Northern Cape camping and 4x4: a province guide for long distances

The Northern Cape asks for more planning than most provinces. Many of its campsites are in national parks, several have no phone signal or fresh water, and on one guided trail the next fuel is roughly 300 km from the start. This guide covers the national park camps and routes park by park, and the fitment centres in the province that we have listed. More Northern Cape camps, including provincial reserves and Orange River farm camps, are on the Northern Cape camping page.

Augrabies Falls

The main rest camp of Augrabies Falls National Park has a camping area a short walk from the falls. SANParks says more than half of the sites are shaded and they have electricity, and there's a communal kitchen and a laundry room as well as ablutions.

The park's self-guided 4x4 trail is about 30 km. No booking is needed, but SANParks requires at least two 4x4 vehicles to travel together on it, so this isn't one to do alone.

Kgalagadi

Nossob Rest Camp is in the dry bed of the Nossob River in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, at least a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Twee Rivieren. It has camping, a shop, fuel, a swimming pool and a predator information centre. Solar power supplies electricity during the day, and there's no phone reception.

The Nossob 4x4 Eco Trail runs through the dunes between Twee Rivieren and Nossob over three nights, with a guide. Vehicles need high ground clearance and low range, and trailers, Unimogs and overland trucks aren't allowed. Trailists are fully self-sufficient: the overnight camps have only a long-drop, a shower bag and a fireplace. Children under 12 can't join, and it's roughly 300 km from the start to the next fuel. Direction alternates by month, starting from Twee Rivieren in even-numbered months and from Nossob in odd-numbered months.

Richtersveld

Potjiespram is the largest campsite in the Richtersveld section of the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, on the bank of the Orange River about 11 to 15 km from reception at Sendelingsdrif. Sites are informal and spread over three sections, all with river access, and the ablutions have cold water only. SANParks strongly recommends a high-clearance vehicle or 4x4 in the park. In October 2026 it reported the Sendelingsdrif pontoon to Namibia closed because of high river levels, so check its status before planning a route that crosses there.

Namaqua coast

Namaqua National Park's coastal section runs from the Groen River mouth to the Spoeg River mouth, with eight rustic camping areas and 31 sites in total, each with a braai area and an Enviroloo. SANParks says that apart from one fountain there's no fresh water along this roughly 50 km stretch, so carry all you need. Driving on any beach or on closed tracks isn't allowed.

The Caracal Eco Route links the park's Skilpad section to the coast, over the Soebatsfontein pass and across the Namaqua flats to the Groen River mouth. SANParks rates it easy to moderate, with sandy coastal sections and some steep parts with dongas. The full route is 176 to 200 km depending on the tracks you take, the route booklet sold at the office is needed to follow it, and sections may close in the wet and flower season.

Tankwa Karoo

Tankwa Karoo National Park allows camping at designated spots for campers who are fully self-sufficient. Each site is booked for the exclusive use of one party of up to 15 people, and reception is at Roodewerf. The park also has 4x4 tracks, including the Leeuberg 4x4 Eco-trail and the Watervlei 4x4 Route.

Planning for distance

A few things follow from the camp details above. Carry more water than you think you need, and know where you can refill; on the Namaqua coast there's effectively none. Fill up wherever fuel is available inside the parks, and plan each leg with a margin. Download offline maps and tell someone your route, because several of these camps have no signal. Your fridge and battery will be working in heat for long stretches, so see our explainer on powering a 12V fridge off-grid.

All five camps are SANParks camps, so the national park rules apply, including gate times, no driving after hours and no pets.

Fitment in the province

Two of the Northern Cape fitment centres in our directory show how far apart they are: one in Upington, one in Kimberley. CJ Fitment Centre in Upington was started by a diesel mechanic and fits suspension, exhausts, canopies, drawers, lighting and recovery gear. It lists trailer servicing and is an approved Conqueror service and repair centre. NC Audio 4x4 in Kimberley covers 4x4 and car-audio work, fitting suspension, long-range tanks, dual-battery systems, canopies and roof racks, and is an accredited Tracker installer.

If you're driving a long way to reach the parks, it's worth knowing where the workshops are before you need them. Browse them all on the Northern Cape fitment page, and every camp on the Northern Cape camping page.