[Updated August 2020]
Take your best friend camping along with the rest of the family. Go ahead and find the ideal pet-friendly camping spot for you and your four-legged buddy! These beautiful spots around South Africa happily welcome pets any time of the year.
Image courtesy of @sophiethesassypants via Instagram
Eastern Cape
Ocean View Forest Reserve & Guest Farm, Komga
Registered as a Natural Heritage Site with a picturesque view of the sea, this pet-friendly camping spot located about 65 kilometres from East London welcomes all animals all year round. Just be sure to call beforehand to make arrangements. There are many hiking trails to do, as well as easy access to great walks for dogs, plus there are three beaches that are an easy drive away.
Contact: info@oceanviewforestresort.co.za
KwaZulu-Natal
Glengarry Holiday Farm, Kamberg
Image courtesy of @nickbass33 via Instagram
Glengarry is located in the beautiful Kamberg. This prime location offers an action-packed holiday and relaxation. Simply choose what fits your style best. Glengarry Holiday Farm offers a tranquil Berg experience. It is set against the backdrop of the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains and overlooks the Little Mooi River.
Facilities: There are 40 campsites, all are powered, grassed, partly shaded and have serviced ablution.
Western Cape
Klondyke Cherry Farm, Ceres
Image courtesy of @loveofdogsncrochet via Instagram
Though cherry season only lasts from November until the first week of January each year, this lovely pet-friendly camping spot is a joy all year round. Lovers of serenity will be happy to know that no scramblers or quad bikes are allowed.
Facilities: There is plenty of shade available under the old trees. Eight electrical connection and water points for tents/vans. There are two ablution blocks and two hot water showers.
Contact: info@klondyke.co.za
Secret Falls, Tulbagh
Image courtesy of @egyptiancrawler via Instagram
A truly magical and extremely pet-friendly camping spot, 4x4s are necessary to reach the remote Secret Falls campsite. There are many exciting hiking trails for those seeking an adventure in Tulbagh’s beautiful nature. It is worth renting out in its entirety for a weekend with friends or family. Secret Falls is so popular, bookings must be made months in advance!
Facilities: There are 10 campsites, flushing toilets, hot showers and a pool.
Note that Secret Falls is not open to day visitors and is closed during the week.
Beaverlac
A firm favourite with weekending Capetonians, Beaverlac boasts magnificent scenery and is a short walk to a crystalline mountain pool with a waterfall. Friendly and well-behaved dogs are most welcome.
Contact: 022 931 2945
Good to know:
Booking is now required for camping. You will need to register on the Beaverlac website.
Remember to bring your own braai-grid.
There are no electricity points in the camping area.
The gate opens at 07:00 and closes at 21:00.
There are no card facilities so remember to draw cash.
Khomiesdrif, Riviersonderend
Just 160km from Cape Town, Khomeesdrif Campsite is situated at the edge of a poplar forest, 7km from the town. This is an ideal spot to take your four-legged best friend and the family for a weekend of canoeing on the river, swimming, kayaking and tubing. Avid fishermen will be in heaven. Dogs and horses are welcome all year round by prior arrangement.
Facilities: There are 30 grassed and shaded sites available to choose from. There is an ablution block with solar-powered hot showers (backed up by gas). The bathrooms are wheelchair friendly.
Contact: bookings@khomeesdrif.co.za
Klein Kliphuis, Clanwilliam
This lovely West Coast retreat boasts visits from duikers at night and unparalleled star-gazing. Klein Kliphuis is 11 kilometres from Clanwilliam on the Pakhuis Pass surrounded by nature. Small dogs are allowed with prior arrangement.
Facilities: Grass campsites with partial shade and a pool to cool off in summer. No electricity but the magic of simple gas stoves and candles.
Contact: 027 482 2564
Limpopo
Thabaphaswa Mountain Sanctuary
This remote bushveld retreat boasts a ‘foefie’ slide, rock climbing, abseiling, farm dams, mountain bike trails and a mountain spring. The campsites are well-camouflaged by boulders all the better to spot some of the 168 bird species. Campers must be fully self-sufficient.
Facilities: There are two main areas where the campsites are located. All camping areas have hot showers and reed-enclosed toilets. There are fire pits, braai grids, water taps and dishwashing facilities.
Contact: Deon and Ankie Richter to book on 015 491 4882
Kazi Mingi Bush Camp, Waterberg
Image courtesy of @michaelbri8 via Instagram
This remote bush camp is situated on the farm Kazi Mingi, Geelhoutkloof, in the beautiful Waterberg area. Leave behind the bustling city life and embrace the tranquillity under the bushveld trees. You can book the whole camp out for a group of 20 people. Small dogs are allowed by prior arrangement.
Facilities: There are five campsites, each with its own electrical point, braai area and bushveld trees for shade. Central camping facilities include ablution areas, a kitchen, gathering area for meetings and games like darts, a lapa, mini plunge pool and an open-air shower.
Contact: Trudi Nel on 083 255 7590
Northern Cape
River Destiny Lodge, Colesberg
This is an ideal pet-friendly camping spot to spend the night on a road trip between Joburg and Cape Town, though it’s so lovely by the Orange River you might never want to leave. Avid fishermen will be happy to know it’s just 15km from the Gariep Dam.
Facilities: 16 camping sites with showers and baths.
Entry fee for pets is charged according to their size.
Contact: info@riverdestiny.co.za or 051 753 0203
Image courtesy of @cutthroatcolorado via Instagram
These incredible spots mean your four-legged best friend will get to enjoy the lovely outdoors with you. You’ll have the best time staying at these pet-friendly camping spots in South Africa.
Not in the mood for hauling out the tent pegs? We have more options for pet-friendly places to stay in South Africa.
Sign up to our newsletter for more travel guides and travel deals. Let us know where some of your favourite pet-friendly camping sites are in the comments below!
Though we are confident the information above below is factually accurate – always check with the owners over the phone before booking. All information on this blog page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice. Travelstart will not be liable for loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this information.
Good day
We need a campsite in KZN near the sea, which is pet friendly.
We are pensioners and would like a pension package to stay for a month.
Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out. You welcome to take a look at our blog:
The Best Pet-Friendly Camp Sites Around South Africa or
Nine of our Favourite Camping Sites in Durban and KZN or
25 Of the Best South African Campsites to Pitch Your Tent this Summer
We so ask that you always check with the owners over the phone before booking. All information on our blog page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice.
Hi Stella,
Try Characters Garden Park in Pennington. Stunning caravan park 90m from the beach. They allow small dogs.
Regards
Karen.
Looking for pet friendly camp sites in the eastern cape.
Hi Benita,
Thanks for contacting us.
You welcome to read our blog, The Best Pet-Friendly Camp Sites Around The Country: https://bit.ly/2Vu5Muo
Here we mention: Ocean View Forest Reserve & Guest Farm, Komga as a pet friendly camp site in the Eastern Cape.
If you are travelling Route 62, a pet friendly venue which offers camping, accommodation in Safari tents, a small backpackers, and in the building which used to be a Ticket Office, is Calitzdorp Railway Station, which is two minutes away from Calitzdorp itself. There is a communal kitchenette for campers, backpackers, andvtho those booked into the Safari tents. It has a ‘farm’ pool to cool off in, and a licensed bar which is open on various evenings in the week, and Saturdays.
There is no charge for pets Cheryl, on 0814733232, can be contacted for bookings. E-mail:calitzdorpstation@telkomsa.net. (Posted 28th Oct, 2018.)
As is frequently the case The majority (5 out of ten) of the places given are in the Western Cape. Hundreds of thousands of dog lovers live in Gauteng and cannot afford the time to travel long distance with their dogs. I know of several places within a few hour’s drive; I’d like to find more, but this doesn’t really help.
Hi Ngwenya,
Thanks for getting in touch.
Below is a few Pet Friendly Retreats near or in Johannesburg. Hope this helps.
Hornbill Lodge, Magaliesberg.
De Zoete Rust, Centurion.
Blue Roan Country Lodge, Magaliesburg.
The Rooster’s Nest B&B, Midrand.
KwaThabisile Game Lodge, Cullinan.
Stone Hill, Magaliesburg.
Fralande Guest Flatlet, Pretoria.
Flintstones Guesthouse, Fourways.
River Goose Campsite Bonnivale also pet friendly. Fantastic camping along the Breede River. Beautifull grass and lots of shade.