These camping sites offer the best of the best of nature. Some sites cater towards the perfect family weekend getaways and others are luxurious enough to be honeymoon locations.
Decide what level of ruggedness you enjoy and get ready for a camping adventure.
These are great experiences for a long weekend or a short holiday, and all camping sites have plenty of entertainment and things to do among nature.
Don't forget to check whats happening today near you on Vibescout! Pretoria & Joburg
Camping Sites in Pretoria
The suburbs of Pretoria aren’t far from a surprising number of fantastic camping sites. You will never be far from the Jacaranda trees of home.
Bush Willow Tented Camp
This luxurious camping spot is just 30 minutes away from Johannesburg and Pretoria and is set up along the Blaauwbank River under the careful watch of the Zwartkops mountain range.
The locations has 10 large walk-in tents that can accommodate up to ten people.
Each tent is equipped with a small kitchenette and warm indoor shower, allowing for a convenient and relaxing stay. Some of the many facilities on site include a popular braai area and swimming pool.
Summer days can be spent outdoors with their cricket, rugby, hockey and gym facilities and long winter nights can be warmed up with their indoor fireplaces.
- Cost:
- R800 - Weekdays and Sundays
- R1360 - Fridays and Saturday
- Where:
- Komdraai Road, Muldersdrift
- Google Maps pin here
- More Info: Website
- Facilities:
- Shared bathroom
- Mountain views
- Self-catering
- Single beds
- Bar Fridge
- River views
- Garden views
- Braai facilities
- Picnic area
- Swimming pool
Twana Lodge
While the Twana Lodge has many types of accommodation available, from dormitories to cottages, the camping site is by far the most humble.
The lawn area has plenty of space to camp and a shared ablution facility and braai lapa are provided.
Arne & Chrisien, the owners of the lodge, are accommodating and friendly and will often provide tours of the area.
Food seems to be an unresolved point at this campsite, with some reviews noting a self-catering system with few shops and places to buy food, while others argue that facilities are more than adequate if you bring your own food.
The consensus seems to be that bringing your own food will allow you the best stay possible.
- Cost: R100 per person per night
- Where:
- Plot 42, Zwavel Poort, Pretoria
- Google Maps pin here
- More Info: Website
- Facilities:
- Shared bathroom
- Shared braai lapa
Beka Idube Bushveld Luxury Tents
For those wanting the safari experience without sacrificing luxury, the Beka Idube Luxury tents are perfect.
Fully equipped with everything you’ll need to to relax and surround yourself with nature, this ‘Glamping site’ is perfectly secluded and private.
Plunge pools and wildlife watering holes are part of the outdoor facilities that encourage guests to embrace the gorgeous outdoor environment.
The site has three tents to choose from, with varying levels of convenience.
- Cost: R650pp sharing
- Where:
- R573, 31 De Wagensdrift
- Google Maps pin here
- More Info: Website
- Facilities:
- 3 bushveld luxury tents each in total privacy.
- Each tent has its own plunge pool and two tents have their own game water hole.
- All tents have wood burning furnaces that heats the plunge pools.
- King-size bed.
- En-suite shower.
- Private open air braai area. (Weber, Braai + fire pit).
- Fully equipped Kitchenette with refrigerator/freezer, microwave plus hotplate.
- All linen, bedding, crockery, cutlery etc. is provided.
- Fan or heater + electric blankets in winter.
Nkwe Caravan Park
This beautiful green oasis allows you to camp surrounded by lush lawns and full trees, a few metres from their gushing waterfall.
Offering great spots for picnics, bird watching and braai's, this location is perfect for a family weekend.
The nearby tuckshop sells sweets, cool drink, charcoal and other extra things you might need during your stay.
- Cost: Take a look at their rates here.
- Where:
- Nkwe Rd, Tierpoort
- Google Maps pin here
- More Info: Website
- Facilities:
- Stands with 220 volt mains
- Ablutions with hot and cold water
- Wheelchair friendly with assistance
- Childrens play area
- Dogs allowed by prior arrangement
- Shop in resort
- Television room
- Conference Facilities
- Laundry
- Security fenced or patrolled
- Recreations room or hall
- Braai facilities
Kamp Utopia
This camp is less about family time and more about team building time.
Kamp Utopia hosts youth camps, church camps, team building camps as well as day visits and picnics.
The site can host parties from 30 to 80 people, but only one group will stay at the site at a time, so you can expect privacy.
Kamp Utopia also provides you and your group with plenty of bonding experiences like an obstacle course, swimming pool, tug of war and lawn games.
- Cost:
- Self-catered : R120 pp (plus additional kitchen fee)
- Catered : R615 pp
- Where:
- 282 Buffel St, Pretoria Rural
- Google Maps pin here
- More Info: Website
- Facilities:
- Afrikaans
- BBQ | Braai Facilities
- Boma
- Child Friendly
- Conference Facilities
- English
- Fully Catered
- Secure Parking
- Self-catering
- Swimming Pool
- Wedding / Function Venue
- Bird watching
- Outdoor
- Swimming Pool
- Team Building
- Volleyball
Willem's Rus Campsites
Willem’s Rus is a privately owned caravan park situated in the malaria free Dinokeng Big Five Game Reserve and it is perfect for getaways from the rush of city life. It is an outdoor experience in beautiful indigenous bushveld that will help you relax. This is the only free roaming Big 5 Game Reserve in Gauteng, a mere 45 minutes drive from Pretoria.
You can be certain to relax and spend quality time with friends and family around a camp fire under the cosmos of stars. Willem's Rus camping experience is unique in the sense that it is possible to spot the big five from your own campsite, only 35km north of Pretoria.
This tranquil bushveld destination offers 25 demarcated, partially shaded campsites suited for caravans, campers, tents, bush trailers and vehicles fitted with roof top tents.
- Cost: View their rates card here.
- Where: Patrys Rd, Ged 26 Welgevonden, Dinokeng
- More Info: Website
- Facilities:
- Bird Watching
- Afrikaans
- BBQ | Braai Facilities
- Boma
- Child Friendly
- English
- Secure Parking
- Self-catering
- Swimming Pool
- Outdoor
- Swimming Pool
- Game Drives
- Caravaning
- Electricity
- Ablution Blocks
Bass Lake Camp
Bass Lake has a great reputation of being a campsite that provides luxury style amenities and a spotless campsite.
Staff are very eager to help make your stay as comfortable as possible and bass in the lake are a legendary catch.
Animals can sometimes make their way through the camp site and remind guests how truely close to nature they are.
Dam levels depend on rainfall and subsequently, bass population depends on dam levels, so make sure to call ahead and find out when is the best time to visit if you’re looking forward to fishing.
- Cost: Check their tariffs and seasons here
- Where:
- Portion 64 Leeuwkloof
- Google Maps pin here
- More Info: Website
Camping Sites in Johannesburg
These secluded camping sites feel like thousands of kilometers away from the busy city, with their peaceful and tranquil nature, but most are right on your doorstep. Go and discover the nature out there just around the corner.
ATKV Buffelspoort holiday resort
The Buffelspoort Dam is one of the cleanest dams in Gauteng, and is perfect for fishing for a variety of fish like Carp and black bass.
The camp itself has a variety of accommodation options like villas, rondavels, tent houses, flats and a caravan and camping site.
This site is perfect for family adventures and weekends away with a wide range of activities and entertainment.
Enjoy their warm and cold water swimming pools, jacuzzi, water slides and trampolines horse riding and sports facilities while you break away from the busy city life.
- Cost: Check their tariffs and seasons here
- Where:
- R104, Buffelspoort, Rustenburg
- Google Maps pin here
- More Info: Website
- Facilities:
- Heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools
- Cold-water outdoor swimming pools
- Jacuzzis
- Super-tube and trampolines
- Snooker and pool
- Golf and adventure putt-putt
- Pony rides and horse-riding
- Bird-watching
- Volleyball, squash, tennis
- Rugby, netball
Malonjeni Game Farm
This camping site is the perfect combination of luxury and family with three camping option and access to their amazing facilities that often pleasantly surprise guests.
The main camp gives guests the most access to their spectacular facilities such as the swimming pool, family bathrooms, sports bar, pool tables and BMX tracks close by.
The bush camp invites more of an adventure camping atmosphere, with a more secluded site and more access to the nature available around you.
The farmyard is a great place for the kids to meet and greet the site’s fury friends like goats, sheep, donkeys and horses.
- Cost: Check their tariffs and seasons here
- Where:
- Vaal Triangle
- Google Maps pin here
- More Info: Website
- Facilities:
- Fishing
- Canoeing (when the dams have water)
- Obstacle course
- BMX track
- Putt putt
- Volleyball
- Soccer
- Pool
- Table tennis
- Darts
Other Popular Camping Sites in and around Gauteng
These camping sites are a little outside of the city, but still close enough to drive to on a long weekend. Check out these secluded sites around Gauteng and enjoy some distance from the every-day city life.
Borakalalo National Park
This camping location can be a bit of a drive from Pretoria, but the return to nature is far worth the drive.
The nature reserve has two accommodation options for guests; the Phuduphudu Bush Camp is well equipped and based further from the river than the Moretele River Camp, which is more basic. This stunning 14 000 hectare property consists of woodland and open bushveld.
Borakalalo offers all the wonder of a natural game reserve with game drives, bird-watching and nature surrounding you. Amenities are those of the outback, the ablution blocks are available as well as some retired tents. Reviews on this campsite do not promise much but local fisherman love this watering hole as there is always something biting.
Naturally, being a nature reserve, guests need to be aware of monkeys in the area that tend to scrummage if food if left around.
Tip: While all the tents at the Moretele campsite face the river, try to pick a tent in the shade if you’re planning to visit during the summer.
- Cost: Tofind out more about their tariffs see their online brochure.
- Where:
- Brits, Jericho, North West
- Google Maps pin here
- More Info: Website
Olifantspoort Bush Camp
This is a great camping spot for active campers and those who want to be outdoors for the weekend.
Olifantspoort has many facilities like hiking trails, mountain-biking, bird watching, pool, fishing, look out points and donkey car rides.
These facilities are great for an active family or a couple looking for and outdoor experience.
While huts are available, camping sites and caravan sites are well maintained.
- Cost:
- R90-00 pppn Adults
- R90-00 pppn child 11 and up
- R45-00 pppn child 6 to 10
- Where:
- Southern Limpopo
- Google Maps pin here
- More Info: Website
- Facilities:
- Hiking trails,
- Mountain-biking,
- Bird watching,
- Pool,
- Fishing,
- Look out points
- Donkey car rides.
Enjoy these camping sites responsible and remember to clean up your site at the end of your adventure. Campsite managers are often very helpful if you ever need anything and are eager to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
Don’t forget to book your favourite spot for your next long weekend in advance to avoid disappointment.
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