Under African Stars

4 min Read January 6, 2022

Under African Stars

As safari experts, we know there’s nothing that beats a night under the African stars with only a mosquito net between you and the Southern Cross. Staying in a treehouse in Africa is a unique experience. Many African treehouse lodges are luxurious chalets nestled in Baobab, Leadwood, Mahogany or Marula trees, and come complete with sunken baths, four poster beds and wildlife at your fingertips. Private decks provide a wonderful view of the forests and riverbeds at these gorgeous locations, and some allow you to roll out your bed for an evening under the stars. Waking up and staring into the eyes of a giraffe is surely something we all aspire to. Enjoy this selection of treehouse lodges and star beds providing unique experiences under the African skies.

Star Beds & Treehouses

Botswana

Linyanti Expeditions – Located on the southern banks of the Linyanti River in northern Botswana, each tent has a star suite, which is an extension to the tent itself. Sleep under the stars in a mesh enclosed outside area, with access to your tent!

Tuludi –  Wooden boardwalks wind through the leadwood trees to connect the seven ‘treehouse-style’ tents, each kept cool by the shady boughs. Enjoy the Tuludi Sky Suite Experience – sleep out in the bush, on a raised platform nestled 100 meters away from a viewing hide overlooking a hippo pool, with the creatures of the wild and not another soul in sight.

Leroo La Tau – Take advantage of this lodge’s unique location on the Boteti River and enjoy a sleep out under the stars on the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.

Kenya

Ngare Serian – Located in the Mara North Conservancy, this camp comes equipped with the ‘The Nest’, a treehouse ideal for a sleep-out spot, or a perfect perch to have a picnic.

Loisaba Starbeds – Poised on a rocky kopje, these starbeds, command sweeping views over an undulating valley and a permanent waterhole, frequented by resident wildlife. Sitting on raised wooden platforms jutting out from a thatched-roof accommodation, the bed is rolled out each night for guests to sleep under the endless African sky.

Namibia

Little Kulala –  Situated on a dry Auab riverbed in the Kulala Wilderness Reserve of the Namib Desert. Enjoy a sleep out on your bottom deck or gaze up from the roof at one of only 8 designated International Dark Sky reserves in the world.

&Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge – Cradled against ancient mountains, stone and glass desert villas of andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge blend the grandeur and solitude of the Namib with sophisticated elegance and comfort. Massive windows open up onto the endless vistas, framed in the background by the ever-changing colors of the dunes. The stars shine directly on your bed through a glazed skylight, perfect for in bed star gazing.

Onduli Ridge – Built at the base of two south-facing granite outcrops which are connected by a ridge, this location allows for magnificent views of Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg, to the south and the dispersed cathedral-like granite inselbergs to the north.  The six suites are hidden amongst the granite boulders that nestle the camp and the more temperate climate of central Damaraland allows for naturally ventilated suites. Roll your bed onto the deck and enjoy a night under the stars!

South Africa

Tanda Tula –  Sleep under the stars of the Timbavati Reserve, on a wooden deck tucked under a magnificent Leadwood tree in a four poster bed, under a feather duvet and a mosquito net. After an evening safari, you will be dropped off at this secluded location, a ladder leads you to this cozy and comfortable platform. Enjoy a picnic with a tapas-style dinner, as well as your favorite drinks.

Lion Sands River Lodge – With three treehouses to choose from, spend the night in Kingston, Chalkley, or Tinyeleti Treehouse in South Africa’s Sabi Sands reserve, high above the grazing elephants.

Tswalu – Spend the night at the Malori Starbed, which sits on a raised deck in the middle of the game reserve, surrounded by the calls of nocturnal animals, with nothing between you and the brilliant stars of the Kalahari night sky. Enjoy dinner as the sun sets over the Kalahari’s dramatic landscapes and fall asleep under the star filled skies.

Tanzania

Tarangire Treetops – From your private deck nestled in the trees, gaze out onto the landscape of rolling baobab studded hills.

Zambia

Puku Ridge – Located in a remote part of the South Luangwa National Park, sleep out in a four poster bed on your own private tower deck.

Zimbabwe

The Hide – Beautiful sunsets and starry nights in the heart of Zimbabwe’s Hwange Game Park are yours alone at the “Dove’s Nest”.  It’s a wonderful open treehouse perched on the edge of a wildlife filled valley.

Ruckomechi Camp – Situated in a large private concession in the heart of the Zambezi Valley’s Mana Pools National Park, Ruckomechi looks out from the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, gazing out towards Zambia’s evocative escarpment.  Spend a special night in the wild in a Star Bed treehouse perched high above with a perfect view as the animals visit the waterhole below.

Fly Camping

For those guests looking for an exclusive bush experience, we also recommend fly-camping for a few nights. With just a simple camp bed and mosquito net, it’s the ultimate safari experience without the frills. Spend a night fly-camping under mosquito nets on dry river beds within the Selous Game Reserve at Sand Rivers Selous. Also, be sure to check out our Zambian Bush Adventure itinerary which includes a stay at Kutali Fly Camp located on Kulefu Island in the Lower Zambezi.

Contact us for more ideas on sleeping under the African skies.

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