This new addition is a timely response to the growing global interest in glamping and outdoor adventures, and an uptick in the trend of glamping, as holidaymakers gravitate towards more personal and natural alternatives to traditional travel.

AfriCamps, renowned for its commitment to redefining outdoor escapes, stands at the forefront of this trend, offering travellers an exclusive experience of wilderness combined with comfort.

AfriCamps was born out of the entrepreneurial ambitions of co-founders Jeroen van Rootselaar and Manou Bleumink, who each began their journeys in South Africa with humble endeavours – a home-share B&B and an internship agency, respectively. Their shared passion for the rich landscape and culture of South Africa soon morphed into the establishment of AfriCamps.

“We started AfriCamps with a vision, a sewing machine, and a dream to revolutionise the glamping experience in South Africa,” says CEO Jeroen van Rootselaar. “Our brand embodies a unique blend of adventure, comfort, and authenticity. We aim to deliver an unparalleled glamping experience that brings our guests closer to nature while ensuring they enjoy the comforts of a boutique hotel.”

The soon-to-be-launched Waterberg location continues AfriCamps’ tradition of combining rustic charm with modern convenience. Each boutique tent provides private bedrooms, a cosy lounge, a fully equipped kitchen, and a bathroom, all adorned in chic boutique styling. On-site amenities such as a variety of game drives and tours, a semi-heated swimming pool, a volleyball court, and panoramic lookout decks promise to entertain guests of all ages, making this camp a perfect destination for families and groups of friends.

But AfriCamps isn’t just about glamorous camping; it’s about offering an immersive South African experience. “Our mission goes beyond offering just a place to stay,” explains van Rootselaar. “We want our guests to experience the real South Africa – to meet local farm owners, explore unique fauna and flora, and fall in love with our country just like we did.”

Looking ahead, AfriCamps has ambitious plans. They envision broadening their footprint across the Southern Africa region, with expressions of interest already coming from Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. “Our goal is to make AfriCamps the preferred glamping brand of Southern Africa,” adds van Rootselaar.

With each new camp, AfriCamps brings its unique brand of comfortable outdoor living to more people, continuing to build on its successful story of entrepreneurial determination, love for nature, and a commitment to sustainable tourism.

The are two separate trekking routes of two nights each, can be combined with Lake Natron Camp as the fulcrum to create a complete week of trekking, ending in Nasera Rock.

The first trek, “The Great Rift Valley Trek” will see visitors trek from Empakai Crater to Lake Natron featuring Lake Natron’s Empakai Camp (Empakai crater rim) and Leonotis Camp (mid way down the rift valley) and is the ideal link from Ngorongoro to Natron.

The “Walking in the footpsteps of early man” is a trek back through millennia of evolution from the relatively recent hominid footprints right by Lake Natron Camp, all the way to Olduvai, commonly known as “one of the most important paleoanthropology sites in the world” and home to evidence of our earliest ancestors.

Visitors can ultimately choose between a total of six nights’ trekking or select either trek separately. Each camp location and design is being targeted at guests that are looking for an off the beaten track experience, entirely respectful of the environment, and yet just enough comfort to ensure a superlative well balanced adventure. These treks can be booked in the 2018 seasons under existing “expedition camping specification”

From April 2018, Newmark will officially take over the ownership and management of the camp, adding to its portfolio of top-end hotels, reserves, residences and lodges in Africa.

Serengeti Explorer Camp comprises 12 spacious private tents, each offering top-end “glamping” accommodation which is ideally suited to couples and families. To mark the beginning of a new chapter, Newmark will be carrying out a soft refurbishment on the existing accommodation by introducing new décor and fittings, taking the property to even greater heights.

The gentle overhaul, which is set to be complete by July 2018, will include the introduction of neutral tones, wooden features and African-inspired patterns which perfectly complement the camp’s striking surroundings in each of its two locations.

From 15 December to 31 March, the camp is located in the Ndutu region on the park’s border, near to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From 1 June to 31 October, the camp is situated in the Lobo region in the northern part of the park, closer to the Kenyan border.

Given the migratory nature of Serengeti Explorer Camp, it allows for unmatched game viewing opportunities, which can be enjoyed by safari vehicle or by hot air balloon. Ensuring that children have an equally thrilling experience at the camp, the Rafiki Explorer Club is offered as an added value to families travelling with children aged six to 15.