Camper Hire for the Drakensberg

The Drakensberg, uKhahlamba, 'Barrier of Spears', is the kind of place that makes you forget about your phone. A UNESCO World Heritage Site rising above 3,000 metres along the KwaZulu-Natal border with Lesotho, it has some of the best hiking in the country. Doing it with a camper is the move: hike all day, come back to a hot meal, and sit outside watching the peaks go orange as the sun drops. Bring extra firewood, you'll want a fire going every night up here. The Berg is good for camping year-round, but each season is different. Winter (June-August) brings snow on the higher peaks and properly freezing nights. Summer (November-March) is green and warm but count on afternoon thunderstorms. Spring (September-October) and autumn (April-May) hit the sweet spot, good weather and wildflowers without the summer crowds.

389 campers available on Kampi in Drakensberg.

About Drakensberg

Three main sections, each with its own character. The Northern Berg (Royal Natal, Amphitheatre) is where you'll find Tugela Falls, do the chain ladder hike or walk the Amphitheatre rim if you're up for it. Central Berg (Cathedral Peak, Monk's Cowl, Champagne Valley) has the best mix of good campsites and trail access. Giant's Castle in the southern-central area has San rock art and big eland herds. The Southern Berg (Sani Pass, Garden Castle) is rougher and less developed, 4x4 trailers earn their keep here. Campsites to look at: Mahai at Royal Natal, Didima Camp at Cathedral Peak, Monks Cowl camping, and several private resorts in Champagne Valley with powered sites. Pro tip: camp at the base of Sani Pass and do a day trip to the highest pub in Africa, it's exactly as fun as it sounds. The Berg is about 3-4 hours from Durban and 4-5 from Joburg, so a long weekend works well.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the price on Kampi actually cover?
What you pay is the owner's rate for the camper plus Kampi's service fee for handling the booking and the payment. Where a camper carries Kampi cover, that cover costs R89 a day; not every camper carries it, some owners carry their own instead, and the camper's own page says which. There is no once-off admin fee. That was Kampi's pricing before 1 July 2026, and a booking made before that date can still show it. Most owners also add a once-off cleaning fee, and every owner asks for a refundable damage deposit. The camper's own page shows both, and what your dates come to, before you send a request.
How are the rental days counted?
Every day of the trip is charged, including the day you collect the camper and the day you bring it back. A Friday to Sunday trip is three days, not two, because both the collection day and the return day count.
When does the money actually move?
On most campers, nothing is charged when you send a request. You only pay once the owner approves it, and owners have 3 days to answer. A few campers are set up for instant booking instead and charge as soon as you book, the camper's own page says which. Either way, you pay Kampi online, never the owner directly.
Do I need a special licence to tow it?
Not necessarily. Up to 750kg you can tow on an ordinary Code B licence, the same one most drivers already have. Over that you need a Code EB. Every camper's page says which one it needs, and Kampi has a whole page of campers that need no EB at all.
What if I need to cancel, or something goes wrong?
Cancel a request before you have paid and nothing is owed, because nothing was ever charged. Once you have paid, cancelling before the trip starts means a non-refundable booking fee of up to R189 may apply, and the rest is refunded according to the camper's policy. Cancelling once the trip has started, or on a listing with no cancellation policy set, refunds nothing at all: not the rate, not the cleaning fee, not the cover. The camper's own page shows its exact cancellation policy before you book, and it is worth reading before you pay.
Who am I actually renting from?
A private owner, not a franchise or a depot. Sending a request opens a message thread with them under their name, so you can talk before you pay anything. Their phone number and the exact pickup address open up once you have paid, not at the moment they approve. You collect the camper from them in person. Most owners have had an ID document, proof of address and the camper's papers approved by Kampi before their listing went live, though not every one of them has. There is no corporate credit or background check beyond that. What else stands behind them is the reviews they have earned on Kampi.
Is it cold camping in the Drakensberg?
Yes, especially in winter (June-August). Nights can drop below freezing. Bring warm bedding and a gas heater. Summer days are warm (25-30°C) but nights are still cool. A well-insulated camper makes all the difference.
Can I tow a caravan up Sani Pass?
No. Sani Pass is a 4x4-only gravel road. Leave your caravan at the base (Sani Pass campsite) and drive up in a 4x4, or book a guided tour. The rest of the Drakensberg is accessible by standard vehicles.
What are the best Drakensberg hikes?
Tugela Falls (Royal Natal) is the big one, chain ladders and all. Cathedral Peak summit is a full-day effort for fit hikers. Rainbow Gorge (Monk's Cowl) is a solid family hike, moderate and scenic. Giant's Castle has San rock art caves that are thousands of years old.
How far is the Drakensberg from Johannesburg?
About 4-5 hours depending on which section. Northern Berg (Royal Natal) via Harrismith is closest. Central Berg via Winterton is 4.5 hours. A Kampi camper from Johannesburg or Pretoria is ideal for a long weekend trip.

Available Campers in Drakensberg

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