Africa Adventure Company
As an Africa adventure company we know that nothing says an African safari adventure like a tent or tented camp. Instead of evenings shut away from your surroundings behind brick and glass; snuggle up in a bed cocooned in canvas walls and the soft glow of lantern light, then drift off to sleep to the sound of hippos chomping grass just beyond your tent flaps.
And if your idea of staying in a tent equates to roughing it; you’re in for a wonderful surprise. Africa’s best and top tented camps offer a softer kind of adventure, with all the trimmings you’d expect from a luxury safari lodge.
From cosy mobile camps set up in incredible game-viewing areas to massive suites with modern clean touches right down to their polished wooden floors, we’ve combed the continent for our selection of Africa’s top tented camps.
A Touch Of Romance
At Baines’ Camp, on the edge of the Okavango Delta, you pretty much have the whole place to yourself. After peaceful days meandering along the calm blue waterways in a Mokoro, return to one of only five romantic suites and have your luxurious 4-poster bed rolled out onto your private deck, so you can sleep under the African stars.
If the only crowds you want to see at the Great Migration are massive herds of wildebeest; we’d highly recommend Sayari Camp. This seasonal camp is far off the tourist track in the beautiful northern Serengeti. Huge tents and a peaceful atmosphere are just a couple of the many reasons this lavish camp was chosen as one of the “Special Places” in Africa by Africa Geographic.
On The Move
For an authentic camping experience, you can’t really do better than a mobile camp. Although mobile camps move about once a week, ensuring you’re always well positioned for great game viewing, you’ll still be camping in comfort in en-suite tents with crisp linen on comfortable double beds and hot bucket showers.
We’d recommend Chobe Under Canvas in Chobe National Park, an area world renowned for large herds of elephant and buffalo, or Serengeti Under Canvas, a mobile camp which follows the Great Migration, ensuring your location is always as good as it gets.
Surrounded By Wildlife
Another top option, not only for the migration, but for wildlife viewing throughout the year is the Serengeti Migration Camp, in the Serengeti National Park. Richly furbished tents lie amongst rocky outcrops with wrap-around decks where you can begin your game viewing before even stepping into a vehicle.
We can’t help but recommend another mobile camp here, as they really are great for game viewing. Savute Under Canvas is in the Savute Region of Chobe; an area which supports the greatest concentration of lions in Botswana as well as the annual zebra migration.
The Soft Clink Of Fine China
Sabora Plains Tented Camp is set in Tanzania’s exclusive Singita Grumeti Reserves. Expect opulent luxury at this Singita property, from mahogany antiques and Persian rugs to dreamy spa treatments. What’s more, staying in a privately owned reserve means you can experience a fantastic range of activities such as hot air balloon safaris or horse riding on the Serengeti Plains.
Kichwa Tembo Bateleur, overlooking the vast Masai Mara Plains, is a classic safari camp with an “Out Of Africa” feel. Bateleur is well known for exceptional service and elegant tented suites, as well as the occasional surprise such as three-course dinners out in the African bush.
Well Off The Beaten Track
Wolwedans Private Camp, in the quiet seclusion of the NamibRand Nature Reserve, has been designed for guests who really want to get away from it all. Surrounded by striking red dunes and distant purple mountains, this Namibia villa has a wooden frame with canvas walls which can be opened up completely – perfect for star gazing from the warmth of your bed.
Set amongst clusters of desert palms, the white Meru- style tents of San Camp look out over Makgadikgadi’s massive salt pans, giving this camp an incredible feeling of space. If you’re looking for something different from the norm, we’d recommend San camp’s selection of unique activities including nature walks guided by Kalahari bushmen and fun interactions with wild meerkats.
Take The Whole Family
Honeyguide Khoka Moya is a wonderfully child friendly tented camp in the Manyeleti, near the Kruger National Park. Older children are welcome to join their parent on game drives in search of the Big 5, and in the evening they can look forward to their own special kiddies meals followed by stories around the campfire. Your family are sure to be talking about this holiday for years to come!
Children of all ages are also welcome at Mara Intrepids, a secluded safari camp in Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve. While you go on game drive or balloon safaris, you kids can join the Adventurer’s Club where they’ll learn about the wild, as well as survival skills, before tumbling exhausted into their tented room overlooking the river.
Eco-Friendly Peace Of Mind
Mumbo Island Camp was hand built using strict principles of eco-architecture to ensure minimal impact on this peaceful private island. Stay in a tented suite looking down on the gin-clear waters of Lake Malawi, and spend your days kayaking to hidden beaches or drifting off in your hammock to the haunting cries of fish eagles.
Porini Lion Camp, a luxury tented camp bordering Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve, is another great example of low-impact “eco-tourism”: the camp uses solar power and the whole place could be dismantled within 24 hours, leaving hardly a trace. Stay in spacious safari-style tents and experience game drives in the Mara and guided bush walks with Maasai warriors.