Looking for something new to do on a weekend trip from Cape Town? You should visit the Elands Bay Cave!
From camping in the cave to staying in more luxurious accommodation nearby, you won’t be disappointed with this weekend getaway.
Why Trust Me?
Hey there! I’m Amy – A Canadian travel content creator and blogger who left Toronto on a 1-way flight to Cape Town and never looked back. I’ve spent over 7 months in total living and working from Cape Town and got to know the Western Cape fairly well during that time.
I was amazed by the incredible nature in and around Cape Town and wanted to make the most of my time there. These recommendations came from my local friends and I discovered some amazing places!
I hope you have a chance to see some of these spots as well.
Getting to the Elands Bay Cave
Getting to Elands Bay Cave is fairly simple!
It’s about a 2.5 hour drive from Cape Town without any stops.
You can enter the exact location into Google but please note that you’ll likely lose signal around Elands Bay. So I’d make sure your driving instructions are loaded and ready to go!
When to Visit the Elands Bay Cave
You can visit the cave year round, however, the best time would be during the summer months when there’s warmer weather!
I’ve been twice and the first time I visited was at the very end of summer/start of autumn (early March). The second time I went back was in the middle of autumn (mid-April) and honestly, both times were great.
Autumn in and around Cape Town is usually pretty hot (still mid-high 20s most days) so I found it to be a good time to visit. I haven’t been in the peak of summer but I imagine it might be slightly busier during that time of year.
Regardless, you’re not likely to encounter many other people in the area! South Africa is a massive country with so many spots to explore and this one doesn’t get a whole lot of traction (which is part of the reason why I loved it so much).
Camping in Elands Bay Cave
I’ve visited the cave twice when I was around Elands Bay area. The first time I came with a group of friends to camp there but we decided to camp below the cave since it’s a much easier setup and tear down.
The second time, we knew we wanted to set up camp inside the cave. Doing so is far from impossible but you need to be fairly fit and healthy to get into the cave, as well as to get all of your gear up with you!
I recommend going with a group of people (at least 4 people) so you can assist with bringing your gear into the cave. I chose to go up into the cave right away and then help grab some of the gear (tents, sleeping bags, camping chairs, etc) from the top. The lighter your gear, the better!
Don’t have any of your own gear?
You can hire it from many different places in Cape Town for a night or two! I believe we hired our 2 person pop up tents from this company. Each tent hire costs around $10 USD/ R175 per night, making it super affordable.
Make sure you give yourself at least an hour to get everything into the cave and set up before the sun goes down. We saw an incredible sunset from the cave and I’m SO happy we got to experience that.
Safety Tips for Elands Bay Cave
So you might be wondering .. is it even safe to sleep in Elands Bay Cave?
I think for the most part, it’s a safe area BUT … it’s also in South Africa.
That means, you need to keep a few things in mind!
- Lock Your Car – rsefds …. And make sure you don’t leave anything valuable inside the car because thieves aren’t afraid to smash your car windows.
- Bring Safety Gear – You never know if there could be people lingering nearby/waiting to steal something so come prepared. Most locals recommend keeping a small knife for protection on hand. It’s a fairly remote area with spotty service at best so it’s good to be prepared, just in case.
Other Cape Town Blogs You Might Find Helpful
- 1 Day in Cape Town: The Perfect Layover Itinerary
- Cape Town Weather in December: Plan the Ultimate Trip to Cape Town!
- South Africa Safety Tips for Travellers
- 25 Unique Activities in Cape Town for Couples: Amazing Can’t Miss Spots!
- Cape Town in October: The Best Guide for Weather, Travel Tips & More!
- Cape Town Hostels: The Best and Worst Ones
Will You Visit the Elands Bay Cave?
The Elands Bay Cave is one of those places I’ll never forget visiting!
It’s secluded in nature, making it a wonderful spot for a weekend getaway. It’s also a great way to get out on a budget if you’re camping and make the most of the summer in the Western Cape.
I’ll be back shortly with a new blog but in the meantime, you can follow my adventures as a full-time traveller and digital nomad on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube!
Cheers,
Amy xx
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