Types of Safari Accommodation - What are Camps and Lodges?

Learn the Safari lodging lingo…

When you hear about Safari accommodation, you will often hear “Camps and Lodges”. If you haven't been on an African Safari, you probably associate the word “camp” with a small tent, and basic facilities, or perhaps even some kind of army setup with ration packs! The word “Lodges” probably conjures up images of dimly lit old cabins. Both of these are very wrong when it comes to Safari lingo! I will take you through the different types of accommodation on Safari and what to expect! Keep in mind that I work with destinations ranging from mid-luxury to upscale luxury from anywhere between $400- $1,800 per person per night.

Classic Tented Camps

This is your old Africa, “Hemmingway Style” accommodation. Expect big canvas tents furnished with beautiful fittings and often more outdoorsy ensuite bathrooms. This is the closest you can feel to the wild whilst still in luxurious comfort.

The Lounge tent refers to the communal area where you’ll find stunning views, delicious food, books, games. This is the “chill-out” area where you’ll spend your time when it’s too hot to be on a game drive in the heat of the day or when you’re having your evening drinks watching the sunset!

The Tented Camps will either be permanent or mobile.

Permanent Tented Camps
These camps will not move season to season and will be located in great locations year-round. When staying at a permanent camp, you will usually have larger rooms, indoor and outdoor bathrooms, more space in the lounge area, and have amenities like a spa, etc.

Kuro Tarangire, Tarangire, Tanzania

Alex Walker Serian, Masai Mara North, Kenya

Namiri Plains, Serengeti, Tanzania

Mobile Tented Camps
There are small tented camps that are semi-permanent or move season to season. They might sound simple but these more intimate camps are perfect for an exclusive Safari feel and a proper Safari bush experience.

Alex Walker Serengeti Camp, Serengeti, Tanzania

Safari Lodges

Safari Lodges are usually more permanent structures built into the surroundings and have a more homely feel. With more amenities such as bigger bathrooms, larger dining areas, and indoor fireplaces, lodges are a step up in comfort and luxuriousness whilst still keeping that feeling of being in the wild.

Lamai Serengeti, Serengeti, Tanzania

Singita Sabora, Grumeti Reserve, Tanzania

MalaMala Main Camp, MalaMala Game Reserve, South Africa

I recommend staying at a mix of Tented Camps and Lodges to get the most from your Journey To Africa Safari.
Let’s chat and start planning your Safari of a lifetime!

MalaMala Game Reserve in South Africa

My guests/friends recently booked a Safari to Victoria Falls, Cape Town, and Mozambique beach when I suggested using MalaMala Game Reserve for their 3 nights of Safari Time. I am a Safari snob and want you to spend as much time as possible on Safari but if you have a short amount of time to enjoy the amazing animal-life, then MalaMala Game Reserve is personally recommended when on Safari in South Africa!

Why?
The density of wildlife is superb. You have a high chance of seeing the Big Five [elephants, buffalo, rhino, lion, and leopard] when at MalaMala. Leopards can be spotted on most game drives. Not lyin’, I have seen the most beautiful male lions here with huge lion prides - lovely to see healthy young cubs galore.

Elephant herds with cute as a button babies enjoying the shade from the woodland and the lifeline of MalaMala Game Reserve, the Sand River. White rhinos - such a sight - and also found, Nyala; an antelope found only in Southern Africa - such a beauty.

Larger than most of the neighboring area’s reserves.
The reserve has a no-fenced border with Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand Game Reserve hence the easy flow of wildlife between the areas and worth repeating, the advantage of the lifeline Sand River running through year-round. Only guests from MalaMala can game drive in the reserve which has an exclusive feel.

When the rangers [the guides], who wear an earpiece to communicate within themselves, spot something interesting, only 2-3 cars can view at the same time so as not to disturb the animal(s).

The Lodge:
Whether you are in the larger Main Camp, the smaller Sable Camp, or the exclusive Rattray’s, lodging is top-notch at MalaMala. Each room has AC [a relief during the hot month November to March], lovely connected bathrooms, and all the amenities to make your stay more than comfortable. Food is out in the open deck or in the dining area and you will have an array of choices as well as a wide selection of drinks [house drinks, beers, soft drinks are included] to go with your meals.

Combine MalaMala with raw Botswana and you are in for an amazing Southern African Safari.
We know where you to take you. Let’s chat Safari.

Meru House

When I was in Arusha, my friend Tati of Tanzania Women's Maasai Art told me I must visit Meru House as an option for Journey To Africa clients spending a night or two in Arusha. Tati used to run Oliver's Camp when it was a really rustic camp with my friend and professional guide Paul Oliver from 1990s to early 2000. She has good taste. The camps she has run [in Tanzania and Botswana] were well run, simple yet elegant and it continues in her work with Maasai bead jewelry.

Tati and I went to have lunch with Sandra DeKussrow of Meru House. The minute I entered the gates, it felt so inviting. It is afterall a home converted into a cozy lodge. You have to drive through a coffee plantation to get to the boutique inn and once you enter, you are welcomed by the lovely garden.

When you enter the house, you can see the inviting living room with a fire-place on the left and the inside dining room that seats about 10 people family style on the right. The large beautiful door in the front leads you to the outdoor dining / coffee + tea area / resting spot in large couches overlooking the gardens and the lap pool.

Each room is well decorated with all the comforts of home. A lovely bathroom and a comfy bed in a pleasing palate. A family would really benefit from having two rooms close by with a connecting bathroom. The kids room still retains Sandra's sons book collection. The views from the large windows are of the garden, the lap pool or the coffee plantation. 

The food! Delicious. I was there for lunch and we had a delicious butternut squash soup to warm us up on a cold day and a lovely garden salad. To finish off, coffee from their own Msumbi farm.

Meru House is a great cozy place to overnight for a night or two on arrival into Tanzania before you head out on Safari or after a Mt. Kilimanjaro climb.

Let us take you to Meru House on Your Safari. 
We can help you get there.