Camping & Overlanding in Cape Town
Nature-based stays for travellers who prefer the open road, fresh air, and star-filled skies.
Outdoor Stays Around Cape Town
Cape Town and its surrounding areas offer a range of camping and overlanding options, from established campsites in nature reserves to more remote, off-grid locations. These stays are ideal for travellers seeking simplicity, flexibility, and a closer connection to the natural environment.
Silvermine Camp Site
Overview
Silvermine Camp Site is a rustic, nature-immersed camping experience located within Silvermine Nature Reserve, part of Table Mountain National Park. While the officially managed SANParks tented camp at Silvermine is no longer available, several informal camping options are enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts who bring tents or camping gear to experience Silvermine’s tranquil mountain environment.
Location & Setting
The campsite sits high on the Silvermine plateau in the Cape Peninsula mountains, accessible off Ou Kaapse Weg between Muizenberg and Noordhoek. The setting is rugged and scenic, surrounded by fynbos, rolling hills, and the peaceful Silvermine Dam with hiking trails and picnic areas nearby. The reserve itself is a popular playground for hikers, mountain bikers, and nature lovers..
Accomodation & Style
Camping at Silvermine is a back-to-basics outdoor experience — bring your own tent or gear and set up in designated spots near the reservoir or along quieter tracks in the reserve. There are no glamping facilities or luxury lodges on site; instead, expect simple, self-guided tent camping under the stars with panoramic mountain views. The area typically has basic amenities like braai/picnic spots and shared ablutions, and some informal sites include simple shelter and communal areas near the dam.
Why Visit
Silvermine Camp Site is perfect for travellers who love nature, peace, and adventure. You’ll be immersed in Cape Town’s fynbos-covered mountains, with direct access to hiking trails, the dam for a refreshing dip, and scenic picnic or braai areas. It’s a budget-friendly way to experience Table Mountain National Park at a slower pace, ideal for family campers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy waking up to fresh mountain air and sweeping views.
Imhoff Caravan Park
Overview
Imhoff Caravan Park is a relaxed, family-friendly campsite located in the scenic coastal village of Kommetjie on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula. The park offers grassed caravan and tent stands with electricity and built-in braai facilities, clean communal ablution blocks, and recreational spaces — making it a popular base for seaside camping and exploring the region’s beaches and outdoor attractions.
Location & Setting
Situated just a short walk from the beautiful Long Beach and close to expansive Noordhoek Beach, the park sits within easy reach of iconic Cape Peninsula highlights like Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Boulders Beach, and Table Mountain National Park. Kommetjie itself offers shops, cafés and surf culture, while the coastal setting provides fresh ocean air and dramatic views. The campsite is approximately 34 km from central Cape Town.
Accommodation & Style
This is a classic caravan park and campsite rather than a luxury lodge. It features roughly 75 level, grassed stands suitable for tents, caravans and campervans, each with 15 amp electricity, water points and built-in braai spots. Communal facilities include ablution blocks with hot showers and toilets, scullery/dishwashing areas, a children’s playground, and a games room with table tennis. The atmosphere is informal and outdoor-oriented, perfect for travellers who enjoy self-catering camping or caravanning close to the ocean.
Why Visit
Imhoff Caravan Park is a great choice for travellers seeking a relaxed, budget-friendly seaside camping experience with easy access to beautiful beaches, surfing spots, and scenic drives. Its location on the Cape Peninsula makes it an excellent base for exploring the natural highlights of the region while enjoying the fresh sea breeze, beach walks, and outdoor living around a braai with friends or family.
Why Visit?
Beaverlac is perfect for travellers who want to disconnect and reconnect with nature. You can explore hiking and mountain-bike trails, cool off in natural rock pools and rivers, enjoy birdlife and wildlife sightings, or simply relax around camp under the tall trees. The setting feels remote and peaceful, with starry night skies and fresh mountain air adding to its charm..
Beaverlac Campsite
Overview
Beaverlac is a rustic wilderness campsite and heritage site set high in the Olifants River Mountains above Porterville in the Western Cape, offering a back-to-nature escape surrounded by mountains, rivers, rock pools and fynbos. It’s known for its expansive environment, scenic hiking trails, and natural swimming spots — making it a favourite destination for campers, hikers and outdoor lovers seeking peace and adventure away from city life.
Location & Setting
Tucked into a secluded 5 000 hectare valley near Porterville, Beaverlac lies roughly 170–180 km from Cape Town, about a 2.5-hour drive via the N7 and Dasklip Pass. The campsite is nestled between the Ratel and Olifants Rivers, with shaded pine forests and grassy camping areas that lead into mountainous terrain, scenic rock pools, waterfalls and a network of trails right from camp.
Accommodation & Style
Beaverlac offers a true outdoor camping experience with non-demarcated tent and caravan spots under trees. The sites are basic — bring your own tent, gear and supplies — and there’s no electricity at the camping area, though ablution blocks, cold showers and a small shop with essentials are available. For those who prefer more shelter, there are rustic cabins and huts scattered around the property with simple facilities such as hot water, a fridge and basic kitchen equipment, ideal for groups or families
De Pakhuys Campsite
Overview
De Pakhuys Campsite is part of the scenic De Pakhuys farm in the heart of the Cederberg Mountains, offering a rugged outdoor camping experience amid dramatic sandstone boulders, fynbos and wide-open skies. The campsite forms one element of the property’s broader accommodation options, blending basic wilderness camping with easy access to nature, walking trails and farm life.
Location & Setting
Located in the Agter-Pakhuis Valley roughly 26 km from Clanwilliam along the R364, the campsite sits at the foot of the Cederberg’s striking rock formations and mountain landscapes — a popular playground for climbers, hikers, wildflower enthusiasts and nature lovers. The region is renowned for its ancient rock art, rugged terrain, and scenic valleys.
Accomodation & Style
This is a back-to-nature camping experience rather than a resort. Campers can pitch tents on open ground shaded by tall gum trees, with basic ablution facilities (showers with hot water), braai (barbecue) spots, fresh borehole water, a communal kitchen area and electricity points available onsite. Campers register on arrival and choose their spot, creating a relaxed, informal vibe that emphasises outdoor living.
In addition to basic camping, De Pakhuys also offers campsite cabins and caravan options, which have simple amenities like fridges, electricity and braai facilities — all within walking distance of the shared ablutions and communal spaces.
Why Visit
Kogel Bay Resort is perfect for travellers looking for an affordable, nature-oriented seaside escape with spectacular scenery. It’s ideal for campers, surfers, beach lovers, photographers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking direct beach access, mountain views and a peaceful coastal setting. Its location also makes it a great base for exploring the Kogelberg Biosphere / Nature Reserve and scenic drives along the False Bay coast.
Kogel Bay Resort
Overview
Kogel Bay Resort is a scenic coastal campsite and beach resort located along the iconic Clarence Drive (R44) between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi Els in the Helderberg region of the Western Cape. It’s known for its dramatic setting where the Kogelberg Mountains meet the Atlantic Ocean, offering sunsets, ocean views, beach access and laid-back outdoor camping vibes right next to one of the region’s most striking shorelines.
⚠️ Note: The resort has experienced closures and infrastructure issues at times, so current availability and facilities can vary. Check with the City of Cape Town or local authorities before planning a trip
Location & Setting
Kogel Bay Resort sits beside Kogel Bay Beach near the small coastal village of Rooi Els, framed by the rugged Kogelberg mountain range and the wide expanse of False Bay. The location lies along one of South Africa’s most scenic coastal drives — Clarence Drive — and provides immediate access to sandy shores, rocky coves and open ocean
Accommodation & Style
The property primarily offers outdoor camping and caravan stands, where visitors can pitch tents or park caravans on grassy plots with mountain and sea views. Sites are generally non-electrified, encouraging a back-to-nature experience with shared ablution facilities. There are no luxury chalets or cabins on site — the emphasis is on simple, authentic beachfront camping where you can wake up to the sound of waves and enjoy beach activities right from camp.
Things to Keep in Mind
Book popular campsites well in advance
Respect park rules and quiet hours
Be wildlife-aware, especially in reserves
Leave no trace and pack out all waste
Other Places to Stay in Cape Town
Lodges & Nature Stays in Cape Town
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Guest Houses & Boutique Stays in Cape Town