Safari Style: Are You a Safari Lodge or a Tented Camp Person?
One of the most exciting parts of planning your safari is choosing where you’ll rest your head after a day of adventure. The two main styles—safari lodges and tented camps—both offer incredible experiences, but they are distinctly different. So, which one is right for you?
The Classic Safari Lodge
Think of a safari lodge as a hotel in the heart of the wilderness.
- Structure: These are permanent buildings with solid walls, glass windows, and traditional thatched roofs.
- Amenities: You can often expect features like a swimming pool, a main restaurant and bar, Wi-Fi in common areas, and sometimes even a spa. Rooms are spacious with full en-suite bathrooms.
- The Vibe: Lodges offer a high level of comfort and security. They are a fantastic choice for families with young children or first-time safari-goers who want a more structured, hotel-like environment.
The Immersive Tented Camp
Don’t let the word “tent” fool you. This isn’t your backyard camping experience!
- Structure: Luxury tented camps feature large, heavy-duty canvas tents set on permanent wooden or stone platforms. They are designed to be semi-permanent, leaving a lighter footprint on the environment.
- Amenities: Inside, you’ll find real beds, fine linens, stylish furniture, and a private en-suite bathroom with a flushing toilet and hot-water shower. It’s all the comfort of a lodge, but with canvas walls.
- The Vibe: Tented camps offer a more intimate and authentic connection to the bush. At night, you can safely listen to the sounds of the wilderness—a distant lion’s roar or the gentle munching of a nearby zebra. It’s an immersive, romantic, and truly unforgettable experience.
The Verdict?
There’s no wrong answer!
- Choose a Lodge if: You prioritize amenities like a pool, prefer solid walls between you and the wild, or are traveling with very young children.
- Choose a Tented Camp if: You crave an authentic, immersive bush experience and want to feel closer to nature without sacrificing comfort.
Many of our itineraries include a mix of both, giving you the best of both worlds!