10 best camping escapes for the holidays

The school holidays are long enough that a weekend away won’t cut it, and short enough that you don’t need to plan a full expedition either. Joburg sits close to some solid family camping country, most of it within a couple of hours’ drive. Here are 10 spots to consider before the holidays fill up.

1. The Magaliesburg spot every Joburg family already knows

Mountain Sanctuary Park is famous for its crystal-clear rock pools and being a multi-generational Joburg camping tradition. It boasts rock pools shallow enough for kids to swim safely. You can go car-free once you’re parked, kids can roam within reason. The Cradle of Humankind is also nearby for a day-trip add-on.

Picture: Mountain Sanctuary Park

• Location: Maanhaarrand, Magaliesburg, North West
• Distance from Joburg: About 1.5 hours
• Times: Open year-round
• Contact:  +27760204298
• Visit: mountain-sanctuary.co.za
• Family tip: Pack proper walking shoes, several of the best rock pools require a short hike to reach.

2. Camping, minus the actual tent-pitching part

Bushwillow Tented Camp is famous for its walk-in tents already set up on the banks of the Blaauwbank River. There are 10 walk-in tents sleeping 4 to 6 people each, good for extended family. There are hot indoor showers, easier with young kids and a heated pool on site for cooler holiday days.

• Location: Kromdraai Road, Muldersdrift, South Africa, 1747
• Distance from Joburg: About 30 minutes
• Times: Open year-round
• Website: bushwillowtentedcamp.co.za
• Contact: +27 83 417 6819 | [email protected]
• Family tip: Being this close to the city makes it a solid option for a first camping trip with very young kids, help is never far away.

3. Where half of Joburg goes for the holidays

ATKV Buffelspoort Holiday Resort is famous for being one of the most popular family resorts on Hartbeespoort Dam.

• Location: R104 Provincial Road, Brits, South Africa, 0284
• Distance from Joburg: About 1 hour
• Times: Open year-round, books out quickly over school holidays
• Website: buffelspoort.co.za
• Contact: +27 14 572 1000 | [email protected]

4. Roughing it, but make it comfortable

B’sorah Luxury Tented Camp is famous for glamping-style tents on a working Magaliesburg farm. There are self-catering luxury tents, less packing required. Scenic trails suited to family walks in a family-run farm setting.

• Location: Broederstroom, Magaliesburg
• Distance from Joburg: About 1 hour
• Times: Open year-round
• Cost: From R1 400 per unit per night, sleeps two
• Family tip: A good middle ground if one parent’s keen to camp and the other needs convincing.

5. The Brits favourite that never really goes out of style

Klein Paradys Caravan Park is famous for being a long-running Brits institution that keeps families coming back.

• Location: Brits, North West
• Distance from Joburg: About 1 hour
• Times: Open year-round
• Website: kleinparadys
• Family tip: If you’re travelling with a caravan for the first time, this is an easy, low-stress spot to start with.

6. For the family that camps to fish, not hike

Dinokeng Fishing and Camping (now listed as Cast & Catch Fishing and Camping), Roodeplaat Dam is famous for its long-standing fishing community and dam access. Electricity point at each campsite. There are canoeing and picnicking also on offer. This one is good for kids who’d rather fish than hike.

• Location: Roodeplaat Dam, near Pretoria
• Distance from Joburg: About 1 hour (15 mins from Pretoria)
• Times: Open year-round
• Website: www.roodeplaatdam.co.za/
• Cost: Contact the site for current rates
• Family tip: Bring a kid-sized rod, the resident manager is known for helping new anglers get started.

7. A riverside camping escape with slides for kids

Magalies Sleepy River sits in the Magaliesberg range, about an hour from Johannesburg. The campsite has electrical and water points, a swimming pool with two slides and a river walk, making it an easy option for families who want plenty to do without leaving the property.

Picture: Magalies Sleepy River

• Location: Magalies Sleepy River Caravan Park, R96 , Magaliesburg, South Africa
• Distance from Joburg: About 1 hour
• Times: Open year-round
• Cost: From R120 per adult per night and R60 per child aged 6 to 12, plus a once-off R50 vehicle fee. Rates are subject to change.
• Website: Magalies Sleepy River
• Family tip: The two pool slides give younger campers something to do on-site, while the river walk and birdwatching offer a quieter option for the rest of the family.

8. A bush escape with an elephant encounter

African Hills Safari Lodge, formerly known as Askari Game Lodge, sits in the Plumari Private Game Reserve in the Magaliesberg, just over an hour from Johannesburg. Families can combine a stay with game drives, guided walks and an elephant experience. The reserve also offers guided petroglyph walks to see ancient rock engravings in the Magaliesberg.

• Location: Magaliesburg region
• Distance from Joburg: About 1.5 hours
• Contact:  the lodge for current availability
• Website: Askari Game Lodge
• Family tip: Book the elephant experience in advance, it’s the main reason families choose this over a standard Magaliesburg site.

9. Proper game reserve camping, closer than you’d think

Manyane Resort, Pilanesberg National Park is famous for hassle-free camping inside an actual Big Five reserve.  The resort boasts game drives and has a big draw for kids. It’s a rugged but manageable setting for first-time campers

Picture: Manyane Resort

• Location:Pilanesberg National Park, Mogwase, 0300, South Africa
• Distance from Joburg: About 2.5 hours
• Times: Open year-round
• Contact: 014 555 1000
• Website: Manyane Resort Book your stay and visit Pilanesberg National Park
• Family tip: Keep kids close to camp after dark, this is genuine game reserve territory, not a fenced-off holiday resort.

10. For when not everyone wants to sleep in a tent

Rustig, Magaliesburg is famous for offering tents and full houses on the same property. Choice of tent bungalows or full houses on the same property. Hiking trails on site for older kids. This one’s useful if travelling with grandparents who’d rather not camp.

• Location: Portian 91 Plaas Hartebeesfontein Hekpoort, Magalies, Hekpoort, 1790, South Africa
• Distance from Joburg: About 1.5 hours
• Times: Open year-round
• Contact:  011 662 2611 | +27 79 490 2690
• Website: Rustig
• Family tip: A good compromise option if extended family is joining and not everyone’s on board with a tent.

Most of these options are within about two hours of Joburg, making them realistic for families working with a shorter school-holiday window. Booking ahead is advisable for popular holiday periods.