Hike & taste wine at South Africa's most beautiful campsite

Hike & taste wine at South Africa's most beautiful campsite
4.6/5
346 reviews
Google Reviews
Hike & taste wine at South Africa's most beautiful campsite
4.6/5
346 reviews
Google Reviews

Experience Summary

Sanddrif is one of the Cederberg’s most loved and beautifully maintained small-scale campsites, set beneath towering sandstone cliffs with the river flowing just steps from where you sleep. It’s an ideal base for running, hiking, swimming in mountain pools and exploring the rugged high-altitude landscape, with an award-winning winery a short walk away and some of South Africa’s darkest night skies overhead.

Experience highlights

🏞️ Swim in clear mountain pools and small waterfalls just minutes from your campsite.

🍷 Walk to Cederberg Private Cellar for relaxed, high-altitude wine tasting with big mountain views.

⛰️ Stay in a quiet riverside campsite beneath dramatic red-rock cliffs.

🌌 Enjoy some of South Africa’s best stargazing thanks to low light pollution.

🥾 Start classic Cederberg trails nearby, including Wolfberg Cracks, The Arch and valley routes.

Experience details

Campsite & river: Sanddrif Holiday Resort offers well-kept, small-scale campsites set beside the Matjies River, with level stands, trees for shade and easy access to the water. Deep rock pools and gentle cascades provide perfect spots to cool off after trail days.

Wine tasting: A short walk takes you to Cederberg Private Cellar, one of South Africa’s highest-altitude wineries, where tastings showcase crisp whites and characterful reds shaped by the mountain climate.

Running & hiking: This is a superb base for Cederberg adventures. Wolfberg Cracks and The Arch, Maltese Cross and several shorter valley trails all start within a short drive, making it easy to mix big days with gentler outings.

Stargazing: Even on an ordinary night the stars here are exceptionally bright. If your stay includes a Saturday, the nearby Cederberg Observatory often offers guided telescope sessions under truly dark skies.

Book this trip

Sanddrif riverside campsite:
Small-scale, shaded stands beside the river with access to swimming holes and nearby trailheads.
From R660/night
Cederberg wine tasting:
High-altitude tastings at Cederberg Private Cellar, just a short walk from camp.
Pricing set by the winery
Cederberg Observatory session (Saturday):
Guided stargazing with telescopes under very dark skies when available.
Pricing and availability set by the observatory
Search RV & campervan hire

Plan your trip

Top tips for this trip
Start Cederberg trails early to enjoy cooler air and quieter paths; use warm midday hours for river swims and recovery. Book Sanddrif and Mount Ceder ahead of time and reserve Observatory slots for Saturday nights if stargazing is important to you. Plan Franschhoek fine dining and the Wine Tram for gentler running days to keep the overall trip rhythm balanced. Pack layers for cool mountain mornings plus a hat and hydration vest for warmer desert sections; evenings can feel cooler than expected. Expect gravel sections where a higher-clearance vehicle helps; drive them in daylight for better visibility and safer navigation.
Best time of year
Spring (Oct–Nov): Mild temperatures, clear mornings and stable weather make this the best window for long Cederberg runs; flowers and fresh green valleys add colour to the mountain trails. Autumn (Mar–Apr): Cool air, golden light and generally calm conditions with excellent visibility; perfect for both trail running and wine-country days. Summer (Dec–Feb): Hot afternoons but workable with early starts in the Cederberg and shaded midday breaks; Cape Town and the coast offer breezier running options.
Not yet convinced to travel by RV?
Self-catering cottages and chalets bookable directly with Sanddrif Holiday Resort.

Why 'With a camper'?

Every experience tailored to a campervan

As campervan travelers ourselves, we understand both the delights of traveling in a motorhome and well as the smaller details (such as parking) which make it harder.

We use this knowledge to curate and design the very best experiences for you and your campervan.

Remarkable experiences you will remember

Our curated experiences are hand-picked to make your trip special. Whether it is an experience that is iconic to the destination, an inspiring place to take part in a certain activity or a visit to one of the best local restaurants, our goal is to introduce you to the experiences that you will want to write home about.

Something for every passion

We believe that campervan travel is a fantastic way to enjoy your passions.

Whether your interest hiking, cooking, architecture or to enjoy a great party we have a range of great campervan experiences to get you out traveling.

Book an individual experience or the whole trip

Our experiences come in a range of shapes and sizes. So whether you want to add an individual activity to your existing itinerary or you are looking for an end-to-end trip then we have choices for you.

Travel with your own camper or let us help you find the perfect rental

Our experiences are designed for anyone traveling in a campervan. For travelers without their van we offer various 'campervan included trips' but also the opportunity to book a van from one of our preferred van rental partners.