By Given Madia.
Why rough it up when you can glamp it? With breathtaking views, eco-friendly luxury, and immersive cultural experiences, glamping has become a powerful force for rural upliftment and small business growth.
More than just a trend, it’s a bold invitation to experience the soul of South Africa, comfortably nestled in nature. From remote Karoo towns to riverside vineyards, glamping creates meaningful connections between people, place, and purpose.
In alignment with the G20’s priority of enhancing resilience for inclusive, sustainable tourism development, South Africa recently hosted its inaugural Glamping Expo in Johannesburg, where Thembisile Sehloho, Chief Marketing Officerof South African Tourism, highlighted how this global phenomenon has found a vibrant and authentic home in South Africa.
“Glamping transcends the simple fusion of glamour and camping in our beautiful country. It’s where the untamed spirit of Africa meets curated comfort. As we welcome the world for the G20, we are proud to showcase how tourism can be a force for good, directly contributing to the resilience and hope symbolised by our national flower, the King Protea – the emblem of our G20 Presidency. We invite the world to look beyond the ordinary and discover an experience deeply rooted in our land, one that promises adventure and a profound sense of peace.”
What makes South African glamping unique?
Imagine sinking into a private, wood-fired hot tub as you gaze up at a canopy of a billion stars. This is how the modern call of the wild is answered, not with a sleeping bag and a torch but with a plush king-sized bed and unmatched comfort. The glamorous glamping movement has transformed from a niche curiosity into a dominant force in travel. Its incredible growth is backed by a recent Grand View Research report, revealing that the global glamping market was valued at an estimated USD 3.45 billion in 2024 and is projected to surge to USD 6.18 billion by 2030, driven by a new generation of travellers seeking unique and experience-rich holidays.
Sehloho says that while glamping offers luxury in nature worldwide, South Africa infuses it with a character that is impossible to replicate. “South Africa’s glamping destinations reflect the country’s extraordinary diversity. Local and international visitors aren’t just camping in a nice tent; they’re waking up to the magic of a unique biome.”
- In the Bushveld: Imagine a luxury tented suite like Sindile at Shamwari Game Reserve, where the canvas walls are all that separate you from the sounds of the African bush. Here, your morning alarm is the call of a fish eagle, and your evening entertainment is the distant roar of a lion under a star-dusted sky.
- In the Winelands: Picture yourself at a site like Camp Canoe at Boschendal, nestled between ancient mountains and manicured vineyards. You can spend your days exploring world-class wine estates and your nights soaking in a hot tub, a glass of award-winning Shiraz in hand, surrounded by the scent of fynbos.
- In the Karoo’s Embrace: Few places compare to the Karoo when searching for profound silence and vast, clear skies. At a destination like AfriCamps at Karoo 1, the arid climate guarantees some of the most spectacular stargazing on the planet, turning your private deck into a front-row seat to the cosmos.
Sleeping under a blanket of a billion stars
South Africa’s vast, unpolluted landscapes, particularly in the Northern Cape and Karoo, offer some of the best stargazing opportunities in the world, transforming glamping into an astronomical event.
At !Xaus Lodge in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a community-owned lodge, the experience is raw and uninterrupted. At Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve in the Cederberg, you can sleep in a “Star Suite”, a luxurious open-air bed where there is nothing between you and the Milky Way, creating an unforgettable celestial connection.
A glamping style for every explorer
South Africa’s landscapes ensure there is a perfect glamping experience waiting for every type of traveller.
- For the Safari Purist: Seek out classic tented camps in private game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, or the Eastern Cape for an intimate and exclusive Big Five experience.
- For the Off-Grid Innovator: Discover futuristic geodesic domes and glass-roofed cottages, like the Nightjar Dome near Machadodorp, where smart technology meets off-grid serenity.
- For the Coastal Soul: Find your bliss in a clifftop tent on the Whale Coast or a serene riverside village like Wolfkop Camping Villages in the Cederberg, where you can swim, canoe, and completely disconnect.
“Glamping is tourism that uplifts communities and protects our natural heritage. We cannot wait to welcome the G20 nations and travellers from around the globe. We invite them to discover our little-known dorpies, go off the beaten track to see something special, and support small towns in new ways. South Africa truly awaits. Come find your joy through glamping,” concludes Sehloho.