The Ultimate Clothes-Free Journey Through South Africa

Few places in the world combine nature, freedom, and raw beauty quite like South Africa. Vast open landscapes meet two dramatic coastlines, wildlife roams as if time never changed, and the warm, welcoming energy makes it a natural fit for a clothes-free vacation. For anyone dreaming of one truly adventurous nude escape, South Africa is the kind of country that pulls you in and never lets go.

We spent several months travelling across the country, between mountain valleys and coastal dunes, exploring the best places to be naked. What we found was a mix of great naturist resorts, spectacular nude beaches, and one really cool hiking trail that quite literally strips away everything, layer by layer.

Do note that this blog post doesn’t cover every naturist place in the country. There are several more that we have yet to visit. If you’ve already been to those, share your experiences in the comments. It will help facilitate our next trip and maybe the one of many others too. But let’s talk about some of the highlights of the country.

Most journeys to South Africa start in Johannesburg. One of the most famous cities of the country, together with Cape Town (where we’ll take you soon). About ninety minutes from Joburg’s airport lies SunEden, South Africa’s flagship naturist resort. The transition from urban chaos to serene bushveld is almost instant. Giraffes wander nearby during your drive to the resort, birds you’ve only seen on National Geographic fill the air with sound, and within minutes, we felt that familiar calm that only comes with being completely clothes-free.

Days at SunEden slip easily into rhythm: a swim, a chat at the clubhouse, maybe a visit to the small spa when the evenings cool. The rental villas have that unmistakable South African charm, they are comfortable, with big verandas that open to nature, but still make you feel like you’re far, far away from home.

SunEden is the ideal introduction to South Africa’s naturist culture. It’s not that different from Europe or North America, with its relaxed, social, and wonderfully welcoming atmosphere. But when you see impalas walking through your backyard or hornbill birds flying by, you know that this isn’t going to be just another vacation.

Driving a few hours west from SunEden, we reached Kiepersolkloof, a place that feels less like a resort and more like a huge private reserve where people live naked. Tucked into the hills, it’s vast, quiet, and made for exploring. Trails lead through forested valleys, the afternoon light reflects in the dam, and by nightfall, everyone seems to gather around the braai.

Accommodation here is limited, which also kinda adds to its magic. There’s space to roam and time to disconnect completely. Some of the people who live here had initially just come for a weekend, then decided to stay for a few weeks, and eventually never left. They were seduced by the simple rhythm of naked walks, starry skies, and that irresistible South African hospitality.

A few hours south, Bird of Paradise resort is the perfect next stop. Green lawns, flowering trees, and the easy laughter of returning guests set the tone immediately. It’s the kind of place where the day just happens on its own. Swim a little, lounge a lot, and then realise you haven’t checked your phone in hours.

Bird of Paradise is usually only open during weekends, attracting a local crowd of naturists. What we really liked though, is that newcomers are seen as new friends and that everyone did their very best to make us feel included in the community. This happens through conversations next to the pool, but even more during the evenings by the bonfire.

If you are a newcomer in South Africa or new to South African naturism, we would particularly recommend this place. There’s no pressure, no pretence, just the easy comfort of being naked together in a beautiful setting.

In the Western Cape, at just a few hours from Cape Town, Bare Necessities is a small clothes-free farm stay that captures the heart of rural South Africa. Days begin slowly, often with the smell of fresh coffee and the sound of the nearby mountains waking up. A sauna and hot tub sit under the open sky, ideal for cool evenings, and the surrounding nature changes colours with every passing hour. This place is all about warmth, friendliness, and the joy of doing very little in very good company.

While South Africa is known for its wild landscapes and impressive wildlife, Bare Necessities takes you back to the core of the country: Simple farms where life is just relaxed. We spent entire afternoons watching the light move across the hills, realising that it’s the simple things in life that bring the most satisfaction.

Now that we’ve introduced you to a few naturist resorts in South Africa, let’s head towards the coast. On one side of the country, you get the Indian Ocean, which offers warmth and calm. But we’ll start at the Atlantic side, where the waters come straight from the South Pole.

The Atlantic coast is raw and dramatic, sharks roam the shores and cage diving is a big thing here. But at some stretches, you can still access the water without having to fear losing a limb. Sandy Bay is South Africa’s most famous nude beach, located close to Cape Town’s city centre. Sharks aside, the water is still only for the very brave because the water temperature hardly ever gets anywhere close to acceptable.

A bit further to the east, near Cape Recife, on the warmer eastern coast, Secrets Beach feels like a true discovery. Reaching it takes a little effort, but the reward is seclusion, soft sand, rolling dunes, and the possibility of being completely alone.

We found it strange that such a magnificent beach can still feel so remote, but we can only be happy that it does. It’s like discovering a part of South Africa where no person has ever been before, a place where the only footprints are your own, yet only at a fifteen-minute walk or so from where you parked your car.

Further north along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, Mpenjati was supposed to be the first official nude beach in South Africa. But lobbying by local religious groups decided differently. Nevertheless, it’s probably still our favourite nude beach in the country.

For one, because the beach offers endless sand and gentle surf. The atmosphere is welcoming and easygoing, and thanks to the tropical climate, it’s a year-round destination for nude beach days.

Another reason why we probably enjoyed this beach so much is the nearby Kingfisher Lakeside Retreat. They don’t just have a walking trail straight to the nude beach, but their luxurious glamping tents seemed like an excellent way to get a feel of what South Africa is really about. Nature, landscapes, and if you’re not careful, monkeys stealing the food straight from your dinner table (this is not some kind of poetic way to describe the wilderness, monkeys actually stole or food).

Among all the unique experiences we found in South Africa, few surprised us quite like the Striptease Trail. Hidden between forest and riverbed, this hiking route links a series of natural pools, each marked with a playful sign instructing what piece of clothing to remove next. By the time you reach the final pool, the name of the trail becomes reality.

One of the reasons why we liked this hiking trail is that it’s not part of a naturist resort. It’s some kind of gimmick to keep visitors entertained, but we’re sure that it encouraged many people to give skinny dipping a first try. And we all know what happens once you try it… There is no way back.

The Striptease Trail is a mix of adventure and laughter, scrambling over warm rocks, sliding into the river, and swimming free under the sun. It’s light-hearted, a little cheeky, and perfectly in tune with the country’s spirit: bold, beautiful, and refreshingly open-minded.

Before wrapping up, it’s worth noting that South Africa is a vast country with long distances, uneven roads, and limited naturist travel information. Planning a smooth trip can be a challenge. We have travelled to many parts of the world, but even to us, organising a vacation in South Africa was pretty intimidating.

Luckily, we got in contact with Joxilox Tours. Lofty and Amanda, a South African couple passionate about naturism and travel, started this company to help visitors design clothes-free itineraries. They can help you set up your own adventure, or you can just get on one of their group tours and really skip all the boring stuff.

We planned our whole 3-month trip with their help, and we can honestly say that we would have missed out on a lot without them. So get in touch with Joxilox if you’re going to South Africa, we promise that they can help you get the best experience ever.

Looking back, what struck us most about South Africa wasn’t just its beauty or variety, it was the feeling of space. The kind that lets you breathe deeply and live easily. From the pulse of the bushveld to the rhythm of the ocean, the country invites you to shed more than just your clothes. It invites you to slow down, to connect, and to feel part of something vast and alive.

Our journey through its clothes-free resorts, beaches, and trails reminded us why we enjoy travelling this way in the first place: for the sense of authenticity that comes when everything unnecessary is stripped away.

For anyone tempted to follow our path, know that these are only a few of the highlights. South Africa has many more corners waiting to be explored, each offering its own blend of nature, warmth, and freedom.