“Camping” in Africa? Let Me Show You What That Really Means…

When people hear “tented camping in Africa,” they tend to picture one of two things: a Boy Scouts-style tent on the dirt with a foam mattress and a pit toilet. You remember those! Your dad would yell, “Don’t touch the sides or the tent will leak”— or a scene from Out of Africa where a lion might help itself to your bath water while you are eating soup from a peeled open can with your wooden spoon.

Let’s set the record straight.

Because when we say tented camp on an Akari photo safari, what we really mean is: glamping, with a capital G. Think of it as the Four Seasons met Hemingway, shook hands, and agreed that gin and tonics taste better by solar-powered light with elephants trumpeting in the distance.

First Impressions: Not Your Average Campsite

The moment you arrive at camp, dusty from the bush and full of anticipation, you’re greeted not with a map and a “good luck,” but with a warm towel, a chilled drink, and a staff so welcoming you’d swear they knew you in a past life. The air smells like fresh linen and acacia wood. Someone’s already taken your bag to your private oasis. You didn’t even notice.

Then you’re shown to your “tent”—a term we use lightly, because what you’re walking into is basically a luxury suite with canvas walls.

Tiled or hardwood floors. A four-poster bed with crisp, fitted sheets and a down duvet. A real bathroom with a rain shower, flushing toilet, double vanity, and yes… I’ve stayed at a camp that had a bidet. A bidet in the bush, folks.

You start to realize: this is the kind of “camping” where you feel guilty for not bringing your tuxedo.

Dining: No Beans on Toast When Camping With Us In Africa

Meals in African tented camps are events. We’re talking three-course dinners under the stars with perfectly paired wines and a table setting that would make Martha Stewart proud. Fresh-baked bread, roasted vegetables straight from the garden, handmade pastries, and entrees that somehow appear out of a kitchen that looks like it shouldn’t even have electricity.

At one camp, I had duck confit followed by chocolate mousse with amarula cream—and that was a Tuesday.

You’ll sit at a long table with other guests, sharing stories and laughter while the staff seems to appear and disappear at exactly the right moment to refill your glass or deliver your next course. It’s magical. And if you have dietary preferences? They already know. They probably know what you’ll want tomorrow, too.

Comfort: Sleeping in the Wild Without Roughing It

Your bed? Elevated and plush, with layers of soft linens and pillows that could rival any five-star hotel. You’re still in the bush, but a gentle breeze filters through screened windows while the sounds of the savannah lull you to sleep—hyenas calling, lions rumbling, and the occasional hippo grunting in the distance.

Then, just before sunrise, there’s a quiet tap at your canvas door. A smiling camp staff member drops off a tray with steaming coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, and a selection of fresh-baked cookies or biscuits to start your day. You haven’t even put on pants yet, and you’re already being pampered.

Step outside, and there’s your private front porch—shaded, quiet, with a pair of deep chairs that just beg for a lazy afternoon. You sit back, drink in hand, watching giraffes graze or clouds drift over the acacia trees. You and your loved one will trade looks, and trust me—one of you is going to say it: “This is nicer than our place back home.”

And they won’t be wrong.

Worried about stumbling through the dark to find a bathroom? Don’t be. It’s right there inside your tent, with hot running water, real plumbing, and a mirror big enough to check for morning bedhead. Many camps even include daily laundry service—your clothes come back folded tighter than a military inspection or your grandma’s linen closet.

Camping’s never been so civilized.

Extras: Did Someone Say Massage in the Bush?

Some of the camps we stay at take it up a notch—offering infinity pools overlooking hippo-filled rivers, spa services with full-body massages, facials, and even mani-pedis. You’ll sit with a towel around your neck, sipping champagne, watching giraffes nibble on treetops while your hands get exfoliated.

I once had a guest say, “This is the first time I’ve had a massage and heard a lion roaring in the distance.” Her smile told me everything.

Why This Matters When Camping in Africa

Sure, we come to Africa for the wildlife. The golden light. The thrill of the chase. But at the end of a long day in the field, your comfort matters. Being able to download your photos, shower, relax, and enjoy a meal that rivals the best restaurants back home? That turns a trip into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

So no, you’re not camping in Africa in the way your uncle thinks you are. You’re living in the wild, in total comfort, surrounded by nature and luxury in equal measure.

Just don’t call it “roughing it.” The only rough part is having to leave.

Join Us On A Photo Safari In Africa

If this sounds like your kind of “camping,” then join us on an African photo safari and experience it for yourself. You’ll photograph wildlife up close in golden light, unwind in stunning luxury each evening, and create images—and memories—that will stay with you long after the dust settles. Whether it’s your first safari or your fifth, we’ll take care of every detail so you can focus on the adventure, the learning, and the magic of Africa.