8 Wilderness Camps to Explore for an Exclusive Safari Experience

Wilderness camps, situated in remote and pristine wilderness areas, are ideal for travellers seeking wide-open spaces and an intimate safari experience. At Wilderness, the term ‘Little’ refers to our smaller, more intimate camps – consisting of three to six tents only. Aside from these, our collection also includes villas and other small, remote camps, well suited to families or small travel groups wishing to book sole use of a camp

View our roundup of our suggested camps where you can book the property all to yourself – and enjoy the benefits of privacy, superlative service and most importantly, quality time with loved ones.

It’s called the ‘Place of Plenty,’  – and for good reason. Wilderness Mombo and its sister camp, Wilderness Little Mombo, situated on the northern tip of Chief’s Island in the Okavango Delta, are considered to be set in one of the best areas for game viewing in Africa.

The floodplains in front of camp are regularly filled with fabulously photogenic mixed species, from large lechwe herds to zebras, giraffes and elephants (the latter often visit the camp plunge pools in summer).

Connected by a raised boardwalk, Mombo is the bigger of the two camps with eight guest rooms, while Little Mombo has four suites that are tucked away on the other side of the same island.

Having just the four tents, Little Mombo is ideal for small groups. Each includes a dining and bar area, lounge and plunge pool.

Guests explore this productive area on twice-daily game drives or take a scenic helicopter flip for a jaw-dropping aerial perspective.

The Busanga Plains are famed for great prides of lion. Other predators seen here include wild dogs, and cheetah, which are drawn to the prolific plains game of the area. Puku, red lechwe, buffalo, and wildebeest are just some of these, while a special treat is the resident herd of roan antelope.

As the floodplains dry out during the five-month safari season, animals are attracted from the surrounding woodlands, and it is now that zebra numbers multiply, along with sable antelope venturing out onto the plains. Hippos are abundant as well, and often found in large pods in the channels. A trove of birding treasures, the park boasts hundreds of species, including the range restricted Fülleborn's longclaw.

Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp lies on a verdant island in the heart of the renowned Kafue National Park's Busanga Plains, a 600 square kilometre mosaic of grassy, seasonal floodplains extending to the horizon. Kafue is one of the wildest, most pristine, places on Earth, with a vast diversity of wildlife.

This intimate camp’s four tents are set under leafy fig trees. The main area – under canvas – is a favourite space among guests, particularly at sunrise when the rising mist gradually reveals masses of lechwe and puku dotted across the floodplain. Outdoor dining takes place either on the pool deck with its magnificent views, or under the canopy of a majestic tree and unique lantern chandelier, romantically lighting up dinner. 

Travellers to Zimbabwe will love Wilderness Little Ruckomechi, a lovely safari camp comprised of just four tents on the banks of the Zambezi River, on the western boundary of Mana Pools National Park.

With views over this great river, and exceptional wildlife – especially elephants moving through camp to feed on the albida trees – Little Ruckomechi is a wonder for the senses…

Activities allow for adventures on both land and water. Explore the area on daily game drives or opt for a boat or canoe ride on our stretch of Africa’s longest east-flowing river. The dazzling migratory carmine bee-eater colony is a must-visit in season. Guided bush walks in the company of an experienced walking guide are a must-do, and offer yet another wonderful way to get up close to the thrilling wilderness of Mana Pools National Park.

The stylish camp décor evokes the romance of a bygone explorer era, with elegant en-suite rooms. The main area consists of a living area, dining room and plunge pool, all with exceptional views of the river frontage and Zambian escarpment in the distance.

“A place that one should visit at least once in a lifetime. The views, wildlife and atmosphere are outstanding. During the night you may be awakened by a lion roaring or the grunting of a hippo. Words cannot describe this experience”. – Guest quote, Little Ruckomechi

Taking you back to Botswana, Wilderness Linyanti Tented Camp is set in a profoundly remote area of the Linyanti Private Reserve. Preserving the original spirit of safari and early explorers, the camp’s four airy, en-suite tents recreate the accommodation of Africa’s intrepid pioneers and are only available to be booked in their entirety as a group.

Overlooking the Linyanti Marsh and floodplains, guests are introduced to an important elephant corridor. And with access to floodplains, open dry-land savannah, lagoons, and woodland, the wildlife experience is sublime. A diversity of plains game and their predators – lions, wild dogs, leopards, hyaenas – thrive here.

Adventures include both day and night game drives, as well as bush walks. Thrilling helicopter rides, often showcasing the enormous elephant populations scattered across the immense landscape, can also be booked.

End your soulful days sharing wholesome meals on your private deck or storytelling around the campfire.

What some may not realise is that Rwanda is not only home to great apes and rainforests, but has an entire savannah region too. Guests coming for a gorilla trek can combine their Rwandan adventure with a safari at Wilderness Magashi Peninsula, situated in the north of Akagera National Park.

Magashi Peninsula comprises just two suites and one four-bed exclusive-use villa overlooking beautiful Lake Rwanyakazinga. Activities here include game drives – the area is very productive for game viewing and thrilling birds – as well as boating and guided walks.

The spacious and airy design offers uninterrupted views over the lake, while Magashi Peninsula’s main area has a luxurious lounge, dining and bar area, gym, and wellness facilities. The architecture and exquisite interiors pay homage to traditional Rwandan culture.

Botswana has a bouquet of camps that are ideal for small groups looking for an exclusive-use lodge. Wilderness Little DumaTau is a delightful addition to internationally acclaimed DumaTau, and with its four suites is spot-on for privacy and small groups.

Both camps are located on the banks of Osprey Lagoon within our private Linyanti Wildlife Reserve. The area is a haven for wildlife – and with uninterrupted views of the lagoon, you’re privy to phenomenal wildlife sightings – particularly great herds of elephants crossing the channel, and often seen contentedly munching away nearby.

Each of Little DumaTau’s spacious suites has a lounge, private plunge pool, and bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers. The camp also shares a wellness centre and gym with DumaTau at Osprey Retreat, which has a lap pool and adjoining pool with in-pool loungers, spa, snack deli and Safari Boutique store.

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti is our luxuriously appointed semi-permanent camp in Africa's iconic Serengeti National Park. Based on over 30 years of operating experience, we strategically position this flexible solar-powered camp across multiplekey locations throughout the park, ensuring prime wildlife viewing whilst maintaining the ability to set up away from the crowds in some of the Serengeti's most secluded wilderness areas. 

Each location offers exceptional game drives, guided walks where permitted, and the opportunity to witness one of nature's greatest spectacles, the Great Migration, whilst experiencing an authentic canvas-tented safari in comfort.

While typically consisting of six tents, the mobile nature of Wilderness Usawa means that the set up can be designed with flexibility around your group. Tents can strategically be positioned away from other guests to ensure privacy, while additional rooms can be added if you’re travelling with more family and friends. Simply speak to one of our Travel Designers about your requirements and they will make it happen.

Wilderness Chitabe Lediba offers intimate luxury with just five elevated tented suites, including two family suites, making it ideally suited to multi-generational families travelling together. Each suite offers in-room massage treatments, and the camp provides the same exceptional diversity of habitats and high density of wildlife as its sister camp, the ever-popular Wilderness Chitabe. 

The diversity of Okavango and Kalahari habitats found in this part of the Delta allows for great concentrations of larger predators such as lion, leopard, spotted hyena, cheetah and wild dog, as well as herbivores like giraffe, buffalo, lechwe, tsessebe, impala and elephant. Birdwatching is equally excellent, with species including swamp nightjar, African scops-owl, Bennett's woodpecker, rufous-bellied heron, Verreaux's eagle-owl and southern ground-hornbill recorded in the area.