KwaZulu-Natal Campgrounds | Places to Stay in KwaZulu-Natal

There is a place in Africa where the wild elephants still roam. The legendary Ivory Route where the great tuskers still tramp their ancient pathways through dense sand-forest and tall yellow grass. This is Tembe Elephant Park, a 300 square kilometer reserve between Zululand and Mozambique, home to Africa’s largest elephants as well as the smallest antelope, the suni. The Big Five also find their home here – lion, leopard, black and white rhino and buffalo, as well as more than 340 bird species and myriad other animals and plants. It is a world of hot silence and white sand, where the busy modern world ceases to exist and only the rising and setting of the sun marks the passage of time. It is also the ancestral home of the Tembe people, who co-own and manage Tembe Elephant Park Lodge: a place of warm African hospitality, classic safari food, world-class personal service. This is where you will find the Africa of story and legend, of adventure and myth. And it’s waiting for you….

Self-catering chalets with magnificent views of the Central Drakensberg mountain range close to the Ukhulamba World Heritage site. Wits End is situated on 80 hectares of unspoiled mountain landscape, where nature abounds and has several private nature trails passing through an indigenous forest and alongside a large lake, offering canoeing, fishing and birding. Wits End Mountain Chalets now offers a wedding venue and a chapel both seating up to 150 guests. We help with and co-ordinate all aspects of your wedding.

AfriCamps is all about glamping at the most beautiful working farms and estates in South Africa. At each of our locations, you can get closer to nature without compromising on the creature comforts of home. AfriCamps at White Elephant is located in the thriving Pongola Game Reserve, at the foot of the majestic Lebombo Mountains in KwaZulu-Natal, just south of Eswatini. Pongola is the world's second-oldest private reserve and home to the popular White Elephant Safaris and the shimmering waters of Lake Jozini. Twelve self-catering boutique glamping tents dot the unhindered Savannah-like bushveld on Lake Jozini's shore. View game and birdlife from your deck and take in the unique surroundings and views over the Lebombo Mountains. Each AfriCamps tent consists of an outdoor wood-fired hot tub or splash pool, a spacious open plan lounge area with a comfortable couch, a dining area with a solid wooden table and seating for five guests, a fully-equipped kitchen, two bedrooms that comfortably sleeps five guests, and a bathroom complete with a hot shower, flushing toilet and washbasin. Both bedrooms are furnished with an extra length queen size bed and have their own private entrance which allows maximum privacy. One of the bedrooms also contains a single bunk bed. Our tents are equipped with air-conditioning and an indoor fireplace. Enjoy a braai on our spacious wooden decks and take in the views from the comfortable deck loungers. Pull up the front covers and transform the tent into a large outdoor living area. Unwind and appreciate a festive family breakfast while taking in the serene natural beauty of the South African Bush. Our tents are equipped with Wi-Fi.

The Indwe Farm Stay offers self-catering cottage accommodation on a working farm in the historic Bloodriver area, where the Boers trekked into the great unknown. Come and experience the hospitality of farmers, get to hold the cutest little chicks and see calves born, fish, hike, ride a mountain bike, have a romantic sunset picnic, enjoy a yummy braai at the dam, sail or go out in the kayak. The cottage can accommodate up to 2 guests and contains 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, and a kitchen and dining area. The bedroom contains 2 single beds. The bathroom contains a bath, a toilet and a washbasin. The kitchen is well-equipped for self-catering with a gas hob, microwave, fridge, kettle, toaster, cutlery and crockery, and a 3-seater dining table and chairs. There is a cosy outdoor area with a fireplace, an outdoor dining table and chairs, and braai facilities. The cottage is set in a tranquil and bird friendly farm garden. Go to bed with the sound of the barn owls heading off to hunt and wake up to the sound of guinea fowl on your doorstep. If you are lucky the resident duiker can be spotted grazing outside. The farm borders the world famous Bloodriver Vlei which is one of the largest inland wetlands in the country. It supports no fewer than 150 different bird species, and serves as a wintering place for migratory birds, and is particularly important for the endangered blue and crowned cranes This part of KwaZulu-Natal's Midlands is a series of gently rolling hills on a plateau almost 1,800 miles above sea level. When the hills do not predominate then the Mpumalanga Drakensberg escarpment makes its presence known.

Exchange the cityscape for spectacular natural scenery in the Drakensberg! Just over three hours' drive from Johannesburg and Bloemfontein and about two-and-a-half hours from Durban you will find the ATKV Drakensville holiday resort near the foothills of the Drakensberg Amphitheatre, a world heritage site. ATKV Drakensville, with its breathtaking views, is surrounded by historical landmarks and offers access to numerous tourist attractions in the vicinity. The resort has a variety of accommodation, adventure activities and recreational facilities, plus a restaurant, fast-food outlet, coffee shop and gift shop. The ATKV Drakensville - perfect for your fairytale wedding, a successful conference or a brilliant team-building programme!

Giants Cup Wilderness Reserve™, the premier wild-trout flyfishing destination in Southern Africa, is a registered site of Conservation Significance (site no 49). Home to prolific wildlife and waterfowl, it has been called “one of the most beautiful fly-fishing destinations on the planet” (R. Kirby). With the Umzimkulwana river and a lake full of wild-spawning rainbow and brown trout, Giants Cup Wilderness sets the standard for authentic wilderness angling in spectacular mountain scenery.

Kingfisher Bush Lodge is based in Kosi Bay, just south of the Mozambique border. The property consists of 4 x Safari Tents and 4 x Luxury Tented Chalets.

Only 1 hour South of Durban Airport, Umzumbe Surf House & Surf Camp is conveniently located steps away from Umzumbe beach and it's famous right hand point break. Located on the South Coast of South Africa in a small beach town. The private beach-front property is the ideal destination for surfers and beach lovers who are looking for a laid-back environment, that is casual and relaxed. The house and rooms have been carefully decked out with a beachy surf style, always clean and comfortable. Seclusivley located in a sub-tropical bush setting with private access to Umzumbe's stunning blue flagged beach and famous right hand point break, the Surf House is a well kept secret paradise. With an expansive property, it's a popular place for Beach-front Camping. Surf School with Surfing Lessons, Surfboard Rentals, Guided Surf trips, Guided Walks and Hikes to the nearest waterfalls are available daily. Yoga, Golf, Bungee Jumping, Zip Lining, Diving, Safari Trips and many more activities can be arranged. The staff and owners are a breath of fresh air providing the most friendly hospitality to all guests. Umzumbe Surf House is owned and managed by a South African & American couple, who run Surf Tours along the entire eastern coastline of South Africa. Facilities at Umzumbe Surf House include Hammocks, Lounge Chairs, Sofas, Outside Picnic Table, Outside Showers, Yoga Deck, Guest Kitchen, Safe Car Parking, Internet Access, Laundry, Bed Linen, Towels, Security, Camping, a Safe, and Airport Shuttle Service.

AfriCamps is all about glamping at the most beautiful working farms, estates and reserves in South Africa. At each of our locations, you can get closer to nature without compromising on the creature comforts of home. Enjoy everything from hiking to hammocking, from seclusion in nature to romantic escapes, from family getaways to merry chaos with friends. The AfriCamps glamping concept offers guests the freedom and flexibility of a self-drive holiday, the closeness to nature of a camping trip and the luxury and convenience of a beautiful self-catering unit. AfriCamps at Gowan Valley is located in the heart of the Natal Midlands between Nottingham Road and Lidgetton in the area of Balgowan. The farm is truly enchanting with its rolling green hills and fields. Walking through the beautiful gardens dotted with roses, you are suddenly transported to the English countryside. Then the “moos“ of Nguni cattle bring you back to the Natal farm landscape. Each AfriCamps tent consists of an outdoor wood-fired hot tub or splash pool, a spacious open plan lounge area with a comfortable couch, a dining area with a solid wooden table and seating for five guests, a fully-equipped kitchen, two bedrooms that comfortably sleeps five guests, and a bathroom complete with a hot shower, flushing toilet, and washbasin. Both bedrooms are furnished with a queen-size bed and have their own private entrance which allows maximum privacy. One of the bedrooms also contains a single bunk bed. Our tents are equipped with air-conditioning and an indoor fireplace. Enjoy a braai on our spacious wooden decks and take in the views from the comfortable deck loungers. Pull up the front covers and transform the tent into a large outdoor living area. Unwind and appreciate a festive family breakfast while taking in the serene natural beauty of the South African landscape. Our tents are equipped with Wi-Fi. The property is graced by the crystal clear Mpofana river which flows strongly through the farm. As part of a water scheme, the river also provides water to the farm. A hollowed-out section in the river is a great spot to go for a dip or enjoy the river from the banks by settling down for a picnic. Try your luck and catch yellowtail or trout – strictly catch and release. Guests can enjoy a 4 km walk through the indigenous forest where they will see the enormous 500-year-old Yellowwood tree, pass the river, the newly planted kiwi fields, and Nguni cattle. Take a stroll through the gorgeous rose gardens on the farm and settle down at a grassy picnic spot. The Midlands Meander route is popular for the relaxed atmosphere, picturesque countryside and welcoming people. Here you will experience a variety of stunning nature, adventure activities, South African history, local crafts and delectable country-style food spots.