The
magical setting of a tree house you may have escaped to as a kid is now a
trend-setting place you can escape to for vacation. Expert Africa, one of the leading designers and
operators of personalized tours to Southern and East Africa, has highlighted its
top picks for tree house accommodations in Africa. Chris McIntyre, managing
director, Expert Africa, points out, “The wide variety of tree houses in Southern
Africa gives travelers a real choice. Some offer a unique romantic atmosphere
with candlelight playing on the surrounding branches. Others feel more
adventurous: a night in the African bush with rustic surrounds, perhaps with the
adrenaline rush of dangerous animals below. All give the guest a one-off way of
seeing Africa from a new angle with stunning views.” Check out these tree houses with overnight stays:
1.
Moja, Mbili,
Tatu, Nne, Tano and Saba: Tanzania
The epitome of a tree house in an exotic
land is one of the six eco-friendly tree houses at Chole Mjini Lodge on Tanzania’s tropical
Chole Island, just off the coast of Mafia Island. Each of these tree houses is
set in a huge ancient baobab tree, and waves lap at the roots of some of them
(yes, really, tell your botanist friends). Open to the elements on all four
sides, all offer breathtaking views - mangroves, the sea, the ocean – with a
soft breeze easing through. With sand at your feet, climb up closer to the
skies filled with fireflies to the tree house built by the skilled craftsmen of
Chole. If you look closely, you will see the natural materials used, including
mangrove wood.
2.
Elephant Hide:
Zambia
The Elephant Hide of Kaingo Camp in the South
Luangwa is a must for the adventurous traveler. This tree house is on a wooden platform
nestled between an Ebony tree and a Sausage tree high above a centuries old
elephant highway through the Luangwa River. You can comfortably sleep two here
and enjoy the simple ambience while your senses take in the thrill of the
African bush, as well as the frequent elephant crossings.
3.
Dove’s Nest: Zimbabwe
There’s no place like home while staying in this multi-level tree
house known as the Dove’s Nest, which offers a unique way to spend the night.
As part of the Zimbabwe lodge, The Hide, this tree house
is positioned in a leadwood tree which stands in a plain within Hwange National
Park; and, while it may feel like home with tiered rooms, the Dove’s Nest has
the added perk of a middle floor viewing platform and an even higher level
bedroom containing a double-bed reached by wooden stairway and trap door. All
in all it’s an offbeat house where travelers can keep an eye out for any of the
100 plus mammal species that live in this park.
4.
Tarangire
Treetops: Tanzania
All accommodations at Tarangire Treetops are tree houses (20 total), and are perfect for a
relaxed and pampered stay. These rooms are 8 – 10m off the ground in Tarangire
National Park and are reached by spiral staircase. As one of the most luxurious
lodges in the area, Tarangire Treetops offers comfort with the fantastic view
that comes with literally being in the tree tops. Each tree house boasts one of
the largest bedrooms to be found in any camp or lodge in East Africa with an
expansive but private balcony to take in the Masai land and the dense
vegetation of the park.
5.
Bush Night:
Tanzania
Coming soon: Beho Beho’s fly-camping experience – what they call their Bush nights – is going
to relocate so people will spend their night in the trees above on a platform. Chris
McIntyre adds, “Without doubt, it will be highly original, luxurious and
slightly quirky in the best of ways.” Located in the Selous Game Reserve
(Africa’s largest game reserve), this way of camping will have you experience
several tree houses in one stay.
6.
The Tree House:
Zambia
Recently rebuilt, Tongabezi Lodge’s Tree House has to be one of the most romantic tree
houses in Southern Africa. Constructed around the branches of a riverine Ebony
tree, the secluded house spreads over a pine deck with views of the Zambezi
River, just upstream of Victoria Falls. Part of the house is suspended over the
water, giving the sensation of floating. And, with the claw-footed bath
affording views of the river while bathing - as well as the king-sized bed -
honeymooners will be scrambling to book their stay.
7.
Lake Manyara Tree
Lodge: Tanzania
One of only two lodges inside Lake Manyara National
Park, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is in the trees, rather than really up in the trees –
ideal for anyone afraid of heights. The rooms are only raised slightly off the
ground, and once inside, you enter spacious rooms, lounge area, en-suite
bathroom and a vast outside deck. Tucked away in the park within a forest of
mahogany, wild mango and fig trees, it’s far from the busy main park gate.
8.
Onguma Tree Top:
Namibia
Onguma Tree Top Camp offers peace and tranquillity in Namibia’s mystical
Etosha National Park. Raised on stilts above the bush and among the trees that
give the camp its name, Onguma lies just outside the park - an endless pan of
silvery-white sand upon with mirages that blur the horizon. Only eight guests
(including the guide) can be accommodated in the four thatched rooms at this
camp – perfect for friends and families.
Contact
Chris McIntyre, managing director, Expert Africa for customized itineraries
that will hit one or more of these places. Email info@expertafrica.com, call 1-800-242-2434 or visit www.expertafrica.com for more
information on each of these extraordinary tree houses.
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