Luxury Living in The Bush and Beyond

IF the eco-friendly idea of falling asleep under the stars and roasting marshmallows around a campfire appeals to you, but the reality of pitching a tent and sleeping on bumpy ground does not, glamping, the new term being used for upscale — or glamorous — camping, could be your ideal green vacation. Though dismissed by hard-core leave-no-trace campers (who don’t so much as move a rock for fear of affecting the area), glamping can still be an environmentally sound outdoor experience, even if it does include creature comforts (like not having too many creatures inside your tent). And though it is a relatively new trend, with its origins harking back to Africa and even Thailand, glamping sites are starting to pop up everywhere, with safari tents , teepees and yurts rising out of the landscape like sailboats on an ocean. “Think of it like the hip hotels of camping,” said Jonathan Knight, the author of “Cool Camping,” a 2006 book that rated campsites in England by their amenities, lo...

The key differences between staying in a lodge or a rest camp on a safari You’re planning to go on safari in Africa . What’s the difference between a private lodge and reserve, and a national park such as Kruger or Etosha ? Is one better than the other? It’s prudent to acquaint oneself with the differences before making a decision. Your budget is of course a key factor. The standard of accommodation is obviously an important consideration and it follows that it’ll influence the standard and quality of meals. How game drives are conducted is another important component. Let’s elaborate on why these aspects are important. ACCOMMODATION CHOICES In general, safari accommodations are comparatively expensive. There are good reasons for that. The ongoing logistical groundwork necessary to offer the every-day luxuries we expect – electricity, quality running water, satisfactory meals, internet connectivity, an experienced staff compliment – are expensive to sustain in remote lo...

When it comes to getting close to nature, camping is the way to go. There is something magical about sleeping in a canvas tent, with the sounds of wildlife outside, knowing that the only thing between you and them is a fabric wall. However, we know what you are probably thinking: camping is uncomfortable and not exactly how you want to spend your holiday! But hear us out – you don’t have to be Bear Grylls to be able to enjoy the wilderness. What if we could combine all the creature comforts of being in a luxury lodge, with the exciting experience of sleeping in a tent? This new craze which is fast taking over the travel industry is called ‘glamping’ and is one of the best ways to experience the African bush, without forgoing the luxury. What is a glamping safari? While ‘glamping’ and ‘safari’ aren’t generally two words that you’d expect to find in the same sentence, the definition of this relatively new form of travel is quite self-explanatory. In a nutshell, it’s glamorous cam...

We love all thing camping. The luxurious way - from glamping tents to  eco tents . We found this article on a variety of luxury tented camps in the Western Cape, South Africa. Truly inspiring! Enjoy the read.   Western Cape Tented Camps … before you shake your head at the thought of having to slum it in a tent, tented camps are anything but the camping holiday that first comes to mind. Many have solid furniture, feather duvets, hot running water and electricity. Most have en suite bathrooms and kitchens, and some even have the odd plunge pool. They’re designed for comfort and a good night’s sleep. In fact, they’re not unlike the level of comfort you would expect from a  hotel  or  guest house . Have a look at these Western Cape Tented Camps perfect for a Glamping Weekend… … IN THE KAROO Glen Eden Farm, Montagu This farm’s glamp site has a charming teepee and hand-made gypsy wagon with its own private bathroom, kitchen, fire pit and dining area. A uniqu...

Western Cape Tented Camps … before you shake your head at the thought of having to slum it in a tent, tented camps are anything but the camping holiday that first comes to mind. Many have solid furniture, feather duvets, hot running water and electricity. Most have en suite bathrooms and kitchens, and some even have the odd plunge pool. They’re designed for comfort and a good night’s sleep. In fact, they’re not unlike the level of comfort you would expect from a hotel or guest house . Have a look at these Western Cape Tented Camps perfect for a Glamping Weekend… … IN THE KAROO Glen Eden Farm, Montagu This farm’s glamp site has a charming teepee and hand-made gypsy wagon with its own private bathroom, kitchen, fire pit and dining area. A unique experience. Buffalo drift, Gouda Private tents on the banks of the Berg River, Buffalo Drift farm offers seclusion and romance without the usual price tag in these en-suite tents, each with its own stretch of the river. ...

Find luxury and style in the middle of Mother Nature by visiting these top luxurious tented camp destinations across South Africa. Glamping is luxury camping at its finest. 1. Marataba Safari Lodge Marakele National Park In the breathtaking Waterberg mountain range just 3½ hours from Johannesburg, Marataba Safari Lodge has 15 luxury tented suites , each with a private view of plains and berg. Each tent has a large private bathroom area, indoor and outdoor shower, and a free-standing bath with a view to die for. The large king-size bed opens onto a wooden deck where we sat and listened to the call of the African Hoopoe. The birdlife is abundant, and Malachite and Woodland Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Hornbill and Little Bee-eater were just some of what we spotted. Two daily game drives are given by expert guides around 23 000 hectares of private concession. A journey of giraffe crossed our path, before we sighted other magnificent beasts including hippo, wildebeest, zebra, impala...