Gauteng isn’t the first province that comes to mind for quiet camping. But drive an hour outside Joburg or Pretoria, and you’ll find bushveld camps, Big Five reserves, and genuine silence. These are the quiet spots, not the busy resorts. Here are the quiet campsites I’ve found, no prices, no fluff, just the places where peace is the main attraction.

• Oppi Plaas Campsite – Bronkhorstspruit
• Jakkelsroep – Dinokeng
• Jabula Bush Camp – Dinokeng
• Thorntree Bush Camp – Pretoria / Hartbeespoort area
• Klipspringerkloof – Pretoria / Magaliesberg area
• Mountain Sanctuary Park – Magaliesburg 
• De Rust Campsite – Dinokeng
• Rust Oord Bushveld Camp / Bosveld Oase – Hekpoort

“Quiet” in Gauteng means finding the pockets of bushveld hidden just outside the city.

Gauteng isn’t the first province that comes to mind for quiet camping. But drive an hour outside Joburg or Pretoria and you’ll find the Dinokeng Game Reserve, the Magaliesberg, and genuine bushveld silence.

Oppi Plaas is a true bush camp near the city. It’s not a caravan park or holiday resort. Six rustic bush campsites are tucked away on a private farm surrounded by a Big Five game reserve. There’s no electricity, no toilets, no dishwashing, and no shower facilities at the sites themselves, you must be fully self-sufficient. Generators are not permitted due to noise restrictions. Each site has a fire pit, a braai, and borehole water suitable for human use. There’s a shared area with flush toilets about 300m away. The farm is fully fenced with electric fencing, and guests have access to 20 hectares for walking, jogging, and cycling. It’s safe for children. Summers are very hot, winters mild during the day .

Jakkelsroep is a private bushveld retreat 40km from Pretoria. It offers two shaded camping stands with power points and braai facilities, plus a shared ablution block. The property itself has impala, nyala, zebra, ostrich, and blesbok roaming around. It’s 7km from the Tsukulu Gate of the Dinokeng Game Reserve and within 20km of guided game drives, hiking trails, and restaurants. The camp is pet-friendly . Reviewers describe it as “tranquil” and “very nice and peaceful” .

Jabula Bush Camp is in the heart of Dinokeng Game Reserve, a private family-owned bush camp. The campsites are unfenced, wild animals roam freely, so you’re camping in Big Five country. You must bring your own caravan or trailer. Each campsite has a private ablution block, outdoor shower, braai facilities, firepit, and a gas geyser. There’s no electricity at the campsites. Glamping tents are also available – eco-friendly and solar-powered – but the camping experience is pure bush. It’s 57km from central Pretoria . The reserve itself boasts the Big Five and other free-roaming game .

Thorntree Bush Camp has been operating since 2016 in Dinokeng Game Reserve, the only Big Five reserve with free-roaming wildlife in Gauteng. Six concealed stands offer a toilet, shower, electricity, and braai facilities – stands are separated by bushes and trees for privacy. Limited off-grid wilderness sites are also available for more experienced campers. Guests regularly fall asleep to lion roars, jackal barks, and bush-baby calls . It’s not pet-friendly .

Klipspringerkloof in the Magaliesberg area has private ablutions and private boma/braai areas, and reviews call it “tranquility at its best” .

What you’ll find here:

• Big Five camping – Jabula and Thorntree are in Dinokeng with free-roaming wildlife 
• Off-grid options – Oppi Plaas has no power, no water at sites, no generators 
• Pet-friendly options – Jakkelsroep allows pets 
• Private sites – Thorntree has concealed stands for privacy 
• Accessible – all camps are 40-60km from Pretoria

What you won’t find:

• Prices – they change too often, and I’m not a booking engine
• Crowds – these are bush camps, not holiday resorts
• Luxury – these are rustic, off-grid or basic camping experiences

A few things to know before you go:

• Oppi Plaas has no amenities – you must bring everything (own power, shower, toilet) 
• Oppi Plaas bans generators – noise restrictions apply 
• Jabula campsites are unfenced – wild animals roam freely through the camp 
• Jakkelsroep is pet-friendly – but confirm directly before booking 
• Thorntree is not pet-friendly 
• Dinokeng is a malaria-free area – good news for families 

These are not luxury campsites. They’re the places where you go to escape the city, to sit quietly around a fire and to remember that the bush is only an hour away.

Scroll down to see the full list. Each camp includes a Google Maps link, contact details and a quick summary of what makes it quiet.

FAQs About Quiet Camping in Gauteng

Which Gauteng campsite is the most off-grid?

Oppi Plaas has no electricity, no water at campsites, no toilets, and no showers. You must bring everything. No generators are allowed due to noise [citation:1][citation:2]. Jabula also has no electricity at its campsites [citation:9][citation:10].

Do these campsites allow pets?

Jakkelsroep is pet-friendly – “Pets by Arrangement” is listed on the official listing [citation:5][citation:6]. Thorntree’s pet policy is not specified in the available information – contact them directly before booking. Oppi Plaas and Jabula do not have clear pet policies in the available information.

Do I need a 4×4 for these campsites?

All camps are accessible to standard vehicles. Oppi Plaas has a gravel access road but is suitable for most vehicles. Road conditions vary – check before going.

Are there any facilities at these campsites?

Oppi Plaas has no amenities at the sites – only flush toilets 300m away [citation:1][citation:2]. Jakkelsroep has power points, braai facilities, and a shared ablution block [citation:5][citation:6]. Jabula has a private ablution block and outdoor shower for each campsite, but no electricity [citation:9][citation:10]. Thorntree has toilet, shower, electricity and braai facilities at each stand [citation:15].

Which campsite has the strictest noise policy?

Oppi Plaas explicitly bans generators due to noise [citation:1][citation:2]. Thorntree is described as a peaceful, authentic bushveld atmosphere where guests fall asleep to lion roars and jackal barks [citation:15].

What’s the best time of year to camp in Gauteng?

April to May and September to October offer the most pleasant weather. Summer is very hot – Oppi Plaas explicitly warns summers are “very hot” [citation:2]. Winters are mild during the day but cold at night.

Quiet Campsites Gauteng Map

More peaceful camping site in other provinces Northern Cape, Western Cape, Mpumalanga