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Camping Safaris
 Adventure Camp Classic Camp Luxury Camp All the above differ from many permanent camps, lodges-like camps, and camps-like-lodges which are normally used in safari programs. The three types shown above are all mobile: they move, often with you on your itinerary. These are the camps that private, tailor-made safaris normally use, but you will also find them throughout our selection of itineraries on this site. Simply use our powerful search bar at the top of the screen of each section, and type in the name of the camping type that interests you. This will pull up the current itineraries that use that style of camping. A myth about camping is that it is cheaper than a lodge program. Not so. In fact a Luxury Camp is about twice as expensive as a good, luxury lodge. Moving a camp takes a lot of people and effort. Even an Adventure Camp can be more expensive than a lodge. This is because the government fees for camping are very high, and this is understandable. Camp sites must be patrolled and safely maintained, and that's much harder to do in the Serengeti than at a KOA facility outside Des Moines. So if budget is a concern, you should probably not consider camping. The three types of camping above are shown in the order of their cost. Click on them for full descriptions. Note that Adventure Camping travels with you at all times. Camp is packed up in the vehicle and moves when you do. Classic and Luxury Camping are too complex to travel with you. It takes a lot of effort setting and breaking down camp, and separate vehicles move camp. Because of this, it is often necessary to stay at a permanent property the day when camp moves.
Providing an exciting alternative to standard lodges and permanent tented camps, adventure camps are the most economical way of getting deep into the African bush. In typical backpacker fashion, clients often assist with setting up and breaking down their own tents, but all the gear is normally supplied. Adventure camps are available for as few as 2 people (1 tent) and for as many as 20 (10 tents).
Adventure camps are placed in public camp sites within government parks and reserves, or on private land with abundant game. Public camp sites usually include permanent toilet and shower blocks, and when placed on private land adventure camps set up a toilet and shower tent for use by the group. The individual tents are typical backpacker tents, ranging from igloo to string-ups and sized for two throw-down sleeping bags. A few adventure camps provide cots or spring beds. The camp is lighted with kerosene or pressure lamps. The staff to client ratio can become as small as 1:5. Staff includes a cook who prepares outstanding, hearty dishes over charcoal fires. The adventure camp is carried in the same vehicles that are used for the actual trip, including game viewing, so it remains with the clients from start to finish.
Used by hunters and explorers from the earliest times, a classic camp affords the isolation and magic of being deep in the African wilderness while conserving basic comforts. Classic camps are available for as few as 2 people (1 tent) and for as many as 20 (10 tents).
Classic camps are placed on special camp sites within government parks and reserves, or on private land with abundant game. These sites are large and scenic, and in many cases are located in remote areas far from the ordinary tourist circuits. The individual tents are large enough for two spring beds and a few chairs, occasionally a small writing table. Some classic camps provide a bit of solar electricity but most are lighted with kerosene or pressure lamps. There is a great variety among classic camps for the showers and toilets. Showers are almost always "hot-bucket" showers, and the bush toilets are either "long-drops" or chemical toilets. More expensive classic camps may attach a private bucket shower and bush toilet to each individual tent. Less expensive classic camps will share these facilities. The staff to client ratio is usually around 1:1. Staff includes a cook who prepares outstanding, hearty dishes over charcoal fires. The staff also includes a camp manager, but he generally remains out of sight. The large and comfortable dining tent serves as the central meeting place for the entire camp. Most classic camps are too large to move when clients move as an Adventure Camp does, so a night is required elsewhere if the same camp is being moved from one location to the next.
LUXURY CAMPS are private mobile tented camps which are erected on private special campsites inside government parks and private reserves for as short a period as three nights. They may not provide the level of amenities that a permanent camp provides, but in East Africa they have become quite comfortable, including flush toilets and four-poster beds. Luxury camps are available for as few as 2 people (1 tent) or as many as a medium-sized family (7-8 tents).
The purpose of a private luxury camp is precisely to become removed from the established tourist circuits and reclaim the original vision of safari travel, which was to head out into the wilds far from others. Today's luxury camps camps carry with them many modern conveniences. Each tent has a complete bedroom and its own bathroom attached by a zipped doorway. Every bathroom has a flush toilet, shower and dressing room with towels and toiletries provided. The tents have gauze windows and a zipped-in floor making it insect- proof. All beds are made up with a comfortable 7ft mattress, crisp clean linen, a duvet, pillows, bed cover and extra blankets. The main living area is a spacious tent, which is always sited overlooking a panoramic view. This is the center of your social activity, with a dining area, bar and living room where you can read and relax. The camp travels with generated power for refrigeration, so cold drinks are always on offer and you can always charge your camera batteries. Luxury camps pride themselves on the quality of the meals prepared far from a stove. Five and six-course dinners rival the best a permanent camp can provide. The staff to client ratio may be as high as 5:1. When traveling with a private bush camp, several days are always necessary for moving it from place to place, so your itinerary will include lodges and permanent camps as often as the camp moves for you. |
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