There’s nothing quite like curling into a comfortable bed after a long day of travelling. It’s a time to unwind, relax and savour the feeling of being somewhere new and exciting. In Africa, night time has a magic and appeal all its own – from wondrous starscapes to falling asleep to the sounds of untamed nature just a few meters away.
And some spots are even more magical. From underwater sanctuaries in turquoise seas to treehouse nests overlooking floodplains, and from starlit beds on Kenyan plains to floating luxury on mighty rivers, Africa’s dreamiest sleeps redefine what it means to spend a night in the wild.
There are so many to choose from, but here are five of our favourites:
Underwater Room in Tanzania
Four metres sub-surface, a suspended bedroom with 360 degree views into the ocean, spot-lit at night to showcase the abundant marine life.
Manta Resort – a laid-back, powder-white beach retreat on Pemba Island, off the east coast of Tanzania – offers an extraordinary nocturnal experience. Swedish-designed, the three-storey Underwater Room hangs in the ‘Blue Hole’ – an anomaly in the coral reef, 250m offshore. This private suite features a lounge and a bathroom on the landing deck, with a set of wooden stairs leading up to a top deck with a large sunbed. But it’s the submarine bedroom, suspended three metres deep with panoramic windows into the Indian Ocean – that will blow your mind. Don’t expect to fall asleep quickly. How can you? You’re in a living aquarium with parrotfish, trumpetfish, rays, octopuses, and even small sharks swimming past. On our most recent stay we were even joined by a large barracuda.
Often overshadowed by its neighbour Zanzibar, Pemba sits quietly in the wings, waiting to be discovered. Manta Resort has an on-site PADI dive centre and other activities include sunset cruises, deep-sea fishing, bird watching trips to nearby Ngezi Rainforest, and visits to a local village.
Al fresco four-poster on wheels in Kenya
Overlooking Kenya’s expansive Laikipia plains, a night or two at Loisaba Star Beds appeals to anyone with a strong romantic streak. In the heart of a private conservancy, these handcrafted four-poster beds are rolled out onto raised wooden platforms, allowing guests to fall asleep facing the vast, star-filled African sky in this remote part of Laikipia. The nearby dam is too far for animal-watching, but wildlife does venture up and below the camp.
The rooms are simple: stone-and-plaster, wooden floors and thatched roofs. But the beds have sturdy wooden frames, cosy blankets, pillows and mosquito netting, and hot water bottles arrive on chilly nights. The height of the beds can make it a little tricky, getting in and out, so let us know if you’ve limited mobility and we will ensure a plan is made to make the beds accessible.
Increasingly recognised as one of Kenya’s best safari regions, challenging the Maasai Mara for overall safari experience, Laikipia – formerly a patchwork of huge ranches, and still an important livestock district – is now where some of country’s most positive conservation success stories are unfolding.
Luxury houseboat in Namibia
For a refined escape, take a two or three-day cruise along the Chobe River, the natural border between Namibia and Botswana. The Zambezi Queen is a luxury floating boutique hotel, 45m long and three storeys high. It’s a stay-on-board, all-inclusive experience with the freedom to do as you please.
We like it that you can be up with the birds or laze all morning, observing elephant and buffalo from your bed. There’s an impressive range of scheduled activities, but you choose to do as much or as little as you like. It’s not unusual for guests to opt out of activities and simply make the most of being onboard, given that game often congregates in high densities near the water’s edge.
With 14 cabins and top-tier service, the Zambezi Queen is perfect for travellers seeking the finer things in life and an atypical, water-based safari slumber.
Treehouse nests in Zambia
Weaver birds are masterful little builders. They knit together twigs and grass, which they line with feathers to create a cosy cocoon. Guests at Zambia’s Chisa Busanga Camp can stay in a luxurious, human-scale, weaver bird-style nest.
On a remote island in the north of Kafue National Park, surrounded by the Busanga Plains’ vast floodplains and dambo wetlands, eco-conscious adventurers will love this extraordinary experience. Each spacious nest features deluxe bedding, en-suite bathroom and outdoor shower. The sense of seclusion and connection to nature is unparalleled, with wildlife such as lions, leopards, and elephants often visible from your elevated perch.
Activities at Chisa Busanga include game drives, walking safaris and e-biking. The camp has a strong commitment to reducing its footprint and focusing on sustainable initiatives. The game-drive vehicles are powered by solar electricity, allowing for an almost silent safari. The minimal disturbance means you can get closer to the wildlife than ever.
Double-decker Dream Cruiser in Namibia
Imagine: a Land Cruiser with a bolted-on, custom-built bathroom (complete with shower, sink and flush loo) and an upper deck featuring a bedroom with white safari-style drapes and crisp sheets, plus a lounge area. The Dream Cruiser experience at Onguma, in Namibia, offers an unforgettable night immersed in the African wilderness.
By day, you can spot animals such as giraffes, lions, and antelopes roaming the reserve, while at night, the open-air setup lets you sleep under a canopy of stars in complete solitude. But first, sundowners, and picnic-style dining, delivered by the chef to the door of your vehicle.
The private Onguma Game Reserve covers 340km² and it’s a great base for exploring Etosha – a national park like nowhere else on Earth. Its vast salt pan, visible from space, creates a unique backdrop for incredible wildlife encounters. During the dry season, the waterholes around the pan’s southern edge transform into a theatre of life, where herds slake their thirst and predators prowl.
If you’ve been inspired and want to find out more, give us a call or enquire now to speak to an expert.
