South Africa, with its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife, offers incredible opportunities for outdoor adventures. The glamping scene has exploded in recent years, providing access to unforgettable experiences from game drives to gorgeous nature trails. From white-sand beaches with mountainous backdrops to the bush and its Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo), the Rainbow Nation is well stocked when it comes to natural splendour. These luxurious glamping sites allow you to experience the South African outdoors in style.
Glamping allows you to experience the serenity and unique outdoor experience that traditional camping offers, just with the comforts of home and more. Glamping needs to be glamourous and goes hand in hand with sheer luxury. You still stay in a tent in the true sense of the word, but without the stretcher, sleeping bag and cramped space.
Here’s a guide to some of the best glamping destinations and experiences in South Africa.
The Panorama Route offers breathtaking views of South Africa's natural beauty.
Finding the Perfect Glamping Experience
The first decision you need to make about glamping is to decide how “authentic” you want your camping experience to be. You will find the equivalent glamping resorts in five-star hotels that cater to every wish and desire. With tents, yurts, igloo, treehouse and teepees with the highest quality beds and sheets.
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What Kind of Bedding Do You Prefer?
- Traditional bed you have at home or find in a hotel?
- Four-poster king size bed with a pillow-top mattress and comforter?
- Comfortable hammock?
- Luxurious pillow, satin sheets with a fluffy robe and slippers?
Bathroom Preferences
- Own bathroom with porcelain toilet?
- Open outdoor hot and cold shower overlooking the bush or valley?
- Oval-shaped spa bath?
Other items most definitely needed is white soft and fluffy towels with all the necessary soaps, shampoos, and bubbles to make your stay even more relaxing. Throw in spa facilities and you will really be glamping!
Essential Amenities
- Air-conditioner or a heater
- Campfire and if there is a fireplace
- Fully equipped kitchen
On the other hand, not having to prepare any meals is also an option of glamping. Most resorts and luxury camping sites provide meals and you can even opt for a romantic meal out in the open beside a bush fire with waiters that will serve you hand and foot.
Top Glamping Destinations in South Africa
Few & Far Luvhondo
Our safari vehicle ascended into the Soutpansberg Mountains, passing 2,000-year-old acacia trees, craggy red cliffs, and pinstriped kudu browsing the bushes. With every switchback, anticipation built for our South Africa glamping stay at Few & Far Luvhondo, Sarah and Jacob Dusek’s grand return to outdoor hospitality after selling Under Canvas in 2018. Unlike their previous model of building glamping camps near the most popular national parks, they chose a remote region of Limpopo, “The Forgotten Mountains.”
The sounds of African drumming, a tray of lychee lemonade, warm scented hand towels, and smiling faces welcomed us to the entrance of Few & Far Luvhondo. The GM, Giselle, showed us to the main building with a canvas structure that fanned around a tree, mimicking the baobab’s shape, strength, and timeless elegance. The Limpopo Province, and specifically this property, is home to some of the largest baobabs in Southern Africa. These “Trees of Life” are a driving inspiration in the Duseks’ design and Few & Far’s deep sense of place.
Giselle showed us to our cliff suite, a C-curved canvas and wood structure framing sweeping views on both ends. She pointed out the Few & Far field guide and binoculars on the desk, and said, “Keep an eye out for giraffe, nyala, and zebra; they can often be seen along the valley floor.” I had visions of going on safari right from our outdoor shower, clawfoot tub, and sumptuous canopy bed, and couldn’t help but smile.
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After she wished us an excellent stay, the hospitality continued with a handwritten note on the cocktail-and-espresso-bar, “Welcome to Few & Far Luvhondo, we’re so pleased you made it to our forgotten mountains. We hope you’ll feel at home, find a little magic in the wild, and maybe even carry it with you when you leave.”
Lunch was served by the infinity pool with special guest, Dr. Dawn Cory Toussaint, Few & Far’s resident ecologist and reserve manager. With their ambitious vision to protect, rewild, and restore a contiguous 100,000 hectares of the Soutpansberg Mountains, Dawn was among the first hires in 2021. Petite and cheery, she’s not exactly who you’d imagine behind the excavator removing invasive species or hauling out hundreds of poaching snares, but like all the women in Sarah’s orbit, they are never to be underestimated. While enjoying an exquisite lunch of beetroot gnocchi and brick-oven pizzas with veggies from their farm, Dawn shared the good news…
With the hard work of Few & Far and the Endangered Wildlife Trust, 11,000 hectares of the Soutpansberg Mountains were recently granted formal environmental protection, and an additional 25,000 hectares are on track for later this year. We raised our glasses in celebration and admiration of Few & Far’s 50-year plan to save a mountain range and sequester 100,000 tons of carbon annually.
Over the course of our three-day stay, we hiked and drove across thousands of acres in this private reserve, from a secret 100-foot waterfall to the famed Waterpoort Gorge that remarkably cuts through their property. In all that time, we never saw another soul, but the presence of life was all around us. The Soutpansberg is home to 3,000 vascular plant species, 594 native tree species, 250 species of butterflies, and 60% of Africa’s bird species.
Luvhondo Lodge - Limpopo, South Africa
Hiking at dusk to an undisclosed location, I’ll admit, I almost chickened out. Then I saw the twinkling lanterns, our friendly barman pouring welcome drinks, a beautifully set dinner table, and the fluffiest bed on a pedestal…I wanted to stay forever. Gazing at the stars from under our linen duvet and waking up to the sunrise cresting over our toes, we had a remarkably good sleep.
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Under the shade of Luvhondo’s grandest baobab and a thatch-roof rondavel, the Vhudziki Spa is inspired by the indigenous Venda culture and their natural remedies. Nungo, a member of the tribe and wellness specialist, welcomed us in.
A bath infused with essential baobab oils and topped with bougainvillea awaited me on the stone patio, while Mike’s foot-bath tub was just baked in the sun by a local ceramist and undoubtedly adding minerals and good vibes to his treatment. With the twist of a rain stick, she had me pull a card, which read, “We are all connected to everyone and everything in the universe. Therefore, everything one does as an individual affects the whole.” While I’ve never been one for tarot, I left feeling a sense of gratitude for this special place and a responsibility to it.
“At Few & Far, we desire not just to create access to extraordinary places in nature or simply be sustainable, but to be regenerative,” says Sarah Dusek. “And by being regenerative, I mean creating impact, moving the needle, solving some big world problems.”
How to Get to Few & Far Luvhondo:
- Train: The historic luxury train Rovos Rail runs right through Few & Far’s property on their Victoria Fall to Pretoria trip. Request the secret Waterpoort stop in advance, and the F&F team will pick up for a short ride to the lodge.
- Plane: Fly into Polokwane Airport and arrange the 1.5-hour transfer with F&F.
- Charter Flight: Private charters can land right at the lodge’s airstrip.
- Car: It’s a 5-hour drive north of Johannesburg. You can turn this into a great road trip by adding more South Africa glamping in Kruger National Park or the Panorama Route to the Kingdom of Eswatini (which we loved!)
Nkomazi Game Reserve
Nkomazi Game Reserve, part of the Newmark Group of hotels and restaurants, can definitely tick several boxes that can appeal to your clients, as it is more budget-friendly then its Kruger counterparts and it is also conveniently located within a 3.5-hr drive from Johannesburg. It feels odd to even call these canvas accommodations tents, as they are beautifully outfitted with handcrafted furnishings, indoor and outdoor showers, claw foot bath tubs, air conditioning/heating and plush bedding.
Luxurious tent accommodations at Nkomazi Game Reserve.
A stay at Nkomazi includes two game drives daily and all meals, with a very traditional safari schedule. The reserve holds four out the Big 5 (there are no rhinos), and our guide was a wealth of bush knowledge. At Nkomazi , guests can enjoy a unique horseback safari or fishing on the beautiful Komati River, which runs directly through the property.
Overall, Nkomazi Game Reserve is a wonderful off-the-beaten-path safari experience for guests that may prefer a property more easily accessible from Johannesburg, one that is also easier on the pocket book. Nkomazi Game Reserve can easily be paired with a night or two in Johannesburg upon arrival to or departure from South Africa. Newmark Group’s newest Joburg location, The Catalyst Hotel provides a great jumping-off point.
AfriCamps at Hoedspruit
This AfriCamps location is perfect for avid fishermen as all 11 tents are located on the dam. All 11 tents have their own wood-fired hot tub. After a day of exploring, relax while listening to the calming crackle of the fire. Or use it as a splash pool on the hotter days.
Activities at AfriCamps Hoedspruit:
- Enjoy an open vehicle safari in the world-renowned Kruger National Park with the guidance of a qualified, experienced safari guide.
- Explore wildlife conservation at Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre, home to vultures, eagles, and Stoffel the honey badger.
- Cruise the scenic Blyde River Canyon, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and antelope along the way.
- Enjoy the splendour of the world’s third-largest canyon, the Blyde River Canyon, with an interactive boat tour led by a qualified site guide.
- Explore a local eco-village, interacting with schoolchildren and residents. This tour is hosted by Nourish, an NGO that strives to help local communities and wildlife projects.
- Explore the Lowveld section of the Blyde River from above in a hot air balloon with Sun Catchers!
Each tent is equipped with battery power backups for uninterrupted lighting and warm water during load shedding periods.
5 Day Kruger Glamping Budget Adventure
If you’re dreaming of an affordable yet memorable safari experience, the 5 Day Kruger Glamping Budget Adventure is hard to beat. This tour promises close encounters with Africa’s legendary wildlife, breathtaking views along the Panorama Route, and a comfortable camping setup-all without breaking the bank.
The adventure begins early, departing from OR Tambo Bus Terminal at 7:00 AM. The scenic drive takes you through South Africa’s Highveld and Lowveld - a landscape that shifts from lush grasslands to rugged bushveld.
The tents are described as simple but cozy, with heavy blankets to fight off the cool evenings. Your first afternoon game drive is in an open safari vehicle, giving you unobstructed views of the bush. The guide will help you spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo), as well as giraffes and zebras.
The early start at 5:00 AM is a must for catching the best wildlife activity - many guests say the early mornings are the highlight, with the quiet of dawn and the anticipation of sightings. Spending 7-8 hours in the park, you’ll experience the thrill of seeing animals in their natural environment, with many trusting guides to maximize chances of spotting lions and other apex predators.
Leaving Hoedspruit mid-morning, you’ll explore the Blyde River Canyon, one of the world’s largest canyons, renowned for its lush greenery and striking red sandstone formations. Next, it’s on to God’s Window, where panoramic views stretch into Mozambique and the Kruger Park - on clear days, the vistas are breathtaking. Lunch in Graskop offers a chance to relax and enjoy local cuisine (though not included), before visiting Lisbon Falls, a stunning 90-meter cascade.
The optional bushwalk on Day 5 is a unique opportunity to see flora and fauna up close. While it costs an additional R350, many consider it well worth it for the chance to step into the wild with an expert guide.
What’s Included:
- Round-trip transfers
- Guided safaris
- Scenic drives
- Four nights of camping
Other Luxurious Glamping Sites
- Chapungu Luxury Tented Camp: Located in the Thornybush Game Reserve, part of Kruger National Park, offering air-conditioned tents, a spa, and a rock pool.
- Tanda Tula Safari Camp: Situated in Timbavati, Greater Kruger National Park, this camp offers guided sunset walks and dinners with views over the plains.
- Luxury Tented Village at Urban Glamping: Located in Saint Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, with self-catering tents overlooking a canopy of trees, near iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
- West Coast Luxury Tents: Between Dwarskersbos and Elands Bay, offering access to a private secluded beach and a private airstrip.
- AfriCamps at Stanford Hills Estate: Set on a boutique wine farm in Stanford, offering wine tasting, farm-fresh meals, and proximity to whale-watching in Hermanus.
- Schoemanshoek Glamping and Self-Catering: In Oudtshoorn, with chickens, ducks, and sheep roaming around, near the Cango Ostrich Show Farm and Cango Caves.
- Ndzhaka Camp: Hidden in a thick forest on the banks of the seasonal N’waswitsontso riverbed, in the Manyeleti Game Reserve, close to a big dam where elephants, buffalo and other wildlife swing by for a drink throughout the day.
- Magical Teepee Experience, Hogsback: In the Amathole Mountains, Eastern Cape, offering two-person tipis on raised wooden decks with private bathrooms.
Tips for Planning Your Glamping Trip
When you go glamping, you will want to decide upon how many facilities and activities you want. Wildlife encounters are one of the most popular glamping activities. Glamping activities are endless and can be fun. Do something you always wanted to try out or try something you have never done before. Make sure when you decide on a resort that you are aware of the activities that it offers or if the activities is offered in close vicinity. Most resorts are close to attractions, restaurants and shops.
Going glamping change all this as you do not have to take everything with you. You have much more possibilities open to you. Of course, glamping also allows you to have a simple relaxing weekend.
Traveling with Children
Make sure that if you take the children glamping that there are plenty fun and new exciting things to do. Let them experience fly fishing or just normal fishing, bush walks with activities where they are taught about animals, birds or insects, or learn bush crafts. Some resorts do specifically cater for children so that mom and dad can have a well-earned break.
Budgeting and Planning
Glamping is much more expensive because you are paying for services and activities. Be sure to plan you trip well in advance. Decide where you want to go, investigate the costs, how you are going to get there, whether it is flying or driving yourself. The time of year also has a huge effect on the cost. Visiting a popular destination in peak season will be expensive, but if you go in the off season the costs might be much less.
What to Pack
When you go glamping, on the other hand, your preparation is similar to a hotel or cruise vacation. This does not mean you do not have to prepare or not have a list with the necessary items you need to take with you. Be prepared. Start by researching your trip before even making a booking. If the premises have walking trails be sure to pack comfortable hiking or walking shoes.
Make a list of special things you might need which will all depend on the type of glamping holiday you are taking. This might be your camera if you are a photographer, binoculars, something to read while you relax at your tent, a special aromatic candle for your romantic evenings, or even some soaps or bubbles to put in your bath. Although most of these items will probably be included wherever you stay.
Glamping Safari Lodges in Africa
There are numerous glamping sites to consider in Africa that will match your expectations of the most luxurious camping.
- Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp (Tanzania): A mobile camp that relocates to different areas following the Great Wildebeest Migration across the Serengeti.
- San Camp (Botswana): Situated on the edge of the Ndwedwe Pan in Makgadikgadi, overlooking the mysterious desert landscape.
- Somalisa Camp (Zimbabwe): In Hwange National Park, famous for its elephants, with an elephant pool at the edge of the expansive deck.
- Duba Explorers Camp (Okavango Delta, Botswana): Consists of five expedition-style tents on a raised platform with unique views of the surrounding floodplain.
- Ngala Tented Camp (Ngala Private Game Reserve, South Africa): Shares an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park, nestled between the dense riverine forest and the sandy bed of the Timbavati River.
- Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp (Kenya): Colonial style environment on a private concession overlooking both the Masai Mara and the Serengeti.
- Ngare Serian (Kenya): Part of the Alex Walker’s Serian collection of exclusive and intimate safari camps, reached on foot over a narrow rope bridge across the Mara River.
- Mara River Tented Camp (Tanzania): Situated on a dramatic bend in the Mara River within the Lamai triangle in Northern Tanzania, providing unmatched viewing of the annual migratory river crossings.
- Wolwedans (Namibia): Situated in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, a luxury tented camp, ideal for family safari holidays or small groups.
- Loisaba Tented Camp (Kenya): Located on a hilltop overlooking one of the remote valleys of the Laikipia region in northern Kenya.
Whether it’s beaches that go on for miles or the Big Five, South Africa is well stocked when it comes to natural splendour. These luxurious glamping sites allow you to experience the South African outdoors in style.
| Glamping Site | Location | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Few & Far Luvhondo | Soutpansberg Mountains, Limpopo | Remote location, conservation efforts, luxury cliff suites |
| Nkomazi Game Reserve | Near Kruger National Park | Budget-friendly, horseback safaris, Komati River |
| AfriCamps Hoedspruit | Hoedspruit, near Kruger | Fishing dam, wood-fired hot tubs, Kruger safaris |
| 5 Day Kruger Glamping Adventure | Kruger National Park | Budget-friendly, guided safaris, Panorama Route |
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