Glamping has become a popular option for those looking to get out into the country, without having the roughness of the country get to them – like me these days. Combine the unparalleled diverse beauty and appeal of the Western Cape with the indulgence of luxury camping, and you’ve got the makings of a family holiday to literally write home about.
With this in mind, take some time off work, book that Kulula ticket to Cape Town International Airport, and check into some of the most amazing luxury tented camps in South Africa for a real treat.
Where to find tented camps in the Western Cape
The Western Cape is special in that it offers various experiences, depending on which direction you head out from Cape Town. The West Coast offers dry desolation, the garden route provides rich greenery. And Cape Town itself features the added convenience of being close enough to the big city. So we’ve split it up and listed some of the best options, for convenience
Glamping in Cape Town and Immediate Surrounds. You’ll find some fine glamping options within an hour from Cape Town itself. So you’re still close to the city, but far away enough to not notice it.
Slangkop Tented Camp (Hoerikwaggo Trail)
Within the Table Mountain National Park, Slangkop Tented Camp is an ideal glamping site for really getting away from the hustle and bustle. On clear nights, the sky shimmers with a billion stars. There are two camps – Slangkop and Smitsvinkel, both with hot water, bedding and fully fitted communal self-catering. But each site only accommodates 12 people at most, so it stays intimate and (relatively quiet).
The Old Mac Daddy, Elgin
The Elgin Valley in the Overberg is known for its lush beauty, and is just a short drive out of Cape Town. Old Mac Daddy offers the choice of three tents, with Daddy’s Luxury Hideaway isolated from the rest, ideal for couples. Enjoy the minibars, king and queen-sized white linen beds, air-con, showers, and baths! Who would want to go home?
Cherry Glamping, Elgin
Also in Elgin, but set among tall trees, with the calm rustling of leaves in the breeze. The two fixed tent camps at Cherry Glamping offer a fully fitted kitchen, two natural swimming pools, a covered deck, and a lapa. All the tents also come with twin beds and linen and are fairly spacious with their own mini-decks.
Africamps, Stanford Hills
The Stanford Hills Estate just beyond Hermanus is on a boutique wine farm, hosting five super-luxury tents. The luxury camping accommodation overlooks a dam, at the foot of the Klein River mountain range. You can enjoy the best of several worlds here when it comes to food and drink. Take advantage of the top-notch self-catering facilities with optional supplied ingredients from the hosts. Or visit The Tasting Room restaurant for outstanding slow food prepared by the chefs.
Tented Camps on the West Coast. The dry and exotic Atlantic coast and its wilderness offer the best sense of roughing it, even if you are in a soft comfy bed.
West Coast Luxury Tents
For a real sense of isolation and calm when glamping on the West Coast, you won’t do better than one of these gorgeous self-contained units. Set on a farm, with its own private stretch of beach, you’re guaranteed not to see another soul during your stay – unless you want to. Each unit has bathroom facilities, kitchen facilities, a double bed, and access to a 40km long beach.
Thali Thali Game Lodge
Thali Thali, near Langebaan, combines the luxury of glamping with the option to go on game drives, all within the reserve. When the game and bird-spotting is done, retire to the cool of the tents. En-suite bathrooms and showers lead off from the double bedrooms, and you’ll have a deck upon which to enjoy the night sky.
!Khwa ttu
The amazing !Khwa ttu facility celebrates San heritage, offering an educational and cultural experience, as well as activities. A bush camp, consisting of five luxury tents, is part of the accommodation options. Each tent sleeps four people, is solar-powered and might well be the most affordable glamping available in the province.
Tented Camps on the Garden Route. The famed Garden Route and its green hills and valleys along the coastline have plenty of glam camping locations. Here are four options worth investigating.
Misty Mountain Reserve, Storms River
Two super luxury tent lodges are on offer in the majestic part of the country, looking over a dam and green fields. With numerous activities available, it seems almost criminal to then enjoy the huge open plan tent lodges as well. There are outdoor and indoor showers (hot and cold water) as well – an outstanding idea for this part of the world.
AfriCamps at Ingwe, The Crags
The elevated tent structures at Africamps boast queen-sized beds, verandahs, fireplaces, and wi-fi. Some of the tents even offer outdoor hot tubs – how’s that for a romantic tent setup? For the poor souls without these tubs, the pool is available for use, as well as the option to picnic at the nearby dams.
Botlierskop, Mossel Bay
Lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino can be spotted in this game reserve. The gorgeous tent suites are connected by an elevated wooden walkway. They sit beneath a lush green forest canopy and connect to the lodge. In the lodge, you can enjoy the fireplace, the 360 views of the valley, and the wi-fi.
Seven Passes Tented Camp, Wilderness
Wilderness lies at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, and the luxury tent camp at 7 Passes sits on a lake. The combination is mind-blowing, especially when you add private hot tub baths and king-sized beds.
So, if you’re looking for some time away that isn’t a complete detox breakaway, but still offers some cool creature comforts, look into glamping in South Africa at one of these luxury camping sites. The glam tents in the wonderful Western Cape will definitely be to your liking.. Whether you want lush green or dry wilderness, mountains or beach, you’ll find one of these glamping sites to your taste, guaranteed.
