Schoongezicht Campsite

Schoongezicht is a guest farm at the foot of the Skurweberg mountains in the Koue Bokkeveld, about three hours from Cape Town, an hour from Ceres and 30 minutes from the small town of Op-die-Berg. It offers a real range - private off-grid campsites, shaded group camps, permanent caravans and self-catering cottages - but what sets it apart is the water. Spring-fed swimming spots with soft white sand that look more like a tropical beach than anything you expect in the Cape interior.

Getting there

We took the R44 and R303 via Wellington, over Michell’s Pass and Gydo Pass - one of the better drives out of Cape Town. We reached the gate just before sunset; keep an eye out for the wooden signboard. From the gate it’s a well-graded dirt road that any vehicle can handle, and on the way in we were greeted by a couple of very vocal donkeys, then a herd of cattle just before the farm itself.

Clear wooden signage points you to your accommodation. Once you reach the signs for the private campsites, you’ll need a 4x4 or a high-clearance vehicle - the track goes through soft sand and a couple of water crossings. The communal camps, caravans and cottages are all reachable in a normal car.

Our site: Sandstrand

We stayed at Sandstrand, a massive private off-grid campsite set on its own in the veld. It takes up to 20 people, with plenty of space for vehicles or a few ground tents, and it’s pet friendly at an extra cost. The highlight is its own spring-fed swimming area - white sand and clear water that genuinely resembles a tropical beach. There’s very little shade, so bring a gazebo or awning.

In the middle of the site is a wooden lapa that gives good shelter from the wind, with two tables inside for preparing meals or working. There’s a firepit for the evenings and a movable braai with a choice of grids, and you can pre-purchase firewood so it’s waiting when you arrive. A wood-fired donkey boiler provides hot water at the lapa, with a washing-up area outside. A few steps away is an outside basin and a flush toilet, and just around the corner is the outdoor shower - gas-powered, so the hot water is reliable any time of day.

There’s no electricity at Sandstrand, so bring a solar panel or another power solution. We arrived with light fading fast, got the fire going and made Philly cheese steaks on toasted mini baguettes, then had a hearty bacon-and-eggs breakfast the next morning.

White sand, clear spring water and a swimming spot all to yourselves. Sandstrand is the kind of private campsite you remember.

The other camps

Hoefie’s Den has 10 individual campsites under oak trees, ideal for big groups, birthday parties and family reunions. Every site has electricity and a movable braai drum, there’s plenty of shade and a stream running behind it, a slide for the kids, and a sheltered lapa with a firepit. The ablutions have four donkey-boiler showers side by side - light the fire about 40 minutes before, on a medium flame - with four toilets alongside, plus a separate gas shower and a small ablution with its own toilet and gas shower.

Lapa Kamp has five individual campsites, each with electricity and a movable braai drum, and a shared communal braai area called Die Lapa that suits group bookings and events. Its ablution block has a wash-up area outside, a basin, a flush toilet and a gas-powered shower.

There are also permanent caravans. Ribbok, Lepellê and Gaatjie come fully equipped with electricity, a fridge, kettle and microwave, and a shaded braai area outside, and share an ablution block with a flush toilet, basin and gas-powered shower. Hoopgooi is two caravans, numbers 5 and 6, with their own dedicated ablution. And if camping isn’t for you, there are two self-catering cottages sleeping up to four.

The main swimming area

Close to the communal campsites, cottages and caravans, a short walk brings you to the main swimming area - a natural spring-fed pool with the same soft, white, beach-like sand. There’s a rope swing and a diving board for anyone wanting to jump straight in. We spent the afternoon back at our own swimming spot at Sandstrand, soaking up the sun and working up the courage for a cold plunge.

Hiking, fishing & the shop

The farm has a 6 km circular hiking trail through the surrounding mountains and veld - a good stretch for anyone keen to explore beyond camp, with plenty of scenery along the way. There’s also a dam stocked with black bass; contact the owner for directions from your campsite.

There’s a shop on site near the communal campsites, open daily from 11:30 to 12:30, taking cash or card for purchases over R100. It stocks ice, firewood, snacks, cooldrinks, toiletries and even a few water toys.

We finished the day with a braai while the Springboks beat the All Blacks, then curled up by the fire for some stargazing under proper Koue Bokkeveld skies.

Suikerbossie Guest Farm is also in the Koue Bokkeveld - read our Suikerbossie review if you’re planning a longer trip in the area.