Long before online bookings, budget airlines and social media travel trends, many South African holidays followed a familiar formula.
NJR ZA/Wikimedia Commons
Families packed the car, hitched a caravan or loaded camping gear into the boot and headed for a holiday resort, caravan park or camping ground. The destination mattered, but so did the journey and the simple pleasures waiting at the other end.
Caravan parks played a defining role in South Africa’s domestic travel culture throughout much of the twentieth century. While travel habits have evolved, many of these classic destinations continue to welcome visitors, offering a nostalgic glimpse into an era when family holidays revolved around communal braais, swimming pools and endless summer days.
The rise of the South African holiday park
The growth of caravan parks and holiday resorts mirrored the rise of private vehicle ownership in South Africa during the mid twentieth century. As roads improved and more families gained access to cars, affordable domestic tourism became increasingly accessible. Holiday parks offered an attractive alternative to hotels. They allowed families to travel on a budget while enjoying extended stays close to nature. Caravan sites, camping stands and self-catering chalets created holiday communities where neighbours quickly became friends. For many South Africans, annual trips became family traditions passed down through generations. Certain destinations developed loyal followings, with visitors returning to the same campsite year after year.
Warmbaths: The resort that never went out of style
Perhaps no destination better represents the golden age of South African resort holidays than Warmbaths, now known as Bela-Bela.
The area’s naturally heated mineral springs have attracted visitors since the nineteenth century, but it was the development of large holiday resorts during the twentieth century that cemented its reputation as one of the country’s favourite family getaways. Generations of travellers remember water slides, heated pools and long weekends spent camping beneath the bushveld sky. Today, many of the area’s resorts continue to thrive by combining nostalgic appeal with modern facilities, proving that the formula still resonates with travellers seeking affordable family escapes.
Hartenbos and the classic coastal holiday
For countless South Africans, summer meant one thing: a trip to the Garden Route and the Southern Cape coast. The town of Hartenbos became synonymous with family holidays thanks to its extensive holiday resort facilities, caravan parks and beachfront location. During peak season, caravans and tents would fill the grounds as visitors settled in for weeks at a time.
What made destinations like Hartenbos special was the sense of community. Children formed friendships at swimming pools and playgrounds while adults gathered around braais and shared holiday traditions. Many of those elements remain part of the experience today, even as accommodation options have expanded to include modern apartments and guesthouses.
Margate and the KwaZulu-Natal south coast boom
Along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, towns such as Margate became icons of domestic tourism. Before international travel became widely accessible, the South Coast was among the country’s premier holiday regions. Caravan parks and seaside resorts lined the coast, providing affordable access to beaches, fishing spots and family entertainment.
School holidays transformed the area into a bustling seasonal community. Families often spent weeks rather than days at their chosen destination, creating memories that would shape their perception of summer holidays for decades to come. Today, Margate remains a popular destination, although visitors now have a much broader range of accommodation options than previous generations.
Velddrif and the appeal of slower travel
Not all caravan holidays revolved around beaches and swimming pools. In the Western Cape, destinations such as Velddrif attracted travellers seeking a quieter pace. Located along the Berg River, the town became known for fishing, boating and birdwatching. Caravan parks offered a simple way to experience the area’s natural beauty without the expense of traditional holiday accommodation.
These destinations highlight another aspect of South Africa’s camping culture: the desire to connect with landscapes and outdoor experiences. Long before eco-tourism became a recognised travel trend, caravan enthusiasts were already embracing nature-based holidays.
Gariep Dam and inland adventure
While coastal resorts often dominated holiday brochures, inland destinations also developed devoted followings. The area surrounding Gariep Dam offered a different type of getaway. Visitors were drawn by water sports, fishing and open landscapes rather than beaches.
Resorts and caravan parks around the dam provided a convenient base for exploring the region. They demonstrated that successful holiday destinations did not necessarily require an oceanfront location. Access to outdoor recreation and affordable accommodation could be just as appealing.
Hibberdene and the family road trip
Few destinations capture the spirit of the classic South African road trip quite like Hibberdene. Located on the South Coast, the town became a favourite stop for families travelling from inland provinces to the sea. Caravan parks and holiday resorts offered practical, budget-friendly accommodation that made extended beach holidays possible. The journey itself became part of the tradition. Cars loaded with luggage, bicycles and camping equipment would stream towards the coast at the start of every holiday season, creating a ritual that remains familiar to many South Africans today.
How domestic travel has changed
The popularity of caravan parks has declined from its peak, largely due to changing travel preferences and greater accommodation diversity. Budget airlines, online booking platforms and the rise of guesthouses, boutique hotels and short-term rentals have transformed how South Africans travel.
Yet caravan parks have not disappeared. Instead, many have adapted. Modern camping sites now cater to travellers seeking outdoor experiences while offering upgraded facilities, Wi-Fi connectivity and glamping options. At the same time, nostalgia has become a powerful draw. Many travellers are rediscovering the simple pleasures that made caravan holidays so appealing in the first place: affordability, flexibility and time spent outdoors with family and friends.
South Africa’s caravan parks tell an important story about the country’s travel history. They helped make holidays accessible to generations of families and contributed to the growth of many tourism towns that remain popular today.
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The post Revisiting South Africa’s caravan parks: The holiday tradition that shaped a nation appeared first on Getaway Magazine.