Finding a campsite in and around Gauteng that actually works for a family is harder than it should be. You need braai facilities that aren't shared with half of Joburg, a swimming pool that won't terrify you, ablutions that don't make you wish you'd stayed home, and somewhere the dog can come too. Here are 10 that tick those boxes.
Some are close enough for a Friday afternoon escape. Others are worth the slightly longer drive. All are listed on KampKiepie with contact details and booking info.
💡 Quick tip
Gauteng campsites fill up fast on long weekends — Heritage Day, Easter and the June/July school holidays especially. If you're planning around those dates, book at least 3 to 4 weeks ahead.
🌊 East of Pretoria: Bronkhorstspruit and Surrounds
The easiest escape from north and east Joburg. Good water, flat ground for kids to run around, and enough variety in site types that you can find something in almost any price range.
Dam Resort · ±60km from Pretoria
Bronkhorstspruit Dam Resort
📍 Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng
If you're north or east of Joburg and want water, this is usually the first call. The dam is big, the grass is flat enough for kids to run around, and there's enough space between stands that you're not in your neighbour's braai smoke. It's not fancy — but that's kind of the point. Weekends get busy in season so book ahead.
🏕️ Camping
🚐 Caravans
🏊 Swimming
🐾 Pet Friendly
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Family Resort · Pretoria East
Wonderland 45
📍 Boschkop Road, Pretoria East
Seven dams and the pollution-free Boschkop River just outside Pretoria East. Built-in braais around every dam, fishing spots stocked with a variety of species, plus an activities area with slides, jumping castles and a petting zoo for younger kids. A well-stocked reception shop handles supplies on arrival. Close enough to feel convenient, far enough to feel like an escape.
🎣 7 Fishing Dams
🎪 Kids Activities
🐄 Petting Zoo
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🦁 North of Pretoria: Dinokeng and the Bushveld
Gauteng's only Big Five game reserve sits 45km north of Pretoria. You can camp inside it. That combination doesn't exist in many places, and for families who've done the Harties and Bronkhorstspruit circuit and want something with a proper wow factor, Dinokeng is the upgrade.
High-Energy Family Resort · Dinokeng · 45min from Pretoria
Dinokeng Resort
📍 Dinokeng Game Reserve, Hammanskraal
⭐ 4.3/5 · 637 reviews
The big-ticket family resort inside Dinokeng. A full water park with heated indoor and outdoor pools, supertubes and slides alongside the Boekenhoutspruit River for quiet fishing spots. The surrounding reserve is Big Five territory. Camping, chalets and self-catering units available. 4.3 stars from 637 reviews — a full weekend destination where the kids will still be talking about the waterslides months later.
🌊 Water Park
🦁 Big Five Reserve
🎣 River Fishing
👨👩👧 Full Family Resort
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Bush Camp · Dinokeng · 45min from Pretoria
Dinokeng Camp and Leisure
📍 Hammanskraal, Gauteng
⭐ 4.7/5 · 219 reviews
40 spacious paved stands inside the Dinokeng reserve with free-roaming zebra, kudu, impala and wildebeest wandering through camp. Guided Big Five game drives available, three swimming pools (one heated indoor), fishing dam, Bush Spa, mountain biking and a children's playground. 4.7 stars from 219 reviews. One of the highest-rated camps in Gauteng.
🦁 Big Five
🏊 3 Pools
🎣 Fishing Dam
🧖 Bush Spa
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Game Farm · 45km north of Pretoria
Almega Karavaan Park
📍 45km north of Pretoria, Gauteng
40 extra-large grass and shaded stands each with private ablutions, scullery, 15A power point and braai area. Set on a 200-hectare game farm bordering the Dinokeng Big Five reserve. Guitar-shaped swimming pool, trampoline area, jungle gym, 25km of hiking and mountain bike routes and electric scooter-guided tours. 250 bird species on the property. 45km north of Pretoria on the Rust de Winter road.
🎸 Guitar-Shaped Pool
🚵 MTB Routes
🦅 250 Bird Species
👨👩👧 Family Resort
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🐾 Bringing the dog?
Not all Gauteng resorts allow pets. The ones that do often have specific rules about leads and designated areas. Always confirm the pet policy directly with the resort before you book.
🌊 South of Joburg: The Vaal and Heidelberg
The Vaal is a classic for a reason. Big water, motorboats, fishing and enough resorts along the bank that you can find something for any group size. Heidelberg adds warm mineral water to the mix — worth the drive even in winter.
Entertainment Resort · Pretoria · 20min from city
Derdepoort Recreation Resort
📍 Baviaanspoort Road, Pretoria
⭐ 4.0/5 · 719 reviews
89 hectares of pure action just 20 minutes from Pretoria city centre: waterslides, putt-putt, trampolines, an animal farm, a restaurant and camping on the bushveld reserve grounds. One of Pretoria's most-reviewed family destinations with 719 reviews. If you're camping with kids who need more than a fire to keep them entertained, this delivers.
🌊 Waterslides
⛳ Putt-Putt
🐘 Animal Farm
🍽️ Restaurant
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Vaal Dam · ±90km from Joburg
Vaal Dam Resorts
📍 Vaal Dam, Gauteng/Free State border
The Vaal is a classic. Big water, motorboats, jet skis, fishing and enough resorts along the bank to suit any group. If your kids want water sports, there's no better base in Gauteng's extended radius. Multiple resorts are listed in the Vaal area on KampKiepie — the ones on the water tend to go fast.
🏕️ Camping
🚐 Caravans
🚤 Water Sports
🎣 Fishing
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Mineral Springs · ±60km from Joburg
Heidelberg Spa & Resort
📍 Heidelberg, Gauteng
Warm mineral water pools, good ablutions and enough space to set up a proper camp. The kids spend 90% of the time in the pools and you spend 90% of the time at the braai — which is exactly what a family camping weekend is supposed to look like. Warm water year-round makes this one worth considering even in the middle of a Highveld winter.
🏕️ Camping
🚐 Caravans
♨️ Mineral Pools
👨👩👧 Family Friendly
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🏔️ Worth the Longer Drive: Harties and the Magaliesberg
If you're willing to drive 90 minutes to two hours, the options improve significantly. Hartbeespoort has water and views. The Magaliesberg valley has proper mountains, good air and resorts that range from basic camping to glamping. The kids tend to get more genuinely tired, which is the real measure of a good family camping trip.
Dam Resort · ±75km from Joburg
Hartbeespoort Resorts
📍 Hartbeespoort, North West
Yes, the R512 on a Friday afternoon is its own form of suffering. Go anyway. Harties has enough resorts clustered around the dam to suit almost any price range — from basic camping stands on the water to full chalets. The views are good and the kids will find something to do no matter what. Several Harties resorts are listed on KampKiepie — worth filtering by the dam area for your dates.
🏕️ Camping
🛖 Chalets
🚤 Water Activities
🐾 Pet Friendly
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Mountain Camping · ±120km from Joburg
Magaliesberg Resorts
📍 Magaliesberg, North West
The Magaliesberg valley has some of the best family camping in Gauteng's reach. Proper mountains, good air and resorts that range from basic camping all the way up to glamping and chalets. A step up from the dam experience — the landscape feels different and the kids tend to get more genuinely tired, which is the real measure of a good family camping trip.
🏕️ Camping
🛖 Chalets
✨ Glamping
🥾 Hiking
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest campsite to Johannesburg city centre?
Derdepoort Recreation Resort is one of the closest to Pretoria at about 20 minutes from the city. For Johannesburg, the Vaal Dam resorts and Heidelberg options are the nearest meaningful camping destinations, sitting 60 to 90km south. Hartbeespoort is 75km northwest of Joburg.
Are there Big Five game reserves near Gauteng where you can camp?
Yes. Dinokeng Game Reserve is Gauteng's only Big Five reserve and sits 45km north of Pretoria. Several campsites operate inside the reserve, including Dinokeng Camp and Leisure, Dinokeng Resort, Almega Karavaan Park and others. All are malaria-free.
Which Gauteng campsites allow dogs?
Several do, but policies vary. Bronkhorstspruit Dam Resort and Hartbeespoort resorts generally allow well-behaved pets. Game reserve camps like Dinokeng typically do not allow pets due to wildlife. Always confirm directly with the resort before travelling with animals.
When is the best time to camp in Gauteng?
April to September is ideal — dry, mild days and cool nights, no afternoon thunderstorms and no bilharzia risk in dams. October to March brings the summer rains which can make camping uncomfortable, though many families prefer the lush green landscape and the camps are less crowded during school term.
What should I book well in advance for Gauteng camping?
Heritage Day (September), Easter weekend and the June/July school holidays fill up the fastest. Popular Dinokeng campsites and Harties waterfront stands can book out 4 to 6 weeks ahead during these periods. Book as soon as your dates are confirmed.
🏕️ Find Your Gauteng Campsite
Browse all Gauteng camping sites on KampKiepie. Contact details, photos and booking links for every resort listed above, plus dozens more across the province.
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