/Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: Bo Plaas campsite (Namibia) reopens!

Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), the state-owned enterprise mandated to run the tourism facilities within the protected areas of Namibia, has announced that the Bo Plaas Campsite in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park has reopened on 30 April 2024 following a temorary closure. The campsite was closed since September 2023 for security and infrastructure upgrades. These included the implementation of enhanced securiy measures and the construction of additional ablution blocks.

The Bo Plaas Campsite is located along the Orange River on the scenic Aussenkehr and Rosh Pinah Road, known to be one of the most scenic routes in Namibia. The Campsite is easily accessible from either the Ai-Ais Hotsprings Spa or the Hobas Lodge, as well as from South Africa and Botswana.

Bontebok National Park: Breede River Campsite temporarily closed! [update]

update (16 March 2023): The Breede River Campsite reopened today!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Breede River Campsite inside the Bontebok National Park is temporarily closed. The Breede River, which flows through the National Park, is currently overflowing and as a result, taking the visitor's safety into account, SANParks has decided to close the campsite adjacent to the river bank. The Breede River Campsite is expected to reopen on 16 March 2023. Guests who have booked a spot at the campsite during this period can be accommodated in the Lang Elsies Kraal camping area, or reschedule their stay with SANParks. We'll keep you posted!

The Bontebok National Park in South Africa's Western Cape is the country's smallest National Park. The park is located 6 km south of Swellendam, in the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains.

Lüderitz: The "Shark Island campsite" set to re-open after renovation! [update]

update (23 June 2022): The facelift of the Shark Island Lighthouse has been finished. The renovations included flooring, painting, carpentry and bathroom remodelling. [src.]

Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), the state-owned enterprise mandated to run the tourism facilities within the protected areas of Namibia, has announced that the Shark Island campsite in Lüderitz is set to re-open. The renovation of the campsite, which was initially planned to take place in the 2019/2020 financial year and than had to be postponed due to coronavirus pandemic, commenced in April 2021 and is set to conclude on 08 October 2021. The restoration, which cost a total of N$ 3,163,859.47, saw all the ablutions blocks, the field kitchen and the Lighthouse undergoing renovations. The Shark Island campsite will officially re-open on 01 November 2021.

The Shark Island campsite is situated on the Shark Peninsula in the coastal town of Lüderitz in southwest Namibia. The campsite overlooks the Lüderitz Bay, the town of Lüderitz and the harbour. Visitors can spot the seals and pelicans that frequent the rocky areas around the campsite.

Namibia: NWR has upgraded the camping facilities at Mile 108!

Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), the state-owned enterprise mandated to run the tourism facilities within the protected areas of Namibia, has announced that it has done significant upgrades to its camping sites at Mile 108. The camping site now has new ablution facilities and the first sixteen camping sites have access to seperate bathroom facilities such as a toilet, shower, storage space and hot water. The newly constructed self-contained camp sites at Mile 108 cost N$ 400 per site per day for four people staying less than ten days. Campers staying more than ten days must pay N$ 300 per site per day. The ordinary camp sites at Mile 108 have been reduced to N$ 240 per campsite per day for four people. Mile 108, which is is located on Namibia's coastline in the Dorob National Park, will be open throughout the year from January 2020. 

Karoo National Park: The camp site's communal facilities are getting an upgrade!

South African National Park (SANParks) has started upgrading several buildings of the camp site in Karoo National Park on 05 September 2018. The renovation work, which will be stopped during long weekends and school holidays, includes the communal female and male ablutions as well as the communal laundry and kitchen buildings. The upgrade is expected to finished by mid-November 2018.



Karoo National Park's camp site offers 24 pitches, which are all equipped with 220V power points. A maximum of six persons, one caravan with a side tent and one vehicle, or one tent and one vehicle, or one auto villa or one motorised caravan are be permitted per site. Karoo National Park covers about 750km² and is located near the town of Beaufort West in the Great Karoo area of South Africa's Western Cape.

Namibia: Jakkalsputz, Mile 72 & Mile 108 to reopen in December 2017!

Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has informed the public that the Jakkalsputz camp site, the Mile 72 camp site as well as the Mile 108 camp site are now managed by them, are currently undergoing renovations and will start welcoming guests again from 01 December 2017. All three camp sites are located on Namibia's coastline in the Dorob National Park. While Mile 72 and Mile 108 will only be open during major holidays in Namibia, Jakkalsputz will be open throughout the year. 

Drakensberg Amphitheatre: KZN Wildlife issues set of safety precautions!

Following the recent attacks on hikers/campers (end of April 2016) in the Drakensberg Amphitheatre region, KZN Wildlife has issued a set of safety precautions all visitors to the region should be aware of.

• Do not camp anywhere on the main Amphitheatre "bowl" or major paths. Rather choose a valley well away from the main trails and set up camp uphill, so that you have the advantage of high ground.
• Do not set up tents when you are being watched. Generally the culprits will hang around on the ridges above hiking parties in the late afternoons. If you are being watched, keep moving and don't set up camp anywhere near them.
• Do not set up camp near huts or areas of obvious habitation.
• Be friendly and polite to those you meet, but firm. Don't display cameras and other valuables openly if you can help it.
• A party size of three or more is recommended.
• A watch system at night can be exhausting but might be a good option for known trouble spots.
• Going with a guide or experienced porters helps tremendously as they can often spot trouble and some speak the local language.
• Keep all your belongings in the tent with you, and tie your boots to your pack or sleeping bag to avoid them being taken without your knowledge.
• Consider putting survival items such as a space blanket, cell phones and boots into a smaller daypack or jacket that can be quickly retrieved if need be.

The current modus operandi of the suspected attackers at the Amphitheatre area is as follows:

• Aggressive begging for food or money at the Chain ladders. Some hikers have had stones thrown at them when descending after refusing to give food or money.
• Shepherds watching hiking parties late afternoon when they set up camp to see what can be stolen. Attacks then generally occur around 23:00 to 03:00.
• Some tents are cut open and items stolen.

The Amphitheatre is located in the Northern Drakensberg and forms part of the Royal Natal National Park. It is over 5,000m in length and has precipitous cliffs rising approximately 1,220 metres along its entire length. The Amphitheatre is regarded as one of the most impressive cliff faces on earth.

Etosha National Park: New campsite in the Onguma Private Game Reserve

A new campsite, located not even 3km from Etosha's Von Lindquest Gate, is currently being built in the Onguma Private Game Reserve in Namibia. The campsite, which is expected to open by the end of September 2013, will have 25 camping units, a large reception area with a small supply store and a snack restaurant. The main areas of the new campsite are built with a view over a lovely waterhole. Most of the camping units will have individual ablution and cooking facilities, while some are designed to share a facility between two sites for parties that are travelling together.

The 34 000 hectares Onguma Private Game Reserve is situated on the eastern border of Etosha National Park. The reserve is home to over thirty different animal species, including kudu, giraffe, eland, oryx, hartebeest, zebra, impala, black rhino, lion, cheetah and leopard, as well as to more than 300 bird species.

South Africa: Camdeboo National Park to open accommodation facilities

South Africa's Camdeboo National Park, located near Graaff-Reinet and home to the famous Valley of Desolation, will open a campsite on 01 March 2012. The Nqweba Campsite is situated on the floodplains of Nqweba Dam and offers its visitors 14 sites for caravans or tents. Each site has a powerpoint and braai, while a communal kitchen provides a deep freeze, microwave and stove plates.
Camdeboo National Park will also be getting a new tented camp next to the dam. With just four furnished safari tents, the Lakeview Tented Camp will offer seclusion and comfort. The tented camp is due to open on 01 April 2012. Bookings can be made through South Africa National Park's central reservation offices.

Bontebok National Park: Popular Riverside Camp back open after 3 years

The popular Riverside Campsite in the Bontebok National Park, which is situated about 6km from the picturesque and historic town of Swellendam and about 240km from Cape Town, is back open for visitors. The campsite was closed since 2008 due to the flooding of the Breede River passing through the camp. The site will now be opening seasonally for six months of every year from November to April.
Each camp sleeps six, starting at a base rate (for two adults) of R180 per night. Additional adults are charged R58 per person per night, and R29 per child per night. Visitors must bring their own camping gear, and please note that no caravans are allowed on these specific sites. Please visit SANPark's Bontebok National Park websites for more info!

AA & AA Travel Guides are developing standards for camping and caravanning sites in South Africa

South Africa's Automobile Association (AA), in cooperation with AA Travel Guides, is currently developing certain standards to assess camping and caravanning sites in South Africa and will then rate them according to the (adjusted) AA Quality Assured (AAQA) standards. The AA Quality Assured (AAQA) standards are currently only used to categorise hotels, lodges, self-catering and B&Bs.
According to Tourism Update the camping and caravan sites will get rated using criterias such as "whether they are a resort with a multitude of facilities; a standard caravan park with minimal facilities; located in the bush, a game or nature reserve; or whether they are suitable for 4x4 or overnight stops."

The AA Quality Assured (AAQA) standards are categorising establishments as follows:

• AA Recommended > properties satisfy AA stringent minimum requirements.
• AA Highly Recommended > properties present a product which offers high levels of professionalism and attention to detail in the decor, quality of furnishings and service.
• AA Superior > properties are pristine and present the traveller with decor and furnishings of exceptional quality together with remarkable levels of professionalism and hospitality.

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Getaway Mag: Wild about SA - Camping and caravanning in South Africa

South Africa's outdoor mag Getaway asked their Facebook community for their favourite campsites in the country... read more on Wild about SA - Camping and caravanning


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