Camping. Star gazing. Open campfires. Roasted marshmallows. What if you could enjoy all of the benefits of camping without sacrificing on luxury? These glamping getaways don’t require lugging a heavy tent and the kitchen sink with you – and you can slither into a comfortable bed at night!
LIMPOPO
1. Motsomi Lodge & Tent Camp, Thabazimbi
Motsomi Lodge & Tent Camp is in the heart of the African bushveld on a farm home to cheetah and leopard. The 4 safari tents are raised on wooden decks and have a queen-sized bed and en-suite bathroom. The camp has 2 solar heated swimming pools, a braai area, thatched and open air lapas, a billiard table, Jacuzzi, and a bar area.
2. Ngama Tented Safari Lodge, Hoedspruit
Ngama Tented Safari Lodge borders the Thornybush and Kruger National Park game reserves. The canvas tents sleep 2 or 4 people and have en-suite bathrooms, outdoor showers, and private decks. The main lodge overlooks the watering hole with a pool, sun deck, campfire, boma, and restaurant. Big 5 game drives are available at an extra cost.
3. Kwafubesi Tented Safari Camp, Waterberg
Kwafubesi Tented Safari Camp is tucked away on the edge of the Mvubu plain in the 12,000 hectare Mabula Private Game Reserve. There are 5 luxurious en-suite tents on raised platforms, sleeping 2 people each. Meals are prepared in the thatched lapa and there is a splash pool at the edge of the savannah.
4. Bundox Safari Lodge, Hoedspruit
Bundox Safari Lodge has an 8-sleeper bush camp and 2 safari tents sleeping 2 people. The bush camp is private and has a communal kitchen, 2 open air bomas, a lounge, 2 elevated decks, a dining area, and a reading area – all without electricity. The safari tents have en-suite bathrooms and outdoor showers, and a full board option is available. There is a swimming pool on-site.
5. Zwartkloof Private Game Reserve, Bela-Bela
Zwartkloof Private Game Reserve has a tented camp with 2 luxury safari tents alongside a stream. They each sleep a family of 4 with an en-suite bathroom, communal kitchen, and boma. Game drives are included.
MPUMALANGA
6. Hamilton’s Tented Safari Camp, Kruger
Hamilton’s Tented Safari Camp exudes the luxury of a bygone era. There are 6 tented suites with romantic slipper baths, private verandas, air-conditioning, and outdoor showers overlooking the Ngwenyeni Dam. There is an open tented lounge and pool on-site.
7. Nkambeni Safari Camp, Hazyview
Nkambeni Safari Camp is nestled in a private concession of the Kruger National Park. It has a variety of safari tented suites, each fitted with 2 extra length beds and 2 fold down beds for kids under 12, air-conditioning, and both indoor and outdoor showers. The camp has a restaurant with a boma braai and the Danger Ranger Bush Pub overlooking the waterhole. Game drives are available.
8. Jackalberry Ridge, Marloth Park
Jackalberry Ridge is the height of tented luxury tucked away in indigenous bush on the southern border of Kruger National Park. The canvas tents sleep 2, 4, or 8 people with wooden floors, viewing decks, en-suite bathrooms, and kitchens.
9. Sabie River Camp, Sabie
Sabie River Camp has 15 luxury safari tents on the banks of the Sabie River, sleeping 2, 4, or 6 people each. They have an en-suite shower, kitchenette, and wooden deck with braai facilities.
WESTERN CAPE
10. AfriCamps: Oudtshoorn, Swellendam and Robertson
AfriCamps has three equally scenic tented camps across the Western Cape that offer all the comforts and conveniences of self-catering units, but also ensure an authentic and secluded experience surrounded by nature. The tents sleep 5 guests each and consist of two bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a living area with a kitchen and a private wooden deck. Guests have access to communal braai areas, a swimming pool and loads of activities on the premises.
Robertson | Swellendam | Oudtshoorn
11. Oewerzicht Farm Cottages, Greyton
Oewerzicht Farm Cottages has 4 safari tents on the banks of the Riviersonderend River. They sleep 2 people each with a queen sized bed, en-suite bathroom, veranda, and braai area. There is also a communal kitchen and indoor braai facility.
12. Retro Camper, George
Stay in a renovated caravan in the Happy Camper Village at Tramonto Country Guest House. Both Big Bertha and Waltzing Matilda caravans have double beds and tea and coffee facilities, but you’ll have to share a bathroom with the other van.
13. De Kraal Tent Accommodation, Oudtshoorn
The 2 safari tents at De Kraal Tent Accommodation sleep 2 people each with a private shower, outdoor braai area, and fully equipped kitchen. There is no electricity and the units are never occupied by 2 different groups at one time so you’ll have plenty of privacy.
14. West Coast Luxury Tent, Elandsbaai
The West Coast Luxury Tent sleeps 2 people just 500m away from the beach. The tent has an en-suite bathroom, kitchenette, and braai area on a farm you’ll pretty much have all to yourself.
15. Calitzdorp Railway Station, Calitzdorp
Calitzdorp Railway Station is tucked away between vines and a cliff. The 4 basic safari tents have double beds and a braai area. There is the Shunter’s Bar and a swimming pool on the property.
16. Slanghoek Mountain Resort, Rawsonville
Situated in the Slanghoek Valley, Slanghoek Mountain Resort has 13 self-catering safari tents sleeping 2 people or a family of 4 with a kitchenette and en-suite bathroom. The retreat has 2 swimming pools and a jungle gym for kids.
17. Mahlangeni Boutique Game Reserve, Plettenberg Bay
Mahlangeni Boutique Game Reserve has 2 safari tents perched on wooden decks, surrounded by the bush with mountain and sea views in the distance. The camp sleeps 4 people in total and has a kitchenette, lapa with an open campfire, and a shower and toilet with a view of the valley. You’ll likely be greeted by zebra and rooibok in the mornings. The camp is pet friendly.
18. Homtini Guest Farm, Rheenendal
Homtini Guest Farm has several luxury lodge tents tucked away in a forest reserve. The 2-sleeper tents are set on the edge of the forest and have wooden decks, en-suite bathrooms, and kitchenettes. The 4-sleeper tents have a campfire with a shared kitchen, private braai area, and a shower with the best view in the southern Cape.
KWAZULU-NATAL
19. Bushman’s River Tented Camp, Weenen
Bushman’s River Tented Camp has 2-sleeper canvas tents on the banks of the Bushman’s River. Two small children can be accommodated on mattresses. There is a central lounge and kitchenette and meals are prepared on the campfire.
NORTH WEST
20. B’Sorah Luxury Tented Camp, Broederstroom
B’Sorah Luxury Tented Camp has 4 luxury tents overlooking a stream near the Skeerpoortriver. They sleep 2 people each with a queen-sized bed and an en-suite bathroom. The covered deck has a kitchenette and braai area.
GAUTENG
21. Kohande, Leeuwkloof
Kohande lies in the scenic Leeuwkloof Valley and has 3 luxury tents, sleeping 2 people each. They have an en-suite bathroom, fully equipped kitchenette, boma and braai facility, and a view over bushveld. Guests can game watch from the swimming pool.
FREE STATE
22. TenteToe, Potchefstroom
TenteToe is on a 100 hectare game reserve, 7km outside of Potchefstroom. There are 4 luxury tents in the bush with no electricity. They sleep 2 people each with solar power lights, a hot water donkey, en-suite bathroom, kitchenette, and braai area. Game drives to see plains game are available.
NORTHERN CAPE
23. Agama Tented Camp, Garies
Agama Tented Camp has a variety of 2-sleeper tents with en-suite bathrooms and spacious decks. There is a big boma with an open campfire and a swimming pool on-site. Farm style dinner and English breakfasts are included. Game drives are available at an extra cost.
Which of these tented camps would you like to stay in?
