Out-in deluxe

WORDS Malibongwe Tyilo

Glamping, a portmanteau of the words “glamour” and “camping”, might sound like an unlikely pairing of concepts. But, trust us, it’s real – and the reason you no longer have to be afraid of the rough and tumble of the great outdoors.

Think luxury tents with air conditioning, large comfortable beds and en-suite bathrooms; treehouses with lounges and dining areas; and designer caravans – all with nature tangibly close, which is the greatest luxury of all. To make it easy for you, we’ve rounded up our pick of glamping spots.

The Caravan: Old Mac Daddy Luxury Trailer Park

This “caravan park” boasts 10 airstream trailer suites – each individually designed by designers, artists and quirky creatives – which transport you to a full-on fantasy world (read more here). Situated among the pine trees in the Elgin Valley, the park also has an indoor-outdoor barn-style restaurant furnished by popular Cape Town designers Pedersen + Lennard, a Grolsch bar and a swimming pool. Except for the lakeside trailer, all the others have extended living areas, private decks and spacious bathrooms. Fabulous as they are, we recommend you resist the temptation to spend all your time relaxing in the trailers; the Elgin Valley abounds with orchards, vineyards and mountain-biking tracks.

• Old Mac Daddy Luxury Trailer Park, 021 844 0241, oldmacdaddy.co.za 

The Treehouse – Kardouw Country Retreat

A short two-hour drive from Cape Town and 25km from Citrusdal, this gem is set on the banks of the Olifants River. It promises the kind of breathtaking Western Cape scenery that nature lovers, bird watchers, hikers and mountain bikers love. The treehouses are furnished with double beds and have fully equipped kitchenettes. There is also a large, communal sundeck and braai area on the riverbank. For those who don’t want to glamp it up in one of the treehouses, book into the three-bedroom farmhouse.

• Kardouw Country Retreat, 022 921 2474, citrusdal.info/kardouw

The Campsite – Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps

On the border of the Kruger National Park, between Timbavati and Sabi Sand, lies the Manyeleti Game Reserve, home to two luxury tented camps: the Khoka Moya and Mantobeni. Think king-size beds, soft leather couches, private bathrooms and, should you choose Khoka Moya, you also get a viewing deck right in front of your tent. Communal areas include a bar, lounge and dining space, with a view over sprawling lawns leading to the swimming pool. And that’s not all! There are morning and afternoon game drives, where you can rub shoulders with the Big Five from the safety of an open Jeep. How’s that for a truly glamped-up safari experience?

• Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps, 011 341 0282, honeyguidecamp.com