pet-friendly camping sites on the garden route
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7 Best Pet-friendly Camping Sites on the Garden Route

By August 27, 2026No Comments

The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s favourite road trip destinations & your pet doesn’t have to miss out. From misty forests to golden beaches, this stretch of the Western Cape coast is made for exploring with your furry friend by your side.

This guide rounds up 7 of the best pet-friendly camping sites along the Garden Route, from working farms & eco-campsites to beachfront caravan parks, each with a confirmed pet policy so you know what to expect before you pack the car.

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Key Takeaways:

  • Pet conditions vary significantly across these 7 pet-friendly Garden Route camping sites: some let dogs roam the campsite freely, while others need advance notice or only welcome pets in certain seasons. Always confirm the details directly with the site before booking.
  • These 7 sites stretch from the forests near George to the caravan parks of Mossel Bay & the farmlands around Oudtshoorn & Albertinia. Louvain Guest Farm, Gourits River Guest Farm & Eco-camping, & Glentana Caravan Park, spread across three very different corners of the region, are standout picks for different kinds of trips, from a forested farm escape to a riverside eco-camp to a beachfront caravan park.
  • Popular picks like AfriCamps Klein Karoo & Outeniqua Caravan Park get busy over peak periods, so book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Top Pet-Friendly Camping Sites on the Garden Route  

These 7 pet-friendly camping sites are situated along the Garden Route, from Mossel Bay & George through to Oudtshoorn & Albertinia, on the same road trip route that continues on to Plettenberg Bay & Knysna.

Between them you’ll find caravan parks, working farm stays, eco-campsites & glamping tents, ranging from campsites with basic amenities to more luxury stays, so there’s accommodation to suit most families & budgets.

Pet conditions vary depending on where you’re located along the route, from open campsite access to prior-arrangement-only policies, so it’s worth confirming the details before you book.

1. Louvain Guest Farm

Location: Upper Langkloof, Herold, George 6615, Western Cape

Louvain Guest Farm is tucked deep into the Upper Langkloof, a quiet valley of indigenous forest walks & mountain trails that feels worlds away from the busier Garden Route coastline. Shaded, grassy campsites sit beneath tall trees, giving the farm a peaceful, back-to-nature atmosphere that’s hard to find closer to the coast. Mornings here tend to open with birdsong & mist settling over the surrounding hills, & evenings bring cool mountain air & wide, star-filled skies.

Dogs are free to explore the campsite areas alongside their owners, making Louvain a natural choice for a pet-friendly escape into the forest. It’s the kind of place where your furry friend can spend the day wandering the farm’s trails & the evening curled up beside the campfire, with the whole valley largely to yourselves once the sun goes down & the birdsong quiets.

Visit the Louvain Guest Farm website for more information, to check availability, or to book.

  • 15 shaded, grassy campsites, each big enough for up to 4 people.
  • Flush toilets & showers are available, along with reliable cell reception, though the campsite itself has no electricity.
  • Guests can hike & mountain bike the farm’s own trails, book a horse ride or a rock art tour, or take to the sky on a microlight flight.
  • A cold-water pool & bird watching round out the farm’s day-to-day activities.

  • Camping costs R150 per adult & R100 per child under 18, per night.
  • Pets are welcome on the campsite at no extra charge; if you book one of the farm’s self-catering cottages or glamping tents instead, pet stays there are by prior arrangement with the farm.

  • Louvain is roughly 50km from George via the R62, with the final stretch on gravel, so allow extra travel time.
  • Booking ahead is recommended, particularly over school holidays & long weekends when demand for campsites rises across the Garden Route.
  • Because it’s reached via the R62 rather than the N2, Louvain works well as a stop for travellers doing the inland scenic route through the Garden Route & Klein Karoo, rather than sticking to the coast.
Louvain Guest Farm

2. AfriCamps Klein Karoo

Location: Buffelsdrift Farm, Cango Caves Road, Oudtshoorn, Western Cape 6625

AfriCamps Klein Karoo is a luxury glamping stay located on a working farm just outside Oudtshoorn, where the Klein Karoo’s dry, open landscape stretches out beneath distant mountain ridges. It’s a change of scenery from the coastal stretch of the Garden Route, offering a quieter, more rustic setting away from the beach crowds. Each of the farm’s canvas tents is positioned individually across the property, giving every stay a sense of privacy & space.

Dogs are part of the package here, making AfriCamps a pet-friendly base for owners keen to bring their furry friend along on a proper farm getaway. It’s a good match for dogs who are just as happy pottering around camp as they are out exploring, with plenty of downtime along the way.

Find out more & book your stay at the AfriCamps Klein Karoo website.

  • Private bathrooms with rain showers are built into each tent, alongside indoor fireplaces, air conditioning & electric blankets for cooler Klein Karoo evenings.
  • Every tent has a fully equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi & battery backup power, so self-catering here feels close to a home away from home.
  • One dog is welcome per tent, always by prior arrangement confirmed at the time of booking.
  • A shared swimming pool & braai facilities are available to all guests.

  • Rates run from around R1,440 per couple in low season up to R2,440 per couple in peak season, per night.
  • Extra adults & children are charged separately on top of the couple rate.
  • No additional pet fee applies to bringing your dog along.

  • AfriCamps is about a 10-minute drive from Oudtshoorn, in the heart of the Klein Karoo.
  • The farm makes a good base for day trips to nearby ostrich farms, meerkat safaris & the Cango Caves.
  • Because the tents are fixed-tent accommodation rather than bring-your-own camping, AfriCamps suits travellers after comfort over a traditional tent-pitching stay.
glamping-lodge-sunset

3. Gourits River Guest Farm & Eco-camping

Location: Valsriviermond, Albertinia, Western Cape

Gourits River Guest Farm & Eco-camping is a working farm situated on the banks of the Gourits River, in farmland on the way to Albertinia, a small Garden Route town known for its aloe farms. Eco-campsites are tucked among the riverside vegetation, giving the whole property a quiet, unhurried character, well away from the busier coastal towns further along the Garden Route & a change of pace from a typical caravan park stay.

Pets are welcome across the farm’s eco-campsites, & the glamping option, the Fisant Kloof Cabin, is pet-friendly too, so there’s a pet-friendly stay here whichever way you’d rather camp. Dogs are free to roam alongside you around the farm, with the open eco-campsites giving them plenty of room to explore before curling up together for the night.

To enquire about availability or reserve your site, visit the Gourits River Guest Farm & Eco-camping website.

  • 13 eco-campsites accommodate up to 6 people each, with access to a communal ablution block, electricity points & a shared braai area.
  • Tents, caravans, camper vans & 4×4 vehicles are all welcome across the campsites.
  • Drinking water refill points are available on site, along with wood & ice for sale.
  • Bird watching is a highlight along the river, with Fish Eagle & giant Kingfisher regularly spotted.

  • Eco-camping starts from around R370 per night for 2 people, with pets welcome on the campsites at no extra charge.
  • The Fisant Kloof glamping cabin comes with a pet basket & bowls provided on arrival for guests travelling with a dog.

  • Located about 16km from Albertinia, Gourits River Guest Farm makes an easy stop along the Garden Route between Mossel Bay & Oudtshoorn.
  • Booking ahead is worth doing over weekends & school holidays, when the farm’s eco-camping facilities & the Fisant Kloof Cabin both tend to fill up.
Gourits-River-Guest-Farm-&-Eco-camping

4. Bonniedale Wilderness Ranch

Location: Off the R328, Hartenbos to Oudtshoorn road, Ruitersbos, Western Cape

Located off the R328, along gravel roads between Hartenbos & Oudtshoorn, Bonniedale Wilderness Ranch is a working farm & wilderness ranch, with the Ruitersbos mountains framing the property on every side, their slopes covered in fynbos & indigenous bush. It’s a rugged, outdoorsy setting near Mossel Bay & George, further off the beaten track than the coastal camping spots on this list, & all the quieter for it.

Dogs have long been part of everyday life at Bonniedale, making it an easy, pet-friendly place for owners to settle in together with their pets. Days here move at their own pace, with wide open space & nature standing in for a packed itinerary, & plenty of ground for a dog to cover before evening.

Plan your stay & check availability on the Bonniedale Wilderness Ranch website.

  • Accommodation spans a farmhouse, a self-catering chalet with a pool, permanent caravans, tented camps & two private camping areas, catering to a wide range of group sizes.
  • On-site activities include horse riding, 4×4 trail routes, & hiking & mountain biking trails across the surrounding area.
  • Khoisan rock art & natural rock pools are among the property’s standout features.

  • Pets are welcome at Bonniedale by prior arrangement; because acceptance depends on how many other guests already have dogs booked in at the same time, it’s worth arranging your pet’s stay when you make your booking rather than on arrival.
  • Rates are structured per accommodation tier & group size rather than a single flat nightly rate, since options span everything from a private camp to the larger tented camp.

  • Bonniedale is situated near the historical Oxwagon Pass & works well as either a day trip or an overnight stop for travellers exploring inland from the coast.
  • Active families & groups after a proper outdoor break will find plenty to keep them occupied here, well beyond a standard camping stay.
  • Visitors happy with a simpler, rustic pace over a fully serviced resort will feel right at home, especially if you’re after a genuine farm stay rather than a manicured campsite.
Dog playing with a stick at Bonniedale Wildnerness Ranch caravan park

5. Lake Pleasant Caravan Park

Location: Off the N2, 2km east of Sedgefield at Groenvlei, Western Cape

Lake Pleasant Caravan Park sits on the shores of Groenvlei, part of the Garden Route’s lakes district & the only freshwater lake among them, tucked just off the N2 among reed beds & still water, a rarer sight along a coastline better known for its lagoons & the open sea. It’s a calmer, lake-side alternative to the coastal caravan parks nearby, a world away from the busier beach parks that line the coast further on.

Small dogs are part of life at Lake Pleasant, giving pet owners another spot to consider for a relaxed getaway along the Garden Route. It’s an easy base for a dog to settle into, with plenty of quiet corners around the park to explore together, & enough open ground nearby for a proper walk before you both wind down for the night.

Check rates & availability on the Lake Pleasant Caravan Park website.

  • 55 caravan & camping sites are available, each with 16-amp power & water, alongside communal ablution blocks.
  • An on-site restaurant, pub, takeaway & shop cover most day-to-day needs without leaving the park.
  • A swimming pool, rowing boats, canoes, fishing, tennis, squash & a fitness centre are all available on site, along with free Wi-Fi.

  • Small dogs are welcome by prior arrangement as part of the booking process, though the park applies seasonal restrictions on pet stays.
  • Rates start from a R300 daily minimum per stay, based on a 2-night minimum, rising to R350–R430+ per night off-peak & R1,000–R1,300 in peak season, so cost per person varies with how many people you’re travelling with.

  • Lake Pleasant is about 2km off the N2 east of Sedgefield, roughly midway between the towns of Wilderness & Knysna, a convenient waypoint along the Garden Route.
  • With plenty going on inside the park itself, Lake Pleasant works well for families with children wanting more than just a spot to pitch a tent, without needing to leave for entertainment.
Lake Pleasant Resort caravan park

6. Glentana Caravan Park

Location: Coast Road, Glentana, Mossel Bay 6530, Western Cape

Glentana Caravan Park is situated right on the beachfront, where the Garden Route’s coastline turns wide & open along a stretch of golden sand well loved by local holidaymakers year after year. Waves roll in close enough to hear from most of the park, giving the whole stretch an easy, old-school seaside holiday feel rather than a polished resort finish, more about the beach itself than anything built around it.

Glentana welcomes dogs outside of the busiest months, making it a genuine pet-friendly pick for owners after a straightforward stay by the sea. Dogs are just as happy trotting along the shoreline here as they are settling back at the park in the evening, with the sound of the waves carrying right across the site & plenty of sandy ground to stretch out on after the drive in.

Head to the Glentana Caravan Park website to check availability & lock in your stay.

  • Caravan & motorhome stands come with 220V electricity, hot & cold ablutions & braai facilities.
  • A scullery & a children’s play area are available, along with baby change rooms for younger visitors.
  • The park is wheelchair accessible with assistance for guests who need it.
  • Swimming, surfing, fishing & snorkelling are all possible right off the beach, with dolphins regularly spotted offshore.

  • Pets are welcome at Glentana only outside of peak season, strictly by prior arrangement with the park.
  • Pensioner discounts apply on standard rates, while quad bikes are not permitted anywhere on the property regardless of stay type.

  • Located roughly halfway between the towns of George & Mossel Bay, on the Coast Road, Glentana makes an easy stop for beach-focused travellers.
  • Glentana suits families with young children particularly well, with a safe, easy-going pace that’s hard to find at some of the busier beaches nearby, a little slice of paradise for a low-key holiday.
  • Booking ahead over summer weekends & school holidays is worth doing early, as space fills up fast along this stretch of coast in peak season.
Aerial view of Glentana Caravan Park

7. Outeniqua Caravan Park

Location: 1 Park Avenue, Klein Brak River 6503, Western Cape

Outeniqua Caravan Park sits in Klein Brak River, within easy reach of both Mossel Bay & George, with a laid-back, well-established feel that’s built up over years of regular visitors returning season after season. Grassed sites give the park a settled, green character, more low-key neighbourhood than holiday resort, in a small coastal settlement that’s easy to overlook if you’re not specifically looking for it.

Pets are generally welcome at Outeniqua, giving pet owners another solid, no-nonsense option along this stretch of the Garden Route. It’s a straightforward stopover for a dog in tow, especially if you’re breaking up a longer coastal drive & keen to let them stretch their legs before settling in for the night, with enough grassy space around the park for a proper wander around first.

For bookings & current availability, visit the Outeniqua Caravan Park website.

  • Grassed campsites come with portable braai units, each with its own electricity point.
  • An enclosed swimming pool with a separate toddler pool is available for guests.
  • Staff-managed ablutions include private shower cubicles, & the park has an on-site laundry & wash-up area.
  • A small pub with pool tables rounds out the park’s on-site facilities.

  • Nightly camping rates have run at around R350 per night in peak season, with a long-stay monthly rate of R3,500 also available for extended visits.
  • Pets are welcome, though prior arrangement is required, & the park does not accept dogs without it.

  • Outeniqua is about 29km from George Airport, just off the N2, making it a convenient overnight stop.
  • With rates well below the coast’s more expensive resorts, Outeniqua suits travellers who prefer to spend on the trip itself rather than where they sleep.
  • Pack the essentials before you arrive, as the park sticks to the basics rather than added extras.
Luxury tent at Outeniqua Caravan Park

Final Thoughts on the Best Pet-Friendly Camping Sites on the Garden Route

As this post shows, from Louvain’s forest quiet to Glentana’s open beachfront, these 7 pet-friendly camping sites show just how much variety a Garden Route road trip has to offer, whether you’re after a working farm stay, a riverside eco-camp close to nature, or a caravan park holiday. There’s a stay here to suit almost any kind of trip with your dog.

Pet conditions differ a good deal from site to site, & several only accept pets by prior arrangement or outside of peak season, so it’s worth locking this in at the time you book rather than assuming it’ll be fine on arrival. Popular sites like Louvain & Lake Pleasant tend to fill up over school holidays, so booking ahead pays off.

MediPet is SA’s leading pet insurance broker, offering comprehensive, genuine & transparent cover. Compare our pet insurance plans & get an obligation-free quote online in seconds today.

If you’re keen to explore more with your pet, our guides to pet-friendly camping in the Western Cape, pet-friendly holiday stays in & around Cape Town, pet-friendly accommodation across the Western Cape & dog-friendly wine farms in the Western Cape are all worth a read too.

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