Safari in Style > Permanent camps

Permanent camps

These camps and lodges (bush hotels) vary widely depending on the place and the experience they offer. Two aspects distinguish them from mobile camps. Firstly they are built with foundations, have underground fixtures, and since they do not move, are not limited by what they can carry in a truck. Secondly, most have modern plumbing, shower and toilet facilities and running water in the tents.

Generally Wilderness Africa’s guides design itineraries involving stays in two markedly different kinds of permanent camps and lodges: truly luxurious lodges and camps, and remoter, permanent or semi-permanent tented camps located in distant hideaways too far from supply lines, and so too costly for the provision of a luxury mobile camp. To learn about the latter visit the page on “bush and fly camps”.

In the last decade Africa has become endowed with increasingly more truly luxurious lodges and permanent tented camps. These epitomize the word “luxury” and cater to every imaginable wish. The standards encountered in the classiest of these match those of the finest hotels in the world. For this reason they are the accommodation of choice for groups where luxury and comfort is the prime consideration. These are rarely situated in as wild and remote areas as the mobile camps, but they are often placed in strategic locations with amazing panoramas, and offer superb views. The cost of a stay in these places is comparable to the luxury mobile camps, although they can sometimes cost more.

Sometimes we stay in lodges that provide enough comfort, but are primarily stepping stones to a unique experience, such as in areas where gorilla tracking is offered, or in the ancient historical cities of Ethiopia.

Most permanent tented camps and lodges are not exclusive, and so you are likely to meet other groups while staying there. This provides variety to safaris utilising luxury mobile tented camps, and the opportunity to meet other guests and swap stories. While most guests in these places share vehicles with other visitors, your Wilderness Africa guide will arrange your own vehicle and lead you on drives, walks or other activities while staying here.