4 Reasons to Choose a Luxury Safari Camp
As the sun dips below the African wide-open plains, lanterns flicker to life and the night’s cool air fills with the sound of the wild – yes, the haunting calls of a hyena or a roar of a lion. You step onto your private deck, a glass of wine in hand, as a big elephant moves silently in the distance. This large terrestrial animal is there to remind you that you’re in the ‘very best’ wildlife destination.
And the comfort? It is because of your careful planning and high amount of stake you invested in your safari. Staying in a luxury safari camp means you don’t just witness Tanzania’s wild side; you live it in style. Here are four reasons why choosing a luxury safari camp can make your safari once in a lifetime.
- Prime locations with unmatched views.
As budget and midrange properties compete to set their camps in accessible areas, luxury camps think beyond accessibility. They move their camp to a remote location instead of just setting it next to another camp. This isn’t about avoiding competition – it’s about avoiding the noise. It’s also about finding untouched places where wildlife sightings are always natural, undisturbed.
So, you said remote location; so, do I access it? Worry not, most of these high-end properties have their own airstrip. Or, they are very close (around 1 hour drive) to airstrips. For instance, most luxurious camps in private concessions around the Serengeti have private airstrips. Singita camps have Sasakwa Airstrip, Klein’s Camp has Klein’s Airstrip, and Mwiba Lodge has its very own Mwiba Airstrip.
Well, what if you’re staying in the main park, not in private concessions? These camps have private vehicles to take you from the nearby airstrip. The Jabali Ridge in Ruaha, for example, is a 50-minute drive from Msembe Airstrip, while the Grumeti River Lodge (Western Serengeti) is just a 15-minute drive from the Grumeti Airstrip.
- Unique wildlife experiences beyond game drives.
With luxury camps, game drives go beyond the average. Comfortable safari vehicles, well-ventilated and with enough legroom for you to relax. On top of that, these drives are private – no sharing with other guests, and they are led by expert field guides – guides who know Tanzania’s wilderness inside out.
And beyond these private drives, these exclusive camps offer bucket-list adventures crafted for you. You will enjoy candlelit dinners in secluded and carefully designed locations. Add to that dinner, a stargazing experience, which is an exploration of the African constellation. In this experience, you won’t just be staring at the sky – an expert guide will be by your side, teaching you everything about the universe.
Between drives or during evenings, you will be guided on a rewarding nature walk in the dense bush. This experience allows you to slow down and explore small creatures, the ones we often overlook and can’t see from the height of a vehicle. As part of their giving-back-to-the-community campaign, some luxurious camps offer cultural visits. And in some, you may fly on a colorful balloon either as part of safari activities or as an optional activity.
- Personalized service and fine dining.
Have you been treated as king? These camps often go the extra mile in treating their clients. First, they have many staff members compared to the number of visitors they get. That means every guest will have their private chef (and private meal times), servant, etc. Second, every drive is led by a private guide specially for you. With this expert by your side, you will have first-hand knowledge about Tanzania’s wildlife.
When it comes to meals, luxury camps let you decide. Do you have special diet requests? Speak to your chef. You also decide how you want your dinner, lunch, or breakfast to be. These camps offer candlelit dinners, picnic lunches, and buffet bush breakfasts tailored for you. We can simply say that every activity is under the guidance of an expert.
- Privacy and exclusivity.
In most luxury camps, privacy is a given. These camps are small and mostly consist of anywhere between 5 and 10 safari tents. In just rare circumstances, these camps may have up to 15 tents, but are spatially distributed. This small number of guests means there’s a limit on the number of guests, hence facilitating privacy and comfort.
Like we said, camps are perfectly perched in remote locations within the park or in private concessions. This makes them out of reach in terms of price and location to most budget travelers. As a result, you will enjoy premier game viewing opportunities from the comfort of your private deck.
The final words
As far as we know, a safari is always unforgettable. But choosing a luxury camp or lodge transforms it into an extraordinary journey. Private game drives, gourmet dining, personalized services… are all designed to make you (and your family) close to the wild. We can help you pick your favorite accommodation. Let’s start planning your dream adventure.
