With so little light pollution, stargazing in Africa is about as good as it gets. Whether you’re a budding astronomer or simply spellbound by a sky full of stars, we can arrange the perfect experience for you. The Milky Way will never look so beautiful, and the noises of the bush at night will never sound so thrilling. Be sure to bring a good torch with you to help spot nocturnal animals wandering around, and binoculars for epic dawn game sightings. Read on to get our lowdown on the best safari sleepout options for every traveller…
Best for: Adventurers
Fly camping earned its name from the original walking safari pioneers who carried the lightweight flysheet from a tent to string up between trees each night. Nowadays, sleeping out in the African bush still isn’t something we’d recommend for the fainthearted, but with the right guides to help set up and ensure your safety, it can also be one of the most thrilling and memorable safari experiences. A modern-day fly camping experience involves walking to a completely remote area, spotting wildlife en route. Come evening, while you sip on sundowner cocktails around a quickly conjured up campfire, your guides will prepare the sleeping setup. Just remember to pack a jumper to fend off the chill if you’re travelling in the cooler months. Settle in for the night and listen to animal calls in the distance before waking to a memorable African dawn. If you’re a keen camper, make fly camping part of a larger itinerary and do a multi-day walking safari.
Best for: Romance
It doesn’t get much more romantic than snuggling up with your other half in a four-poster bed, raised up on a treehouse platform in the middle of the African bush. And although we recommend a digital detox, if you've got a phone to hand, make sure to download a stargazing app so you can identify the constellations together. Many of our favourite lodges have now added luxury treehouses (complete with fully functioning bathrooms) to their portfolio and can offer sleepout experiences. Following on from the afternoon game drive you’ll arrive at your secluded treehouse as dusk falls to find a gourmet dinner and a chilled drink waiting for you. Your guide will then make themselves scarce and leave you to enjoy the night together, with lanterns, blankets and bubbly aplenty.
Best for: Playing it safe
For some, the fear of bugs and things that go bump in the night is enough to put them off sleeping under the stars altogether. But if you’re happy to give it a try, why not compromise by choosing a lodge that offers a star bed adjacent to your perfectly safe, hermetically sealed(ish) bedroom? Several lodges offer different variations on the same theme and you can opt for either an additional rooftop bed setup, a four-poster bed on wheels or even just a comfortable daybed next to your private plunge pool. Whichever you choose, you’ll still get the full stargazing experience, but also have the option to retreat inside whenever you like.
Header image by Pie Aerts