The area is a real paradise for camping lovers. Awesome campsites are one of the reasons we enjoyed the Garden Route self-drive trip so much. Here are our top places to camp on the Garden Route, including glamping sites.
This post is a work in progress. I’m sure there are other great campsites on the Garden Route we just haven’t got a chance to visit them yet. I’ll continue updating the post as we visit more campsites in the area. If you know of any great place to camp on the Garden Route leave a comment.
How did we choose the best campsites?
We’ve driven the Garden Route 4 times and stayed at different campsites every time. To choose the best ones we used the following criteria
- Safety. If we felt safe and relaxed camping.
- Scenery. We prefer campsites surrounded by nature rather than squeezed in the middle of a town.
- Facilities. A clean ablution complex, hot shower, braai (BBQ)
- Activities. If there are things to do nearby other than camping.
Is it safe to camp on the Garden Route?
It’s not safe to wild camp on the Garden Route or anywhere in South Africa. There might be campsites where your stuff even clothes can get stolen if left unattended but they are not in our top 7 campsites. We felt safe camping at the suggested campsites. We camped at some of them with our little daughter if it wasn’t safe we definitely wouldn’t camp there.
Renting a car for a camping trip on the Garden Route
Renting/having a car is essential for the camping trip on the Garden Route. Most of the campsites are situated away from the towns and roads it’s difficult to get there without a car. Most people start their Garden Route trip in Cape Town or Port Elizabeth. You can rent a car at one airport and drop it off at another once you’re done.
Garden Route campsites – 7 fantastic spots
The suggested campsites are on the Garden Route, between Mossles Bay and Storms River.
Ebb and Flow Campsite, Wilderness
Ebb and Flow Restacamp is one of our favorite campsites on the Garden Route – a perfect spot for a family holiday. The campsite is a part of the Wilderness National Park. The pitch area is situated on the bank of the River. It looks like a paradise hidden between the mountains. A wide grassy area for tents, a picturesque river, and lush green mountain slopes. It is usually our first stop on the Garden Route road trip and coming from Cape Town it’s amazing to see all the green around.
The best views of the campsite and the area you get from a lookout point at the top of the mountains.
At Ebb and Flow, you can pitch a tent, stay in a caravan, or rent one of their wooden cabins.
The nearest restaurants and shops are in Wilderness, a small town 4 km from the campsite. Check out Green Shed in Wilderness one of our favorite coffee shops on the Garden Route.
Price
- Prices depend on the chosen campsite and start at ZAR 260/US$15 per tent (2 people).
- Bungalows are from ZAR 518/US$30 per night for 2 people.
All campers at Ebb and Flow pay the conservation fee of ZAR 190/US$10 (adults), and ZAR 95/US$5 (children 2-11 yo). Special rates are applied for South African citizens.
Things to do
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Rowing
Facilities
- Hot water shower – yes
- Flushing toilets – yes
- Electricity – yes
- Power outlets – yes, at more expensive sites.
- BBQ (braai) – yes
- Cell phone reception – yes
- Other – kitchen with water boiler and electric stove, washing machines.
Africamps at Oakhurst, Wilderness
You can find campsites by Africamps in different parts of South Africa. The Wilderness campsite was our first Africamps campsite. Since then, we’ve camped at many of them, and it’s always a great experience. All Africamps campsites have amazing facilities. It’s a camping experience combined with the comfort of a bungalow.
Eight tents are located in the heart of the Garden Route on Oakhurst Dairy Farm. The tents are surrounded by nature. The area is very peaceful and has beautiful scenery. The tents are not too close to each other, so you have some privacy and don’t hear other people.
The tents inside are more like cottages: they have a kitchen and a dining area, wooden beds (single, double, and bunk beds) with mattresses and bedding, a bathroom with a hot shower, and a flushing toilet. Outside, you can find a terrace with chairs, a braai (BBQ), and a wood-fired hot tub.
Wilderness the nearest town where you can find shops and restaurants is 18 km away. You can buy wood, order breakfast or braai basket at the campsite.
Price
- Prices vary depending on the season and start at ZAR 1600/US$90 for two people. Cabins can fit up to 5 guests.
Things to do
Facilities
- Hot water shower – yes
- Flushing toilets – yes
- Electricity – yes
- Power outlets – yes
- Braai place – yes.
- Cell phone reception – yes
- Wi-fi – yes
- Other – braai place, wood-fired hot tub (in selected options), fully-equipped kitchen, AC, fireplace, a small swimming pool, and a playground.
Diepwalle Camping Decks, Knysna
Diepwalle Camping Decks in the Indigenous forest of Knysna are a perfect hideaway place for those who seek tranquility and enjoy forest walks. We visited the place for the first time during our multi-day hike on the Outeniqua Trail. We decided to go there again and so we did.
You can book a deck to pitch a tent or choose a glamping option that includes a safari tent, with beds, bedding, cooking facilities, etc. Whichever option you choose you’ll enjoy the peacefulness and beauty of the area. This campsite is not suitable for camper vans.
Spacious wooden decks with BBQ facilities are located in the forest. In the mornings you can drink coffee and listen to the birds. The decks are perfect for a family holiday or an affordable romantic getaway.
The nearest shops and restaurants are in Knysna, 22 km from the campsite.
Prices
- A deck to pitch a tent – from ZAR 275/US$15 per night for two people.
- A deck with a pitched tent – from ZAR 708/US$40 per night for two people
Things to do
- Hiking is the main activity here. Following several walking trails, you can explore the Knysna Forest and see giant Outeniqua Yellowwood trees some of which are a thousand years old. The forest was inhabited by elephants many years ago.
- See King Endward VII Big Tree
- Knysna Sunset Cruise
- Knysna: Guided Quad Bike Tour in the Forest
- Watching birds
Facilities
- Hot water shower – yes
- Flushing toilets – yes
- Electricity – yes
- Power outlets – yes
- Braai place – yes
- Cell phone reception – yes, a weak signal
- Other – kitchenette, washing lines
Keurbooms Lagoon Caravan Park, Plettenberg
Keurbooms Lagoons Caravan Park is the biggest and the most social campsite on our list. It’s a perfect place if you like meeting people. And a good place for families with children it’s easy to find other kids to play with. Many people spend here their entire holiday doing short trips to the nearby attractions on the Garden Route.
The grassy camping area is located at the bank of Keurbooms Lagoon. Campers can enjoy a small sandy beach and direct access to the lagoon. The scenery is spectacular: turquoise lagoon, mountains, big trees, sandy beach, and the sea.
You can camp here in a tent or a camper van. No indoor accommodation options.
The nearest shops and restaurants can be found in Plettenberg Bay, 10 km away. Plettengerg Bay has plenty of great things to do.
Price
- For a camping spot – ZAR 190/US$10 per person per night (low season), from ZAR 720/US$40 per night for 2 people (high season).
Things to do
Facilities
- Hot water shower – yes
- Flushing toilets – yes
- Electricity – yes
- Power outlets – yes
- Braai place – yes, a limited number
- Cell phone reception – yes
- Other – playground, washing machine, washing lines
Africamps at Ingwe, Plettenberg
The Campsite at Ingwe is another amazing glamping site by AfriCamps. It’s one of our favorite campsites on the Garden Route for the views. The campsite sits on the top of the hills surrounded by lush green pasture fields and forest. It’s in nature but close enough to Plettenberg Bay in case you need to go shopping or go out for dinner.
6 tents spread along the slope offering breathtaking views. The tents are quite far apart so you don’t see or hear other people. The Ingwe campsite is great for a family holiday, a romantic getaway, or a weekend trip with friends.
At a farm stall, you can buy firewood, and order a breakfast or braai (BBQ) basket.
It’s a glamping experience which means you can’t camp with your tent or campervan.
Plettenberg Bay the nearest town with restaurants and shops is 17 km away.
Price
- Prices change depending on the season and start at ZAR 1700/US$90 per night for 2 people. A tent can accommodate up to 5 people.
Things to do
Facilities
- Hot shower – yes
- Flushing toilets – yes
- Electricity – yes
- Power outlets – yes
- Braai place – yes
- Cell phone reception – yes
- Exctras – a common swimming pool, a hot tub (in selected options)
Nature’s Valley Rest Camp, De Vasselot
We stayed at Nature’s Valley Rest Camp after completing the Otter Trail. Nature’s Valley is a spectacular area: the lagoon, the forest, and the beach are all in one place, just a stone’s throw apart. The camping spots are in the forest at the banks of the Groot River, 1,5 km from the beach. It’s an amazing place to stay for a couple of days if you are seeking a peaceful place with many outdoor activities.
The scenery around the campsite is spectacular. The river is great for water activities, the beach is a perfect spot for watching the sunset. We enjoyed the plays, the only negative thing about camping here is the monkeys. They live in the forest surrounding the campsite and can get very annoying when they see or smell food.
You can camp here in a tent, or a camper van, or stay in a wooden hut.
Blue Rocks Cafe is the only restaurant in Nature’s Valley, about 1 km from the campsite. You can find more shops and restaurants in Plettenberg Bay, 30 km west.
Price
- A camping spot – from ZAR 275/US$ for 2 people
- A forest hut – from ZAR 645/US$ for 2 people.
Things to do
Facilities
- Hot water shower – yes
- Flushing toilets – yes
- Electricity – yes
- Power outlets – yes, more expensive spots
- Braai place – yes
- Cell phone reception – yes
- Other – kitchenette, washing machines.
Storms River Mouth Rest Camp, Tsitsikamma
Storms River Mouth Rest Camp is one of the best seafront campsites on the Garden Route. If you’re looking for a campsite to stay for a couple of days this rest camp is a perfect option. The area for pitching tents is right by the sea. You can watch dolphins and whales (if you’re lucky) from your tent. Other wild animals often seen in the park include otters, genets, monkeys, small antelopes, and many birds.
The campsite is situated in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park. Yes, it’s one more SAN Parks campsite on our list. The park itself is one of the highlights of the Garden Route. The lush green forest, breathtaking lookout points, and diverse wildlife make this place special.
You can camp in a tent, or a camper van, or stay in a wooden cabin.
Price
- A site to pitch a tent – from ZAR 423/US$24 per night for 2 people
- Indoor accommodation (forest huts and chalets) – from ZAR 900/US$50 per night for 2 people
Things to do
- Hiking
- Swimming in tidal pools
- Snorkeling
- Ziplining
- Kayaking
- Tubing
- Bird watching
Facilities
- Hot water shower – yes
- Flushing toilets – yes
- Electricity – yes
- Power outlets – yes, at more expensive sites
- Braai place – yes
- Cell phone reception – yes
- Other – kitchen with water boiler and electric stove, washing machines.
Do you need gear for camping on the Garden Route?
You don’t need camping gear to stay at the above campsites. 6 out of 7 recommended campsites (except for Keurbooms Lagoon Caravan Park) offer alternative accommodation options such as wooden cabins, bungalows, or pitched tents with beds. Even if you don’t have camping gear you can stay there. Of course, it will be more expensive than camping with your gear but it’s still quite affordable.
Practical tips for camping on the Garden Route
- Bring a small camping stove and a pot in case you can’t BBQ (braai) or there are no food options nearby.
- Keep a bag of wood in the car. Most campsites sell wood but sometimes the shop is closed or the wood is wet.
- Pack a headlamp or a torch.
- Bring mosquito repellent. If you want to sit outside in the evening you better have one.
- Keep a supply of drinking water in the car. It’s better to avoid drinking tap water unless you are sure it’s safe.
The pretty half of Stingy Nomads, responsible for all our land adventures (hiking, climbing, walking the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves walking since she was a child, she prefers to walk 1000 km with a backpack rather than to do a 10 000 km road trip (actually any road trip). Alya is a big fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Every time we go away she desperately misses our dog Chile.
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