Fly camping is a truly magical experience in which you sleep in the wilderness under a mosquito net, with the star-studded sky above.

Fly camping, Nyerere National Park, Tanzania

Sand Rivers Camp, Tanzania

Fly camping, Nyerere National Park, Tanzania

This property epitomises the very essence of Nyerere. Great for walking safaris, fly camping and excellent for boating trips, this is a seriously well-run camp that has an incredibly well-established reputation. First class, especially in the suites!

Laikipia Wilderness Camp, Kenya

Fly Camping, Laikipia, Laikipia Wilderness, Kenya

An adventurous camp that’s all about the personal experience and the guiding. Steve, a Zimbabwean pro guide, and his guiding team are phenomenal at getting you up close on foot to big game, whilst offering the ultimate flexibility to explore this region. Fly camping is offered just a few miles outside of the camp, where you will be afforded bedrolls under the stars, with a campfire to sit around and tell stories at night.

Fly Camping, Laikipia, Laikipia Wilderness, Kenya
Mobile43

Robin Pope’s Safaris, Zambia

Mobile43

This is a superb camp that offers an incredible experience at a very high standard. The staff and quality of guiding makes this one of the best ways to explore the South Luangwa.

Kichaka Expeditions, Tanzania

Kichaka 2015 144.1

Intimate safari, well off the beaten track and in the hands of one of the best guides around – Kichaka Expeditions is up there with Tanzania’s most remote and exciting experiences!

Kichaka 2015 144.1
Tent, Serian's Serengeti North Camp, The Serengeti, Tanzania

Serian’s Serengeti South, Tanzania

Tent, Serian's Serengeti North Camp, The Serengeti, Tanzania

One of Africa most famous professional guides, Alex Walker’s camps are nothing short of exceptional. With private vehicles offered as a standard and some of the best guiding in the country, if you are after a Great Migration-focused camp, then these are a great beat.

Jongomero Camp, Tanzania

tented suite, jongomero camp, ruaha national park, tanzania

Jongomero will always be a favorite, due solely to the camp’s remote location, stunning rooms and level of luxury. Fly camping is provided as an extension of the game walk, and involves two or three days’ hiking through the bush and one or two nights’ sleeping under the stars.

tented suite, jongomero camp, ruaha national park, tanzania
Sarara camp bedroom view kenya yellow zebra safaris

Sarara Camp, Kenya

Sarara camp bedroom view kenya yellow zebra safaris

Wild, authentic, and one of the very best properties in the country for adventure-seeking safari enthusiasts. Sarara is an old Yellow Zebra favorite, a property that’s incredibly well respected within the industry.

Sosian Lodge, Kenya

Sosian (45 of 78)

Located in Laikipia, Sosian offers a home away from home, filled with adventure and a wide range of activities to keep everyone busy, including fly camping, swimming and tubing.

Sosian (45 of 78)
activities in fish river canyon, namibia safaris

Fish River Lodge, Namibia

activities in fish river canyon, namibia safaris

Fish River Lodge provides all the comforts of home and the opportunity to experience some of the most breathtaking views on the planet! A stay here makes for a very worthwhile trip indeed.

San Camp, Botswana

Yoga, San Camp, The Pans, Botswana

San Camp is a well-established, well-known, very well-run camp with a superior location. It’s owned by Natural Selection, which operates a number of excellent camps and lodges.

Yoga, San Camp, The Pans, Botswana
01.

What to consider

Fly camping is staying overnight out in the bush away from your main camp. This is a truly magical experience in which you sleep in the wilderness under a mosquito net, with the star-studded sky above you, the magnificent sounds of the wild surrounding you, and an armed ranger close by!

There are some pretty luxurious camps offering ‘star beds’ and treehouses so you can enjoy fly camping in style and comfort. Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous) in southern Tanzania, Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and the Kalahari Desert in Botswana… all are particularly good areas for guided walking, animal tracking, and sleeping out in the true wilderness.

02.

A typical itinerary

A typical itinerary involves arriving in your fly camp before sundown, having enjoyed a couple of hours’ walking (or driving) with your specialist guide to reach the camp. The accommodation will already be set up waiting for you, so you can enjoy sundowners around the campfire followed by a sumptuous dinner under the stars, before retiring to your comfortable bed. You will then wake for an early breakfast and head back to your lodge, via a different route. For those wishing for a longer camping experience, there are plenty of options available that we would be happy to recommend based on our own incredible experiences!

Fly camping on safari is simply one of those experiences you’ll remember forever. For those seeking an added layer of adventure and immersion, sleeping out in the wilderness is truly special. I’ve been fortunate enough to fly camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, as well as during my time working on Robin Pope Safaris’ mobile camping in the South Luangwa in Zambia. Each location offers something unique – whether it’s the clarity of the night sky, the quiet thrill of hearing wildlife just beyond the firelight, or the simple joy of getting back to basics. If you’re considering fly camping, look for areas known for strong guiding, and be sure to pair it with a few days in a permanent camp for contrast. It’s not about roughing it – it’s about presence, simplicity, and unforgettable moments in the bush.
Catherine Allen Team Leader

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