Adventure awaits when you step out of society and into the wilderness. The thrill of exploration and the tranquility of reconnecting with nature is second to none. But when nature calls, we have to answer. For this reason, understanding our camping amenities and cuisines is a must for wilderness adventuring.
Tented Camps are generally considered the best for a true safari experience. Tented camps make up the majority of accommodation options while on safari in Kenya ranging from the very luxurious to the very basic. Most luxury tented camps are small with between 5 and 20 tents. All tented safari camps feature spacious canvas rooms with real beds and private, en-suite bathroom facilities. They often have waiter service, and dining is comparable with fine restaurants, with 3-course meals. Typically these camps are sold on a fully inclusive meal and activity plan, often with local house beverages included.
There are different types of tented camps in Kenyan parks, they include;
Luxury Tented Camps – They offer breathtaking vistas of the surroundings in a tranquil environment. Most of these camps are located inside the parks and reserves. They generally offer private decks overlooking the bush, large sleeping areas, separate bathrooms, and showers with hot and cold running water and electricity throughout the day and night.
Amenities of a luxury tented camp in Kenya include;
- Running hot and cold water
- Shower
- 24-hour front desk service
- Room service
- Spa
- swimming pool
- Private Flushing Toilet
- Lounge
- Terrace
- air-conditioning
- Free Wi-Fi
Budget Tented Camps – These camps are meant to cater to the price-conscious traveler. For most people the biggest consideration when opting for a camping safari is budget. Having a small budget or choosing to spend only a small amount of money does not mean that one cannot enjoy a Kenyan safari to the fullest. Almost all camps classified as budget properties are located outside the main park or reserve boundary. Game drives would still be inside the main reserve or park and would mean entering and exiting the park for each game drive.
Amenities of a budget-tented camp in Kenya include;
- En-suite bathrooms
- Canvas rooms with real beds
- Shared dining Area
- Lights go the halfway through the night not throughout
- mosquito netting
- electric lighting (generator or solar-powered)
Bush / Eco-tented Camps – The camps can be luxury or budget. Eco camps are eco-friendly camps that do not produce any sort of environmental toxins or waste and use sustainable energy sources. Protocols are out in place to get rid of all waste in an environmentally-friendly way. Even bathrooms at the camp have composting toilets that decompose organic matter and their energy sources are also sustainable.
Amenities of Eco-tented camps in Kenya include;
- main reception area
- dining room
- Laundry
- free Wi-Fi
- power points
- composting toilets
Seasonal Tented Camps – For those that are a little more adventurous, mobile or seasonal tented camps are non-permanent tents that allow you to be fully immersed in nature. These camps are often erected for three to six-month periods following the great wildebeest migration and other wildlife movements, putting you in the best locations for game viewing. These camps are ideal for people who plan to spend the majority of their time out exploring, and who appreciate comfort without the need for extra luxuries.
Amenities of Seasonal camps in Kenya include;
- shower
- tented lounge area
- real beds
- flushing toilets
- Mosquito nets
Mobile Safari Camp – These camps tend to be more rustic and basic, offering little . They do however allow you to get off the beaten track and explore new places. Mobile camps are the best fit for those who want a lower-cost option and enjoy an adventurous experience with minimal amenities.
Amenities of a Mobile Safari Camp include;
- smaller tents and not en-suite
- a cot or bed roll
- shared bathroom facilities
- pit toilets
- field beds
- Cook
Cuisine in Tented camps and Lodges on a safari
Most of our Kenya safari packages are on full board which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Restaurants at lodges and tented camps serve these meals. Depending on the lodge or tented camp, food is normally served in a restaurant dining hall or dining tent. Mainly, the meals are often served in the form of buffets, where you have the option to choose what to eat from several dishes. Some lodges and camps also serve à la carte, where you can order food as per your taste.
The restaurants at tented camps and lodges serve cuisines from all over the world along with authenticating local cuisine. If you are a food enthusiast, you can try some local dishes and taste Africa with you. Most safari camps and lodges cater to dietary requirements, so you need not worry, whether you have an intolerance or allergies, are gluten-free, or follow a special diet, they got you. It is always advisable to let the operator or the camps or lodges know of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so they can prepare for this.
There are also picnic lunches, usually on for example full day game drives, when coming back to the lodge for lunch is not suitable. These lunches are generally done in the form of picnics in the bush, a dedicated picnic site, or just in some nice spot found along the route.
If you are lucky enough, then you might also get a chance to dine under a star-filled sky out in the bush in a truly romantic setting, with a delicious menu full of gourmet fine dining dishes to choose from, paired with some finest wine or champagne.