While safaris are known for having the world’s plushest lodges in the wildest places, mobile adventures are the original experience. Nothing compares to going on an adventure for the day and not knowing where you will sleep that night, and waking up to the African soundscape on full volume – sometimes with nothing between you and the Milky Way other than a mosquito net.
Some mobile safaris have a back-to-basics feel with smaller tents and minimal fuss, while others can see a whole camp up sticks and move to a new location with cosy beds and huge domed tents. Styles vary, but all Africa Odyssey mobile camping experiences have one thing in common: you are in very safe and knowledgeable hands, whatever your style.
Barclay Stenner
These guys know how to host a real safari. Led by James Stenner and Botswana-born John Barclay, who is from a long line of African adventurers, this mobile camping set-up is the definition of old-school safari adventure.
Their ethos is: if the animals move, so must you. Each itinerary is completely tailor-made, and they can take private groups pretty much anywhere in Botswana, using a combination of some of the country’s best permanent lodges and their mobile camp set up throughout the Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi Pans and the Central Kalahari.
© Barclay Stenner
There are two levels of luxury in terms of mobile camping: Explorer, from $950 per person per night, and Regal Rig, from $1,500 per person per night. Regal Rig is the full works with comfortable beds, a large en suite with vanity desks, fully flushing loos and a grand mess tent for the main area. Don’t be fooled though, the Explorer option is still luxurious with carpeted tents and comfortable double beds, and the camp still comes with a dining area, bar, and tea and coffee station. There is also the option to fly-camp under the stars
Essentially, this safari can be whatever you want – whether it be boating, walking, and game drives, all in a style of accommodation that suits your needs. While you’re still technically camping, the experience is that of a five star lodge in terms of attention to detail, food, and overall exclusive experience.
Beagle Safaris
Beagle Safaris offers a similar experience to Barclay Stenner in terms of the ‘simple luxury’ ethos, and the operation also works through Botswana. It has sole use of a wildlife concession and operates private expeditions – with a minimum of four people – or private group tours of up to 10 people, which allows guests to connect with like-minded travellers.
© Beagle Safaris
This family-owned business has been running safaris in Botswana for 30 years, and the Kweene Trails explores a remote corner of the western Okavango Delta, which is so isolated it’s only accessible to guests via helicopter. The name of the game here is exclusivity: you will quite literally not see another vehicle on this incredible mobile safari. The beds are slightly more like camp beds – but with a comfortable bed roll and Egyptian cotton, so there’s still a sprinkle of safari luxury adding to the magic of the experience.
Wayo Walking Camp
This is one of the best walking safari experiences in Africa. Treks are between 3 and 14 days and meander through Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, perhaps even coming across the Great Wildebeest Migration – one of the greatest natural spectacles on the planet.
© Wayo
Unique to this national park – which usually has strict regulations – Wayo Walking Camp truly moves with the wildlife, with the route decided a few weeks prior to departure. You will walk between locations, and up to seven little cocoon tents – with comfortable beds but not much more – will move with you, and set up in a completely different location every night. This is for those who are craving a totally different, truly intrepid safari experience – but without compromising on exclusivity.
