Free State Tented Camps Perfect for a Glamping Weekend ~ One doesn’t anticipate Free State tented camps in a province known as the heartland, and famous for its grain farms and rich pasture land.
But it makes sense that the province’s wide skies and expansive flat grassy plains, broken only by the odd kopje, would inspire bushveld experiences, and that its fertile soils and excellent farming conditions could double as safari farm stays.
The Free State lies in the middle of the country, sharing a border in the east of the province with the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho โ the Drakensberg and Maluti Mountains rising to over 2 000 metres.
But it is the flat lands to the south that provide the ideal conditions for herds of plains game โ wildebeest, springbok, zebra, eland, white rhinos and even wild dogs and African wildcats, depending on where you venture for your Free State tented camps’ experience.
The fundamentally continental climate too makes the province a good one for weekend and holiday down time.
Here are our Best Free State tented camps perfect for a glamping weekend…
The Bubble Valley, Clarens
The Bubble Valley offers a unique experience and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Bubble Valley provides nature-lovers with a glamping experience situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, in two unique bubble tents with a spectacular mountain view.
Each tent is furnished with a Queen-size bed and has a private bathroom and outside each tent there is a terrace and a Jacuzzi.
Spa treatments and romantic requests are available. Breakfast and dinner are included in the rates. Experience nature from the comfort of your Bubble.
Letsatsi Game Lodge, Smithfield
This tented camp will blow you away. It’s a little piece of heaven on earth in a space full of hills and valleys that lead down to the Caledon river, in the heart of the southern Free State.
Letsatsi, which means ‘sun’ in Sotho, is a game experience with a difference.
The private game reserve has a secluded bush camp tucked into a valley that can only be reached by heading down a wooden staircase, dotted with observation decks for the accompanying views (and to catch your breath on the way back out).
A network of stone and wooden walkways connect a series of tents to bush style ablutions and dining areas, whilst an outdoor fire pit makes evenings unbeatable.
The bush camp is designed for family or group getaways and sleeps up to 40 people in tents under thatch.
Highlight: herds of plains game and 2 340 hectares of rocky koppies, indigenous trees, and African savannah.
Savannah Game & River Retreat, Parys
Close enough to Johannesburg to act as a weekend retreat, Savannah Game & River Retreat’s rustic tented camp lies up against the mountains of the Vredefort Dome, one of South Africa’s world heritage sites, just outside Parys.
It’s an intimate camp within walking distance of the Vaal River, which acts as a divide between the North West and Free State provinces.
Six en-suite tentedย chalets give you all the comfort you’d expect from a lodge, and wonderful views of the bushveld. Each tent has its own deck overlooking a watering hole.
Highlight: breathtaking sunsets, 8 km of Vaal River frontage, and wild plains game.
The Gypsy Wagons, Clarens
The Gypsy Wagons in Clarens offer a unique glamping experience. We love them for the cute furnishings, clean facilities and the other-worldly experience.
Each of the handcrafted gypsy wagons has her own personality, colour scheme and finishing touches and sits under majestic oak trees, offering a taste of magical gypsy life.
The Gypsy Wagons can sleep between two and four guests – two adults and two children over ten. They contain a Queen-size bunk bed and two of the wagons have a lower bunk for little glampers.
Each wagon has its own kitchenette for preparing basic meals with traditional woodburning stove / indoor fireplace and cooking utensils.
A bathroom features a full size bath and flushing toilet. (Real glampers don’t walk outside to the loo!)
PS: There are no TVs in the wagons so guests can rather enjoy the outdoors and watch the stars while seating on comfy bean bags.
Nature’s Loft Luxury Tent in Fouriesburg
Natures Loft is situated on a smallholding where it offers an off-grid tented experience in a relaxing country atmoshere with abundant bird life. Natures Loft has three log cabins and a luxury tent, set on sandstone outcrops.
The luxury tent has a flushing toilet, bath, and outdoor shower with hot water is supplied by an old-fashioned donkey boiler system. The luxury tent also has a kitchenette and gas braai.
Guests can enjoy the views and bird life from the patio with a bottle of wine, soak up the warmth of a fire in the cabin, or absorb the fabulous expanse of the night sky.
Explore More in the Free State
Have you been to any of these Free State Tented Camps? We’d love to hear about your experiences…