Local’s Guide: Braai Time at Oudekraal – A Must Do!

For a very long time Oudekraal seemed to a be secret, mystical place tucked away inside the Table Mountain National Park. Until, one day, I grabbed my braai grid and cozzie and headed out towards the 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa.

A part of the Table Mountain National Park, Oudekraal this elusive picnic spot is one of my favourite places in Cape Town and somewhere we visit annually for our little annual drum & bass braai. The bay couples perfect paddlings and large boulder laid views across the Atlantic and 12 Apostles.

It’s an absolute must do for anyone who has a few days available to spare in the Mother City. Here’s our local guide to visiting Oudekraal:

2023 Oudekraal Vlog

What To Bring to Oudekraal

Because Oudekraal is within the Table Mountain National Park facilities are basic. There are built in braais (BBQs), dustbins and ablution blocks. You will, however, need to bring the following:

For Cooking

• Braai grids are not provided, please bring your own along.
• Blitz, kindle, matches or a lighter.
• Medium cooler box. We’ve lugged a giant box up and down the steps, don’t do it!
• Dustbins are available, but not black bags. Please bring your own along.
• Black bag or plastic to wrap your dirty grid in so your car doesn’t get dirty.
• There is no shop, so be sure to bring enough wood/charcoal with you.
• Drinks, snacks, seasonings, condiments.
• Paper plates, cups, cutlery and tongs.
• Tubs to pack your braai’d food in (if you don’t eat it all there!).

For Swimming

• “Plukkies” or sandals – there’s quite a lot of broken glass (sadly) so sandals will protect your feet.
• Hat and towel.
• Sunblock!!! It’s VERY bright at Oudekraal, both from the sky and water reflection.
• Wet wipes to clean off your hands if you don’t want to keep going to the ablution blocks.
• A hoodie – the wind can pick up in the late afternoon.

Oudekraal Accessibility

• Parking on-site is limited (about a dozen) so you may need to park over the highway and cross the road.
• The walkway down has a fair amount of stairs and no wheelchair access. So if you’re unable to walk independently, please keep this in mind.
• There is NO lifeguard at this beach, so please be prepared to watch your children should they swim.
• Please note – this is a NO DRONE zone. Many tourists fly drones all over Table Mountain National Park (which includes 3 kilometers offshore) and think to themselves, “I’ll be gone next week they’ll never catch me.” This is a very outdated and selfish perspective. You may be gone, but us and our flora and fauna will be here and we’d really appreciated it if you respected our boundaries.

Oudekraal Entry Fees (2023 Day Rates)

As of 2023 Oudekraal is officially CASHLESS! Previously, staff didn’t have change so you’d lose out if you didn’t have the exact amount. We visited in 2023 and can confirm it is indeed cashless.

If you have a SanParks card, entry is also free. 2023 Day Rates as follows:

• SA ID: R38 for adults with SA IDs, R19 for children.
• SADC: R76 for adults with passports proof, R38 for children.
• International Visitors: R152 for adults, R76 for child.

Oudekraal Opening Times

• 1st Oct to 31st May – open every day including weekends and public holidays.
• 1 June to 30 Sept – only open weekend and public holidays.

Game rangers can be seen monitoring the location as it’s part of the San Parks range. The physical address for Oudekraal is: Oudekraal, Picnic Resort, Post Restante, Camps Bay, 8040.

Corporate Functions

PS Please don’t contact me requesting information to host your company event there! I have received several of these since publishing this post, but I don’t work for Oudekraal. Please contact SanParks directly for any further info. Thank you!