Nestled in the heart of Hwange National Park in northwest Zimbabwe, ABC’s award-winning Somalisa Concession recently unveiled Ray’s Pan Sleep-Out Deck.
It offers you the opportunity to sleep amid the golden Savannah plains.. Located 20 minutes from the Somalisa Main Camp, Ray’s Pan has space for two guests in a comfortable king-size bed supported by frames of repurposed rough-hewn Acacia wood and draped with mosquito netting from posters at each corner. Reached by stairs, the bed is set high above the ground on the upper level of a wooden deck built into an Acacia tree next to a watering hole. The open space beneath the deck is surrounded by a border of logs. The deck is outfitted with a wooden table and chairs for guests to enjoy wine or cocktails as the sun sets and self-serve coffee or tea at dawn.
A guide is always close by within earshot of guests and radio contact with the camp, so if any guests feel even the tiniest bit uncomfortable, they are welcome to return to their tents at Somalisa’s Main, Acacia or Tented Camps. Transportation to the camps is available via private vehicle at an additional charge. Access to the sleep out is seasonal and weather-dependent. Available for ‘exclusive use’ via advance reservation for guests staying a minimum of three nights at one of Somalisa’s camps, all signs point to Ray’s Pan being a popular experience, with private vehicles near fully booked for at least the next two months.
Situated in a private concession bordering the wildlife paradise of Chobe National Park in northern Botswana, Linyanti Expeditions is an intimate expeditions camp that exudes an era of safaris gone by. It’s a preferred destination for travelers seeking an authentic and adventurous African experience. Every traveler can sleep outside at Linyanti Expeditions: The boutique camp has space for up to 12 guests in 6 canvas tents. Each tent is firmly rooted on the ground for a feel of being connected to nature.
The tents’ interiors are arrayed with en-suite bathrooms, eco-friendly chemical toilets and al fresco bucket showers. Their exteriors include gazebo extensions – also known as “Star Suites” – and beds can be moved for guests to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and scents of nature while dozing under a blanket of dazzling stars. The main tented area invites guests to dine by an open fire with views overlooking the vast Linyanti wetlands. Adventure opportunities are aplenty, with guided walking safaris providing an exciting avenue to see an abundance of wildlife. This includes large herds of elephant and buffalo, open 4×4 vehicles for game drives, and mokoro (dugout kanu) safaris on various waterways
