who likes to sit still.
- Rates: From R1000 (up to 5 guests)
- Pets: No
- Activities nearby: Day hikes to see rock paintings, rock climbing, mountain biking
- Contact: [email protected]
6. Cederberg Oasis, Cederberg
Location: Cederberg Conservancy, Cederberg
Cederberg Oasis.
Fancy a beautiful camping weekend, but could do without the prep? Cederberg Oasis is your answer. It’s 3.5 hours from Cape Town and has a variety of accommodation options – you don’t even have to take a tent. Or any food either: if you’d rather not cook, a generous breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served daily (the steak and chips are excellent), and there’s a fully stocked honesty bar and ice for sale. There’s plenty of grass and a shaded pool area, where you’ll also find hammocks strung up and waiting for your afternoon nap. Just bring yourself. Oasis will provide the rest.
- Rates: From R250 p p
- Pets: No
- Activities nearby: Hiking trails, overnight trail to Visgat Cave
- Contact: [email protected]
7. Cederberg Sanddrif, Cederberg
Location: Dwarsrivier Farm, Clanwilliam
Cederberg Sanddrif. (Wolfberg Cracks pictured left).
It gets hot in the Cederberg, but that’s not a problem at Sanddrif. The Matjies River has water year-round and if it’s not deep enough at the campsite itself, take the half-hour walk to Maalgat pool where you can jump from 10m and more into the cool, dark water. If you can handle a steep climb, don’t miss the 2-hour hike up to the truly spectacular Wolfberg Cracks, or make a full day of it and continue on for an 8-hour round trip to the Wolfberg Arch.
- Rates: R500 per 4 people
- Pets: No
- Activities nearby: Swimming in Matjies River and Maalgat Pool, Hiking, mountain climbing, wine tasting
- Contact: [email protected]
8. De Pakhuys / Rocklands, Cederberg
Location: Vleiplaas, Clanwilliam
De Pakhuys, Cederberg. Image credit: depakhuys.com
If you like to climb rocks – boulders in particular – then you probably already know about De Pakhuys, Rocklands. The campground is just a short walk from the bouldering area and although the stands are sandy, there’s plenty of shade under the tall gum trees. If you’re not climbing, there’s a lake to swim in and a small waterfall to hike to, plus various other beautiful hikes from 4 to 22km in the surrounding mountains.
- Rates: R125 p p
- Pets: Yes (By arrangement only)
- Activities nearby: Rock climbing, bouldering, day hiking trails, swimming in the dam
- Contact: [email protected]
9. Enjo Nature Farm, Biedouw Valley
Location: Biedouw Valley, Cederberg, Clanwilliam
Enjo Nature Farm, Cederberg. Image credit: soulcountry.info
Soak up the Cederberg Wilderness from one of its most remote corners, the Biedouw Valley, northeast of Wupperthal. Along the banks of the Biedouw River (which runs, roughly, from April to January) you’ll find Enjo Nature Farm’s three private campsites with beautiful views of the mountains beyond. Spend the heat of the day in the spring-fed swimming dam, and toast the late afternoon light as it creeps down the valley in a typically stunning Cederberg show.
- Rates: R120 p p
- Pets: Yes
- Activities nearby: Hiking trails, spring-fed swimming dam with sunbeds, billiard table, dartboard, 4×4 routes
- Contact: [email protected]
Campsites on the Garden Route
10. Buffalo Bay Caravan Park, Buffelsbaai
Location: Buffels Bay
Buffalo Bay Caravan Park.
If Buffalo Bay Caravan Park were any closer to the sea, it’d be underwater. The grassy stands sit on a rocky peninsula, surrounded on three sides by the wild Indian Ocean, with wide empty beaches stretching for kilometres in both directions. Although the stands are closely packed, the crashing surf is an excellent noise canceller and you’ll rarely hear your neighbours. Out of peak season, you’ll probably have the whole place to yourself anyway. Just take something for shade, and be aware that mornings can be damp.
- Rates: R1 100 p n (two people in high season – R120 per extra person)
- Pets: No
- Activities nearby: Visit Knysna, local shore fishing, beach walks
- Contact: [email protected]
11. SANParks: Diepwalle Camping Decks, Knysna
Location: Knysna
Diepwalle Camping Decks, Knysna.Deep inside the Knysna forest, 10 beautifully constructed wooden decks perch beneath the indigenous canopy. Some have permanent tents, some are bring-your-own, but all have lights, power, a wooden counter/kitchen area with a small roof, and a fabulous outdoor braai. The Diepwalle Camping Decks are relatively small and can fit just one large, or two small tents, so book a few if you have a large group. There are also braai and benches on the grassy slope nearby.
- Rates: From R260 p p
- Pets: No
- Activities nearby: Hiking trails, woodcutters museum, forest picnic sites, birding
- Contact: [email protected]
12. Plettenberg Forever Resorts, Keurbooms River
Location: N2 Route Keurboomsriver, Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Forever Resorts. Image credit: Chris du Plessis, 360 Image Film.
Enjoy the peace and quiet of the Garden Route from this beautiful river-side sanctuary. Plettenberg Forever Resorts is perfect for family camping, with plenty of kids’ activities, plus boating, fishing, and lots of chilling on offer for the adults. The bustle of Plettenberg is just 10 minutes away, but tucked away on the banks of the Keurbooms River, you won’t even know it’s there. Just be warned it can get busy in peak season.
- Rates: From R130 p p
- Pets: No
- Activities nearby: Swimming, boating, canoeing, fishing, visiting Plettenberg Bay
- Contact: [email protected]
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