Missing video
Sorry, this video could not be found.
Get close to nature
Tented safaris
Ngala Tented Camp in the Kruger National Park
© &Beyond
Did you know?
A mobile tented safari is generally set up before your arrival at the remote bush location you're spending the night at - it's all ready by the time you get there.
If there is one accommodation experience in South Africa bound to delight you, it has to be a stay in a tented safari camp in one of South Africa’s Big 5 game reserves.
Imagine spending the night under the African sky surrounded by the sounds of wild animals - but knowing you are completely secure in your upmarket tented suite. There’s not much to beat this.
The options in tented safaris in South Africa are wide ranging - from budget tented camps that provide exhilarating bush experiences, to the 5-star luxury tented camps found in South Africa’s top private game reserves like Shamwari and Timbavati. The latter have all the luxurious amenities you’d expect from a 5-star hotel or lodge. Your 'tent' comes complete with en suite bathrooms, outdoor showers, mosquito nets and game viewing decks.
For those seeking to get even closer to nature, mobile tented safaris – where comfortable mobile tented camps are set up deep in bush – provide intimate interactions with the wild. Here you really get to sleep among wild animals while fully protected by game rangers.
Cast a gaze over some of the popular tented camps in South Africa...
There's the luxurious Hamilton’s Tented Camp in the Kruger National Park, which features 6 canvas tents and early 20th-century décor. Bateleur Eco Safaris is an eco-friendly tented bush camp in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve with 10 East African safari tents. Bayethe Lodge at Shamwari Game Reserve offers 9 luxury tents, some with fireplaces, plunge pools and hammocks.
Then there's andBeyond’s award-winning Ngala Tented Camp in the Ngala Private Game Reserve in the Kruger National Park, which offers 6 spacious, air-conditioned en suite safari tents. Kapama Karula in the Kapama Game Reserve offers 7 luxury tents on the banks of the Klaserie River.
You’ll also find tented camps at the Bakgatla and Madikwe resorts in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, at Thakadu River Camp in the Madikwe Game Reserve, and at Glen Afric Country Lodge near Johannesburg. For budget travellers the Tia Ghee Tented Camp in the Eastern Cape provides wonderful nature experiences.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Glen Afric Country Lodge
Tel: +27 (0)82 781 2579
Fax: +27 (0)86 548 7047
Email: info@glenafric.co.za
Tia Ghee Tented Camp
Tel: +27 (0)42 283 0739
Mobile : +27 (0)72 377 2525 or +27 (0)82 774 1805
Email : info@tiaghee.co.za
&Beyond Sales and Reservations
Tel: +27 (0)11 809 4300
Fax: +27 (0)11 809 4400
Email: safaris@andBeyond.com
&Beyond USA
Toll-free: 888 882 374
Email: usa@andBeyond.com
&Beyond Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Tel: +49 (0)89 13 92 76 90
Email: safaris@andBeyond.com
Bateleur Eco Safaris
Tel: +27 (0)11 888 8161 or +27 (0)11 782 1119
Email: melina@ninpo.co.za
Golden Leopard Resorts (Bakgatla and Madikwe Resorts)
Tel: +27 (0)14 555 1000
Email: reservations@goldenleopardresorts.co.za
Shamwari Game Reserve
Tel: +27 (0)41 407 1000
Email: reservations@shamwari.com
Kapama Private Game Reserve
Tel: +27 (0)12 368 0600
Email: res@kapama.co.za
Hamilton’s Tented Camp
Tel: +27 (0)11 516 4367
Fax: +27 (0)11 463 3713
Email: res@extraordinary.co.za
Tours to do
If you're on safari, inquire about the attractions around the area and the tours you can do. You may be able to go on a township tour, or visit a local shebeen or cultural village.
What to pack
A hat, sunblock, insect repellant and neutral coloured clothes for bush excursions.
What to eat
If you're a meat eater, sample some of the game meat on offer at your lodge.