I am not a camper. There, I said it. Call me high-maintenance, but there is nothing fun about pitching a tent, sleeping on the floor and peeing in the bushes. Besides, I can easily make s’mores on the gas burner of my stove at home. So, when I heard we would be sleeping in tents in Serengeti while on an African safari, I was not thrilled. But, what I didn’t know was that we would be Glamping, a luxury sort of camping that doesn’t require me to squat in the wilderness.
Happy camper.
After a long, dusty day on safari in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, we were all just looking forward to a warm bed, decent food and a hot shower. On that particular evening the Shadows of Africa tour team, booked us at Osupuko Camps for a luxury camping experience. It is miles away from any other camps, out in the wilderness where the wildlife run…wild.
Glamping better include safety barriers.
We drove down nameless dirt roads for miles until there was a sign that this lodging actually existed, glimmering lights. How the driver found it in this remote location was beyond me.
The camp had ten boarding tents, plus one for dining and a kitchen one too. These tents were not your typical popups, they were large, standup versions made of heavy canvas. My individual one had two full size beds, a shower, sink and flushing toilet. This is my kind of camping.
We were each given a flashlight, or a torch as they called it, for getting the attention of an assistant to walk you to and from the tent at night.
You wouldn’t want to get eaten by any hungry critters out there.
After getting settled in, and just before dinner, a group of glampers sat around the fire sipping cocktails. Yep. They have a pretty well stocked bar too. Glamping is good. As we drank, the shining eyes of gazelles could be seen in faraway bushes, not daring to come too close, but a reminder that we were still on safari.
Dinner was served at 7:30 and there was no need to spend time lighting a grill, marinating the meat or setting the table. It is all done for you, as if we were dining at a restaurant with a set menu. The meal was steak, rice and a vegetable.
And though it wasn’t five-star dining, it wasn’t burnt hot dogs either and I didn’t have to do a thing to prepare it. Bonus.
Showers had to be scheduled, if you actually wanted a hot one, which I did. In order to properly execute a warm shower, one of the staff had to hoist hot water above your tent and pour it so it flows down into the shower head, until you tell him to stop. Yes. A bit archaic.
But, did I mention there was a HOT shower while camping?
Tucked under the covers that night, in my room alone, it was an adjustment getting used to the evening noise; the wind blowing the walls of the tent, random animal calls and light footsteps outside the zippered door. But, eventually I fell into a deep slumber wakened by the sun shining through the mesh window of my canvas abode.
I rubbed my eyes and reflected on the prior evening, realizing that the only thing missing was the S’mores.
Glamping must include S’mores.
More About Africa
The African Big Five: The Top 5 Animals to Spot on Safari
African Safari in Tanzania: The Ultimate Itinerary and Tour
Africa’s Maasai Tribe: The Culture & Traditions of The People
Safari Animal Bucket List: 35 Top African Wildlife to Spot
Four Seasons Safari Lodge: Luxury in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park
9 Things To Do on a Long Haul Flight to Cure Boredom
There’s just that tent between you and the wildlife?
Yep, just a thin piece of canvas :)
It sounds so cozy – thank you for sharing your experience!
I am okay with camping, but this looks like a lot of fun. AND you’re on safari! So cool!
Don’t get me wrong, I will camp…when absolutely necessary. But, this was so much better!
Love this so much! Even though I eventually got into camping in Australia, this is still more my style O:-)
I used to like real camping when I was younger, but glamping is more my style too :)
I HATE camping! Ahhhh you couldn’t pay me to camp. Glamping I’m open to!!! What an awesome experience!
Phew, I’m glad to hear someone else out there is not fond of camping too!
I think I’d like a shower attendant at home. Hang on, that could get kinda creepy. Scratch that. :)
It was my first time “glamping” as well, and I know now it won’t be my last. :)
LOL!
Yeah, I think glamping is the only way to go. This must have been amazing!
Glamping is for sure the way to go if you love traditional camping as much as me ;)
That sounds like a nice experience. I’m also NOT a camper! I went camping once and ended up with a bloody knee and frizzy hair. Glamping sounds like fun though! :)
I’m not gonna say you won’t get a bloody knee while glamping, but your frizzy hair could be cured with a flat iron because there is electricity in the tents!
I loved glamping. We had all sorts of animals roaming around at night like elephants, baboons and hippos! One of my favorite travel experiences for sure…and yes…I love toilets and warm showers too!
I could have even sacrificed the hot shower for the flushing toilet!
I love to camp outdoors, but not in Africa or a place I am unfamiliar with, so having these awesome luxuries on hand to sleep comfortably and safe is just the ticket. Great post.
Sleeping comfortably is extremely important to me. I get cranky with lack of good sleep ;)
I like to see wild animals and before that I was not expecting that trip could be amazing just like you had it.Thanks for this amazing post and describing wild Serengeti.
Oh, I would so love to do this!! It not only sounds like fun but looks like fun as well. I have always dreamed of a trip to the Serengeti and this one looks perfect. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us!
This was one of those adventures of a lifetime that I hope you will one day get to experience!
I enjoyed reading your posts about your safari. I just booked a safari to same area for next fall, the tour operator has me here at osupuko camp for 3 nights. I’m excited but was nervous especially going solo and being in tent by myself, as I am not a camper. I couldn’t find much info/reviews on the camp so I appreciate your post and photos. Did animals come real close to the tents? Did any critters come inside the tent? I will be staying at Osupuko lodge in tarangire for 2 nights too.
How exciting that you are doing a safari! I am not a camper either, but this was a bit different because it was a normal bed with comfy bedding, a flushing toilet and electricity. I too was a little worried about sleeping by myself in the tent, but I closed the zippered entry and then secured it at the bottom with my luggage lock. If any animals got really close to the tent I wasn’t completely aware of it and no critters got inside. The hardest part was getting used to the wind blowing against the walls. Also, the tents are reasonably close together, so your neighbors are there for safety :) You will love Osupuko Lodge, it is INCREDIBLE!!
Let me know if you have any other questions.
I haven’t tried glamping in Serengeti yet and reading your post definitely makes me want to! It’s nice to have this kind of option specially if you aren’t used to camping outdoors. Glamping practically sounds like a paradise to be honest and a fun experience to try on safari trips. And you mentioning a hot shower is definitely something I welcome. I’m not very fond of taking cold showers myself and a relaxing hot shower after a day of game drives is a relaxing way to end an adventure. Can’t wait to read more of your travel experiences!
What a great post, Thanks for sharing! Tanzania is Unforgettable.
Glad you like it!