They only opened at the end of October 2025, and there were still workers adding new things to the farm when we arrived. Honestly, you wouldn’t have known. Absolutely Wild already has so much going on - a huge water park, luxury tents with private hot tubs, big game roaming the property, and a restaurant that seats 160 people. It’s ambitious. It works. And it’s only going to get better.

Getting there

It’s about 3½ hours from Cape Town, through the Huguenot Tunnel and along the R62. Halfway there, we stopped in Montagu at a padstal called Die Kloof - great coffee, breakfast, fresh baked goods, and enough local treats to make you slightly late. From Montagu, it’s a beautiful drive through to Barrydale, and Absolutely Wild is 32 km outside the town from there.

Once you turn off the road and through the farm gate, you’ll do a quick check-in at the security point before following a well-maintained gravel road deeper into the property. Any car will make it - no 4x4 or high clearance needed.

The sites

There are 20 standard campsites, each a generous 8×7 m - plenty of room for a tent, caravan, or rooftop setup. Some have electricity and some don’t, so make sure you ask when you book. All sites have access to borehole water, four shared ablution blocks, and two shared kitchen areas. Everything is within easy walking distance. Maximum six people per site, and bring a ground sheet.

If you want a bit more comfort and privacy, the 20 luxury campsites are slightly larger at 10×7 m and each one has its own private bathroom and kitchen, plus power as standard. You can even hire a fridge and microwave for an extra charge - handy if you’re planning a longer stay.

What we loved

  • Generous site sizes - you never feel on top of your neighbours.
  • Luxury sites give you the camping feel with proper privacy.
  • Everything is walkable - no moving the car once you’ve set up.
  • The farm is still growing, so each visit will have something new.

Worth knowing

  • Not all standard sites have electricity - confirm when booking.
  • A ground sheet is compulsory, so don’t leave it at home.
  • Some facilities were still being finished when we visited.

Luxury tents & cottages

The eight luxury tents are tucked a few hundred metres from the main campsite, which gives them a lovely sense of seclusion. Each one has its own outdoor area with a wood-fired hot tub with jets, a picnic table, a built-in braai, and an outdoor wash-up spot.

Inside, the tent is open-plan and more spacious than you’d expect - kitchen, living area, dining space, and bedroom all flow into each other. The bed is comfortable, the couch converts into a sleeper for two extra guests, and the kitchen has everything you need to put a proper meal together. The separate bathroom has a rain shower and a large wardrobe. And the views from the private patio - across the farm toward the hills - are genuinely special. If you’re lucky you might spot an eland or kudu wandering past.

If you’d prefer something with solid walls, there are also three cottages available. They come in one-bedroom (sleeps four) and two-bedroom (sleeps six, with bunks for the kids) options. Each has a deck, braai, wood-fire jacuzzi, indoor fireplace, and a fully equipped kitchen with a gas stove - great for families who want a proper self-catering base.

The restaurant earns its place on night one alone. After a long drive you’re not reaching for the braai tongs - you’re ordering pizzas and relaxing, and Absolutely Wild makes that very easy to do.

The water park

This is the main attraction for families, and it doesn’t disappoint. There’s a kids’ slide feeding into a 1.7 m pool, and right next to it a shallower kids’ pool that goes from 30 cm up to 1.1 m - perfect for the little ones. Then there’s the big pool: 25×8 m with two speed slides running directly into it. Fast enough to be genuinely fun for adults too.

All of the outdoor pools are included in your stay - no day passes or extras to pay for. There’s also a 12×5 m enclosed heated pool for year-round swimming, with its own ablution facilities. We spent the better part of two days between the slides and the pools and still wanted more time.

Activities

Between the water park, the play area, and a couple of optional experiences, you won’t run out of things to do. The play area alone - obstacle course, foam-block landing pit, large ball pit, toddler ball pit, and a putt-putt course - it will keep kids occupied for hours.

The two things we’d flag as must-dos are both optional extras. The guided quad bike ride takes you out through the rugged Karoo landscape and right into the enclosure where the farm’s big game - eland and kudu & other antelope - roam freely. It’s worth every cent. The buffalo feeding experience is something else entirely: a rare, guided, close-up encounter with the herd. Speak to management about availability and rates for both, and book early because they fill up.

Food & fire

The on-site, chef-led restaurant, seats 160 people and runs from morning through to dinner. We had pizza one evening and burgers at lunch the next day - both were a hit. The menu is broader than you’d expect for a campsite restaurant, with ribs, potjie, brisket, and more on offer. On certain evenings there’s live music in the entertainment area next door - a nice way to end an active day.

On the second night we got the braai going, fired up the hot tub, and roasted marshmallows while the stars came out over the Langeberg. The Karoo chill sets in fast once the sun drops, but with a wood fire and a hot tub you barely notice. We weren’t ready to leave when check-out came. We’ll be back.

We weren’t ready to go home. That’s the clearest way to describe it.

If you’re making a trip of Route 62, our New Beginnings review in Montagu is a natural next stop, and AfriCamps at Karoo 1 is another family-friendly glamping option not far off.