Best Family Campsites in Limpopo — Prices, Facilities and Booking Tips
## Limpopo: South Africa's Family Camping Heartland
If you've got kids who need to see their first giraffe or wake up to a fish eagle call, Limpopo delivers. The province is packed with excellent campsites at all price points, from SANParks gems to private bush farms with hot showers and a camp shop. Here's what you need to know for 2025.
## Top Family Campsites in Limpopo
### 1. Marakele National Park — Bontle Camp
Situated in the gorgeous Waterberg Biosphere, Marakele is often overlooked compared to Kruger but the game viewing — including elephant, lion, rhino and the world's largest breeding colony of Cape vultures — is exceptional. Bontle Camp has 36 powered campsites starting from around R350 per night for SA residents. Conservation fees are R63 per adult and R31 per child per day.
Facilities: Power points, shared ablutions, braai areas, camp shop.
Booking: Via SANParks online — book at least 3 months ahead for school holidays.
### 2. Bela-Bela (Warmbaths) — My Bush Camp
Just 90 minutes north of Joburg, My Bush Camp near Bela-Bela is a firm family favourite. Private sites with shade, power and great ablutions. Prices around R300–R450 per site per night. The proximity to the Bela-Bela hot springs is a bonus — soak tired legs after a long week.
### 3. Boelamien River Camp — Alldays
A fantastic off-the-beaten-track gem near Alldays in the far north. River campsites with green lawns, braai facilities, and a farm-style kitchen. Prices from around R350 per site. Game drives and river walks are on offer. Great for those travelling to Mapungubwe or the Soutpansberg.
### 4. Modubu Lodge — Bela-Bela
Four-star rated and extremely family friendly. Swimming pool, jungle gym, and a camp tuck shop. Camping from R280 per person per night. The kids will absolutely love it.
### 5. Nylsvley Nature Reserve — Modimolle
Reasonably priced camping inside this Ramsar-listed wetland. Perfect if you have a junior birder in the family — over 380 species have been recorded here. Bring the binoculars and the kids' field guide.
## Booking Tips for Limpopo Campsites
- SANParks properties: Always book via [sanparks.org](https://www.sanparks.org) — never through third-party agents who inflate prices.
- Private farms: WhatsApp is king in Limpopo — many owners respond faster on WhatsApp than email.
- School holidays: Book 3–6 months ahead for June, September and December holidays.
- Malaria areas: Limpopo's far north (Kruger border, Soutpansberg) is a malaria area. Get prophylaxis, especially for young children.
## What to Pack for Limpopo Camping
- Insect repellent (DEET-based for malaria areas)
- Extra shade (a gazebo or tarp is worth its weight in gold in summer)
- Snake first aid guide
- Good firewood — many private sites don't sell it
Limpopo camping with kids is one of the great South African childhood experiences. What are your family favourites? Share below!
4 Replies
Marakele is criminally underrated. We did a family weekend there in August with the kids (ages 8 and 11) and saw elephant right at the camp fence on our second evening. The Cape vulture colony at Kransberg is absolutely spectacular — those birds are enormous up close and you can see them circling the cliffs from Bontle Camp. Ablutions were clean and well maintained. Only gripe: the camp shop has very limited stock so bring everything you need from Thabazimbi or Bela-Bela on your way in.
My Bush Camp near Bela-Bela is our go-to for a long weekend with the extended family. We usually roll in with three vehicles and six kids and there's always enough space. The hot springs resort is literally down the road so the kids get their splash time and the adults get a glass of wine on the stoep in peace. Win-win. Prices are fair and the owners are very helpful. Booking by WhatsApp works well — they respond quickly and hold sites without drama.
Boelamien near Alldays is worth the long drive. The riverfront sites are incredible and if you get there in winter the weather is perfect — warm days, cool nights, and absolutely no humidity. We used it as a base to day-trip to Mapungubwe National Park. Start booking early though — there are only a handful of prime river sites and they go fast. The farm road in can be rough after rain so phone ahead and ask about conditions before you leave.
Quick tip on Nylsvley — go in summer (November to February) when the migratory birds arrive. The noise in the mornings is almost overwhelming in the best possible way. My kids called it 'the bird party camp' after our first visit. It's not a big fancy site but the nature experience is 10 out of 10. The hide overlooking the main pan is incredible at dawn — pack a flask of coffee and get there before sunrise. We spent two hours watching kingfishers, herons and saddle-billed storks without moving from the bench.