Wild New Luxury

Go beyond glamping with this new luxury mobile tented camp in Kenya.

By Kalia Yu

Alongside the roar of the fifteen-foot open flame, our rainbow-striped hot air balloon soars into the Kenyan sunrise. Our pilot expertly files us over the Maasai Mara National Reserve, simultaneously pointing out awakening wildlife far below. Slowly moving grey rocks morph into elephants as we glide down closer, and a lion pride watches our massive shadow across the savannah. After landing, we christen my first balloon safari with clinking champagne flutes and breakfast in the wilds. It is just one of the many awe-filled moments enjoyed at one of Africa’s newest mobile tented camps.

Now, I’m not a camper or even a glamper. I vowed never to glamp again after waking up at 3a.m. to burst out of my tent bleary-eyed through the biting cold into the pitch-black night of Peru to find a faraway bathroom. As a luxury safari camp, this retreat offers an entirely different experience – more luxury hotels in the remote wilderness than glamping. Mobile tented camps are often set up in one location the entire season, whereas the A&K Exclusive Tented Camp has a lower impact on the environment by only setting up per group. After guests depart, the camp packs up without a trace.

My spacious and sturdy safari tent includes amenities usually missing from a traditional camping experience, including a private flush toilet and running water sink. I especially appreciate the daily shower at my preferred temperature of 80 degrees – facilitated by a canvas bag filled with heated water. All the luxury touches, such as a personal butler, laundry, Wi-Fi, and 24-hour solar power, keep me comfortable while immersed in the bush. Although I hope for a lion or elephant to wander through the camp, armed rangers and a Maasai tribesman patrol stealthily for our protection. 

My favourite moments are spent on my private open-sided veranda with a hot mug of the camp’s signature spicy, creamy hot ginger tea. Alone in my thoughts, I recount the best moments of our twice daily game drives, such as a rare cheetah duo spotting, the pair slinking through gold-toned red oat grass fields. Our guide James also finds multiple prides of lazing lions in the savannah. The apex predators belie their dangerous reputations whenever we see them, nuzzling their buddies and swatting giant paws back and forth affectionately.

Back at camp in the evenings, we eat local snacks by the crackling fire overlooking the hippo-dotted ravine. Afterward, James joins us for intimate dinners, entertaining us with stories of the craziest animal sightings. 

Over nyama choma - Kenyan roasted barbecue meat – or three-course meals of homecooked continental food, James’ stories about rare spotting of secretive black rhinos and endearing serval and caracal cats inspire me to return. Even though we see the big five over my three-night stay, I feel I’ve only grazed the surface of Kenya, the birthplace of the safari.