Best Bush Camps & Tented Stays in South Africa

Saint Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal

Urban Glamping @ Luxury Tents offers an unparalleled blend of luxury and adventure in St Lucia, gateway to the Isimangaliso Wetland Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Our 13 spacious tents are set amidst lush greenery, providing a serene escape from the ordinary. Each tent is equipped with en-suite bathrooms featuring showers only, ensuring comfort and privacy. The camp boasts an outdoor swimming pool where guests can cool off during hot days, while the barbecue area offers a communal space for socialising and enjoying South African hospitality. With fully stocked kitchen facilities available to all guests, you have the flexibility to cook your meals or explore the local dining scene. Wi-Fi is provided throughout the camp, ensuring you stay connected with loved ones back home.

Marloth Park, Mpumalanga

As native as the Nyala antelope is to South Africa’s Kruger National Park, so is staying at Nyala Luxury Safari Tents an immersive experience for bush enthusiasts. Located on Renoster Street in Marloth Park, this intimate refuge is nestled amongst the lush bushveld, offering a serene and secluded escape where nature thrives around you. Each luxury tent features private bathrooms with showers, tea and coffee stations, bar fridges, and verandahs overlooking a waterhole teeming with wildlife. The camp’s communal thatched lapa includes a fully equipped kitchen and dining area, while the plunge pool provides a refreshing retreat from the warm African sun. Marloth Park is renowned for its free-roaming game and birdlife, making it an ideal base to explore Kruger National Park just 20 minutes away.

Somerset West, Western Cape

Old Mac Daddy is an enchanting retreat nestled within the serene Elgin Valley, just a 40-minute drive from Cape Town's city centre. This unique property offers a blend of rustic charm and contemporary luxury, set amidst whispering pine trees and tranquil lakes. The Airstream Trailer Park concept was inspired by this natural rural setting, where each trailer suite is uniquely themed and designed to provide a nostalgic yet luxurious camping experience. Whether you're seeking adventure or simply looking for a serene escape, Old Mac Daddy offers endless nature-inspired activities, wholesome farm-grown food, and designer accommodations that cater to both families and couples.

Illovo Beach, KwaZulu-Natal

Villa Spa Holiday Resort is a tropical oasis situated on five acres of lush lawns and established trees along KwaZulu-Natal's Sapphire Coast, just steps away from Illovo Beach. The resort offers an idyllic setting for both family getaways and solo adventurers, with its serene environment teeming with birdlife and shaded sites perfect for caravans, campervans, motorhomes, and tents. With over 30 years of experience in hospitality, Villa Spa is dedicated to providing guests with a memorable holiday filled with comfort and convenience.

Grahamstown, South Africa

Woodbury Tented Camp is an intimate bush camp located within the malaria-free Amakhala Game Reserve, offering a serene escape into nature for both local and international travellers. Situated on a secluded hillside overlooking the Bushman's River floodplain, the camp provides a rare intimacy with wildlife and natural beauty. The Gush family, who have lived in the area for five generations, run the camp alongside dedicated staff who take pride in delivering memorable African safari experiences. With ten comfortable en-suite tents on raised bases and two family tents connected by a balcony, Woodbury Tented Camp offers guests a blend of comfort and adventure. Each tent features hot running water, electric blankets, and private decks for enjoying the stunning views.

Graskop, South Africa

Panorama Chalets & Ruskamp offers an idyllic retreat just two kilometres from Graskop on Kowyn's Pass Road (R533). With twenty-four self-catering chalets and well-maintained caravan, motorhome, and camping facilities, the property caters to a wide range of travellers. The chalets vary in size and layout but all offer comfortable accommodation with open-plan living spaces, kitchens equipped for self-catering, and some feature stunning views of the Graskop Gorge. Guests can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, horse riding, and visiting nearby attractions like God's Window and the Blyde River Canyon. The Divine @ The View Restaurant on-site provides a convenient dining option with panoramic vistas.

Cradock, South Africa

Linduli Farmstay invites you to experience the essence of adventure and tranquillity in the heart of South Africa's Karoo region near Cradock. Founded by two men who shared a dream, this unique property offers an escape into nature with its luxury A-frame wooden houses built from century-old pine trees uprooted by a storm. Nestled on the banks of the Great Fish River and surrounded by scenic mountains, Linduli Farmstay provides a serene backdrop for those seeking peace and adventure alike. Whether you are looking to unwind in one of our mountain cabins or explore the farm's hiking trails, this destination promises an unforgettable experience.

Swellendam, South Africa

The Hamlet offers charming luxury cottages on a private farm in Swellendam, South Africa's third oldest town. Nestled amidst rolling hills and lush vineyards, this picturesque setting provides an ideal retreat from city life. The self-catering accommodation is close to the town's facilities and attractions, including over 50 national monuments and historical sites such as the Drostdy Museum. Guests can enjoy berry picking, liqueur tastings, and exploring nearby nature reserves like Marloth Nature Reserve and Bontebok National Park. With solar-powered electricity ensuring full power even during load-shedding, The Hamlet provides modern comfort in a historic setting.

Jozini, South Africa

Nkonkoni Fishing Camp is situated within the Pongola Game Reserve in the picturesque Pongolapoort Biosphere, offering guests an unparalleled blend of natural beauty and adventure. The camp lies close to the southern shores of Jozini Dam, a sanctuary for wildlife and birdlife, with breathtaking views of the Lebombo Mountains and the savannah woodland of northern Zululand. This serene setting is ideal for those seeking tranquillity and outdoor escapades, making it an excellent base for exploring the diverse attractions in the area.

Klapmuts, South Africa

Dawn Mountains Farm is a family-run bespoke wedding and events venue nestled in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley, surrounded by vast vineyards and picturesque landscapes. The property offers a range of accommodation options for up to four guests, including apartments and a cottage, each designed with comfort and privacy in mind. Situated just 10 km from Pearl Valley Golf Estate and Spa, and within easy reach of numerous wine estates and farms, the farm provides an ideal base for exploring the region's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Whether you are planning a special occasion or simply seeking a tranquil getaway, Dawn Mountains Farm offers a serene environment with stunning views that will leave you feeling rejuvenated.

Mkuze, South Africa

Welcome to Sensiri Plains Safari Lodge, an elegant retreat set within the expansive and breathtaking Manyoni Private Game Reserve, covering over 23,000 hectares of pristine wilderness. This lodge offers a unique blend of luxury and rustic charm, providing guests with refined comfort indoors while immersing them in the beauty of untamed nature outdoors. The reserve is renowned for its rich wildlife and stunning landscapes, making it one of South Africa’s most beautiful destinations. Guests can enjoy a range of activities from game drives to bird watching, all within this serene and exclusive environment that captures the romance and drama of African bush life.

Tzaneen, South Africa

Sable Creek Safari Lodge lies within the Selati Game Reserve, an expansive wilderness area covering over 30,000 hectares of pristine land. Located just a 45-minute drive from Kruger National Park and near the Blyde Canyon River, this lodge offers unparalleled access to some of South Africa’s most remarkable wildlife and geological features. The reserve is home to the Big Five as well as sable antelope, white and black rhino, and the rarest cycad on Earth. With a rich geological history that includes ancient rock formations in the Murchison Greenstone belt, visitors can explore diverse landscapes ranging from granite and pegmatite formations to lush riverine areas along the Selati River. Sable Creek Safari Lodge stands out for its commitment to sustainability, boasting one of the lowest carbon footprints in the Greater Kruger Region.