family-friendly camping

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Happy campers: Top family-friendly camping spots in Gauteng, North West

Kids love camping and after a topsy-turvy year of lockdown and homeschooling, what better way to celebrate the holidays than getting out into the great outdoors and having some fun in the sun.

family-friendly camping

Image: Adobe Stock

South Africa is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and there are plenty of great campgrounds and camping sites that are surrounded by this natural beauty. 

Whether you want to camp in a cool mountain resort or the middle of the bushveld, here are some of the top family-friendly campsites around Gauteng to take the family this summer season. 

Dinokeng Fishing & Camping – Roodeplaat Dam

Situated on the south-eastern side of the Roodeplaat Dam and just a 15-minute drive from Pretoria, Dinokeng Fishing & Camping is a fantastic spot for fishing, camping, canoeing, and picnicking. The campground has grassy waterside sites with beautiful views over the dam, electricity hook-ups, and braai facilities. 

Keen fishermen and water-lovers can enjoy an array of water-based fun and catch a variety of fish, including carp, barbel, bream, and yellowfish. Landlubbers can explore on mountain bikes (bring own bikes) and take game drives in the nearby Roodeplaat Nature Reserve. 

For more information, visit www.campdinokeng.co.za.

Mabalingwe Nature Reserve, Bela Bela 

Surrounded by 12,500 hectares of malaria-free bushveld, Mabalingwe Nature Reserve, near Bela-Bela has a caravan and campsite with shady stands for caravans and tents with standard electrical points and various self-catering options such as chalets and houses.  

The kids can enjoy a heated and cold swimming pool, putt-putt facilities, and a playground, and other fun things to do in the area include horse-riding and game drives through the nature reserve, which has a good network of game-viewing roads. 

For more information, visit www.mabalingwegamereserve.co.za

Mountain Sanctuary Park, Rustenburg

Perched in the magnificent and mountainous Magaliesberg area with spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes and the nearby Buffelspoort Dam, the Mountain Sanctuary Park is an ideal place to spend a weekend with the family. 

Spacious campsites have electrical points and there are various cottages and cabins for self-catering options. Activities abound including swimming in a beautiful swimming pool, abseiling, rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking, for which the area is renowned. A cosy restaurant serves lovely home-style meals, and a set of natural pools is a short walk away from the campground. 

For more information, visit www.mountain-sanctuary.co.za

ATKV – Buffelspoort Resort

Situated less than an hour from both Pretoria and Johannesburg and just a stone’s throw from the world-renowned Sun City, the ATKV Buffelspoort Holiday Resort is a fantastic getaway for the family with a wealth of fun activities. 

The resort offers a variety of self-catering accommodation ranging from camping to cabins, as well a restaurant, a fast-food section, and a well-equipped shop. There are plenty of recreational facilities and activities, including several swimming pools, tennis courts, mini-golf, snooker tables, and hiking, and it’s a great place to explore on a bike, so be sure to take them along. 

For more information, visit www.buffelspoort.co.za 

Olifantspoort Bush Camp & Caravan Park

Located in the heart of the bush just a two-hour drive from Joburg, Olifantspoort Bush Camp & Caravan Park is a lovely spot with beautiful bushveld surroundings. The camp has a variety of accommodation options from shady campsites and caravan stands to five self-catering bush huts with all the necessary equipment for a hassle-free holiday.

There is a communal lapa with braai facilities and clean ablutions with hot showers and flushing toilets. You can enjoy hiking, mountain biking (bring your bicycles along), birdwatching, fishing, swimming, and donkey car rides through the bushveld.  

For more information, visit www.olifantspoort.yolasite.com