Cape Town, known for its stunning landscapes and outdoor activities, offers various camping options for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Here are 25 affordable camping sites in and around Cape Town, perfect for those looking to experience the beauty of the region without breaking the bank
1. Oudekraal Campsite
- Location: Part of the Table Mountain National Park, located along the scenic Victoria Road between Camps Bay and Hout Bay.
- Description: Oudekraal offers secluded and sheltered braai areas, along with beautiful views and a nearby beach. It’s ideal for those who want a beach camping experience close to the city.
- Facilities: Basic facilities including braai areas, toilets, and access to the beach.
2. Smitswinkel Tented Camp
- Location: Near the entrance of the Cape Point Nature Reserve.
- Description: This eco-friendly tented camp is perfect for those looking for a more ‘glamping’ experience. It’s close to various hiking trails and offers a great base for exploring the Cape Point area.
- Facilities: Equipped tents with communal kitchen and bathroom facilities.
3. Tietiesbaai Campsite
- Location: In the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve near Paternoster, about 2 hours from Cape Town.
- Description: Known for its rugged coastline and unspoilt beauty, Tietiesbaai offers a rustic camping experience. It’s ideal for those seeking tranquility and natural scenery.
- Facilities: Basic amenities including ablution facilities; it’s more suited for the self-sufficient camper.
4. Eland’s Bay Campsite
- Location: Eland’s Bay, about 2.5 hours from Cape Town along the West Coast.
- Description: Popular among surfers and nature lovers, this campsite offers beautiful beachfront spots. The area is also known for its birdlife and nearby Verlorenvlei estuary.
- Facilities: Basic camping facilities are available, and the site is close to the town for supplies.
5. Beaverlac Campsite
- Location: Near Porterville in the Olifants River Mountains, about 2 hours from Cape Town.
- Description: Set in a beautiful mountainous area, Beaverlac offers a great escape into nature with opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and swimming in natural rock pools.
- Facilities: The campsite provides basic facilities including toilets, showers, and a small shop for essentials.
6. Millers Point Municipal Caravan Park
- Location: Located near Simon’s Town along the False Bay coastline.
- Description: A family-friendly campsite offering a peaceful retreat with stunning sea views. It’s close to popular attractions like Boulders Beach.
- Facilities: Basic camping facilities, including braai areas, ablution blocks, and electrical points.
7. Imhoff Caravan Park
- Location: Situated in Kommetjie, on the scenic Cape Peninsula.
- Description: This campsite offers a tranquil setting close to a long, sandy beach. It’s perfect for those who enjoy water sports like surfing and kite surfing.
- Facilities: The site provides electrical points, ablution facilities, and is close to local shops and restaurants.
8. Palmiet Caravan Park
- Location: Located in Kleinmond, about 90 minutes from Cape Town.
- Description: Nestled in a coastal village, Palmiet Caravan Park is ideal for a quiet getaway. The area is known for its beautiful beach and lagoon, hiking trails, and abundant birdlife.
- Facilities: Offers essential amenities, including electrical points, ablution facilities, and laundry services.
9. Kogel Bay Resort
- Location: Situated along the scenic Clarence Drive between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi Els.
- Description: Known for its rugged coastline and breathtaking views, Kogel Bay Resort is a favorite among campers and surfers. The sound of the ocean provides a calming backdrop.
- Facilities: Basic amenities include ablution blocks, braai areas, and access to the beach.
10. Montagu Caravan Park
- Location: In the heart of the Montagu village, along the famous Route 62.
- Description: Surrounded by mountains and vineyards, this caravan park in Montagu offers a picturesque setting for camping. The area is known for its hot springs, historic architecture, and hiking trails.
- Facilities: The park provides full amenities, including electrical points, ablution facilities, and swimming pools.
11. Algeria Campsite, Cederberg Wilderness Area
- Location: In the heart of the Cederberg Wilderness, about 2.5 hours from Cape Town.
- Description: Algeria is a popular campsite known for its picturesque setting by a river, surrounded by rugged mountains. Ideal for hiking, rock climbing, and stargazing.
- Facilities: The campsite offers well-maintained ablution facilities, braai areas, and a variety of campsites including some with electricity.
12. Tweede Tol, Limietberg Nature Reserve
- Location: Near Wellington, approximately an hour’s drive from Cape Town.
- Description: Situated in the Limietberg Nature Reserve, Tweede Tol provides a scenic escape with access to hiking trails, swimming in natural pools, and spectacular mountain views.
- Facilities: Basic camping amenities are available, including ablution facilities, braai areas, and picnic spots.
13. Silwerstrand Caravan Park
- Location: In Robertson, part of the Cape Winelands, around 2 hours from Cape Town.
- Description: Silwerstrand is known for its large, grassy sites near a beautiful dam. The area is peaceful and offers activities like fishing and golfing.
- Facilities: Campers have access to electrical points, clean ablutions, braai facilities, and a nearby golf course.
14. Gansbaai Camping
- Location: In Gansbaai, a coastal town known for shark cage diving, about 2 hours from Cape Town.
- Description: This campsite offers a unique beach camping experience with opportunities to explore marine life, including whale watching and shark cage diving.
- Facilities: Basic camping facilities are provided, with the added advantage of being close to the sea and local amenities in Gansbaai.
15. Slanghoek Mountain Resort
- Location: In the Slanghoek Valley, near Worcester, about an hour from Cape Town.
- Description: Set amidst the picturesque Slanghoek Valley, this resort offers a tranquil camping experience with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and vineyards.
- Facilities: Well-equipped with modern ablutions, electricity, braai facilities, and a variety of activities including hiking and wine tasting.
16. Onrus Caravan Park
- Location: In Onrus, near Hermanus, approximately 1.5 hours from Cape Town.
- Description: Onrus Caravan Park offers a peaceful beachside camping experience, with easy access to the Onrus River lagoon and beach. It’s great for families and surfers.
- Facilities: Equipped with necessary amenities including electrical points, ablution facilities, and laundry services.
17. Buffels Bay Campsite, Cape Point
- Location: Within the Cape Point section of the Table Mountain National Park.
- Description: Buffels Bay Campsite offers a rugged and scenic camping experience along the coastline. Ideal for those looking to explore Cape Point’s natural beauty.
- Facilities: Basic amenities in a natural setting, perfect for an authentic camping experience.
18. Chapman’s Peak Caravan Park
- Location: Near Noordhoek, along the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive.
- Description: This caravan park is known for its breathtaking views of the Noordhoek beach and Chapman’s Peak. It’s a tranquil spot for those seeking a seaside camping experience.
- Facilities: Offers essential facilities including ablution blocks and electricity points.
19. Die Dam Holiday Resort
- Location: Near Gansbaai, along the Whale Coast, about 2.5 hours from Cape Town.
- Description: Die Dam is a secluded coastal campsite known for its long sandy beach and large fishing area. It’s perfect for a quiet getaway and nature exploration.
- Facilities: Basic camping amenities are provided, including water and ablution facilities.
20. Wolfkop Camping Villages
- Location: In the Citrusdal Valley, about 2 hours north of Cape Town.
- Description: Set alongside the Olifants River, Wolfkop Camping Villages offer a picturesque camping experience with the option of ‘glamping’ in pre-set tents.
- Facilities: The ‘glamping’ tents are well-equipped with beds, bedding, and braai facilities, offering a comfortable camping experience.
21. Yzerfontein Caravan Park
- Location: In Yzerfontein, along the West Coast, approximately 1 hour from Cape Town.
- Description: This caravan park is situated near a pristine stretch of coastline, offering spectacular ocean views and access to long sandy beaches.
- Facilities: The park provides standard camping facilities, including electrical points, ablution blocks, and braai areas.
22. West Coast National Park – Tsaarsbank
- Location: Within the West Coast National Park, around 1.5 hours from Cape Town.
- Description: Tsaarsbank campsite offers a unique wilderness experience surrounded by unspoiled coastal landscapes, ideal for nature lovers and birdwatchers.
- Facilities: Basic facilities are available, and visitors can enjoy various park activities including hiking and wildlife viewing.
23. Hangklip Hotel & Caravan Park
- Location: Near Pringle Bay, under 2 hours from Cape Town along the Whale Coast Route.
- Description: Offering both hotel and camping facilities, this site boasts stunning ocean views and easy access to a serene beachfront.
- Facilities: Campers can enjoy amenities like electricity, hot showers, and a communal braai area.
24. Driehoek Farm Campsite
- Location: In the Cederberg Wilderness Area, approximately 3 hours from Cape Town.
- Description: Driehoek Farm offers a tranquil camping experience amidst the dramatic Cederberg mountain range, perfect for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
- Facilities: The campsite includes basic amenities like ablution facilities, fresh water, and braai spots.
25. Bontebok National Park
- Location: Near Swellendam, about 2.5 hours from Cape Town.
- Description: As part of South Africa’s smallest national park, this campsite offers a chance to see the beautiful Bontebok antelope and other wildlife in a picturesque riverine setting.
- Facilities: The park provides well-maintained camping facilities, including ablution blocks, electricity, and barbecue areas.