Camping sites with a twist of luxury (=Glamping)
Glamping is perfect if you love spending time in nature but don’t enjoy the hassle of traditional camping. There are no tents to pitch, no air mattresses to inflate and no sleeping bags to wrestle with. Instead, you arrive to find a comfortable bed, thoughtful touches and a peaceful setting already waiting for you.
It is also a wonderful choice for couples looking for a romantic escape, families wanting children to experience the outdoors in comfort, or friends planning a relaxing weekend together. Imagine sipping your morning coffee while mist drifts across the valley, soaking in a wood-fired hot tub beneath a sky full of stars, or ending the day around a crackling fire with nothing but the sounds of nature around you. Glamping gives you the best parts of camping, with the comfort that helps you truly unwind.
So, you’ve made the right choice. Let’s discover beautiful places together:
Franschhoek is famous for its award-winning restaurants, world-class wine estates and spectacular mountain scenery. Glamping here gives you the chance to enjoy all the comforts of a luxury stay while waking up to vineyards stretching towards towering peaks. Spend your days riding the Wine Tram, tasting exceptional wines or browsing the boutique shops before returning to the peace and quiet of your luxury tent.
There’s something magical about ending the day on your private deck with a glass of local wine as the mountains glow in the last light of the afternoon. It feels wonderfully removed from the bustle of everyday life, yet you’re only minutes from one of South Africa’s most charming villages.
Don’t miss: Take a ride on the Franschhoek Wine Tram, enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the valley’s renowned wine estates, visit the Saturday market, or drive the breathtaking Franschhoek Pass for unforgettable views.
Perfect for: Couples, food lovers, wine enthusiasts and anyone celebrating a special occasion. Franschhoek combines luxury, scenery and exceptional dining, making it one of the Western Cape’s most romantic glamping destinations.
The Klein Karoo has a charm all of its own. Days are warm and sunny, evenings are perfect for a crackling fire, and once darkness falls, the stars seem brighter than almost anywhere else.
Spend the day exploring the famous Cango Caves, meeting ostriches, driving the spectacular Swartberg Pass or sampling local wines. Then return to your luxury tent, pour a glass of wine and enjoy the peace that makes the Klein Karoo so unforgettable.
A Game lodge offering luxury safari-style tents overlooking a waterhole where you may spot giraffe, zebra, hippo and antelope right from your private deck…
AfriCamp Klein Karoo – Luxury boutique tents with private wood-fired hot tubs overlooking the Buffelsdrift Conservancy.
Perfect for: Couples, families, wildlife lovers, stargazers and anyone exploring the Garden Route or Route 62. The combination of mountain scenery, wildlife and unforgettable night skies makes Oudtshoorn one of the Western Cape’s most rewarding glamping destinations.
Robertson combines award-winning wine estates with mountain scenery and peaceful farm stays. Spend your days wine tasting, exploring Route 62 or hiking through the Langeberg Mountains before returning to a luxury safari tent or cosy tipi beneath a sky filled with stars. It’s one of the Western Cape’s most romantic glamping destinations.
A unique glamping experience in spacious tipi tents on a peaceful farm in the Klaasvoogds Valley. The setting is surrounded by beautiful mountains, with hiking trails, river sounds and dark skies – perfect for stargazing.
AfriCamps at Pat Busch: Probably the best-known glamping experience in Robertson. Luxury Africamp safari tents tucked into the Langeberg Mountains with sweeping views, private wood-fired hot tubs, fully equipped kitchens and comfortable beds. Hiking trails and mountain scenery on your doorstep. I think it is really a beautiful setting.
One of the most unique glamping experiences in the Western Cape. Stay in a dome that sits high on a hillside overlooking the Witzenberg Mountains. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the landscape indoors, making it feel as though you’re sleeping right in the heart of nature. Step onto the deck at sunrise with a cup of coffee, spend a warm afternoon swimming in the farm dam, and end the day beneath a sky filled with stars. The property also has a hiking trail leading to a waterfall, adding another reason to slow down and enjoy the surroundings.
What makes this especially memorable is the feeling of complete escape. There are no busy roads or city lights, just mountain views, birdsong and the peaceful rhythm of farm life. It’s an unforgettable retreat for couples celebrating a special occasion or anyone looking to disconnect for a few days.
Perfect for: Couples, photographers, stargazers and travellers looking for a romantic getaway in the Tulbagh Valley.
Wilderness is one of those places where nature takes centre stage. Ancient forests, long sandy beaches, peaceful lakes and winding rivers create the perfect setting for a relaxing glamping escape. Wake to the sound of birds, spend the day kayaking or hiking in the forest, and end it watching the sun disappear into the Indian Ocean.
The town has a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere, with cosy cafés, local restaurants and plenty of outdoor adventures. It’s easy to see why so many visitors end up staying longer than planned.
Don’t miss a walk along Wilderness Beach, a paddle on the Touw River, or a visit to the viewpoints inside Wilderness National Park. Early mornings and late afternoons are especially beautiful as the changing light transforms the coastline and surrounding mountains.
Perfect for: Nature lovers, couples, photographers and anyone looking for a peaceful Garden Route escape where forests, rivers and the ocean are all within easy reach.
There are loads more fabulous campsites and glamping spots around the world. Interested in a few more ideas? Maybe visit Dwarskersbos and go glamping with those beautiful sunsets of the West Coast of South Africa? Well then (read more)…
I love glamping because it brings you closer to nature without giving up life’s little comforts. There’s something incredibly peaceful about stepping outside with a steaming cup of coffee, breathing in the fresh morning air and taking in beautiful views before the rest of the world wakes up. Add the sound of birdsong and the stillness of the countryside, and it’s hard to imagine a better way to start the day.
