Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question, please have a look below, we’ve answered our most frequently asked questions below in as much detail as possible.
We have an online reservation system allowing you to make an instantly confirmed booking. Follow the below steps to make a booking.
Step 1:
On our home page or on the campsite page, simply enter your arrival date in the booking window, select the amount of nights you’d like to stay and amount of adults and click on “Search Availability”. Tip: If you’re booking more than one stand, please only enter the first stand’s guests, you’ll get an option later to add a second stand before paying.
Step 2:
Our live booking system is linked to the website, so it will show you which type of stands are available for your selected dates as well as the total cost for your stay. Select your preferred type of stand (you’ll be able to select the exact stand in the next step) by clicking on the Rates and Book button.
Step 3:
Here you just need to confirm the amount of adults, kids (age 6-17) and infants (age 0-5) in your booking as well as your preferred stand. We also have a few additional questions to ensure we have all the details. Once completed, click proceed to move onto the next step.
Step 4: Extras or additional stands
This is where you can add any additional items onto your booking like 5L water, braai wood, ice or a Rent-a-Tent Kit. If you would like to book more than one stand, this is where you’ll be able to add another stand. Once the extras have been added, simply click on “Book another Field Camping” link below the Confirm and Continue button. Once completed, click on the Confirm and Continue button to enter your contact details.
Step 5:
Simply complete the contact form and add any special requests you might have before continuing to payment. You can also review all our Terms and Conditions here.
Step 6:
Follow the prompts from our integrated payment gateway (Paystack) after selecting your preferred payment method. You will be automatically asked to pay either a 50% deposit when booking 14 days+ in advance or the full amount when booking less than 14 days in advance.
Once payment has been completed, you’ll be redirected to a page confirming your payment. You should also receive an email confirming your reservation from bookings@falconriver.co.za. Please also check your spam/junk folder as the email is sent directly from our reservation system.
You’ll automatically receive an email 8 days before arrival to request payment for the remainder (if you only paid the deposit).
If you have any large group bookings it will be better to book directly with us to assist in correct amount of stands allocations etc. Please contact us via WhatsApp or email or complete the Booking Request form here.
Please respect our check-in time of 14:00.
We are a small, owner-run campsite, and after guests check out at 11:00 we need time to prepare the stands and facilities for new arrivals, including mowing, irrigation, and cleaning the bathrooms. As we also run other businesses, we are not always on-site to accommodate unexpected early arrivals.
If you need to check in early, please arrange this with us in advance and do not arrive at the gate before 14:00 without prior confirmation. If you arrive early, Swellendam (5 km away) offers plenty of cafés, restaurants, and activities while you wait.
Our reserve is located opposite the Bontebok National Park, which means we have quite a lot of wildlife roaming around, including antelope, tortoises, otters, mongooses and dassies who we are committed to protect. Our campsite is also not entirely cordoned off from the rest of the reserve in order to allow roaming wildlife access to the river. We are planning a possible pet friendly site which is cordoned off in the near future, but until then, we won’t be able to accommodate pets.
Bookings and Payment Terms:
2.1 All bookings are to be made via the online booking platform on Falcon River Reserve™’s website at www.falconriver.co.za.
2.2 Falcon River Reserve™ cannot guarantee that accommodation/campsites seen online, will be available by the time a booking and/or reservation is attempted. All bookings are subject to availability and take place on a ‘first-come-first serve’ basis.
2.3 Bookings are confirmed upon receipt of a 50% deposit or full payment and when customer receives confirmation email from Falcon River Reserve™.
2.3.1 A 50% deposit is required to secure a booking more than 14 calendar days in advance. Full payment will be required for bookings less than 14 calendar days from the arrival date.
2.3.2 Full payment may also be requested for peak season or long weekends.
2.3.3 Late or non-payments may result in cancellation of the booking, with potential loss of deposit or full payment.
2.3.4 Final payments are due 7 calendar days before arrival.
2.4 All payments are to be made via Falcon River Reserve™’s online payment platform and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Paystack Payments Limited (“Paystack”), the payment platform’s service provider.
2.4.1 Paystack employs advanced encryption technology, including Secure Socket Layer (SSL), to protect all transactions. No card details are stored on Falcon River Reserve™’s website. For further details on Paystack’s security measures and policies, users may visit: https://paystack.com/za/compliance.
2.4.2 Customer details will be securely stored by Falcon River Reserve™ separate from card details, which are entered directly by the client on Paystack’s secure platform. Falcon River Reserve™ does not process or store sensitive payment information, ensuring all payments are handled in compliance with Paystack’s security and privacy standards.
2.4.3 The merchant outlet country at the time of presenting payment options to the cardholder is South Africa. The transaction currency is South African Rand (ZAR). For additional details regarding Paystack’s terms of service, please visit https://paystack.com/terms.
2.5 Refundable Deposits: On-site refundable deposits may be requested for gate access tags, ablution keys and Kayak/SUP rentals.
For our full Booking Terms and Conditions, click here.
Cancellations, Refunds and Rescheduling
3.1 All cancellation requests for confirmed bookings are subject to the following provisions and section 17(3) and (4) of the CPA:
3.1.1 Confirmed bookings cancelled 30 calendar days or more in advance of the arrival date shall be refunded all payments to date in full, minus administration/payment fees;
3.1.2 Confirmed bookings cancelled between 8-29 calendar days prior to the arrival date shall receive a 50% refund of their deposit payment; alternatively, a cancellation penalty of 50% of the deposit shall be levied;
3.1.3 Confirmed bookings cancelled less than 8 days prior to the arrival date shall not be refunded; alternatively, a cancellation penalty of 100% of the booking price shall be levied;
3.1.4 All confirmed bookings must be cancelled in writing.
3.1.5 In the event of any cancellation or when funds need to be reversed back to a credit card, Falcon River Reserve™ reserves the right to not refund the card transaction fees. This policy applies to all purchases and bookings made through our service.
3.1.6 Should Falcon River Reserve™ cancel a confirmed booking due to an event outside of our control or Force Majeure i.e. imminent floods or flood damage, the customer shall be given the option to reschedule the booking, free of charge.
3.1.7 Should the customer cancel due to unpleasant weather conditions, the above cancellation policy will still apply as this is out of our control.
3.1.8 Should the customer depart early or arrive late for their booking, no refunds will be given for the unused part of their original booking.
3.2 Rescheduling of bookings must be done 8 days prior to arrival date. In the event that a Falcon River Reserve Customer fails to make use of their booking (no-show), the Customer will forfeit their full payment.
3.3 Rescheduling of bookings may be subject to administration fees and price increases and/or decreases dependent on the date of reschedule. Any subsequent changes that result in a price increase must be settled in full before confirmation of such booking is guaranteed.
For our full Booking Terms and Conditions, please click here.
Why hassle with setup when you can step straight into a ready-made campsite? Whether you’re bringing friends without gear, trying out camping for the first time, or simply enjoy the luxury of arriving to everything prepared, our Rent-a-Tent Kits make camping easy and effortless.
Each kit sleeps 2 and includes:
- A spacious 3 × 3 m canvas bow tent
- 2 x large stretcher beds with mattresses
- 2 x director camp chairs
- Groundsheet
- 2 x lights (1 x bedside lamp + 1 x portable light)
All you need to bring is your bedding, personal essentials, and food—we’ll take care of the rest. Simply add it as an extra to your booking when making an online reservation.
Yes we do! Please contact us directly to make your booking if you’re 60+ years old. The discount only applies when the stand has 2+ pensioners. No pensioner’s discount in Peak Season i.e. School holidays, long weekends and Easter weekend.
Yes, we certainly do. You have the option to book our entire campsite exclusively for your private event/group. Our Lapa offers the perfect venue to host events. The lapa has a large braai area (big enough for a spit), small kitchen area, a side-by-side fridge and freezer as well as limited seating. We have also hosted a few sporting events. Contact us with your requirements and we will be happy to assist.
Check-in time for Camping is from 14h00 until 18h00. Checkout time is at 11h00.
Yes, we are registered for VAT, so all our prices automatically include VAT.
Maximum stay is for 21 consecutive nights if available. No longer stays allowed. This is mostly due to us also catering for private events/tour groups and we don’t currently have a private stands available. When staying for longer than 14 nights, we might request that you move to an adjacent campsite in order to mow the lawn and irrigate or to protect the grass.
Maximum 2 vehicles are allowed per stand and maximum 1 x Camper/Caravan/Trailer. Any additional Vehicles/Campers/Caravans/Trailers are subject to additional fees or booking of an additional stand.
We are located only 500m of dirt road from the N2, and the road is in fair condition. We have accommodated a wide range of motorhomes and even the smallest of cars. Please drive slowly on our road and look out for resident kids, pets and wildlife.
Maximum number of guests (Age 6+) per stand is 5. Children/Infants age 5 and under camp for free. Maximum 4 Adults (18+) per stand keeping in mind the max 1 camper/caravan/trailer per stand limit.
While we encourage guests to unplug and enjoy the natural surroundings, we understand that sometimes you need to check in—or find an office with a view. That’s why we offer limited free Wi-Fi, accessible throughout the campsite.
We currently have 4 x private, lockable bathrooms and we’ve now also completed our general ablution block.
To book a private bathroom, simply select one of the following stands (if available): T02, T03, R02, R03
You will get a key at check-in and you can store all your bathroom essentials there throughout your stay. Please remember to return the key at check-out. Each bathroom is equipped with a hot water shower, toilet and basin. It also has its own broom, mop and dustpan to keep your bathroom clean throughout your stay.
Our Terrace View stands are all equipped with a SABS standard blue caravan plug and 3 point plug (max 10 Amp). Since our Riverfront stands are below the flood level, they share the Terrace View stand electricity points. So you’ll need to bring a 20m lead if you want to have power at your Riverfront Stand.
We currently have two dedicated water points on each level. Please note that all tap water is supplied from the river, so it is not suitable for consumption. Please bring your own drinkable water or alternatively, we also sell 5L Spring Water bottles at our Reception/Shop.
All tap water on the reserve is supplied directly from the river and not suitable for consumption, please bring your own bottled drinking water. Alternatively, 5L bottles will be for sale at our reception/shop.
Cell reception is generally reliable, although 4G/5G data can be spotty depending on your provider. For the best chance at stronger signal, our Terrace View stands tend to offer better connectivity. We also offer free limited Wi-Fi which is available right from your campsite.
Please be respectful to your fellow campers and turn down any music/noise upon request. No music/noise after 22h00. Noise/music travels easily up and down the river to our neighbours who have working farms, so please be considerate.
We have worked extensively over the past couple years to make sure all stands are covered with grass. There might be a few shady spots without grass, but you’ll find that 90% of the area is grass. Please help us protect our grass growth by only using netted ground sheets.
The Breede River is known as one of the main fishing havens in the area. We allow fishing only in dedicated areas or on non-powered watercrafts. You’ll come across the following types of freshwater fish on the Breede River: Catfish, Carp, Smallmouth Bass and Bigmouth Bass. Please ensure you adhere to local laws regarding Fishing Permits. For more info, click here.
Yes we do! We have custom designed portable braais available for each campsite. Please only make a fire inside these dedicated braais or in your own similar braai. Do not make fire on the grass/ground or any other area. We don’t provide braai grids – please bring your own.
No, we only provide the actual braai drum which is portable. Please bring your own braai grid.
Yes, we are located right by the Swellendam Weir, which means we have water all throughout the year. The water quality is also tested on a regular basis to ensure to harmful substances are detected. We have about 2km of river for exploring on a kayak/SUP and swimming is definitely encouraged to cool down in the summer. Please note to only swim in the designated swimming areas and note that we do not have a lifeguard on duty.
Our main entrance is located on the N2 about 5km from Swellendam in the direction of Cape Town. After entering you only have about 400m of dirt road to drive before entering our campsite. This ideal location makes us one of the most central places to do day trips from or to enjoy regular trips to town to experience all that Swellendam has on offer. Please view our Local Guide for more info.
Find us on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DdsZjCLqZxZWZu5Z7
No unauthorised access to the reserve may be given to any other person that is not registered to your booking with your access tag/key/code. NO DAY VISITORS allowed. Your tag/key/code are monitored by our security system. This is to protect the safety of both our guests and residents and to adhere to local municipal zoning requirements concerning the maximum amount of guests allowed.
Due to our location on the Breede River and the proximity to the weir, you would need to know exactly how to navigate the river to avoid damage to your boat as there are a lot of unseen rocks and obstacles. Due to this, we don’t allow any motor-powered watercraft. Special permission is given to experienced skippers and companies for training, boat-testing and safety/support. Only kayaks, SUP’s, Tubes etc are allowed and are used at your own risk. Avoid going close to the weir at all times. We also have a few kayaks and Stand-up Paddle Boards (SUP’s) to rent.
Yes. Although we don’t have a dedicated children’s play area yet, there are plenty of activities to keep them entertained. Kids 5 and under camp for free!
Our Riverfront stands are located on the bank of the river (2-3m from the water) and there is no fence between the campsite and the river. We encourage families to rather book our Terrace View campsites which are further away from the river. Children have to be supervised at all times. No lifeguards are on duty and using the river is at own risk.
While the river remains the go-to spot for adventure and burning off energy, we know how important it is to have a safe, dedicated space just for kids. That’s why we’re excited to share that a new children’s recreational area is in the works for later this year (end 2025).
Plans include a jungle gym, trampoline, and possibly even a bike track—perfect for keeping young explorers entertained while parents relax nearby. Keep an eye on our website for updates and launch dates!
No, we unfortunately don’t have laundry facilities available. If you need to have some laundry done, our campsite is only 5km from Swellendam. Our local laundry’s details are below:
Lemon Laundry
Contact: 083 621 5539
8 Jansen Street, Swellendam
Operating Hours:
Mon-Thu: 08:00-16:00
Fri: 08:00 – 13:00
Sat-Sun: CLOSED
Yes, we have three washing up areas available, all with hot water. Two are located at the side of each ablution block and the other inside the Lapa. Please note that if the lapa is booked for a private event, please only use the two at the ablutions.
Yes. In the same location as our reception, you’ll find a small shop selling limited, basic supplies. Samples of products on offer is:
Braai Wood, Ice, Firelighters, Coffee, Milk, Snacks, Cool drinks, ice cream etc.
No motorbikes, quad bikes or ATVs are allowed to be used by guests on the reserve while camping. Motorbikes only on arrival and departure if that is your main vehicle for transport.
Although we won’t have anti-smoking police patrolling the campsite, we do ask to please be considerate to your neighbours. No smoking in ablutions or recreational areas. And absolutely no smoking on the Viewpoint Trail as this is a fire hazard. Please dispose of all cigarette butts responsibly and in bins.
Our standard cancellation policy and booking terms will apply. This is unfortunately something we cannot control, but would be more than accommodating in rescheduling your booking to another date following our standard booking terms. Please read our complete Booking Terms and Conditions.
We are in contact with the local authorities along the Breede River and we will usually get a 1-2 day warning if the river will be flooding. The river is unlikely to flood if it rains here. It needs to rain considerably up the river towards Ceres for the river to flood here. For the safety of our campers, we will then be in contact with you to reschedule your booking for another date. We will then be closed for a couple of weeks after as we wait for the water to recede and we’re able to assess the damage. Usually it’s mostly a cleanup process, but if there are major structural damages which make it unsafe for campers, we will only reopen once everything has been repaired.
Yes. Originally when our family bought the farm, it was a private lifestyle estate for family and friends and it was aptly named Falcon River Estate. When Izak and Ilse-Belle bought the farm in 2020, they started with the rezoning of the property and plan to develop the new reserve. During the rezoning process, environmental specialists found that some part of the property has indigenous flora named “renosterveld” and it was recommended to zone that section as a “Natural Environment Zone”. Keeping this in mind, as well as Izak & Ilse-Belle’s strong beliefs in preserving nature for future generations, it was decided that Falcon River Reserve is a more descriptive name for the new business.
Need more info?
For more info, please read our Booking Terms and Conditions or contact us on WhatsApp: +2764 957 4233
