Best camping destinations in Africa
Best camping destinations in Africa
Remote wilderness park clearings and desert dune campsites in Africa
Africa's camping offer ranges from the established safari camp networks of east and southern Africa and the overlanding routes that cross the continent to the wild and largely unstructured camping available across vast areas of uninhabited wilderness. The most compelling experiences combine exceptional wildlife environments with the particular intimacy that comes from sleeping in the landscape rather than observing it from behind lodge walls.
Safari camping across the continent's major wildlife areas ranges from fully serviced luxury tented camps with permanent infrastructure to basic bush camping within national park boundaries where wildlife moves freely around the site overnight. Overlanding routes across the continent have developed a well-established campsite network and overlanding community that supports extended multi-country journeys through some of the world's most remote landscapes.
Wildlife awareness is non-negotiable at bush camping sites and guided protocols for behaviour after dark are essential rather than advisory. Health precautions including malaria prevention require advance preparation. Your money goes a long way making extended camping itineraries practical even when covering significant distances between the continent's most compelling wilderness camping destinations.
Lists by region
National Park in Zambia
South Luangwa National Park
Walking Safaris and Wild Encounters
The park began as a game reserve in 1938 and became a national park in 1972. It is credited with pioneering photographic and walking safaris. The Nsefu Sector reportedly has some of the highest leopard densities in southern Africa. The Luangwa River forms the eastern boundary and its lagoons attract over 400 bird species.
National Park
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Where predators rule the Kalahari
Southern Africa's first peace park was launched here on 12 May 2000. The South African section dates to 1931. Six wilderness camps provide shelter and wash water, but visitors bring their own food, drinking water and firewood. Summer days often exceed 104°F and winter nights can fall below freezing.
Nature Reserve in Kenya
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Witness the Great Migration
Rising from 4,920 to 7,150 feet, this reserve covers 580 square miles. The Mara River separates it from Tanzania's Serengeti. The wildebeest migration usually arrives between July and October. Lodges grew from fewer than 10 in the late 1970s to nearly 200 in 2016. Confirm camping options when booking.
National Park in Namibia
Etosha National Park
Namibia's Wildlife Sanctuary
Etosha Pan covers about 1,840 square miles, roughly 23 percent of the park. The park holds about 114 mammal and 340 bird species. Rain falls mostly from November to April and almost never in winter, so the dry months suit tents. Halali lies near dolomite hills.
National Park in Tanzania
Serengeti National Park
The Ultimate Safari Adventure
More than 1.5 million wildebeest move through a park of 5,700 square miles. Herds head north towards the Maasai Mara from March and return south in late October. More than 3,000 lions live in the ecosystem, the largest population in Africa. UNESCO listed the park in 1981.
Village in Morocco
Merzouga
Sahara Dunes, Starry Nights
In 2019 authorities closed unlicensed desert camps over waste disposal, water use and infrastructure concerns, so book licensed camps. The dunes of Erg Chebbi are among the tallest in the Sahara. The village lies about 31 miles from the Algerian border. A seasonal lake re-formed nearby in 2024.
National Park in Namibia
Namib-Naukluft National Park
Endless Dunes and Desert Drama
Fog brings the desert more moisture than rain, which averages only 4.2 inches a year. Sossusvlei is a clay pan ringed by dunes that rise past 980 feet in places. Dead trees at Deadvlei are about 550 years old. The park covers 19,216 square miles and includes the Naukluft Mountains.
Region in Ethiopia
Danakil Depression
Earth's Hottest, Most Alien Landscape
Heat shimmers over salt plains where year-round average temperatures rank among the hottest on Earth. Dallol's acidic pools create coloured formations. Visits run only through approved agencies that supply 4x4s, water and camping gear. Operators often use armed guards because the area lies near Eritrea and Tigray, so check government travel advice.
Nature Reserve in Botswana
Okavango Delta
Africa’s Uncharted Water Wilderness
At peak flood from June to August the delta swells to about three times its permanent size. Summer rain in Angola feeds it about a month earlier. It became UNESCO's 1,000th World Heritage Site in 2014. Chief's Island shelters wildlife when waters rise. Moremi Game Reserve lies on the eastern side.
National Park in South Africa
Kruger National Park
Where Africa's Big Five Roam Free
Night sounds drift across the Lowveld in a park of 7,576 square miles. It holds 147 species of large mammals, more than any other African game reserve. It runs about 220 miles from north to south. Nine gates give entry. The Sabi Game Reserve protected the area in 1898 before the 1926 national park.
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