The Western Cape offers a wide range of luxury outdoor accommodation for travellers who want to experience nature without giving up comfort. From architect-designed eco lodges and boutique cabins to safari-style tents and coastal retreats, these stays combine scenic locations with high-end amenities. Guests can enjoy the peace of the outdoors while still having access to private bathrooms, quality linens, fine dining, and curated activities. Below are some of the most remarkable outdoor accommodation options in the Western Cape, each offering a unique way to connect with the landscape in style.
Not all luxury outdoor accommodation falls under the glamping category. Guests can also enjoy stays in treetop lodges elevated above forest canopies, vintage caravans perched on city rooftops, or under-the-stars experiences beside dramatic rock formations. These options offer the same focus on comfort, style, and connection to nature, but with a variety of unique settings and structures that go beyond traditional glamping tents.
AfriCamps (Stanford Hills, Robertson & Oakhurst)
AfriCamps offers luxury outdoor accommodation at several scenic locations across the Western Cape, including Stanford Hills, Robertson, and Oakhurst. Each camp features pre-pitched, furnished canvas tents set on wooden decks, complete with comfortable beds, quality linen, and kitchenettes or tea and coffee facilities. Many tents have private decks for outdoor dining and relaxation, with some offering hot tubs and dog-friendly options. Guests can enjoy activities such as wine tastings at nearby farms, guided walks, cycling, birdwatching, and swimming in farm dams. Local farm-to-table restaurants add to the experience.
While facilities and activities vary by site, all AfriCamps locations provide a combination of comfort and nature, with the Robertson camp located within Pat Busch Mountain Reserve, Stanford Hills set among vineyards and fynbos, and Oakhurst surrounded by forest and farmland near the Garden Route.
Sanbona Dwyka Tented Lodge (Langeberg area)
Dwyka Tented Lodge at Sanbona offers an exclusive luxury safari experience within one of the Western Cape’s most celebrated private reserves. The lodge features spacious, air-conditioned safari tents with en-suite bathrooms, private decks, and heated plunge pools in many units. Guests can enjoy attentive service, elegant communal lounge and dining areas, and amenities designed with a focus on comfort and conservation.
Activities include Big Five game drives, guided nature walks, birdwatching, photography safaris, and stargazing, as well as informative talks on Sanbona’s ongoing conservation efforts. Located within easy reach of Cape Town, Dwyka Tented Lodge is ideal for travellers seeking a high-end, immersive tented lodge experience in a pristine natural setting.
Dome Glamping SA (Paarl)
Dome Glamping SA offers a unique riverside retreat in Paarl, combining nature’s tranquility with modern comforts. Situated within the serene Bergriver Resort, just 40 minutes from Cape Town, the glamping site features two spacious geodesic dome tents, each designed for couples seeking a romantic getaway. The domes are equipped with queen-size beds dressed in luxury linens, en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers, and air conditioning for year-round comfort.
Guests can enjoy private decks with fully equipped undercover kitchens, wood-fired hot tubs, and braai areas, all set against the backdrop of the Berg River and surrounding nature. The resort also offers amenities such as a spa and a large swimming pool, enhancing the overall experience. With luxury and nature, Dome Glamping SA provides an unforgettable escape in the heart of the Western Cape.
De Hoop Tented Camp (De Hoop Nature Reserve)
De Hoop Tented Camp, located within the De Hoop Nature Reserve, offers a coastal glamping experience surrounded by fynbos and rich birdlife. Accommodation consists of safari-style tents ranging from simple setups to more equipped options, each with either a basic private bathroom or nearby shared ablutions. Bedding is provided, and the camp’s close proximity to the beach makes it ideal for those seeking a relaxed nature escape.
Activities include seasonal whale watching along the coastline, guided nature drives and walks, birdwatching in one of South Africa’s key birding areas, beach walks, and self-guided exploration through the reserve’s diverse fynbos landscapes.
Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve (Cederberg)
Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve offers a distinctive outdoor experience in a striking landscape of sandstone formations and open skies. Accommodation options include the unique Open Air Suites, as well as cave and hut suites that blend into the natural surroundings. Glamping-style setups provide minimalist but comfortable amenities such as proper beds, solar lighting, and basic bathroom facilities, allowing guests to stay close to nature without sacrificing comfort.
Activities focus on the area’s natural and cultural heritage, including hiking among dramatic rock formations, guided rock-art and geology tours, stargazing, mountain biking, and digital-detox relaxation experiences.
Grootvadersbosch CapeNature Glamping (Hermanus)
Grootvadersbosch CapeNature Glamping near Hermanus offers a peaceful outdoor stay surrounded by indigenous forest and fynbos. The site features a small number of fully furnished glamping tents set on raised decks, each equipped with basic furniture, power points, and easy access to shared reserve facilities.
Guests can enjoy forest and fynbos walks, river-based activities, birdwatching, and short nature trails suitable for all ages. The camp’s tranquil setting and family-friendly layout make it ideal for a quiet nature-focused getaway.
The Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel (Cape Town)
The Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel in Cape Town offers one of the city’s most unusual outdoor accommodation experiences with its rooftop Airstream trailers. Each vintage trailer has been individually styled and furnished, providing a compact yet comfortable stay complete with air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, and private outdoor seating areas overlooking the city skyline.
Guests have access to the hotel’s restaurant, rooftop bar, and cinema, creating a lively urban atmosphere. Mixing creativity with comfort, the rooftop Airstreams offer a unique city-glamping experience in the heart of Cape Town.
Tsala Treetop Lodge (Garden Route)
Tsala Treetop Lodge offers a luxurious escape nestled in the heart of the Tsitsikamma Forest, just outside Plettenberg Bay. This five-star lodge features ten opulent suites and six spacious two-bedroom villas, each elevated above the forest floor and connected by wooden walkways. The interiors are a blend of Afro-Baroque design, with earthy tones, handcrafted furnishings, and expansive glass walls that provide panoramic views of the lush canopy. Each accommodation includes a private deck, an infinity pool, a wood-burning fireplace, and a complimentary minibar. Guests can indulge in gourmet dining at the lodge’s restaurant, Zinzi, or opt for in-suite dining. Additional amenities include a library with a fireplace, a curio shop, and spa services upon request.
