The 10 Most Luxurious Safari Camps Around The World
And, what’s more now you can immerse in the ways of the wilderness with some oomph and style, without giving up any of your creature comforts.
Yes! For those who love adventure but don’t want to forgo the luxuries, the safari industry has just the right deal for you with its fleet of amazingly luxury safari camps, outfitted with the best facilities complete with the most stylish décor and top-notch services, right in the midst of the wilderness.
If safari is on your mind, nothing can beat the impressive options that the continents of Asia, Australia and undoubtedly Africa have got to offer.
Nestled amidst thick forests, beside meandering streams and magnificent mountains, these camps today come loaded with luxuries. To give you one of the most profound glamor camping (or what’s popularly called glamping!!) experience, here’s a list of the most luxe safari camps around the world:
Mahali Mzuri, Kenya
Image credit: www.virginlimitededition.com
Created by Sir Richard Branson, this 13500-acre Kenyan luxury safari camp is located within the exclusive Olare Motorogi Conservancy to the north of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Perched on a valley with a splendid view, the 12 tents define luxury with their fire-lit lounge areas and modern-day amenities like iPod docking stations, superb speaker systems and LED TVs.
Each tent comes donned with luxurious claw-foot bathtubs and great service. The camp also features a 12m outdoor infinity pool, a luxury spa and a glitzy dining tent for you to dabble in some vintage drinks and a sumptuous gourmet cuisine.
Things to do: Community tours, night game-drives at the Masai Mara and Serengeti National Parks, unlimited access to Olare Motorogi Conservancy, safaris and surf trips, cultural visits to nearby Maasai villages.
Approx. Price: Approximately US$1,070-1,540 per night including all meals & drinks, transfers and game rides.
Getting here: Take a 25-minutes domestic flight from Nairobi to Olare Orok or Mara North airstrip (roughly one hour's drive to the camp).
Know more at http://www.virginlimitededition.com/en/mahali-mzuri
Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp, Kenya
Image credit: www.cottars.com
This colonial-styled safari is one of the oldest African safaris, established by Calvin and Louise Cottar in 1919, about 1 km from the Maasai Mara National Park.
Set in a sprawling 6,000 acres of private conservancy, with a spectacular view of the Maasai Mara and Serengeti plains, this camp houses 10 tents (one exclusive honeymoon tent, 5 double and 4 family suites), that offer a beautiful amalgamation of traditional with modern living.
Complete with poster beds, rocking chairs and en-suite bathrooms, besides a contemporary 25m infinity pool, this camp offers the perfect ambience for a true wildlife safari experience. While here, experience the exclusive safari bath in the Savannah or enjoy a private game concession.
Things to do: Animal tracking experience, cultural tours, night drives, guided bush walks, bird watching, 4x4 game-drives, walking safaris and guided fishing trips.
Approx. Price: Approximately US$ 800- 990.00 per night
Getting here: Fly to Keekorok (a 1.5-hour drive away from the camp) or Cottar’s private airstrip (10 min away from camp)
Know more at http://www.cottars.com
The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Rajasthan, India
Image credit: Oberoihotels.com
Enjoy your date with the majestic Royal Bengal tigers in unruffled luxury at the exotic camp of The Oberoi Vanyavilas located within the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
Spread across 20-acres of panoramic gardens and dense forests, this opulent wildlife resort offers lavish tents set in the midst of lemon and mango orchards, emulating the elegance and grandeur of hunting camps of the erstwhile Maharajas.
Each tent comes with triple canopies embellished with frescos, a private garden and deck, standalone bath, individual climate-control and furniture done in rich, textured fabrics.
Resplendent with a heated swimming pool lit by glowing mashaals at night, and a splendidly done alfresco dining with bonfire and folk music, this camp bespeaks of opulence.
Things to do: Bird watching, jeep and canter safari, Jungle drives to nearby Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Ayurvedic spa and private yoga sessions, cultural nights.
What you’ll pay: Approximately ₹59,335-₹82,166 per night
Getting there: It is a 7-hours’ drive from Delhi and 3.5-hours from Jaipur
Know more@ http://www.oberoihotels.com/hotels-in-ranthambhore-vanyavilas-resort
Four Seasons Tented Camp, Thailand
Image credit: Fourseasons.com
This sultry, luxe resort, located at the jungle border of the Golden Triangle Park, is an upscale safari that is reminiscent of the romantic era of the 19th Century.
The camp offers 15 elevated tents built on a ridge that overlooks the Chiang Mai jungles. Each exotic tent is equipped with its own private deck from where you can see the Ruak River gurgling by, with glimpses of Laos and Myanmar in the far horizon across it!
Enjoy the richness of custom, handcrafted leather upholstery, hand-hammered copper bath-tubs, and other unique amenities with this luxury camp.
Things to do: Bird watching, elephant trekking through Chiang Mai jungles, canter safari, jeep safari to the Burmese border, spa treatment at the jungle spa, try Burma Bar-a cocktail bar and authentic Thai cuisine at the poolside gourmet restaurant, and a visit to 212 House of Opium museum.
What you’ll pay: Approximately US$1233- 2453 per night
Getting there: Catch a 75-minutes flight to Chiang Rai from Bangkok, then a 4-hour drive to the camp
Know more at www.fourseasons.com/goldentriangle/destination
Singita Explore Camp, Tanzania
Image credit: Singita.com
Explore the Grumeti Reserve wilderness in an authentic yet luxurious way with Singita Explore camp operated by the luxury operator Singita. Branded as “a return to the true essence of safari”, this camp has 6 tents with en-suite bathrooms.
Each tent has opulent Cecile & Boyd designed interiors and are a unique blend of bohemian elegance and contemporary African style.
Things to do: Wildlife viewing on foot or by jeep, tailored game-viewing excursions with private guide, and dine under the stars with a sumptuous spread prepared by a private chef.
What you’ll pay: Approximately US$3630-4625 per night including all meals, private guide and road transfers
Getting there: Take a 2-2.15 hours’ flight from Kilimanjaro or Arusha to Singita airstrip that is 10 minutes from the camp.
Know more at http://singita.com/lodge/singita-explore
Longitude 131°, Yulara, Australia
Image credit: Longitude131.com.au
Longitude131°is not just the most luxurious camp in Australia but also known for its unbeatable view of the World Heritage site, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Ayers Rock.
Boarding 15 luxurious tents that lie afloat over stilted dunes, Longitude131° is the perfect portrayal of beauty of the desert landscape mingled with unparalleled cultural richness, being the closest camp to Uluru.
The tents come with plush king-sized beds and all modern-day amenities including futuristically-designed en-suite baths, iPads, etc.
Things to do: Sunset watching, open-air dining experience, and guided tours to Kata Tjuta National Park and Ayers Rock.
What you’ll pay: Approximately AUS$2200 a night on twin-sharing, including food, drinks and complimentary transfers to and from Ayers Rock Airport.
Getting there: 20-minute drive from Ayers Rock Airport
Know more at http://longitude131.com.au
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai, UAE
Image credit: Al-maha.com
A luxurious palm oasis nestled within golden sand dunes, this camping site in offers an imposing view of the native Arabian wildlife.
The Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa brings an authentic Bedouin touch to camping with its tent suites that come furnished with lavish Arabian indigenous antiquities and artifacts.
From a communal spa to fitness center to a temperature-controlled pool, this camp has lots of attractions to speak of. Even its tents come fitted with Jacuzzi, an in-suite massage area, en-suite pool and a sun deck!!
Things to do: Wildlife drives, nature walks, horse riding and camel trekking, desert safaris and a lavish treat of wagyu beef and tiger prawns, courtesy the Al Diwaan Organic Fine Dining Restaurant.
What you’ll pay: Approximately US$790-3404 per night
Getting there: 45-minute drive from Dubai International Airport
Know more at https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dxbam-al-maha-a-luxury-collection-desert-resort-and-spa-dubai/overview/
Aman-I-Khas, India
Image credit: aman.com
Another wildlife camp set at the very doorsteps of India’s best tiger reserves, Ranthambore National Park, is Aman-i-Khas.
Built on raised plinths, each of the 10 tents at this Mughal-styled camp cover a generous space of 1100 sq.-ft. and are completely air-conditioned with luxurious pavilions, colonial-themed furnishings, walk-in showers and grandeur interiors.
This camp is open between October and May and is a reminiscent of bygone Moghul era.
Things to do: Jungle safari to Ranthambore National Park, camp and oasis journey, Ayurvedic spa treatment, outdoor private yoga sessions and a lavish Moghul-styled dining tent with sumptuous Indian & Western spread.
What you’ll pay: Approximately ₹40,390 per night
Getting there: It is a 3-hours’ drive from Jaipur Airport and 7-hours’ drive from Delhi Airport.
Know more at https://www.aman.com/resorts/aman-i-khas
Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa
Image Courtesy: londolozi.com
The Londolozi Private Game Reserve dates back to 1926 and is one of the pioneering and finest African game lodges in Sabi Sands, South Africa.
It is part of the illustrious Relais & Chateaux properties and is spread over a 35,000-acre concession that borders the Kruger National Park and has just five exclusive lodges.
Each lodge comes with a private deck with an individual swimming pool, Ralph Lauren interiors that showcase enormous 4-poster beds, en-suite bathrooms and walk-in showers.
Things to do: Wildlife safaris and off-road driving excursions, walking safaris, an alfresco candlelight dining option around a fire pit, guided bush walks.
What you’ll pay: US$1,150 per night
Getting there: It is a 2.5-hours’ drive from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and 6-hours’ easy drive from Johannesburg.
Know more at www.londolozi.com
Uga Chena Huts, Sri Lanka
Image Courtesy: ugaescapes.com
Sri Lanka’s beachfront Chena Huts of the Uga Escapes Hospitality group is a perfect way to dabble in some off-beat glamping experience.
The stunning locale offered by the Yala National Park combined with the 14 luxury pavilions overlooking the lagoon and the stretch of the dense jungle make it one of the most raved luxe camping options.
Each tent boasts of hand-crafted furniture, brass fixtures, a 42-inch screen and a private deck with a private plunge pool.
Things to do: Game-expeditions to Ruhuna (Yala) National Park and Bundala known for the remains of Homo erectus communities, excursion to the Great and Little Basses reefs for whale-viewing, visit to the ancient forest shrine of Kataragama, Ayurvedic spa treatment, a poolside bar hidden behind a waterfall and authentic native cuisine at the nautical-themed Basses restaurant.
What you’ll pay: Approximately US$881-1253 per night
Getting there: Take a flight from Colombo to Tissamaharama, the nearest town to the camp, and drive the 20 kms from there.
Know more at http://www.ugaescapes.com/chenahuts
So put one of these exotic safari camps on your bucket list to experience one of the most nostalgic holidays. Go glamping but don’t you forget to take along the must-carry list of things - mosquito repellents, sunscreen, and of course a map of the region!
Disclaimer: The prices mentioned for the properties, are indicative and could vary at the discretion of the respective property owners. Viewers are advised to check the prices at the time when they are planning a visit to either of the camps.