Looking for inspiration in finding a standout camping experience? Our specialists reveal the best alfresco escapes...
Sal Salis, Cape Range National Park, Australia
Recommended by Australia specialist Eric
Nestled in the white sand dunes of Western Australia’s Cape Range National Park, Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef is a remote beach-side safari camp experience. Sixteen spacious wilderness tents are just feet from the water’s edge and one of the world’s greatest coastal coral reefs. The tents offer comfortable beds and an en suite bathroom.
The main camp building is set above the sand and offers wonderful views of the reef. Enjoy a contemporary Australian dinner prepared by an on-site chef and wake up in the morning to breakfast on the beach.
Norman Carr Safaris, South Luangwa, Zambia
Recommended by Zambia specialist Russell
Spend the night camping in a dried-out river bed in South Luangwa National Park, warmed by a ring of campfires. Norman Carr Safaris’ ‘Return to the Wild’ sleepout is a wonderful night under the stars and a definite highlight of any safari trip.
You might be out in the bush, but you still get to sleep on a comfortable mattress, with nothing other than a mosquito net above you — the night sky as your ceiling. The guide and scout will prepare a wonderful Zambian barbecue and you can stargaze for hours while listening to the distant harmonies of the African wildlife.
Patagonia Camp, Torres del Paine, Chile
Recommended by Chile specialist Nick
If you were to pick one location in the world for a glamping spot, Chilean Patagonia would surely be it. Sitting just outside the stunning Torres del Paine National Park, the surroundings of Patagonia Camp are really the only reason you need to visit. Its famous ‘towers’ poke out from behind wooded hills, looming over the lake on which the camp is set.
However, if that isn’t incentive enough, the friendly welcome, numerous activities and comfortable yurts only add to the experience. And the wind whistling around the canvas at night means you can’t forget that you're right in the heart of Patagonia.
Amanwana, Moyo Island, Indonesia
Recommended by Indonesia specialist Laura
This remote escape, far detached from the busy tourist trail, lies in a dark-sky area home to deserted beaches and lush forest. The luxurious tented accommodation of Amanwana is reminiscent of an African safari reserve.
A day here can be filled by everything from embarking on one of its many walking trails to taking a dip in the jungle pool, or snorkelling the crystal-clear waters off the shores of Moyo Island. As evening draws in, turn your attention to the sky, luminous with millions of visibly clear stars, before retiring to your tent and listening to the sounds of the forest.
Gold Sand Camp, Erg Chebbi, Morocco
Recommended by Morocco specialist Marie
The Erg Chebbi dune range is a magical place, and staying in tented accommodation is the most traditional way to see the Sahara. The journey into the desert starts with a 4x4, followed by a leisurely camel ride through the dunes. Once there, the Sahara Desert Camp tents have private en suite bathrooms and comfy beds set on locally made rugs.
You will be serenaded by traditional Gnawa musicians during dinner, which is cooked by a chef and served under a brilliantly starlit night sky. Be sure to wake up at dawn to hike to the top of a nearby dune to watch the sun rise over the sands before breakfast.
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, Vancouver Island, Canada
Recommended by Canada specialist Maddy
Set in Vancouver Island’s Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve, this resort boasts the best of both worlds: all-inclusive luxury tented accommodation and a remote rainforest setting. Reached via a scenic 55-minute seaplane flight from Vancouver, a variety of wilderness activities delight, and you’re as likely to find yourself hiking through wild forest with a First Nations guide as kayaking on a cascading mountain river or admiring its breathtaking landscape from horseback. Alternatively, relax in an outdoor hot tub and watch for the local black bears that inhabit this stunning setting.
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