Glamping on Safari: The Thrill of the Wild Paired with 5-Star Comfort
Mombo Camp in the Okavango Delta, Botswana
With so many properties and regions to select from on safari, our three reasons to stay at a luxury tented camp explore how glamping on safari pairs the thrill of the wild with five-star comfort.
Classic glamour under canvas, set in secluded and idyllic locations, best describes a luxury, tented camp safari. A step up from a safari lodge and more opulent than a mobile camp, this level of accommodation stands out as a unique and exquisite glamping experience.
Mostly built on a solid foundation, perhaps with solid walls, the high-ceilinged, spacious rooms in such camps provide a completely different perspective of the surrounding bush and quickly reveal why they are a popular choice with seasoned safari-goers.
1. Enjoy Unique Design and Architecture
Photo courtesy of Singita Sabora Tented Camp
Often known as “glamping”, a luxury tent should not be confused with the more traditional notion of camping. They are spacious, yet petite, and radiate luxury and romance.
Tented accommodation ranges from partial solid walls with canvas roofing, back to all-canvas, the latter offering a less intrusive impact on the environment and the thin walls providing an unerring immersion. Bathrooms typically connect to a luxury space, some with an escape route to a personal spa fitted with an outdoor shower.
The best time to go on an Africa safari may impact certain grounds, but some areas around the tent are secluded by means of tastefully constructed reed walls, lanterns lighting the way at the point where the tent meets the earth. Tents can be as grand and ostentatious as expected by royalty or subtle in their earthy design. Creativity has no end when designing a luxury tent for safari.
2. Savor a Sophisticated Luxury
Guest tent at Cottar's 1920s Safari Camp in Masai Mara, Kenya. Photo courtesy of Cottar's Safaris
Private tented camps take glamour to the next level. From colors and fabrics used to small touches and attention to detail, stepping into your tent can be just like stepping into a fairytale, no matter which of the best African safari countries you choose to visit.
Some tents boast private plunge pools and sitting areas, with a daybed perfectly positioned overlooking an open plain or blocked-off bush area, denoting utter privacy. Some are solar-powered, others with full electricity, and yet more with lanterns and gaslights to show the way. Camps cater to a limited number of guests, usually having somewhere between four and 20 individual tents, exceptionally spaced and located to offer uninterrupted views.
At the heart of the camp is a central dining and meeting area, often with an outdoor fire pit where guests congregate into the evening. There is intimacy and seclusion, with guards quickly learning guests' names and adding many personal touches to a client’s experience, including when helping to explain the different ways to experience a safari.
3. Immerse Yourself in the Bush
Duba Plains Camp in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Photo courtesy of Great Plains Conservation
Luxury tented camps elevate the wildlife experience, located as they are in pristine wilderness and national parks. The emphasis is on seclusion and maximizing immersion in an environment. This might be overlooking a permanent water source, hidden in a valley, or tucked on the edge of a forest. In most cases, the camp will be away from traditional trails through the park and other camps.
At night the sound of an animal brushing up against the canvas can be thrilling, sounds of the wild ringing out from the bush. Wake up, open the tent, and there's often something in remarkable proximity, wildlife wandering through the camp, feeding on the grass that surrounds the tents. After a day on safari, this can provide comfort and calm, while maintaining the impression of the wild.
Where to Find a Luxury Tented Camp
Luxury tented camp. Photo courtesy of Singita Mara River Tented Camp
These permanent and semi-permanent tented camps are found in most national parks and reserves in East and Southern Africa. They benefit from space and an uninterrupted location, allowing guests to sleep deep within a park.
Smaller reserves use luxury tented camps to offer guests an exclusive experience, an intimate alternative to staying in a game lodge. The tented option can be just one of the accommodation options offered at a particular safari establishment or the only type in a specific reserve.
Standing out in some larger parks and reserves, they intrigue all who come to stay, exuding the feeling of safari exploration from yesteryear. Find more information on the differences between National Parks, Conservancies, Private Concessions, and Private Game Reserves to learn about accommodations offered.
Stay at the Best Luxury Tented Camps When Glamping on Safari
Singita Sabora Tented Camp in the Serengeti, Tanzania. Photo courtesy of Singita
Stepping into a canvas haven in the middle of the African wild can seem surreal, yet this experience is at your fingertips. Your Zicasso safari specialist will help you create your tented safari dream, sharing various experiences and locations with you.
Learn more with our Africa safari guide and explore our diverse safari tours for more inspiration. Work with a safari travel specialist to find a destination expert ready to answer your questions and help you find the right safari experience for you.
