If we have to choose favourite experiences, sleeping under the stars is definitely up there. To lie in bed, safely tucked inside a mosquito net and surrounded by nocturnal sounds, is a magical experience. You’ll try to stay awake as long as you can to take in the vastness of the universe — but before you know it, you’ll wake to the first rays of sunrise as the hills turn the softest peach all around you. The smell of freshly brewed coffee delivered to you in the morning completes the moment.
Ol Malo is home to the unique Leopard Hide, built into the side of a cliff, and the Treehouse, a platform on stilts atop an acacia tree. Both provide a unique and rustic option to get closer to nature. The Leopard Hide is perfect for adventurous families and the Treehouse is ideal for couples.
The star beds at Loisaba are for those wanting a more comfortable, but still rustic, option when sleeping out. Each star-bed cottage has a lounge area and bathroom and a bed rolled out onto a balcony overlooking a waterhole. Animals come and go throughout the night, making their way under and around your platform. If it all gets a little too wild, you can roll your bed back inside!
Fly camping is a great option for those looking for an authentic and adventurous safari experience. However, it is important to note that fly camping is not for everyone, as it is a more basic experience compared to staying in a traditional safari lodge. That said, if you’re yearning for a true and unfettered connection to the wilderness, this is the best way do it. A night out in the wild, dining in the mess tent and sleeping in a simple dome tent is something you’ll remember forever.
Kicheche Mara Camp in the Maasai Mara, as well as Sosian, Borana and Lewa Wilderness in the Laikipia region, all offer fly camping. Camp out in the conservancy far from others and enjoy drinks around the fire and tall stories from your guides! The right way to arrive is on foot, settling into the relaxed and wonderfully quiet surroundings for the night.
