Hotel review: Africamps Waterberg, South Africa
In May 2026, I had the absolute pleasure of going on a family glamping safari in South Africa with my brother and my four-year-old niece. Read on for a full Africamps Waterberg review.
Quick verdict:
Africamps Waterberg offers off-grid glamping for those who want to connect with nature and be in the bush with friends and family. Less than three hours’ drive from Johannesburg, yet far away from screens and the distractions of everyday life. Simple yet comfortable accommodation, perfect for a few days' self-catering safari. Bring your own food and drinks, and sign up for the activities that you want. Or do nothing, relax and enjoy your private bush home with wildlife grazing out front.
Who’s it for, not for:
Africamps are perfect for independent, outdoorsy wildlife lovers who love being in nature. The brand is loved by local friends living in South Africa; it suits their adventurous spirit and is affordable in their (rand) currency. They have a number of camps across South Africa, so people get to know the product and feel like they have a nature getaway throughout the country. At Africamps Waterberg, you can go on safari at your own pace and on a budget. Ideal for groups: friends and families looking for glamping near Johannesburg or Pretoria. Couples want to be together quietly in nature. It’s a place to go when you need peace, the rhythm, and the sounds of the bush. It’s not for people who want a set programme, daily cleaning and on-demand catering.
Location:
We drove from Johannesburg, approximately. 3 hours from the airport to the camp. The closest town, Vaalwater, is 30km away, and this is where we stopped to do our food shop. The last section of the drive from just after Vaalwater to the camp is on a sand road. After the rains, not advisable to access in low-rise vehicles. The camp is on Boschdraai Farm, which is also home to Waterberg Cottages, a handful of charming thatched rental homes. You could split across the two properties situated within a 2,500-hectare private game reserve. This malaria-free reserve is part of the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere in Limpopo, South Africa.
Why we chose:
The Africamps brand was recommended by industry friends as an affordable safari camp in South Africa. I loved the simplicity of the tented camp experience and wanted to experience an independent safari option. It’s also an accessible price point for a family wanting a two-bedroom unit. Enjoyed the flexibility of self-catering, shopping at a local SPAR, and preparing the braai. We also wanted to combine a couple of days here with a stay at Marataba Safari Lodge in the Marakele National Park, two hours’ drive away.
First impressions:
Adventure! Africamps Waterberg offers a serene, quiet nature experience, with simple/cosy comforts in the beautiful, well-designed glamping tent. Loved seeing the horses roaming freely, and disconnecting to the remote, bush vibe. Sighting birds, impala and ostrich on road in, and from our tent deck. The balancing scent of the pine trees, and uninterrupted views of the bushveld.
Rooms:
Our two-bedroom tent had a canvas roof and sides; it was slightly raised on stilts with a large wooden deck out front. With three of us, it felt well-spaced out, especially when the front tent flaps are rolled up, making the indoor sitting/small kitchen/dining areas part of the outdoor deck. Two queen-size beds are divided by a wooden wall to create a separate-room effect. One of them has a bunk above it. The two rooms share a shower, a loo and a sink in the ensuite bathroom at the back of the tent. We used the indoor wood-burning stove and a sofa for chilling in the evenings in May. Most of our time was spent on the large front deck, with a dining table, a BBQ/braai area, and a hot tub heated with firewood. Well-thought-out interiors and a well-equipped kitchen with basics provided: washing liquid, salt, pepper, tea, coffee, and oil. All linen is provided for the tent. Take your own towels if you’re planning pool time.
Food and Drink:
Bring your own; there’s a small fridge and a separate cooler box for storing drinks and ice. There’s the option to order a breakfast basket, and braai basket for dinner through reception. We did both and were impressed by the portion sizes, variety, and quality. These are easily ordered via their app or WhatsApp 24 hours in advance. Our Braai basket included generous portions of steak, boerewors, salad (orzo pasta, chickpeas, tomato, cucumber, onion, olives), potato salad, spice rub, cheese-and-tomato toastie, and marshmallows on sticks! The Breakfast basket (delivered or collected from reception at 8 am) was a rattan hamper with milk, granola, yoghurt (natural and fruit), apple juice, muffins, bananas, eggs, sliced bread, marmalade/ jam, sausages, bacon, grated cheese, butter, and fresh ground coffee for the filter.
Facilities:
There is WIFI, which is needed as there are no phones in the room and all communications with reception via WhatsApp. Africamps guests can access the facilities at nearby Waterberg Cottages, where the reception is. Facilities here included a semi-heated (solar) good-sized pool, stables for pony and horse rides, tennis court, volleyball, kids' jungle gym (a little bit dated), shop (for snacks and gifts) and a beautiful fenced-off lawn so safe for kids to roam.
Activities:
Sign up for activities offered by Waterberg Cottages, a walk or a few minutes' drive from your tent at Africamps. You can also organise Big Five safari drives to nearby reserves in the Limpopo Province.
Game drives: explore the plains, wetlands, dams and bushveld. Giraffe, ostrich, rhino, aardvark, 2.5 hours ZAR500 per adult/ ZAR250 per child (4-11 years). Night drives offered too.
Horse riding: 1.5 hours with drink (ZAR850), 2 hours with drink and snack (ZAR1000)
Pony rides: 10 mins ZAR100. Amelia ended up on a 45-min bush bumble for kids; check pricing before starting. Book via Taryn at Waterberg Horse Trails 081 030 9489
Birding drive/ walks: 2 hours ZAR500pp
Tracking includes ‘Art of Tracking’ certificate: 1.5 hours. ZAR500 per adult, ZAR200 per teen, ZAR150 under 12 years.
Starshow Night Sky Safari, Astronomy show with Dr Philip Calcott ZAR550. We really wanted to do it, but it was cloudy during our stay.
Massage beds can be set up on your deck, for in-room pampering
What we loved:
It felt like our own home in the bush. Once we got the hang of heating it, we loved watching the sunset in the hot tub with zebras grazing out front. Listening to the quiet and sounds of the bush. Everything was so well-thought-out and designed. Loved the simplicity and comfort of glamping. Waking up to watch the animals, especially the birds, in their dawn chorus. Slowing down and being on a safari adventure as a family. Everyone got involved with tent and camping duties. Screens did not appear once.
What could be improved:
The pool sides at Waterberg Cottages could have been cleaner, and the playground is a little rusty in places.
Is it worth it?
Yes, absolutely! The price is from USD 100 per night (sleeps up to 5 people); it is a bargain. An accessible price point and a great option if people want to try living in their own bush camp home for a few nights. Feel the sense of freedom away from a set schedule, yet with the support of the team if / when you need help, or run out of logs.
Practical info:
Recommend an SUV or raised vehicle for the last sandy stretch of the road, especially after rain. Read their pre-travel notes sent with the confirmation. Prebook food for your first night, and print driving directions from Vaalwater. Pack warm clothes in Winter, the evenings after sunset were cold in the tent, until we got the fire going. Read the instructions in their app for the hot tub. You can also request that the staff get it going for your arrival, worth it, otherwise, it takes a few hours to get hot.
Conclusion:
If you are an adventurous traveller looking for an affordable and comfortable family/friends safari camp experience, check out Africamps Waterberg.
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg? Check out this Best Hotels in Johannesburg post.
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Sally Kirby is a UK-born travel writer based in Africa. She has co-authored Lonely Planet Morocco and DK Eyewitness guidebooks, and writes regularly for The Telegraph, Time Out, Adventure.com, and The i Paper. Follow her on Instagram.