Camping doesn’t have to be a nightmare. There are plenty of ups to camping, such as open campfires, roasted marshmallows, and star gazing in your own piece of secluded paradise. But if you’re not up for the hassle of setting up your own tent and hauling everything but the kitchen sink on holiday with you, then ready-made campsites and safari tents may be more up your alley. These 6 camping spots are not so much camping as “glamping”:

1. Ngama Tented Safari Lodge, Limpopo

Ngama Tented Safari Lodge, meaning “place of the eagles”, is an intimate lodge tucked away in the Guernsey Private Nature Reserve in Hoedspruit. Fall asleep to the sounds of the bush safely in your tented chalet, complete with king-sized bed, en-suite bathroom, outdoor shower, tea and coffee tray, and private deck lit by flickering lantern light. As the reserve shares borders with Thornybush and Kruger National Park, you can enjoy Big Five sightings. The lodge facilities include a sundeck, lounge, boma, swimming pool, and restaurant. Enquire now.

2. Bateleur Tented Safari Lodge, Limpopo

Bateleur Tented Safari Lodge is a secluded bush camp set at the foothills of the Waterberg Mountains in Lephalale, just 4 hours from central Gauteng.  The safari lodge sleeps up to 18 people in luxury safari tents, complete with electricity and en-suite bathrooms. On-site facilities include a bar, beauty clinic, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and guest lounge. Enjoy early morning or late afternoon game drives, dinners around the campfire, and sundowner cruises on the Palala River. Enquire now.

3. Agama Tented Camp, Northern Cape

Agama Tented Camp is set a world away from the bustling city life, on an 8,000 hectare farm 20km north of Garies. The camp accommodates only 14 people at a time in 2 king-sized tented suites and 5 twin bedded suites, each offering private bathrooms, spacious decks, and tea and coffee trays. Enjoy early morning drives, afternoon hikes, and campfires in the Namaqualand wilderness. Enquire now.

4. Hamiltons Tented Safari Camp, Mpumalanga

Hamiltons Tented Safari Camp, named after Colonel Stephenson Hamilton who was instrumental in establishing the Kruger National Park, offers a romantic safari adventure in the African bush in Skukuza. The 6 tented suites are equipped with a romantic slipper bath, outdoor shower, private veranda, en-suite bathroom, and intercom service. The lodge is accessed by meandering timber walkways, and offers an open tented lounge, swimming pool, butler service, and gourmet cuisine. Enjoy magical views of the Nwatswitsonto River and adventurous game drives. Enquire now.

5. Kwafubesi Tented Safari Camp, Limpopo

Kwafubesi Tented Safari Camp lies nestled on the edge of the Mabula Private Game Reserve just outside of Bela-Bela, just 2.5 hours from Johannesburg and 90 minutes from Sun City. Offering 12,000 hectares of malaria-free bush home to the Big Five, the camp is the perfect base for those who seek refuge from the busier base camps. There are 5 luxurious tented suites available, all offering soft furnishings, soft flickering oil lamps, and private decks overlooking an open plain. Look forward to boma dinners, high teas, dips in the splash pool, game drives, and cuisine prepared on open fires. Enquire now.

6. Koffylaagte Game Lodge and Safari Tents, Eastern Cape

Koffylaagte Game Lodge and Safari Tents is a tranquil oasis in the heart of the Karoo, just 90 minutes from Port Elizabeth. Accommodation is offered in farmhouse units, lodge rooms, and Nyala Valley luxury safari tents which are set 100m away from the main lodge. The tents offer private wooden decks which are perfect for game viewing. The Heron Lounge is fitted with a pool table, DStv, chess board, and the boma is ideal for dinners. Other facilities include a sauna, bar, swimming pool, and guest lounge. Enquire now.

Which tented camp makes you want to hit the bush this weekend?

You may also be interested in: Camping retreats in South Africa. Check out 15 helpful camping tips your mother never told you, and camping with kids – what to bring.