In deserts and woods, on the beach and in the mountains - glamping is the way to stay!

A newish term - 'glamping' is the  luxury or, rather, the glamour-end of camping. Deliciously comfy beds, proper bathrooms, and much more. See what the world has in store for you.

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On the desert sands of Oman

If you have heard of the legendary Omani hospitality you'll be pleased to know it comes alive at Desert Nights Camp.

The only luxury desert camp in Oman, it is an ideal base for your Arabian Desert adventure, with spectacular craggy mountains in the distance, endless dunes and crystalline wadis. The camp is sprawled across 10-acres of silken sands, secluded 11km within the vast isolation of the Omani desert. 

There are thirty luxurious Bedouin-style tents awaiting those who seek the ultimate desert adventure vacation at the finest Oman boutique hotel.

You can see why this is 'glamping' not camping as you relax in the fully air-conditioned rooms and pamper yourself in the luxurious ensuite bathroom.

Drift into magical nights and feast on traditional Omani fare, here in the flickering glow of the campfire. Enclosed and open dining options at the multi-cuisine “Two Dunes” Restaurant lets you experience the authentic Arabic cuisine and feast on the culinary delights of the restaurant's expert chefs. 

Or you may enjoy the unique experience of a camel ride at sunset, or perhaps dune-bashing and dune-bike riding in the golden red sands of the Wahiba. The Desert Nights Camp in Oman is only a two-hour drive away from Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman. 

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Moroccan magic

A more peaceful setting would be difficult to imagine. The sand dunes encircling the site provide an exquisite location for the camp and its stillness and purity. The undulating landscape of the Erg Chebbi desert is one of Morocco's most enchanting natural wonders. For millennia, travelers have marveled its infinite stillness - a beauty beyond words.

Many places in the camp are set for relaxation with fabulous views of the desert and sand dunes. A tented restaurant offers traditional three-course meals served at dinner. When night falls, the camp is lit by many lanterns, and night comes alive in the evening with campfire and music.

There are five luxury desert sleeping tents set up in the main camp. Each tent has been carefully designed to offer the highest comfort and luxury and is decorated in earthy colours, with handcrafted furniture and soft textiles. 

The camel has been a mainstay of desert life for thousands of years and is an essential activity for your desert experience. Once used to ferry precious cargo from sub-Saharan Africa to the trading ports of the Mediterranean coast, they are now sturdy “all terrain vehicles” for getting around Erg Chebbi. With a bit of assistance from your guides, you'll soon be slipping into the pace of the caravan – at leisure to take in the spectacle and silent grandeur of the desert as you ride across the dunes.

The private desert camp presents guests with a chance to indulge in tranquility amidst sand dunes. It is always occupied on an exclusive basis and your party will be the only guests, giving you ultimate privacy. It is an ideal place for honeymoon characterised by peace and serenity. 

The sleeping tents have been lovingly designed with Moroccan mixed with modern decor to immerse you in this special area of Africa. The tents are also ensuite with hot and cold water and comfortable bedding. Traditional carpets on the floors and handmade furniture decorate the tents. The tents can be fully open so from your bedroom you can look on the gentle rolling sand dunes of the African desert.

For something different, you may want to try Sandhamman. Many locals travel to this area during the summer months for this very special type of restorative treatment. The warm sands are said to alleviate the discomfort of painful joints, so Sandhamman involves being buried in the sand – up to your neck – for two minutes.

Otherwise, sandboarding is a popular activity - and here you can see why!

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Glamping on the Thar desert

In the north-west of India, Joggan Jaisalmer Camp's luxury tents offer you the most grounded pattern of living in Rajasthan in the country way, camping in the cool winter winds, eating dinner outdoors in warm evenings, sleeping on the dunes.

When it comes to solitude and peace, the serenity of the dunes under those starry nights are a relaxing escape from the busyness of the main cities.

While you might just want to relax, there is plenty to do.  A Camel Safari on the 'ship of the desert' is the best way to enjoy the sunset. Your guide can show you the desert life along with the manganiyas, local birds and animals. Then there's Desert Jeep Dune Bashing, Quad Biking, or a leisurely cultural walk through the nearby Lakhamana village, where you see the traditional life, mud tandoors, water wells and a mud storage system for grains. You can relax too, and play traditional games like – marbles, Kho Kho and Kabaddi. 

Or you might choose to a watch grand Rajasthani cultural show with professional performers like Manganiyas, Joggan, Bawai dancers, fire eaters, desert magicians and human puppets telling the story of love and royals, also reliving the four festivals of Rajasthan: Holi, Teej, Gangaur and Diwali.



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Grasslands glamping in Kenya

Luxury safari camp and lodge operator Elewana has opened a new luxury tented camp on the site of the former Loisaba Lodge. Located on a 600-foot escarpment, every room in Loisaba Tented Camp enjoys spectacular views stretching across the Laikipia Plains to Mount Kenya.

Laikipia County in northern Kenya is arguably one of the most breathtaking places on earth. It is home to the country’s second largest population of elephants, one of its few stable lion populations, and an abundance of other wildlife.  The 56,000 acre Loisaba Conservancy spans three eco-systems offering a variety of beautiful landscapes and incredible game viewing, including the opportunity to see rare northern species which include reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra, and it is one of the best places in East Africa to see wild dogs.

 

Loisaba Tented Camp comprises six stylish and extremely spacious ensuite tents (three double/three convertible twin/double), three family combinations each consisting of two ensuite tents with adjoining walkway. One family combination and one ensuite tent will have exclusive access to a second private infinity pool. 

The bar and restaurant allow guests to absorb the incredible landscape whilst enjoying a sundowner or choosing from the small à la carte menu where the chef endeavours to source ingredients from a 50 kilometre radius as well as using fresh produce from the camp’s well stocked gardens. 

Aside from game viewing the Loisaba Tented Camp enjoys two infinity pools and a plethora of activities including bush walks, mountain biking, camel riding, lion tracking, horse riding (for experienced riders), fishing, local village excursions - or the opportunity to spend a morning with the resident sniffer dogs, Warrior and Machine!

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Pictures: ©Silverless

 

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Glamping in the mountains

Peru's famed Machu Picchu is on everyone's list to visit. But how good would it be to wake up to a view like this? It all starts with glamping on the Inca Trail with Austin-Lehman Adventures' 10-day/nine-night trek.

An enhanced level of service and amenities along a trail better known for its ruggedness and beauty brings an Andean-trained camp chef to prepare gourmet meals along with his own recipe for pain-killing Pisco Sours, the national cocktail of Peru. Meals are served on white linen tablecloths. Amenities include safari-style stand-up tents with inflatable beds, cozy liners and warm duvets and hot shower facilities. To further rub out the aches of trekking, a massage therapist accompanies each group. Native Quechua porters transport all the duffel and camping gear. 

The glamping-while-trekking adventure begins on Day Five which takes you through semi-arid terrain along the Urubamba River with views of snow-capped mountains. The first campsite is on the Kusichaca River in Huayllabamba.

See the itinerary for the other days.....

 

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Nightfall wilderness is wonderful

You may think this sounds like the name of the next James Bond movie, and in a way it fits. At nightfall, you can really feel like a celebrity among the multitude of stars ­­– the celestial kind, that is. 

Location plays a big part here in the rainforest. There is nearby Christmas Creek with its private “beach” and, at your tent, your own daybed - surely one of the highlights of your stay.

Sunset drinks punctuate the end of the day at nightfall wilderness camp, followed by organic food and hand-selected Australian wine. All that’s left to do is to sink into your king-sized bed where you can choose to lift the canvas walls for a deeper connection with outdoors.

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Luxury in the Montana Moonlight

Want to be at one with the mountains and wilderness, but covet creature comforts? For the original glamping experience, Moonlight Camp is the ideal destination for a family glamping vacation. Two-bedroom tents give you the space you need, and there is no shortage of fun activities for kids and adults alike.

Moonlight Camp is a collection of six safari-like glamping tents that allow guests to connect with the great outdoors without forgoing the amenities of a luxury resort. 

 

You can tie back the walls to allow yourself to feel even more at one with the surrounding scenery.

Situated at the foot of Lewis & Clark's famous Lookout Rock, and just 100 yards from the mighty Blackfoot River, Moonlight Camp has an impressive array of glamping amenities including: The Last Best Bed®, private ensuite bathrooms, a gorgeous dining pavilion that serves haute grilled cuisine and a camping butler who caters to your every whim.

 

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Dry season pop-up

Australia's tropical north has two seasons - wet and dry. During the dry season, from July 1 to September 30 this year, visitors to Kakadu, in the Northern Territory, will be able to camp in comfort and style with pop-up hotel operator Flash Camp setting up at Cooinda Camping Ground for the season.

Flash Camp @ Kakadu will offer bespoke bell tent accommodation in the heart of Kakadu National Park, for those seeking an effortless camping experience while exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Listed site. Accommodation will include double, twin and family bell tents with spring-foam mattresses on pallet bases, quality bed linen, fresh towels, bamboo furniture, toiletries and Armadillo & Co rugs. Guests will also have access to newly renovated toilet and shower facilities, barbeques, as well as a restaurant, bar and pool at the adjoining Cooinda Lodge.

 

Cooinda Camping Ground, located next to Yellow Water Billabong in the centre of Kakadu National Park, is a three hour drive from Darwin.

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The ultimate glamping location

Uluru, that massive red icon in Australia's desert centre is known to most people worldwide, and to be able to wake up in the morning and see it from your luxurious bed is a fantasy come true.

Located in the spiritual heart of Australia, facing majestic Uluru, Longitude 131° commands spectacular views of it as well as the World Heritage-listed wilderness of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. There are only fifteen luxury tents elevated on the rust-red dunes, complementing the pristine natural environment, and providing a private place to rest, relax and refresh. 

The welcome open spaces of the central Dune House include the restaurant with ever-changing views of the monolith as a backdrop for every meal as well as lounging areas furnished in contemporary style, ideal for relaxing with an icy drink and exchanging stories of the day’s adventures in the outback.

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Seaside safari camp

In a remote area, so safe and clean that turtles come ashore to lay eggs, it's no surprise to learn that the focus of your stay at Western Australia's  Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef is the wilderness around you, and its marine and land inhabitants. 

The eco-luxe wilderness tent accommodation is designed to expose you to the sights and sounds of the great outdoors … a red kangaroo grazing amongst the dunes, the beautiful song of a butcherbird or a humpback whale breaching just beyond the reef. You will share these magical experiences with just a handful of other guests – this is the true luxury.

Nestled amongst the sand dunes this eco-luxe safari camp features the key comforts necessary for a relaxing and memorable stay: comfortable beds, 100 percent cotton bedlinen, an ensuite eco-bathroom, delicious food, a generous bar and great hosting.

And, yes, you are on the western coast of Australia, so you can relax and watch the sun set over the ocean!

The camp has been designed to operate in tune with the fragile environment of Cape Range National Park and as such the camp abides by strict principles of minimal impact and sustainability.

Power is solar-generated, each ensuite bathroom has a natureloo, water usage is very carefully managed and no waste material escapes into the surrounding ecosystem. Guests are allocated 20L of water per person per day for showering. Native herb soaps and ecologically sound shampoos are provided.

It is simple, bare-foot luxury in tune with nature so you can comfortably appreciate this magnificent part of the world.

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Please note: All editorial on this site is included only because of its interest and value to readers. None of the places or products mentioned above has paid to be included.

 

 

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