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 The diversity of camping and caravanning in South Africa knows no bounds: from the wildlife parks to the popular coastal destinations, visitors can enjoy a wide choice of well-equipped, beautifully located sites.
The private parks and resorts and many of those in the provincial and national parks are highly recommended. Facilities range from the standard site with communal ablutions to exclusive sites with private bathroom and kitchen units. Resorts also offer swimming pools, tennis courts and daily activities for children.
Quality Grading
In 2003 a voluntary star-grading system for the camping and caravanning sector was introduced by the Tourism Grading Council of South (TGCSA). Star-graded parks are awarded between one and five stars – acceptable, good, very good, excellent and exceptional.
Professor Neels van Heerden of the Department of Marketing and Communication Management at the University of Pretoria is also is one of the Tourism Grading Council’s star-grading assessors. He pointed out that during 2005 the 100th caravan park was graded and that the Council hopes to increase this number to 250 sites during 2006.
He says, ‘South Africa has one of the best climates in the world and over the past ten years camping and caravanning has become a choice holiday option for many local and international travelers. The star-grading system offers visitors the confidence of a pre-approved park.’
Affordability Rules the Day
Rates at parks and resorts are charged according to their quality and whether it is low or high season - this differs from region to region. December and Easter are peak times for caravanning and camping in the coastal regions. Expect to pay anything from R150 – R400-plus per day. Some camps and resorts charge per person, others charge for the site.
While caravanning and camping is no longer a ‘cheap’ getaway option, it is certainly amongst the most affordable, especially for families. It also offers travelers the independence to explore South Africa’s great outdoors with every comfort in tow.
The new caravans offer every luxury, as do the four-by-four camper/motor homes – favoured by international tourists.
Rental Availability
There are several very good rental companies offering camper/motor homes that sleep four to six people. Vehicles are hired out at between R1 000 and R1 500 per day. These companies alsoprovide visitors with all the maps and route options they might need to help them plan their trip.
Choice Equipment
For those wanting to camp but who need to hire equipment, a choice of outlets is available. Pick up your gear in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth or Durban, hit the road and return it to any one of these destinations. All equipment is thoroughly checked and cleaned and camping equipment fits into any size of vehicle.
Choice Camping and Caravanning Sites
Below is a random selection of good parks and resorts. There are countless others which we equally recommend but this gives you an idea of the range:
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Kruger National Park remains one of the most popular destinations, with a choice of camps in the heart of the Lowveld’s world-famous Big Five region. In the high-season, Kruger National Park charges between R150 and R250 per person per night while low-season rates are considerably lower, as are pensioner rates. The winter months from May to September is high season and the summer months – from October to April is low season. Public holidays like Easter are charged as high season. One of Kruger’s popular 3-star camps is Letaba Rest Camp on the southern bank of the Letaba River, 50km from the Phalaborwa Gate.
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Eden Park is a 5-star camp in the Limpopo Province. This resort is situated 90 minutes from Pretoria and 13kms from Naboomspruit. The park has 16 fully equipped level stands, private ablution facilities with shower, toilet & basin, kitchenette with electrical plug points, paved braai area, once-a-day cleaning service, disabled-friendly facilities, swimming pool, thatched lapa, trampoline, jungle gym, table tennis AND the famous Makapan Caves are nearby.
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ATKV Klein-Kariba is a 3-star resort situated about 7 kilometres from Bela-Bela (previously Warmbaths) in the Limpopo Province. It offers public telephones, laundry and scullery facilities, a supermarket, restaurant and bar, conference facilities, indoor spa, hiking, mini-golf, trampolines, fishing, game viewing, golf, squash and is close to tennis, bowls and sailing facilities
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Also near Bela Bela – about two hours from Johannesburg - is the 5-star Mbizi resort on the Thabazimbi/ Rooiberg road. This resort offers laundry and scullery facilities, table tennis, darts, snooker/pool, putt-putt, swimming pool, trampolines, chalets, kids playground, bird watching and game drives and is close to hiking trails, water sports, golf, tennis, bowls, shops and restaurants. It has 94 grassed caravans sites with 15 amp electrical points and 14 caravans sites each with its own bathroom and washing up area.
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In the far northern Limpopo Province, 50kms north of Louis Trichardt is the ever-popular Tshipise Forever Resort. A great family destination, the children are kept busy all day with tennis courts, swimming pools and organised games.
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One of most consistently well-run and well-maintained camps is La Mouette near Stanger on the KwaZulu Natal North coast. It offers a very tidy and well-run camping environment with seven large ablution blocks for 200 sites, swimming pools and direct access to the beach. During the December holiday period it is one of the most popular parks in the country and booking is required well in advance.
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The KwaZulu Natal coast and the Southern and Eastern Cape have always been popular as a camping and caravanning destination in the festive season. Most sites are situated on or near the beach. Another favourite is Rocky Bay, south of Scottburgh on the KwaZulu South coast, as is MacNicols’ at Bazley Beach.
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The largest caravan park in South Africa with about 600 sites is ATKV Hartenbos near Mossel Bay, with direct access to the beach. ATKV have four resorts in SA – from R200 to R400 a night.
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Moving inland, the Drakensberg is another favourite destination, with a wide choice of caravanning and camping sites in the provincial parks. Royal Natal is one of them and visitors thrive on this site in the mountains with access to any number of shorter and longer walks.
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