Categories > Guides and Tips
The 9 Best Camping Sites in the Western Cape I’ve Pitched My Tent In
Camping is my way of escaping the city—no city lights and pollution. It’s my stress reliever, and I have some goofy memories of it, like getting chased by an ostrich!
I’m all about creating such fun memories and luckily, Western Cape has great campsites for this.
No need to guess where to pitch your tent. With my backpack and trusty 4×4, I explored them all for you. Here are the best camping sites in the Western Cape!
Beaverlac Nature Reserve
Media From: gantouwtours
Address: Porterville
Phone: +27 229 312 945
Admission Fee:
- Entrance – R40
- Adult – R80
- Children (4-17 years old) – R50
- Pet – R50
Activities: Hiking, rock climbing, fishing, mountain biking, and more
Website: http://www.beaverlac.co.za/
Camping at Beaverlac Nature Reserve is an experience you have to try. It’s located in the Olifants River Mountains and is part of the natural heritage site Grootfontein Farm.
The campsite has braai areas, freezers, a shop, and cabins (if you don’t want to pitch a tent).
You’ll be surrounded by rugged wilderness, mountain fynbos, tumbling waterfalls, and clear rock pools. Its terrain allows you to enjoy activities like hiking, swimming, and mountain biking.
And with its off-grid, no-electricity experience, stargazing is a great activity at night! It was easily one of the places where I could connect deeply with nature, and I couldn’t wait to come back.
| Tips: The campsite works on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s best to arrive early so you can grab a prime spot to camp. Taking the Totem Pool Trail can be challenging, but you’ll be rewarded with lovely rock pools. |
Tweede Tol
Media From: real_rastivo
Address: Bainskloof Pass
Phone: +27 214 830 190
Admission Fee:
- Standard Campsites – R200
- Private Campsites – R340
Activities: Fishing, hiking, picnicking, swimming, and rock art tour
Website: http://www.capenature.co.za/
Tweede Tol is an excellent camping site, especially if you’re going with a group. It’s a historic and scenic camping spot tucked in the Limietberg Nature Reserve, where you’ll be surrounded by wilderness, fynbos, and rock-strewn landscapes.
There are 26 campsites (standard and private), although if you want to unplug from the grid, the standard sites are the way to go. Each campsite has a braai area, though you’ll bring your own grid or barbecue grill.
Activities include hiking, swimming, picnicking, and birdwatching. And if you’re up for a bit of history, you can check out the San and Khoi rock art in these parts—believed to be around 300 to 6,000 years old!
I camped here with some friends last summer, and for two nights, there was never a dull moment. We rock-hopped on the Rock-Hopper Trail and messed around in the Wolwekloof River swimming holes!
| Tips: Baboons occasionally visit the campsites. Don’t feed them and make sure you secure your food. There are no shops near the campground, so it’s best to bring all you need. |
Waterval (22 Waterfalls)
Media From: michelle_harris_30
Address: R64 Road, Waterval Farm, Porterville
Phone: +27 828 781 358
Admission Fee:
- Camp Site – R400
- Chalets (1-6 persons) – R1,850
- Camping House – R550
Activities: Hiking, swimming, mountain biking, birdwatching, and fishing
Website: http://22waterfalls.co.za/
Camp on a working farm at Waterval, a private nature reserve at the Olifantsrivier Mountains’ foot. The campsite is surrounded by towering peaks, valleys, and streams, with a series of spring-fed waterfalls (thus the name 22 Waterfalls).
Facilities include ablution blocks, sculleries, and braai areas, making it a comfortable outdoor stay.
The hiking trails offer panoramic views of the Porterville Valley, Piketberg, and the Olifantsrivier Mountains. You can also cool off in the many natural rock pools and even in the farm dam.
And since you’re on a working farm, you can interact with farm animals or join in farm tours. I had the chance to explore this campsite one summer. Wild animals were roaming the campgrounds, and I even spotted the elusive Cape leopard!
| Tips: There’s a catch-and-release policy when fishing for bass in the dam. There’s an extra R50 if you prefer to camp on a site with electricity. If you camp in their Stompkamp site, bring a battery pack, solar panels, and a working light since this spot is off the grid. |
Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway
Media From: dust_and_diesel_overlanding
Address: Dwarsberg Farm, Rawsonville
Phone: +27 233 491 919
Admission Fee:
- Per Night – R300
- 4×4 Mountain Vista Campsite – R320
- Children – R120
Activities: Fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, and bird watching
Website: http://www.trouthaven.co.za/
For camping among vineyards, orchards, and the Holsloot River, the Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway is the ideal campsite. It’s nestled on a working fruit and wine farm, allowing you to soak in the natural beauty and agricultural charm of the area.
Plus, all the sites have private ablutions, hot water, and portable braai facilities, making for a comfortable stay. If you’re bringing your family, you have plenty of spots for a picnic, like the riverside or the designated picnic areas.
The scenic trails are excellent for hiking and mountain biking. The Holsloot River makes an ideal spot to swim or fish (as long as you have a fishing permit from the camp).
Since I have an off-road vehicle, I stayed at the 4×4 Vista campsite for some extra seclusion. I loved their wood-fired hot tub, allowing me to relax while taking in the stunning mountain views.
| Tip: Take the Holsloot River Trail. It will lead you to a stunning waterfall! |
River Goose
Media From: kelvin.phillips.54
Address: Bonnievale
Phone: +27 827 595 727
Admission Fee:
- Adult – R180
- Children – Free
Activities: Sand volleyball, animal petting, boat cruises, canoeing, fishing, and more
Website: https://rivergoosecampsite.co.za/
River Goose is a campsite on the Eureka Farm, offering a great outdoor experience along the Breede River. With 22 well-maintained campsites, it’s a solid spot to connect with nature.
A unique activity you can do here is the boat cruise. For an extra cost of R150, you’ll explore the Breede River from a different perspective. Plus, there are some fishing spots during the cruise, so you can cast a line and hook some fish.
I had absolute fun camping here. There was this one time some camper invited me to join them in a game of volleyball, and before I knew it, I was in the middle of a lively match with a bunch of strangers-turned-friends.
| Tip: If you’re solo and want to take a boat cruise, find some other campers to join you. A minimum of six people is required for the trip to proceed. |
Koningskop
Media From: koningskop
Address: Wilgerbosdrif Farm, Paleisheuwel Road
Phone: +27 221 250 619
Admission Fee:
- Adult – R160
- Children 2 to 5 years old – R100
- Pensioner – R120
- Cottages – R1,300
Activities: Hiking, swimming, kayaking, 4×4, bird watching, and mountain biking
Website: https://koningskop.co.za/
Bring your family to Koningskop, a campsite on a citrus and Rooibos tea farm in the Olifants River Mountains. It has well-maintained facilities like swimming pools, ablution, and a restaurant.
There’s plenty to do—kayaking at a dam, hiking, and mountain biking. You can take the kids on the Circular Hiking Trail, where they’ll see a variety of plants.
My family and I were blown away by the views of the Swartland and the Cederberg Mountains. In the afternoon, we hiked in one of the trails before cooling off in the swimming pool. It was one of the most relaxing experiences we ever had on a campsite.
| Tips: You can either hike or use your 4×4 vehicle to explore the Koppie Trail. The Koningskop Lapa restaurant is only open when the campsite is busy. |
Kromrivier Cederberg Park
Media From: thehouseofmachines_cpt
Address: Kromrivier, Clanwilliam
Phone: +27 274 822 807
Admission Fee:
- 2 persons – R250
- 4 persons – R400
- Additional campers – R100
Activities: Horse riding, fishing, swimming, stargazing via Cederberg Observatory, and more
Website: http://www.cederbergpark.com/
Kromrivier Cederberg Park is a fantastic spot for a night or two. It’s part of a working farm surrounded by fynbos, streams, and majestic orange rock formations.
The site also has well-maintained facilities, such as luxury tented camps, fully equipped kitchens, and fireplaces, which provide comfort for campers.
You are treated with plenty of activities, from hiking to farmyard experiences like milking cows and feeding pigs. Horse riding is also available, and the Cederberg Observatory is nearby, allowing you to gaze upon the stars through a telescope.
Hiking trails lead you to different spots like the Disa Pool, Maltese Cross, and more.
Upon my arrival here, I immediately tackled the Wolfberg Cracks Trail to reach the Wolfberg Arch rock formations before swimming in the Krom River’s crystal-clear mountain streams.
| Tips: Take the Sevilla Rock Trail to admire the tremendous Sans rock art. Just make sure to get a permit from either the farm stand, the restaurant, or the backpackers’ lodge office. There’s also a restaurant—the Slee Restaurant & Coffee Shop—where you can enjoy light meals and locally brewed beer. |
AfriCamps Klein Karoo
Media From: africamps
Address: Buffelsdrift Farm, Cango Caves Road, Oudtshoorn
Phone: +27 213 005 694
Admission Fee: R1,590 per night for two people
Activities: Game viewing, ostrich farm tour, stargazing, birdwatching, and more
Website: http://africamps.com/farm/oudtshoorn-klein-karoo/
AfriCamps Klein Karoo offers a mix of luxury camping and farm life. It’s on Buffelsdrift Farm, one of the largest working ostrich farms in South Africa with 20,000 ostriches!
There are 12 luxury tents, each having two air-conditioned bedrooms, a private bathroom, and a fully equipped kitchenette.
You can join morning tours to observe meerkats, explore the Cango Caves, or take an ostrich farm tour. Plus, the Private Mountain Trails offer breathtaking views of the Swartberg Mountains and the Karoo.
My wife and I enjoyed the ostrich farm tour, interacting with the ostriches and learning how the farm runs. Next time, we’ll definitely bring our kids here!
| Tips: You can order a braai basket at the reception. It includes meat, bread, salads, and marshmallows. Spend some time outdoors, especially in the evenings. There’s a chance for you to spot impalas and elands walking in the campsite. |
Tietiesbaai
Media From: botanical.bella
Address: Paternoster
Phone: +27 227 522 718
Admission Fee: R200 per night
Activities: Swimming, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and more
Website: https://www.weskusjoulekkerding.co.za/
Tietiesbaai offers a great beachfront camping experience, with 60 campsites right on the sand. The unspoiled ocean views and breathtaking sunsets make up for the lack of electricity.
Plus, campers have access to communal ablution blocks, wash-up facilities, and braai areas.
Here, you can swim or free dive into the kelp forest. And since you’re on a beach, kitesurfing is a popular activity worth trying. In the late afternoon, watch as the sun dips below the horizon with the Atlantic Ocean and Swartberg Mountains in the background.
This is one of the few beach campsites I’ve visited, and it’s an absolute gem. Next summer, I’m bringing my family along for the experience.
| Tip: Harvesting mussels is allowed, but you’ll still need a license, which you can obtain from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries. |
