Set along the shores of Gariep Dam in South Africa’s Free State, Gariep, A Forever Resort is a waterfront getaway offering self-catering chalets, camping and caravan sites, water activities and wide-open landscapes.
Located just off the N1 between Gauteng and the Cape, the resort is both a convenient South African road-trip stop and a destination in its own right. Guests can spend their stay swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, cycling or simply enjoying views across the country’s largest dam.
Following the 2026 acquisition of Forever Resorts South Africa, Gariep is now part of a Black-owned South African hospitality portfolio associated with Community Investment Holdings (CIH), co-founded by prominent entrepreneur Prof. Anna Mokgokong.
Highlights & Amenities
- Black-owned South African resort
- Waterfront location on Gariep Dam
- 68 self-catering chalets
- Dam-view and harbour-view accommodations
- More than 100 powered caravan and camping sites
- Private luxury caravan sites
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Children’s splash pool
- On-site restaurant and bar
- Boat cruises and canoeing
- Fishing and sailing
- Motor boating
- Hiking and walking trails
- Mountain biking trails
- Tennis and volleyball
- Putt-putt / mini-golf
- Children’s play areas
- Braai/barbecue facilities
- Conference and wedding facilities
- Free on-site parking
Accommodation
Gariep offers a broad selection of self-catering chalets, ranging from accommodations for couples to larger units sleeping as many as six guests.
Many chalets feature views of Gariep Dam or the harbour, along with private bathrooms, lounges, equipped kitchens and outdoor braai areas.
Travelers who prefer camping or touring by caravan have even more options. Gariep has 106 powered caravan and camping sites, including 16 private sites with their own ablution facilities.
This combination makes Gariep particularly useful for BHG travelers looking beyond conventional hotels for Black-owned camping, caravan and self-catering accommodations in South Africa.
Why Stay Here
The setting is the star at Gariep.
Gariep Dam is the largest dam in South Africa, creating an enormous inland waterfront playground surrounded by the open landscapes of the Free State.
Guests can explore the water by boat or canoe, go fishing or sailing, take a guided tour of the Gariep Dam Wall, or remain on land for hiking, mountain biking, tennis and other resort activities.
Its location also makes Gariep an appealing stop on a longer South African road trip between Johannesburg/Gauteng and Cape Town. Rather than treating the journey simply as a drive between destinations, travelers can break up the trip with a waterfront resort stay.
The on-site Quenna Bistro provides another convenience, with indoor restaurant seating and an outdoor deck overlooking the surroundings.
Ownership & Heritage
Gariep, A Forever Resort is part of the newly Black-owned Forever Resorts South Africa portfolio.
In September 2026, Benus Trade and Invest (Pty) Ltd completed its acquisition of Forever Resorts South Africa following regulatory approval of the transaction.
Benus is associated with Community Investment Holdings (CIH), the diversified South African investment group co-founded by Prof. Anna Mokgokong and Joe Madungandaba.
CIH is a Black-owned, women-led South African investment group, with Prof. Mokgokong among the country’s prominent Black women business leaders.
The acquisition brought Gariep and other established Forever Resorts destinations into a Black-owned South African investment portfolio while retaining the well-established Forever Resorts hospitality brand.
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