Camping at Harkerville Forest Lodge
Long-term camp sites
Harkerville Forest Lodge is a caravan park near Knysna and Plettenberg Bay in the Knysna forest.
It caters mainly for school and church groups and offers 25 camping sites.
Ten campsites are mainly for overnight, weekend and holiday campers and accommodate tents, caravans and Motrohomes (RVs) with ease.
We made use of their special over the December holidays at the end of 2023 and camped for 3 months from November 2023 to January 2024.
Harkerville’s owners, Bennett and Anette van Rensburg are very approachable and Ansie at reception was always available and kept campers informed.
Harkerville caters primarily for groups. Camping is an additional service and means that groups enjoy preference. The group accommodation and ablutions are used by school and church groups although they are out most of the day on educational tours and visits.
The campers have their own ablutions when the more conveniently situated group ablutions are not available.
Between November and January there are usually no groups, although we had a few groups that could not do their tours during the year and had to fit it in during November and early December.
None of the groups created any discomfort for us, although one school did some noticeable damage to doors and flowers. It did not affect us directly.
Facilities are rustic. In true Knysna forest tradition many of the buildings and cabins are log buildings.
There are beaches at Plett, Knysna and in-between with all of them driving distance from Harkerville Lodge.
We enjoyed our stay at Harkerville very much, possibly also because we had excellent camping neighbours. People like Rassie, Charles and Emelia, Dawid and Ounooi, Wiecher and Elsabé, Kallie and Jeanine, Karin and her daughter, Karel and Ronelle, Francois and Rina and Des and Joriki.
What to do at Harkerville
The Harkerville, Plett, Knysna-area offers a lot to do.
There are many hiking trails, community markets, beaches and restaurants.
The best Fish and Chips we found were at Freshline Fisheries (turn in and go behind the factory) and then you drive to Knysna Heads for spectacular views..
Harkerville Saturday Market
The Harkerville Saturday Market every Saturday from 08:00 is a hit and you can’t go wrong if you visit it. The market also has a Park Run every Saturday.
Although there are too many products and stalls to discuss them all here, I was most impressed with Katie, the friendly fudge fundi. So many choices and all top quality!
Careful or you’ll spend too much!
Knysna Hiking Trails
The Harkerville area between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay boasts a number of great hiking trails.
We did Perdekop Trail and part of the Robberg Trail. Perdekop Trail is in the Knysna Forest with the entrance within walking distance of Harkerville Forest Lodge.
Robberg is the more scenic and if you can handle a moderately tough trail with steep ups and downs, it is not to be missed.
Perdekop is the easier of the two but both need you to prepare well with energy foods and water.
Here are some of the most popular trails around Harkerville Forest Lodge:
| Trail Name | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Perdekop Trail | Harkerville Forest | Within the serene embrace of Harkerville Forest, the Perdekop Trail offers a moderately challenging hike. |
| Robberg Hiking Trail’s Point Circuit | Robberg Nature Reserve | The Point Circuit within Robberg Nature Reserve is a testament to the raw beauty of South Africa’s coastline. |
| Sparrebosch Fisherman’s Walk | Near Knysna | The Sparrebosch Fisherman’s Walk is an idyllic path that meanders along the cliffs near Knysna. |
| Red Elephant Trail | Diepwalle Forest | Set within the mystical Diepwalle Forest, the Red Elephant Trail offers a unique 7km loop. |
| Plett Camino | Plettenberg Bay to Knysna | Inspired by the famed Camino de Santiago, the Plett Camino is a multi-day walking experience. |
| Harkerville (Sinclair) 2-day Route | Harkerville Forest | The Harkerville Trail, also known as the Sinclair Route, is a two-day hiking expedition. |
| Kranshoek Viewpoint Route | Kranshoek | The Kranshoek Viewpoint Route is a scenic trail that offers dramatic views of the coastline. |
Read more
See more photos of Harkerville Forest Lodge, Places and Activities, and the Hiking Trails here
One thing to consider when you camp in the area is to rather use Knysna as the place to buy what you need.
Plett was generally quite expensive when we camped at Harkerville. We could not find a dentist who worked at medical aid rates. One of our camping neighbours opted for a dentist in Knysna after she was required to pay R1000 for a first visit to a Plett dentist. The Knysna dentist was much more reasonable and worked at Discovery rates.
Heads-up: If you are booked on any of Stands 11 – 25, enter at the first wooden gate (where the road splits), and if you are booked on Stands 1 – 12, use the second (main) gate at the Harkerville sign. It will save you to turn around inside the premises if you can’t drive over the volleyball court.
Harkerville Forest Lodge offers:
Safety: Safe. No security fencing.
Wi-Fi: Yes.
Private ablutions: No
Standard of ablutions: Good. Gas. Cleaned during the day. Showers. Adequate toilet paper was provided.
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Plugs in bathrooms: No
Laundry: Yes, paid service.
Condition of access roads: Good forest road.
Nr of stands: 25
Paved stands: No.
Unpaved stands: Yes.
Shade: Yes, most short term stands. Trees. Long-term camping sites no shade.
Shop on-site: Yes. Wood, ice, ice cream, bar.
Nearest town: Plettenberg Bay
Pet Friendly: No.
Load shedding: Yes and generator.
Hot and cold swimming pools: Cold.
Pensioners rates: Yes
Long-term camping rates: Yes.
Location:
Harkerville Forest Lodge,
Farm 405 Harkerville
Plettenberg Bay
6604
Contact
Tel: 044 532 7777
Email
Website