You deserve a break! Unfortunately, getting one is easier said than done. The outdoors offer an unmatched opportunity to just relax, but what if you only have a weekend? Here are five weekend trips from Cape Town that work well with a trailer, ordered roughly from closest to furthest.
1. West Coast National Park, Langebaan
Roughly 1 to 1.5 hours from Cape Town
This is the easy first trip. The roads are good, the lagoon is calm and beautiful, and you’ll be set up in no time. Go in late winter to spring (around August and September) and the Postberg section is carpeted in wildflowers. Bring a windbreak, because the West Coast wind is part of the experience.
Make a day of it: Die Strandloper, a beachfront seafood restaurant in Langebaan, serves a long, relaxed multi-course meal. Book ahead and treat it as a Saturday lunch rather than a quick stop.
Best for: first-time trailer owners and renters, couples, short weekends.
2. Kleinmond and Betty’s Bay
Roughly 1.5 hours from Cape Town
Take Clarence Drive along the coast and the drive alone is worth it. Base yourself at Palmiet Caravan Park in Kleinmond, with mountains behind you and the beach and lagoon in front, then day-trip into the Kogelberg area for fynbos walks, or to Stony Point for the penguins. Note that Kogelberg Nature Reserve itself has cabins only, so there’s no camping there.
Best for: hikers, families, anyone who wants to be home early on Sunday.
3. Cederberg
Roughly 3 to 3.5 hours from Cape Town
The Cederberg is the classic off-road weekend. Think sandstone rock formations, clear night skies and rooibos country. Some farm campsites involve gravel roads, which is exactly where an off-road trailer earns its keep. Book ahead, especially in winter when the mountains can get snow and in spring when everyone else has the same idea.
Best for: stargazing, rock formations, photographers, people who want to properly switch off.
4. Bontebok National Park, Swellendam
Roughly 2.5 to 3 hours from Cape Town
Bontebok is a gentle, green park beside the Breede River, with swimming spots and easy walks. It’s a good family weekend and the drive on the N2 is straightforward. Swellendam itself has good coffee and food for a rest-day wander.
On the way: Peregrine Farm Stall near Grabouw is right on the N2 and a classic stop for pies and coffee. It closes late afternoon, so plan it as a Friday afternoon stop rather than dinner.
Best for: families, river swimming, relaxed weekends.
5. Tankwa Karoo National Park
Roughly 4 hours or more from Cape Town
For something properly remote, Tankwa delivers wide open Karoo landscapes and some of the darkest skies near the city. The gravel roads are rough, so this one suits experienced trailer campers and a capable tow vehicle. Allow extra time on the gravel, and check your tyre pressures before you leave and again after the worst of it. It’s best in the cooler months, as summer is very hot.
Best for: adventurers, 4x4 enthusiasts, solitude.
Tips for towing a trailer on a short trip
- Leave early on Friday to beat the traffic, or leave after the rush if you’d rather skip it.
- Do a quick checklist before you go: hitch, lights, tyre pressure, and that the trailer is properly secured.
- Book campsites well ahead for popular weekends and school holidays.
- Pack for wind and temperature swings. Cape Town weekends can change fast.
- Keep Sunday flexible so you aren’t racing back through traffic.
Don’t own a trailer? Rent one
If you want to try camper trailer camping before you commit to buying, renting is an easy way to do it. CampReady has three off-road camper trailers, the Tertia, Stellar and Prima, ready to book for your next weekend away. Check availability and book here.
Image credits: SANParks and CapeNature. The Kleinmond image is credited to the Hangklip-Kleinmond Tourism Bureau as marked on the photograph.