Best glamping spots in South Africa
The best glamping spots in South Africa, from safari tents in Big Five country to tipis on the West Coast.
Written by Night Sky Bookings
Published on Aug 14, 2026 · 7 min read
Bell tent on a wooden deck lit up at dusk, with torches on either side
Glamping is camping with the comforts of a lodge. You still get fresh air, a campfire, and a sky full of stars, without pitching a tent, packing gear or sleeping on the ground.
Glamping in South Africa looks different depending on where you go. You could sleep in a safari tent in Big Five country, wake up below the Drakensberg, or spend the night in a tipi on the West Coast.
Here are seven of the best glamping spots in South Africa, across six provinces. You can book all of them on Night Sky Bookings.
At a glance
- Thorn Tree Bush Camp, Dinokeng (Gauteng): safari tents in a Big Five reserve, about an hour from Pretoria
- Farr Out Guesthouse, Paternoster (Western Cape): a tipi-style tent just outside a West Coast fishing village
- Valley of the Rainbow, Dullstroom (Mpumalanga): tented chalets on a fly-fishing estate, for families or couples
- Sasi Bush Lodge, Northern Drakensberg (KwaZulu-Natal): tents with views of Tugela Falls
- Pabala Private Nature Reserve, Loerie (Eastern Cape): simple tents with shared ablutions near Jeffreys Bay
- Kleinrivier Mountain Escapes, Groendal (Eastern Cape): a tented camp for up to eight, with hiking trails
- Thulani Game Lodge & Eco Estate, Waterberg (Limpopo): adults-only stilted tents, about two hours from Joburg
Thorn Tree Bush Camp, Dinokeng
If your idea of glamping involves getting a little closer to nature, Thorn Tree Bush Camp may be a good place to start. Thorn Tree is inside Dinokeng Game Reserve, South Africa’s first public-private conservation reserve, offering guests the chance to indulge in comfortable tented accommodation while seeing the Big Five on a game drive.
For couples, the Luxury Safari Tents offer spacious and stylish accommodation with comfortable beds, private or en-suite bathrooms, kitchenettes or outdoor kitchens, and private braai facilities. The perfect escape for a honeymoon or simply a romantic getaway.
If you’d rather not sleep under canvas, there are also cabins, a self-catering cottage and private campsites with ablutions, electricity, water points and braai facilities for tents, caravans and bush trailers.
Thorn Tree offers self-catering accommodation about an hour from Pretoria, so it’s an easy safari weekend from Gauteng.
Farr Out Guesthouse, Paternoster
For something slightly different, head to Paternoster to Farr Out Guesthouse, a 4-star glamping retreat on South Africa’s famous West Coast. Here you’ll find Wigwam Rising Moon, a freestanding tipi-style tent about 40 metres from the guesthouse.
The tent has an octagonal bed with electric blankets, an en-suite bathroom, and is surrounded by fynbos. It really is the perfect getaway for those wanting something different while still getting immersed in nature.
Spend your days exploring the lovely Paternoster on beach buggy safaris and nature walks, then settle into the wood-fired hot tub for the evening. This is a particularly great option for couples looking for something a little different from the usual weekend away.
Valley of the Rainbow Fly Fishing Estate, Dullstroom
You don’t have to be a serious fly fisher to enjoy Valley of the Rainbow in the Mpumalanga Highlands near Dullstroom. The estate is surrounded by mountains, forests, rivers, and dams with a variety of birds, indigenous trees, and wildlife species to keep you company.
There are two types of tented chalets: four Family Tented Chalets that sleep four, and a Honeymoon Tented Chalet for two adults.
Both options have en-suite bathrooms, kitchenettes, and private decks overlooking the water. Add trout fishing on the dams and river to the equation, and you’ve got a glamping trip that works for a family getaway or a quiet couple’s retreat.
Sasi Bush Lodge, Northern Drakensberg
If you’re looking to get away from it all, Sasi Bush gives you just that, plus a spectacular view to boot.
The tented camp is in Kilburn Nature Reserve in the Northern Drakensberg, with views across the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park to Tugela Falls. The interiors reflect an African-minimalist design, where local furniture and natural textures come together to create a truly calm and elegant atmosphere.
There are five couple tents and a premium tent for up to four, so the camp sleeps 14 in total. Book one tent for a weekend for two, or even the whole camp for a bigger group.
Pabala Private Nature Reserve, Loerie
Glamping doesn’t have to mean five-star luxury. At Pabala Private Nature Reserve, situated in the Eastern Cape, you get back to basics without pitching your own tent.
The site offers permanent tents set on wooden decks in the bush, and features proper beds and fresh linen, while shared ablution facilities with warm water and showers add a more rustic charm.
Pabala is between the Garden Route and the Baviaanskloof, a short drive from Jeffreys Bay. By day, you can join a guided nature walk or game drive, and in the evening guests gather around the fire at the boma.
If a glamping experience with a little more adventure and a little less screen time sounds like a good time, then Pabala is the place for you.
Book Pabala Private Nature Reserve
Kleinrivier Mountain Escapes, Groendal
If your idea of a perfect weekend involves mountains, hiking trails and off-the-grid living, add Kleinrivier Mountain Escapes to your bucket list.
The 3,000-hectare reserve borders the Groendal Wilderness Area near Kariega, about 70 km from Gqeberha. Its Black Eagle Tented Camp sleeps up to eight people in four double tents, making it particularly well suited for a group getaway.
Each tent has its own bathroom, while a fully equipped kitchen, indoor fireplace and deck with plunge pool are all found in the central lodge. Think authentic camp-style communal living without having to compromise on comfort or convenience. Hiking trails run through the Kleinrivier gorge, and with no Big Five on the reserve, you can walk them on your own.
Book Kleinrivier Mountain Escapes
Thulani Game Lodge & Eco Estate, Waterberg
For a more indulgent experience, Thulani Game Lodge & Eco Estate brings the comforts of a luxury lodge into the bushveld. Located just two hours from Joburg in a malaria-free private reserve, it’s an easy option for a Gauteng weekend escape.
The African Stilted Tents look out over the bushveld, and each has a king-size bed, an en-suite bathroom, an outside shower, a kitchenette and a braai area. You can even add a private jacuzzi for an extra fee.
Thulani is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday, or for those looking to simply swap the city life for a few nights under the stars.
Book Thulani Game Lodge & Eco Estate
How to choose a glamping spot in South Africa
When we’re talking about the best glamping spot in South Africa, we don’t necessarily mean the most luxurious one. It depends on what you want from the experience.
Are you looking for wildlife on your doorstep or a romantic escape? Maybe you’re travelling with friends or family, or looking to go completely off the grid. Or perhaps luxury and comfort are non-negotiables. From family and safari tents to mountain retreats, you can find it all on Night Sky Bookings.
Not sure if glamping is for you? Read: Glamping vs Camping: Which one is right for your next getaway?
Book your glamping getaway
Glamping spots across South Africa, all available to book on Night Sky Bookings.
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