VI
EN
Perhaps the concept of "luxury tent" accommodation is still unfamiliar to most of us, and you might be wondering what makes them so appealing to so many tourists? Let Travellive guide you through some of the most unique "luxury tent" resorts currently available, and you'll find the answer for yourself.
1. Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve (Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, South Africa)
If you wake up one morning and are surprised to see many wild animals visiting your room through your window, that's the most authentic experience of staying in Sabi Sabi's tents. The fact that animals can easily roam the 60,000-hectare conservation forest is perfect proof of the conservation efforts and the habitat provided for them, making them feel comfortable and not threatened at all.
This achievement is the result of implementing various measures, from restricting vehicle traffic and maintaining a safe distance from the animals to not building fences so that they can move freely through the huts. Visitors are escorted through the forest after dark, and anti-poaching measures have also significantly reduced the hunting and killing of wildlife in the area.
If you want to see wildlife like lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and African buffalo up close, exploring this reserve is a perfect choice. You'll ride in Jeeps through the forest, observing the animals in their natural habitat from a safe distance, without even needing binoculars.
Here, you'll find four accommodation options in luxurious and well-equipped "tents." You can book a room at Selati Camp – designed in a classic, old-colonial style, creating a dreamy world that transports you back to the previous century. The spacious and airy Brush Lodge is a suitable location for a family trip. Little Brush Camp has six separate tents, ideal for small groups and individual renters. Meanwhile, Earth Lodge is designed in a modern and futuristic style, as described on the resort's official website.
2. MAHALI MZURI (Maasai mara reserve, KENYA)
Compared to the crowded national parks in the South, the Olare Motorogi private reserve in Maasai Mara is relatively quiet and sparsely populated. The space here is completely peaceful, no different from a wild, natural forest untouched by extensive human intervention. Situated amidst vast grasslands and surrounded by secluded forests and mountains, it's no surprise that Mahali Mzuri tops the list.The world's most popular hotelsBased on a survey by the renowned Travel+Leisure magazine.
Mahali Mzuri is designed as a luxurious "hunting camp" consisting of 14 tents. Two large tents are located in the center, housing a restaurant and bar; while 12 private tents are spread around, providing accommodation for groups of tourists. Inside, the rooms feature dark teak floors, leather-upholstered sofas, bookshelves, and artwork harmoniously arranged in a predominantly brown color scheme. Some rooms even include a traditional Maasai spear, meaning "do not disturb," if you wish to have privacy in your tent.
Despite its remote location, seemingly isolated from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Mahali Mzuli offers a wealth of amenities and luxury you would expect from a 5-star hotel. You can relax in a high-end spa while watching wildlife from your window, enjoy the 12-meter infinity pool, take scenic drives, and explore other attractions within the reserve. During your jungle tour, you'll have the chance to encounter lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and many other wild animals.
3. SINGITA GRUMETI (SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA)
Singita's reserves and shelters are located in Africa's most pristine wilderness. Precious wildlife such as lions, elephants, rhinos, zebras, and their surrounding natural environments are protected with a commitment to three core principles: biodiversity, sustainability, and community.
Singita Grumet comprises four types of fixed tents and one mobile tent, all situated within a sprawling area of Serengeti National Park. Sasakwa Lodge is the most luxurious, featuring nine country-style tents and a colonial-mansion-style villa; you can enjoy bars, sunbathe in the garden with tea, play billiards, learn archery, and go horseback riding. The Sabora area consists of nine tents decorated with antiques in the style of the 1920s. Faru Faru's eight tents are nestled in a wooded forest along the Grumeti River. Finally, Singita Explore is a truly private and often... mobile hunting camp within the Grumeti Reserve.
4. Belmond SAVUTE ELEPHANT LODGE (CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA)
It's not uncommon to find elephants in most national parks in Africa, but when you visit Chobe National Park, you'll still be surprised to see them in much higher densities than in other areas. Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge is famous for the sight of herds of elephants crossing the plains in front of its classic, tall huts. The colors in the huts' design are harmonious and gentle, giving the feeling of being in a peaceful and idyllic countryside.
From the observation deck, you can enjoy light meals and observe animals such as elephants, leopards, and antelopes gathering along the banks of the Savute River, especially now that the river has begun to flow again after many years of drought.
Here, in addition to traveling by car, you can also sit on a Mokoro boat, gliding across the river and enjoying the beauty of the riverine landscape. Especially, an outdoor party, right in the middle of the vast open space, is always available if you want to experience the feeling of being one with nature.
5. Mashpi Lodge (Mashpi, Ecuador)
Nestled amidst a tropical rainforest atop a mountain 950 meters above sea level and shrouded in mist, Mashpi Lodge emerges as a luxurious resort situated within a 1,200-hectare private nature reserve. Here, you step into a world of vibrant greenery, breathing in the fresh air provided by nature, with 70% of the area covered in pristine forest.
The forest's biodiversity is incredibly diverse, encompassing not only species within our understanding but also previously undiscovered ones – such as the Mashpi frog and a species of magnolia tree only recently identified in the last few years. You'll have the opportunity to explore a rich and diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna within this dense rainforest, accompanied by experienced guides – mostly locals who grew up in the forest itself.
Mashpi Logde is designed as a futuristic resort and a world-class biodiversity research station. Architects and designers used glass walls, tropical wood, and recycled steel to create the three-tiered resort in Mashpi. What's special is that the resort's luxury and modernity go beyond just a research station; it fully meets all the standards that visitors expect from a high-end resort. In addition to visiting groups, a team of botanists and biologists will also reside there to oversee their scientific research in the forest.
