The Ultimate Guide to Glamping in Africa
You still stay in a tent in the true sense of the word, but without the stretcher, sleeping bag and cramped space. Instead your tent is equipped with a real bed, mattress and cosy linen, in spacious surroundings that may also include a kitchen and bathroom.
Glamping allows you to experience the serenity and unique outdoor experience that traditional camping offers, just with the comforts of home and more. It is to go camping with more luxurious comforts than traditional tent camping.
When you spend time with modern campers, everyone has tips on how to make the campsite more comfortable and many carts all the necessary equipment from home with them. They want to sleep reasonable comfortable and have an electric kettle and all the paraphernalia needed for cooking on hand.
While there are definitely people who enjoy going out into the middle of nowhere with the least amount of creature comforts, that is not most campers. As we get older, our bodies don’t recover as quickly after sleeping with a rock in your back and who does not appreciate the working of indoor plumbing. A flushing toilet, hot shower or sinking in the luxury of a bath after a sweaty day in the bush is pure bliss.
However, glamping is not just sleeping in a fancy tent, it must include some additional services and unique experiences. This is why glamping was created. There is no better way to get newcomers to get off their couches and into nature than going glamping in Africa. Go and experience the bush in all its splendour and excitement in luxury, that for some of us, only exist in dreams.
ACCOMMODATION
The first decision you need to make about glamping is to decide how “authentic” you want your camping experience to be. Glamping needs to be glamourous and goes hand in hand with sheer luxury. There is a wide range of possibilities all over Africa.
You will find the equivalent glamping resorts in five-star hotels that cater to every wish and desire. With tents, yurts, igloo, treehouse and teepees with the highest quality beds and sheets. Bathrooms come with fixtures fit for royalty.
The kitchens are staffed with chefs from starred restaurants serving you food that you normally only find in a fancy steakhouse in a big city.
What kind of bedding do you prefer? Do you want the traditional bed you have at home or find in a hotel? How does a four-poster king size bed with a pillow-top mattress and comforter sound? Maybe you would like to experience sleeping in a comfortable hammock? Prefer a luxurious pillow, satin sheets with a fluffy robe and slippers? Anything is possible when you go glamping.
Do you want your own bathroom with porcelain toilet, open outdoor hot and cold shower overlooking the bush or valley, and oval-shaped spa bath? Other items most definitely needed is white soft and fluffy towels with all the necessary soaps, shampoos, and bubbles to make your stay even more relaxing. Throw in spa facilities and you will really be glamping! Definitely no place for a community restroom.
Depending on what time of the year you are going glamping, do you require an air-conditioner or a heater? Do you need a campfire and if there is a fireplace, do you have to gather your own wood, or will it be provided? You will also need a staff member to build and light the fire for you. Since you are glamping, you would probably just want to sink onto a comfortable chair with your favourite drink in your hand, poured by someone else of cause.
Do you require your own kitchen? If you plan on preparing your own meals, you will need every electrical appliance to make preparing a meal quick and easy. Refrigerator, hotplate, microwave oven, percolator, toaster, blender and even a crock pot so that you can let your food simmer while you enjoy the day out.
All the necessary dinnerware, glasses and cups, utensils and a few pots and pans will be provided. All you need to bring is your food. Pack everything into the refrigerator and get outside first. Cooking will be a breeze with all the comforts of home cooking. You can act like a diehard camper when you are sitting by the fire serving up your own home cooked meal.
On the other hand, not having to prepare any meals is also an option of glamping. If you need a break from the everyday bustle of planning and preparing meals, sit back and enjoy the luxury of being served your meals. Most resorts and luxury camping sites provide meals and you can even opt for a romantic meal out in the open beside a bush fire with waiters that will serve you hand and foot. How does breakfast sound, served on the open plains of the savanna with the sun rising in front of you, or a sun downer on a dune in the desert, watching the sun turning every bush, trees, plant and grass into gold.
Glamping means you only pack your clothes, camera and that book you have meant to read for months, locking your dwelling and taking the open road, or flying to that destination that has been on your bucket list for who knows how long.
ACTIVITIES
When you go glamping, you will want to decide upon how many facilities and activities you want. The options are endless.
Wildlife encounters are one of the most popular glamping activities. Traditional camping does have its magical moments, but it can also be annoying or even dangerous. Baboons, monkeys or other home (tent) invaders can get into your kitchen and empty your coolers, fridge or the fruit and vegetable basket. Dangerous animals might decide to take a stroll through your camping area or even appear in your tent. When you are glamping, most of your encounters can be planned in advance and are thus much safer.
Glamping in Africa, especially in the southern parts involves safari trips, morning and evening drives in 4×4 vehicles with a guide that has enough knowledge to teach you anything you want to know of the bush.
Options for other glamping activities are endless and can be fun. Do something you always wanted to try out or try something you have never done before. Learn how to fly-fish, ride on an elephant, go air ballooning, ride a horse, go canoeing or kayaking, quad biking, water paint in the bush, or simply sit in a spa enjoying a massage and sip wine.
Make sure when you decide on a resort that you are aware of the activities that it offers or if the activities is offered in close vicinity. Most resorts are close to attractions, restaurants and shops. Also ensure that if you do want to participate in some activity that you do not have to lug any activity equipment with you. It will be quite disappointing if you were set on kayaking on a river that your destination had on offer, only to find out you had to bring your own kayak.
When going on you yearly camping trip in your own tent, caravan or camper, you need to take everything that you need with you. Driving far is not always an option as you also have to take in consideration that you still have to pitch your tent and settle in before you can start enjoying your time away.
Going glamping change all this as you do not have to take everything with you. You have much more possibilities open to you. You can now plan to visit that faraway place you have had on you bucket list for years since you have the option to fly to it.
Glamping allows you to do that. Of course, glamping also allows you to have a simple relaxing weekend. Where you can do absolutely nothing.
CHILDREN AND GLAMPING
Glamping is not just for adults but can be fun for children too, that is if you can afford to take the whole family. Glamping does unfortunately not come cheap.
How to keep the children entertained could be a daunting experience. Most children growing up in the 21st century are electronically orientated. The all have smartphones, do social media, play online games, do not play outside, and must have Wi-Fi wherever they go. You are going to have a tough time convincing them that spending a few days camping is going to be fun and exciting. Especially if they hear they will not be able to play video games.
The pressures modern society put on children have destroyed the love of outside play. They all have to excel in academics and sport, are taking extra tutoring classes, music lessons, art lessons, sport coaching, to mention but a few. Playing outside seems to have become a scary thought and although being out in the sun a lot can be dangerous, it is also necessary and good for your health.
Make sure that if you take the children glamping that there are plenty fun and new exciting things to do. Let them experience fly fishing or just normal fishing, bush walks with activities where they are taught about animals, birds or insects, or learn bush crafts. Water activities are always great fun, tubing, canoeing or kayaking.
Some resorts do specifically cater for children so that mom and dad can have a well-earned break. While you do not want to schedule it down to the minute, you want to have options.
BUDGET
The biggest obstacle to going glamping is cost.
Traditional camping use to be the most affordable form of a holiday especially for a big family. You do have initial expenses like purchasing a tent, stretchers, sleeping bags, lights, gas bottles and braais, kitchen items, table and chairs, etc. The list can get quite long. Most of these items do last for many years and if you are a regular camper you will eventually only need to pay for your camping spot as you have acquired all the camping equipment you need over a number of years.
Glamping is much more expensive because you are paying for services and activities. There is a reason why the first people to go glamping about a decade ago were the rich and famous. It does come at a cost. But it is no longer limited to millionaires. While there are luxurious resorts, there are many campgrounds that are much more affordable.
Be sure to plan you trip well in advance. Decide where you want to go, investigate the costs, how you are going to get there, whether it is flying or driving yourself. The time of year also has a huge effect on the cost. Visiting a popular destination in peak season will be expensive, but if you go in the off season the costs might be much less. When you have a family with school going children you do not have much of an option but to go during peak season.
Consider going in winter as this is not such a popular time of the year and would be cheaper. It does have its advantages going in the off season and chances are you will get a booking at the destination you intend to go to. The rates will definitely be better.
Do proper research as you have the internet at your disposal. You will be surprised in the jewels you will discover that will suit your wallet just fine.
READY TO PACK AND GO
When preparing for a traditional camping trip you will have a list of all the equipment required for your stay. To be sure nothing is left behind you do have to make list of items you will need depending on whether you are going to the bush or the seaside.
When you go glamping, on the other hand, your preparation is similar to a hotel or cruise vacation. This does not mean you do not have to prepare or not have a list with the necessary items you need to take with you. Even if it is just packing your clothes and toiletries make a list so that you are sure nothing stays behind.
Be prepared. Start by researching your trip before even making a booking. Check out the glamping website of where you are going. Talk to the staff via telephone or email and makes sure to get their recommendations. Read what people have written in online reviews.
If the premises have walking trails be sure to pack comfortable hiking or walking shoes. If you have to purchase new shoes, walk them in before you depart on your trip. There is nothing more uncomfortable than a few blisters on your feet after a day’s walking in a new pair of shoes.
Check the weather and make sure you pack enough for that unforeseen cold spell or heat wave.
Make a list of special things you might need which will all depend on the type of glamping holiday you are taking. This might be your camera if you are a photographer, binoculars, something to read while you relax at your tent, a special aromatic candle for your romantic evenings, or even some soaps or bubbles to put in your bath. Although most of these items will probably be included wherever you stay. If you or your partner like to snack on specific foods, pack some in.
GLAMPING SITES IN AFRICA
There are numerous glamping sites to consider in Africa that will match your expectations of the most luxurious camping. Some suggestions that would give you the optimal glamping experience are the following:
Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp in Serengeti, Tanzania
While most glamping safari lodges in Tanzania are fixed structures, the Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp is just as the name states, a mobile camp that relocates to three different areas following the Great Wildebeest Migration across the Serengeti. From July to November, it is positioned to view the dramatic river crossings in the northern Serengeti, and from December to April the camp is located in the southern Serengeti for the lush Green Season, with calving happening around January. From May to July, you can see the huge herds as far as the eye can see, on the plains of the western Serengeti. The camp consists of 11 luxury tents that are pitched as a split camp. This means that each half of the camp are self-sufficient and fully contained with its own lounge and dining area. Each party also has its own vehicle and guide. It offers activities that are not normally allowed in the Serengeti, such as night drives, birding and bush walks depending on the location of the camp at the time.
San Camp in Makgadikgadi, Botswana
San Camp is situated on the edge of the Ndwedwe Pan in Makgadikgadi, Botswana overlooking the mysterious desert landscape. The stark whiteness of the pan provides the backdrop for the Arabian-style white tents of San Camp. You will not find frills and fluffiness at San Camp. It is just you, the wildlife and a few San Bushmen ready to share their secrets with you. The camp offers seven-bedroom tents, 5 twin and 2 doubles with en-suite bathrooms. The camp has an extremely romantic atmosphere created through antique wooden furniture to prints of birds and old maps and four-poster beds with a pin-striped patterns echoing the interior walls of the tents. It also has a tented yoga pavilion. Activities offered during Botswana tours, are games drives, bush walks with the bushmen as your guides, quad bike rides on the dunes, or lie on that pans as the sun sets and watch the planetarium of starts unfold.
Somalisa Camp in Hwange, Zimbabwe
Hwange is famous for its elephants and known as the land of the giants. The Somalisa camp has an elephant pool at the edge of the expansive deck that is frequently visited by the gentle giants and will be the highlight of your stay with a definite close encounter with them. The camp is situated in the south eastern corner of the park and the tents overlook the plain teaming with animal life. The camp house seven sailcloth tents equipped with everything you need plus a wood-burning fireplace and private viewing deck. Boasting an indoor and outdoor bathroom with endless views across the vast plains beyond. You can go on a Safari drive, but with the abundance of animals, many prefer to just relax in the camp and allow the animals to come to them.
Duba Explorers Camp in the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Duba Explorers Camp is situated on an island in the northern edge of the Okavango Delta surrounded by an abundance of wildlife. This intimate camp consists of five expedition-style tents on a raised platform with unique views of the surrounding floodplain. Duba Explorers Camp boast its own traversing area away from the main Duba Plains Camp. Each room has Persian carpets, ivory canvas walls and a king-sized bed draped in a mosquito net. The en-suite bathroom has double vanities, indoor shower and a flush loo. The main area is an open-air dining and lounge area on raised decks. Besides games drives, it offers guided walks and regular sightings of a diverse range of species that include numerous birds.
Ngala Tented Camp situated in Timbavati, South Africa
Sharing an unfenced boundary with the world-renowned Kruger National Park, Ngala Tented Camp is nestled between the dense riverine forest and the sandy bed of the Timbavati River in the Ngala Private Game Reserve. It is one of Africa’s original luxury tented camps and one of its best glamping safari lodges and blends in perfectly with the riverside trees. The camp comprises of nine luxurious tents on raised platforms, each with its own en-suite bathroom. Besides the lounge and dining area it also has a pool, massage Sala, and safari shop. Private lunch platters can be enjoyed on the viewing decks or at the poolside. Diners are served in the dry riverbed ensuring an unforgettable bush experience. Activities include game drives, bushwalks, tracking and photographic safaris.
Cottar’s 1920s Camp in Masai Mara, Kenya
At Cottar’s you will experience vintage luxury at its best. The camp is the personification of glamping as you will be staying in a colonial style environment on a private concession overlooking both the Masai Mara and the Serengeti. The camp has nine cream canvas tents, that includes one honeymoon tent, four double tents and four family suites. Al come with en-suite bathrooms. The family tents have living rooms with fireplaces. Besides the dining area there is also a pool and spa where guests can relax after a game drive. Cottar’s provides a style of the bygone era of the twenties with large canopied beds, silver chandeliers, candelabras, leather trunks and beautiful vintage furniture. Added to this are top-quality local guides, personal butlers and a trove of antique treasures, from sepia-toned safari photos to a vintage safari vehicle.
Ngare Serian in Masai Mara, Kenya
Ngare Serian is part of the Alex Walker’s Serian collection of exclusive and intimate safari camps in the prime wildernesses of Kenya and Tanzania. Ngare means by the river in the Masai language and that is just what Ngare is. This cosy and intimate four-tent camp can only be reached on foot over a narrow rope bride across the Mara River. Stepping off the bridge into the campsite feels like a step out of touch and out of time into another world. The camps boutique style and intimate nature make it perfect for families or small groups. The tents are on hardwood decking with en-suite bathrooms. Besides the flush toilet and shower it boasts an outdoor bathtub sunk into the deck of the tent with perfect views over the Oloololo escarpment. Meals are served in the dining area and guests have exclusive use of a 4×4 Safari vehicle with a dedicated guide and spotter.
Mara River Tented Camp in the Serengeti, Tanzania
Situated on a dramatic bend in the Mara River within the Lamai triangle in Northern Tanzania, this solar powered camp is a modern take on the classic East African safari. What makes it so unique is that it provides unmatched viewing of the renowned annual migratory river crossings of more than a million wildebeest as they move from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara and back again. The camp offers all the glamping luxury that you would expect of a camp in the African bush and has been created using a wide selection of recycled and natural materials. The dining and lounge area is decorated with raw leather, Masai colours and art by young African designers and craftsmen. The camp offers four double bedroom and two family tents that can house two adults and two children. All tents have an en-suite bathroom. Besides the usual games drives and animal viewing it also offers various activities to keep the children occupied. A plunge pool can be found at the main camp.
Wolwedans Private Camp at NamibRand, Namibia
Wolwedans is situated in the NamibRand Nature Reserve which is a private nature reserve in Southwestern Namibia in the Namib Desert. This more than 215 000 hectares reserve shares a 100 km border with Namib-Naukluft National Park to the west and the Nubib mountains to the east. Wolwedans is a luxury tented camp, ideal for family safari holidays in Namibia or small groups looking to have the place all to themselves. It offers six beds with three spacious en-suite bathrooms. Each room has a private deck from which to relax and enjoy the desert views. There is a central lounge combining a study, living and dining room and kitchen and a Sala for spa treatments. Activities include scenic drives or flights, hot-air ballooning and nature walks. Or simply enjoy the peace that utter silence can offer by getting away for a day or two and revel in the luxury of reading, reflecting or taking walks in one of the most enchanting landscapes in Africa.
Loisaba Tented Camp at Laikipia, Kenya
Loisaba Tented Camp is located on a hilltop overlooking one of the remote valleys of the Laikipia region in northern Kenya. African-themed sophistication and style is the flavour of Loisaba. The tent suites are decorated in stylish Africana furniture with a modern European twist. It offers twelve double bedrooms with en-suite bathroom tents, with breath-taking views that can be enjoyed from the veranda. In addition, the camp has three family combination tents that comprise of a double tent and a convertible double twin tent adjoined by a walkway. Each tent has a lounge, veranda and bathroom with double basin vanity, large shower and a flush toilet. The main area of Loisaba includes a dining area, separate lounge and bar, a large wooden decking area for outside dining, relaxing and enjoying the view, and an infinity pool. Activities offered are game viewing drives, horse-riding, camel-trekking, guided bush walks, fishing, mountain biking, cultural visits to Samburu villages and visits to the anti-poaching sniffer dogs.
Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp in Botswana
Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is located on a wildlife concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana. Guests can explore the lagoons and channels of the Delta and the Okavango floodplains during safaris, bush walks, dugout canoe rides, and powerboat cruises. Cradled under a canopy of ebony trees lies the nine tents, including a family option, on raised wooded platforms. Each tent features a private veranda with a hanging daybed and scenic views of the Delta. The en-suite bathroom has an open design and house both indoor and outdoor rain showers. On the premises are indoor and outdoor dining and lounge areas, swimming pool, food and coffee bar, massage Sala and open-air boma. Here guest have the opportunity to discover the myriad wildlife wonders of this diverse land-water Okavango location.
Kichwa Tempo Tented Camp in Kenya
Spread along the Sabaringo River on the plains of Masai Mara, Kichwa Tempo sits where the riverine forest meets the plains right in the path of the annual migration of the wildebeest. Kichwa offer accommodation in three different kinds of luxury glamping tents. It boasts 12 classic tents, 20 superior tents, which include three family tents, and 8 superior view tents. All have en-suite bathrooms with a shower and flushing toilet. It has a spacious relaxing guest area and a pool that overlooks the Mara. Indulge in a rejuvenating holistic healing treatment in the spa, pick ingredients from the organic garden, or browse the Safari shop. Activities offered are game drives, cultural interaction with the Maasai tribes, bush walks or hot air ballooning.
Singita Sabora Tented Camp, Serengeti in Tanzania
Singita Sabora is situated in the Serengeti and also sits in the path of the annual wildebeest migration that transverse here. In addition, it offers superb gaming opportunities through game drives, mountain biking, walks, and hot air-ballooning. The camp offers nine self-contained luxury tents with en-suite bathrooms. Echoing the earthy colour palette of the bush, modern interpretations of campaign furniture evoke the timeless spirit of East African adventure. All tents include private pantries, a dining and fitness area, and a deck. The main lodge offers wicker baskets and fridges filled with gourmet treats, which guests can select and enjoy in their suites. There is a two intimate dining spaces, a bar and lounge, pool, spa, fitness centre, and The Singita Boutique & Gallery. Guests can rest in secluded daybeds overlooking one of the two waterholes which make for uninterrupted game-viewing.
Tanda Tula Safari Camp, Timbavati in South Africa
Tanda Tula is an unfenced glamping campsite located in the heart of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, bordering the Kruger National Park in South Africa. At Tanda Tula, meaning to love the quiet, guest will experience the tempo of modern-day Africa. Guest can explore the wildlife of the region and stay in one of the two tented camps, Safari Camp or Field Camp. Safari camp is situated on the Nlharalumi Riverbed and boast twelve luxury en-suite tents with an indoor bath and outdoor shower. The main lodge houses a dining room, bar, pool, viewing deck and bird hide. Field Camp has only four double tents with an en-suite open air bathroom with hot water bucket shower. In the main tent guests will find a lounge area, bar and coffee and tea table. The camp offers interactive cooking. Activities offered include game drives, bush breakfasts, nature walks, and star gazing.
Chapungu Luxury Tented Camp, Thornybush Game Reserve
Chapungu is located in Thornybush which is a 14 000-hectare private nature reserve that shares a fenceless border with the Kruger National Park in South Africa. The area boasts a vast diversity of wildlife with Big 5 encounters that are a regular experience of guests staying there. Chapungu offers eight luxury tents that ensures total privacy. Each has an en-suite bathroom with a shower looking out of a full-size window into the African wilderness. The main feature is, however, the baths on each balcony which will linger in guest’s memories for years. At the main camp guest will find the dining area with boma, swimming pool and a spa. Activities include bush walks and games drives.
Africa Safari Lake Manyara in Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania
Africa Safari Lake Manyara is a luxury safari lodge, situated at the foot of the Ngorongoro Crater overlooking lake Manyara, in Tanzania. The location is unique since it is nestled between the most important safari parks in northern Tanzania. It is perfectly based for visiting the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara, Lake Eyasi and Lake Natron. The lodge offers four different accommodation types, Luxury Glamping Safari, Safari Comfort, Premium Bungalows, and Bell tents. The first two accommodation types come in double and single bed accommodation with an en-suite fully equipped bathroom and veranda. On the premises is also a restaurant, lounge bar, fitness and massage centre and a swimming pool with sun terrace. Activities include games drives, walks, visits to the villages to meet the locals, pool tables and games.
Jao Camp in the Moremi Games Reserve, Botswana
Situated in the heart of the Okavango, Jao Camp is a luxurious lodge set amongst islands fringed with riverine forests and vast, floodplains with prolific wildlife. The camp consist of two exclusive villas accommodating four people each and five double bed en-suite tents that include indoor and outdoor showers. Each comes with a private plunge pool, lounge and dining area. You also have an exclusive 4×4 safari vehicle, with your own guide, chef and butler. The main area is elevated into the tree canopy and has a restaurant, bar, pool, spa, gym, and museum and gallery. Activities offered are game drives, boating with a guide, mokoro (dugout canoe), guided walks, catch and release fishing, sleeping out in a star bed and helicopter trips. Two mokoro’s have glass-bottoms for an extraordinary above-water experience.
Agafay Desert Luxury Camp in Marrakech, Morocco
If you are looking for something totally different you will find it at Agafay Desert Luxury Camp. Situated in the Agafay desert west of Marrakech, Morocco, the campsite is within a 30 minute drive from the international airport. It offers accommodation in 18 luxury tents that promises a safari for the soul with classic luxury, comfort and exceptional service. The tents can sleep up to three people and are perfect for a couple or a small family. The tents are all positioned for total exclusivity with en-suite bathrooms featuring indoor or outdoor tubs. The private deck is equipped with a daybed and two massage beds, with stunning views of the mountains, dry rivers and ocean of stones dunes. All the tents are flexible, and you can open all the walls if you so desire. The staff is on call around the clock to answer any request. The camp has a restaurant, bar and swimming pool. Activities offered are a camel sunset ride, quad biking, or horseback riding. Untouched by development, the Agafay Desert offers quite the contrast from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech.
