Campsites En Route in Africa
Kenya
Nairobi – Karen Camp
Great place to stay, basic but good food, simple rooms gardens and old overland safari trucks. An honest home away from home prepares you for roughing it in Africa before you go overlanding. Waggy tailed dogs to pat and always someone to talk to. Friendly staff - Dug the patron will give a gruff hello and some local advice. Smiley the taxi driver and collector of most fly ins from the airport; always lives up to his name. If you like Africa; Karen Camp it
El Doret, Kenya – Naiberi River Camp
Ten miles from El Doret town in the Kenya highlands – very unique self built campsite, set up by Raj and hosted by Ash. Massive cave like bar with gardens running down to the Naiberi River. It’s a quiet place. You can camp in your tent or take rooms. Go swimming in the pool when it’s warm enough, or just paddle in the river. Budget rooms; hand built from local timber and stone
Near Nakuru, Kenya – Zebra Camp or Punda Millias
A campsite named after Africa’s favourite animal as Punda Milias means striped horse, so zebra in Swahili. The campsite was started by ex overlanders Tash and Karoma; their dogs are cousins of the big happy dogs you patted at Karen Camp in Nairobi. The camp is close to Nakuru Park and beside the Soysambu Conservancy. Zebra, buffalos, jackals, giraffes, impala often come to the waterhole by the camp.
Nairobi – Acacia Camp
Just 10km from central Nairobi near Nairobi National Park, good for visits to the Daphne Sheldrick’s Animal Orphanage, http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/ the Langata Giraffe Centre, http://giraffecenter.org/ Karen Blixen Museum & Carnivore Restaurant http://www.tamarind.co.ke/carnivore/ The camp itself offers a variety of accommodation options, including camping, small or large shared dorm rooms and double and twin rooms. Good restaurant and bar while sharing your experiences with like-minded adventurers, travellers and overlanders.
Near Nakuru, Kenya – Kembu Campsite
A working farm, run by the Zoe & Andrew of the Nightingale family, overlooking the Great Rift Valley. Here you can get up at 5 and help milk the cows. Its near Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Bogoria National Reserve, Menengai Crater, Mau Forest, and Kiplombe Valley. You can; set up your tent, stay in cottages or even sleep in the tree house
Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya – Acacia Camp
On the edge of the Masai Mara, Acacia Camp is nestled on six acres of acacia trees. The camp faces the scenic Meguarra Hills and the stream that meanders by at the bottom of the camp where come to drink. Masai often come and dance by the evening bonfire.
Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya – Mara Explorers
Aimed at backpackers, overlanders and budget travellers, a large camp ground set in stunning scenery, tented accommodation, hot showers and bar, only 3km from the National Park. The owners; Laura and Moses spent years working on overland trucks in Africa. The camp has minimal impact on the environment and works in harmony with the local Masai community. For every guest who stays here the locals directly benefit from the community fee. They have piped water from a local spring 1km away and share it with the local community. The camp is fenced for protection from elephants and buffaloes and is guarded 24 hours by Masai warriors. Smaller animals are free to come and go through the fenceLake Naivasha, Kenya
Lake Naivasha has many campsites along lake shoreline;– hippos come and crop the grass in all of them (camping areas are fenced); there are more than 400 types of birds, more than anywhere else in the world.Must sees around the Lake are; Hells Gate national Park, Green Craters Lake, Elsamere – home of Elsa the Lion of Born Free, Mt Longonot volcanic crater. Loads of Colobus monkeys – the most beautiful monkey in the world
Lake Naivasha, Kenya – Fishermans Camp
On the shores of Lake Naivasha you’ll find Fishermans Camp. With a spacious camping ground, a lively bar and restaurant it’s the perfect place to park up for a few days while you enjoy the many sights and activities Naivasha has to offer. Fishermans top camp offers a range of self-contained rooms and cottages, and a swimming pool.Lake Naivasha, Kenya – Fish Eagle Camp
Perched on the southern shore of Lake Naivasha is the Fish Eagle Camp. Accommodation ranges from pitching your own tent to upgrading into one of their 52 rooms. Fish Eagle camp has a swimming pool, sauna and gym, and a restaurant and bar. Relax in the sprawling grounds surrounded by the huge variety of birdlife, watch the resident troop of colobus monkeys, and in the evenings you may be lucky enough to see the hippos grazing at the front of the campsite.Lake Naivasha, Kenya – Camp Carnelleys
Camp Carnelleys offers a wide range of accommodation catering for all budgets- from camping to dorms, bandas to luxury cottages. With Lake Naivasha literally on your doorstep, Camp Carnellys offers something for everyone. Hire a boat, do some fishing or bird watching, go rock-climbing, or organise one of the many safaris the camp has on offer.Uganda
Jinja Uganda – Jinja Backpackers
They call the place ‘Their own bit of paradise’ and we can’t disagree. It’s a backpackers with camping; sat beside Lake Victoria at the beginning of the channel where the Victoria Nile leaves Lake Victoria- a unique location on the source of the Nile. They have a banana boats ready to go exploring around the lake for bird watching sunset cruise. The restaurant bar looks over the water. It’s new and one of already one of the best campsites we know.
Jinja Uganda – Adrift Riverbase
This campsite sits on a large grassed area just 100 foot above the Nile. Great views of the rapids you can go white water rafting down. Or site in the cliff top bar overhanging the river and watch it all; including a Nile High bungee jump for the brave out over the rushing water. For those who find the thought of bungee jumping too scary, they do moonlight jumps – for the completely insane! Choose between camping, dorms or thatched cottages.
3. Jinja Uganda
Jinja has at least 5 campsites – considering it’s the river adrenalin white water adventure centre of east Africa it needs them. Saying that though it’s never too busy or crowded – that’s why people love East Africa!
Jinja Uganda – Explorers River Camp
Right on the Nile River; which is the top location in Jinja to have a campsite – it’s a long river! The camp sits beside Bujagali Falls – the first waterfall on the Nile – though all waterfalls on the Nile are really rapids and this one you can raft over. The camp has river side showers, so you can still catch the view while having a wash.
Jinja Uganda – Explorers Backpackers
If you want to stay in Jinja but closer to town so to have the convenience of shops this is the place to be. Stay in dorms or rooms or camp in the grounds – just near 2 Friends restaurant, one of the best and cheapest in Jinja
Kampala, Uganda – Red Chilli Hideaway
A camp site in the capital city is the best way to be able to see the town and relax afterwards. They have a pool for the hot days, and Kampala can be hot. Now moving to a new build with; swimming pool, views of Lake Victoria, restaurant and bar with self catering on a big 5 acre plot. Opening 23rd Sept 2013.
Cephas Inn | Luxury Hotel, Accommodation, Conference Rooms
The Cephas Inn is a large hotel with camping area on nicely manicured lawns set on the hill next to the golf course above Kabale. There is a swimming pool, sauna, bar and restaurant, wifi, and 2 cooking areas for overland trucks or campers. You can walk down the hill into town or catch a boda boda. It’s a perfect base to set off from for your mountain gorilla treks.Kisoro - western Uganda – Virunga Hotel & Campsite
The location is remote – like been at the end of the world; just miles from the borders of Congo and Rwanda and shadowed by the Virunga Mountains; standing high in the background. A typical old style guest house; with rows of rooms and space for camping in a quiet town It’s a good base to use to trek to the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Western Uganda – Lake Bunyoni Overland Resort
An ecologically built camp site on a gorgeous lake setting, the camp is right on the lake shore - with cool nights and warm days. Enjoy the view from the restaurant; you can; dive into the lake from the deck, go swimming, hire kayaks or take a boat trip and see islands and fishermen
Tanzania
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania – Simba Camp
Drop toilets, wood heated showers, cold winds; but a view that's hard to beat looking over the Crater, that's if and when the morning mists clear; or is it clouds? It’s one of the best views in Africa Right on the crater rim, in a campsite where animals have the right of way – a real life zebra crossing – when you step out of your tent keep an eye out for; buffaloes, lions, elephants and then its baboons at dawn.Arusha, Tanzania – Sakina Campsite
Sakina Campsite is on the Uhuru (Freedom) Highway, just 30 minutes walk to Arusha town, a guest house and a garden for camping. Set with trees, flowers, nice paintings and murals and fine art of different wild animals on the concrete wall. Views of Mt. Meru from the background on early morning or late eveningArusha, Tanzania – Masai Camp in Arusha town
A camp site just a mile from the centre of Arusha town, it has a good restaurant with pizzas burgers and lots more - and a pretty busy night life; especially at the weekends. So you can combine tenting and nightclubbing with the busiest night club in town a few hundred metres up the road. They have rooms and tents for hireArusha, Tanzania – Mesarani Snake Park 25 km east of Arusha town
Started by Ma and BJ who came up from South Africa, so long ago they are now Tanzanian. It’s the best base for the side trip to Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. A thatched dirt floor open sided bar room – best hamburgers for snakes and great BBQ dinners cooked on open fires. Plus they have a wildlife park for rescued snaked and birds. Also they run a free medical clinic and educational centre for local people, and there is a Masai Cultural Museum where you the visitor can learn about Masai life from the Masai then visit a Masai village, getting there by camel. It’s a lot more than a camp site and so one of the most popular camps on route.
Between Arusha & Dar, Tanzania – Zebra Campsite
A stop over camp we use on the Pangani River on the road between Arusha and Dar es Salaam Highway. Not far from the main highway but you could be a million miles from anywhere. It’s on the border between Kilimanjaro and Tanga regions, about 50 kilometers from Mombo town and 72 kilometers from Same town.
Between Arusha & Dar, Tanzania - Pangani River Campsite
A great night stop over right on the Pangani River – basic and back to nature. You can look at the river and take a small boat out – it's in the wild with crocodiles in the water
Tanga, Tanzania – Peponi Beach Resort
Swahili for Paradise - is set among coconut palms, mango and cashew trees. Wild pigs steal in at night to forage for fruit, while, from the tree tops, the Bush Babies call. Just south of Tanga town, idyllic does not describe the place; the best beach, fresh fish and just no one on the beach. All the buildings are built from coconut palms Peponi beach looks out onto the Pemba Channel, closer to shore you can swim and snorkel on the tropical reef. Fishing dhows can be hired from the local fishermen, to sail to the outer reefs and snorkel in the coralBagamoyo to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - Ndege Beach, Backpackers Lodge & Camping
Backpackers and campsite right on Ndege Beach (Bird Beach in Swahili). A quiet white sandy beach with tall palms on the Indian Ocean, just north of Dar es Salaam. Run by Gerard who after working with Dutch safaris, fell in love with and could not leave Africa Swim in the warm Indian Ocean or snorkel at the reef. Relax at the beach bar, where you can meet the locals and buy fresh fish and just caught lobsters off the fishermen for a great evening own cooked mealDar es Salaam, Tanzania - Mikadi Beach Lodge & Campsite
Started by ex overlanders; Andy & Jules. Right on the beach in Dar es Salaam – you normally catch a ferry to get there on the south side of the harbour - tropical paradise - so close yet so far from town, you would not know the capital of Tanzania was so close. It’s not far from the fast ferries to Zanzibar
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - Kipepeo Village Campsite
The name in Swahili means butterfly – right on the beach and just a short drive and a ferry ride to Dar es Salaam. Hot days on the beach with a warm sea breeze when the sun goes down.Swim in the sun drenched water – cool shower and relax on a hammock with a cold drink frosty drink or cocktail from the beach bar called the Swimming Cow PubIringa, Tanzania – Kisolanza or Old Farm House Campsite
Best known as the Farm House, Kisolanza is a one of the few camp sites on the highways from Dar es Salaam to Malawi and Zambia in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. It’s near the tea plantations of Mfundi. It’s a working farm; you’re free to take a good look around and buy any of the fresh food and vegetables and eat the same in their restaurantMalawi
Northern Lake Malawi, – Chitimba Beach
Chitimba Camp is set on a beautiful golden sandy beach, amongst banana palms and papaya trees, surrounded by the famous Livingstonia and Nyika mountains. It’s just off the main highwayrunning from the border of Tanzania to the capital city of Lilongwe. Lots of things to do -Chitimba Village Walk, Witchdoctor Visit, Manchewe Falls Day Hike to visit the falls where you can cool down in a natural bath. Livingstonia Day Hike, Woodcarving Lessons. The lodge/campsite is mostly visited by overland trucks, backpackers and by independent travelers with own transport. Right on the beach it’s a popular stop.
Northern Lake Malawi, Kande Beach Lodge and Campsite
One of the most well-known places en-route, Kande Beach is one of the best places to chill out and relax along the shores of Lake Malawi. With clear blue water, white golden sand that is clean and soft to touch and safe swimming with shallow depth and free of rocks or obstacles. Shaded seating areas near the beach, umbrellas and hammocks to while away your day, the rooms are cool and comfortable so put your feet up and read or dream away your worries and cares. Aquanauts dive school is located on site offering PADI dive courses, day and night dives and snorkelling trips.Northern Lake Malawi, – Hakuna Matata Campsite
Hakuna Matata Campsite is near Chitimba in northern Malawi on the beautiful Chitimba Bay beach just below the magnificent Nyika Mountains. The beautiful town Livingstonia is situated direct above the campsite and can be reached along the famous twenty two hairpin bend road up the Nyika Mountain. It’s run by a South African couple; Willie and Irma
Northern Lake Malawi, – Sangilo Sanctuary Lodge
Nestled around a secluded cove on the Sangilo peninsula, the Sanctuary provides an idyllic escape to the lake - good food, friendly bar and stunning scenery, the enchanting secret beach, unique rock caves and crystal clear waters.
Senga Bay, Salima, Southern Lake Malawi, – Sunbird Livingstonia Beach
An old favourite and one of the longest established hotels in Malawi, the sunbird has a great campsite on the edge of its grounds. It can be busy at times but the scenery across the lake makes up for it
Lilongwe, Malawi – Mabuya Camp (was Kiboko Camp)
Mabuya Camp is run by an English couple; Tom and Janey who, after travelling the continent for over a decade, decided to settle in the “Warm Heart of Africa”. The campsite is the perfect place to unwind before picking up a safari. Hot showers, cold beer, yummy food and a gorgeous swimming pool, an internet cafe with wireless internet, home-made smoothies, book exchange, maps and guidebooksMiddle of Lake Malawi, Chintheche Inn
On the western shores of central Lake Malawi. The sandy beaches curve endlessly to the horizon - palm-fringed, dotted by fishing villages. A lively campsite with a large pool. Local guides lead birding walks or hikes in the area, head up mountain biking trails, or visits to the local fishing villages. The nearby Bandawe Mission also offers a peek into the country's colonial past. Swimming and snorkelling; beach barbeques are an excellent reason to just hang about and get some sun or a trip out to deeper waters on a fishing expedition with local fisherman
Cape Maclear, Southern Lake Malawi - Malambe Camp
Cape Maclear’s backpacker spot, Malambe or Chichewa for baobab; is on the sandy beach of Lake Malawi in the heart of Cape Maclear. Kick back with a cold drink in the bar / restaurant that overlooks the lake and its islands. Take a boat trip, village tour or make use of the free snorkelling gear. Keep an eye out for the early morning fisherman as they come in with their catches – great for the BBQ. They say – those who stay find it very hard to leaveNkhata Bay, Middle of Lake Malawi, Mayoka Village Beach Lodge
Mayoka Village is situated on a green slope in a small bay just outside the town of Nkhata Bay - the best of both worlds- a peaceful, scenic setting and friendly place to relax and enjoy a good meal. Go snorkeling in the crystal clear waters that are within easy reach of the busy little port of Nkhata Bay. With a comfortable, homely atmosphere and friendly staff, Mayoka is culturally and environmentally sensitive. Its lively bar is a great spot meet the locals and listen to live music.