For couples craving connection, calm and a little adventure this Month of Love, AfriCamps offers a romantic escape that feels both indulgent and grounded. Think luxury without pretence, nature without compromise, and space to truly slow down together. Scattered across some of South Africa’s most beautiful working farms, estates, and private reserves, AfriCamps Boutique Glamping has perfected the art of outdoor living with comfort at its core, making it a natural choice for honeymoons, anniversaries and quietly unforgettable weekends away.
“AfriCamps offers the perfect escape for couples who want to get closer to nature, while enjoying a relaxing stay in a custom-designed fully-equipped unit. AfriCamps is there every step of the journey – from your honeymoon to your special anniversary, to family-friendly getaways with the kids,” says co-founder Jeroen van Rootselaar.
Each of AfriCamps’ 19 locations features thoughtfully designed glamping units complete with air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen, two bedrooms, an ensuite bathroom with a spacious rain shower, and the signature outdoor wood-fired hot tub – the ultimate romantic touch under star-filled skies. While the brand stretches from the Cape Winelands to the Kruger National Park, KwaZulu-Natal boasts four exceptional camps, each with its own distinct character.
AfriCamps at Gowan Valley, in the heart of the Midlands Meander, is a storybook setting of rolling hills, indigenous forests and riverbanks. Set on the welcoming Gowan Valley Guest Farm in Balgowan, the camp is surrounded by Golden Kiwi orchards farmed by hosts Deanne and Brett Bouwer. Days here are best spent wandering the 4 km forest trail to a 500-year-old Yellowwood tree, picnicking beside the Mpofana River, or enjoying fly fishing on a catch-and-release basis. Beyond the farm gates, the Midlands Meander offers waterfall hikes, canopy tours, country eateries and cultural landmarks such as the Nelson Mandela Capture Site – ideal for couples who enjoy a gentle blend of nature, history and good food.
At the foothills of the Drakensberg lies AfriCamps Champagne Valley, where dramatic mountain views set the tone for a more adventurous romantic escape. Located just 245 km from Durban, this camp is a hiker’s paradise, with Monk’s Cowl entrance to the Maloti-Drakensberg Park only minutes away. Whether tackling iconic overnight hikes like Champagne Castle or opting for a guided walk, the reward is always the scenery. For less strenuous days, guests can enjoy horse riding, craft beer and chocolate tastings, mountain biking, or simply unwinding at their tent with uninterrupted Berg views before heading to The Farm Kitchen for a traditional braai.
For couples drawn to the call of the wild, AfriCamps at Bonamanzi Game Reserve delivers an immersive safari experience within a 4,000-hectare private reserve. Unfenced and rich in biodiversity, Bonamanzi is home to four of the Big Five and over 400 bird species. Days unfold with guided bush walks, game drives and birding river cruises, while evenings are best spent at Lalapanzi Dam lookout or soaking in your hot tub after sunset. Its central location also makes it easy to explore Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, St Lucia, and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – perfect for couples who want to experience the bush and beach in one trip.
Completing the KZN quartet is AfriCamps at White Elephant Safaris in the historic Pongola Game Reserve. Set on the shores of Lake Jozini with the Lebombo Mountains as a backdrop, this camp offers a rare mix of land- and water-based safaris. Guided game drives, tiger fishing, conservation experiences and sunset cruises create days filled with wonder, while evenings unfold slowly, with sundowners by the pool and the possibility of wildlife wandering past your tent.
Whether it’s misty mountain mornings, river picnics, safari sunsets or starlit hot tubs, AfriCamps proves that romance simply needs the right setting, perfectly framed by nature.
Words: Jaqueline Herbst
Tel: 021 300 5694
website: www.africamps.com
email: hello@africamps.com