Five Great Camping Spots in the Northern Cape

The Northern Cape in South Africa is a fantastic area for camping due to its unique, diverse and captivating landscapes. The region offers stunning ocean views, rocky terrains, majestic waterfalls, and the famous wildflowers that turn Namaqualand into one vibrantly colourful flower garden in the spring. 

Tourists and holidaymakers have a variety of camping options throughout the area in the Northern Cape’s numerous nature reserves and game farms. There are also many opportunities for adventure activities, such as 4×4 trails and mountain hiking. The Northern Cape is definitely a must-explore destination for camping and adventure enthusiasts! 

We’ve looked at five of the Northern Cape’s many camping spots in more detail:

The Sandgat Caravan Park, Petrusville, Northern Cape

This highly-rated resort is a great spot to camp, and ideal for families with children. It lies scenically right on South Africa’s largest river, the mighty Orange River. The campsite is well-maintained and situated about 6 km from the town of Vanderkloof and the Vanderkloof dam. 

The camp is self-drive accessible, and the grassed camping sites are shaded by numerous trees. There are excellent ablution facilities with hot and cold showers and flushing toilets. The camp provides 20 paved and level camping sites with kitchen facilities and power points.

Firewood, ice and potable water are also available onsite. You also have the option to hire a caravan or an ensuite room if you wish. Fishing is available in the Orange River for those keen fishermen and -women.

Khamkirri Rest Camp, Kakamas

Khamkirri, ‘the place of the leopard’, is located along the Orange River in the so-called ‘Green Kalahari’. It has a bar, restaurant, and swimming pool. A range of accommodation options are on offer for visitors:

• Well-equipped self-catering, serviced, ensuite air-conditioned log cabins on the banks of the Orange River. Parking spaces are provided.

• Larger self-catering air-conditioned ensuite family units with private decks, barbecue facilities and parking.

• Fully equipped, shaded ensuite permanent glamping tented chalets with built-in water air coolers, outside kitchenettes and electricity.  

• Spacious, grassed and shaded standard camping sites with shared ablution facilities, mobile barbecues and access to powerpoints.

• Spacious, grassed and shaded private camping stands with their own bathrooms, washing-up facilities and patios with barbecues.

Activities at Khamkirri include river rafting, fly fishing, kayaking, river cruises, hiking, and birdwatching. Day tours (either guided or self-driven), local excursions, game drives and 4×4 routes are on offer. Offsite activities include a crystal rock shop, hot springs at Riemvasmaak, the magnificent Augrabies Falls, and wine and brandy tasting.

The Growcery Camp, Vioolsdrif, Richtersveld

Located 22 km from Vioolsdrif, the motto of this impressive eco-camp is recycle – reuse – upcycle. It offers a unique Richtersveld desert experience. As the camp’s name suggests, the camp offers local indigenous trees like baobabs, moringas, fever trees, and pomegranates for sale. So you can take a living memento of your visit home with you! Robust 4×4 vehicles are recommended for this rugged terrain. 

All the grassed campsites have river views and are pleasantly shaded with indigenous trees. A barbeque area and kitchenette are provided, and there’s safe parking. The camp also has a bar and restaurant, but visitors can cater for themselves if they prefer. 

Coolers and self-catering equipment like pots and pans can be rented at a reasonable daily rate. The activities on offer include swimming in natural pools in the river, hiking trails, boat rentals, kayaking, rafting trails, and 4×4 Richtersveld safaris. And unparalleled stargazing! 

And if you’d prefer a bit of glamping, ten quirky recycled and upcycled ‘Chic Shacks’ that each sleeps two people are on offer. These rooms come with beds and bedding, communal kitchens with gas burners and electricity, and shared bathrooms charmingly built from riverstones.

Witdraai Bush Camp, Erin Game Ranch, Upington 

Witdraai Bush Camp is located about 180 km from Upington and 60km south of the enormous Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Animals that live in this breathtaking Kalahari wilderness dune belt include gemsbok (oryx), springbok, blue wildebeest, zebra, giraffe and ostrich. Witdraai Bush Camp lies in the Mier municipal area which is the land of the !Khomani San, one of the world’s most ancient tribes.  

This rustic facility offers visitors a unique experience! You can pitch your tent and camp normally, or you can choose to stay in one of the four traditional thatched grass huts available. This will give you some inkling of the feel of living in a traditional San village.

The camp has a communal kitchen area and an ablution block with toilets and showers. Traditional meals can be prepared for you on request, and visitors can also enjoy storytelling by elders of the San community. Further activities include dancing, guided walks and tracking sessions directed by members of the ‡Khomani San community. 

Motswedi Campsite, Mokala National Park, Kimberley

This SANPark camp is situated in the Mokala National Park about 70 km south-southwest of Kimberley off the N12. The site can accommodate 36 people, and has six camping stands arranged in a semi-circle around a watering hole. 

All of the camping sites have outside barbeques under the shade trees. Each site has a bathroom and flush toilet, and is equipped with its own solar geyser that feeds the shower and basin. There’s also a kitchen area with a gas-powered fridge freezer.

The camp doesn’t have electricity, though there is a knee-high solar-powered electric fence around the site to stop animals from wandering in and crashing your party! Visitors to Mokala should see a plethora of species, including tsessebe, roan and sable antelope.

The Northern Cape is an amazing area to visit, jam-packed with interesting attractions, fascinating areas to explore and excellent camping sites. This holds true whether you’re just a lover of camping, or a 4×4 enthusiast who loves braving challenging terrain. Whatever your preferences, Drive South Africa has the 4×4 rental vehicle you require. And if you’re unsure about which vehicle is the best for the area you’re going to be travelling in contact us and we’ll gladly advise you! 

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