"Sleep out?" we hear you say. "With all the lions, leopards and hyena in the middle of the African wilderness?!" 

"You’d be mad not to!" we'd retort. 

If you have the opportunity to sleep out when on safari in Africa, with nothing between you and the endless blanket of stars above, don't miss out. 

Away from the hum of fans and air-con, and without access to WiFi and phone reception, the sense of connectedness and immersion with your surroundings when you sleep out is indescribable.

Don’t worry though, all sleep-outs are safe! Depending on how brave you're feeling, there is a set-up for everyone - from raised platform structures to a simple mattress on the ground. 

These are our Top 10: 

1. Makgadikgadi Pans

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park - Botswana 

A sleep-out in the Salt Pans in Botswana is nothing short of life-changing. Set on one of the world's largest, most remote salt flats, it’s a place of pure tranquillity, free from sound or light pollution. 

With just a cosy bedroll - complete with warm blankets and a duvet - you’ll sleep under a sky so vast it feels infinite. After a delicious fireside dinner, drift off surrounded by the stillness of the desert - a truly romantic and unforgettable experience.

2. Tswalu Malori

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve - South Africa 

At Tswalu it’s all about the endless landscapes and rich colours. 

Arriving at the Malori sleep-out deck in time for sunset is a must. You’ll have time to enjoy the South African sun slowly dipping below the horizon filling the sky with deep reds, oranges and purples as you sip on a celebratory bottle of bubbles (Grapetizer works just as well).  

3. Serian 'The Nest'

Mara North Conservancy - Kenya 

Whether you’re a kid that has never grown up, or you're travelling with actual kids, look no further than the Serian’s 'The Nest' in Kenya. This is a treehouse to rival those of Peter Pan and Swiss Family Robinson.

As you set off on foot for the treehouse, practise your spear-throwing skills with your Masai Olympic guide (fear not, you won’t need this skill for self-defence). The treehouse overlooks the banks of the Mara River near to a shallow hippo pool, the residents of which lull you to sleep with their bellowing laughter. 

4. Little Kulala

Sossusvlei - Namibia 

When it comes to sleeping out under the stars, well, nowhere can compete with Namibia. 

The density of stars above you is almost so bright you think someone must have left a side-light on. Brush up on your constellations and keep your eyes peeled for hundreds of shooting-stars. 

The sleep-out at Little Kulala is directly above your room, so you can easily nip-down into your room whenever you choose. 

5. The Dove's Nest at The Hide

Hwange National Park - Zimbabwe

The Dove’s Nest at The Hide in Zimbabwe is a proper little sanctuary. Just 10 minutes from the main lodge, this elevated spot gives you a front-row seat to a tree-lined vlei and pan, where giraffes and elephants wander in for a drink. 

It’s like having your own private box at nature’s finest theatre. Keep an eye out (and your binoculars); you never know who might wander past!

6. Sky Beds

Khwai Private Reserve - Botswana

Deep in Botswana’s Okavango Delta tower Natural Selection's three Sky Beds.

Enjoy an afternoon in a sunken hide watching herds of elephant come to drink and play mere trunk lengths away, before taking a short walk to the Sky Beds. 

There are four high rise platforms, one for dining and watching the sunset and three for sleeping, perfect, in other words, for families or couples not wanting to be completely alone. Listen out for the roars of lions and the whoops of hyena!

7. Luwi Riverbed

South Luangwa National Park - Zambia

A sleep-out at Luwi Riverbed in Zambia is all about stripping life back to its most beautiful basics. Picture a cosy bedroll under a canopy of a million stars and the soft murmur of the nighttime bush as your soundtrack. 

It’s the perfect chance to reconnect - with nature, with each other, and with the simpler things in life. Just like the early explorers, but with a bush loo and a brilliant culinary team to keep things wonderfully comfortable.

8. Etendeka Overnight Hiking Trail 

Kaokoland - Namibia

Trek through rugged Namibian landscapes dotted with ancient rock formations, toast the day with sundowners over endless vistas, and sleep under a sky bursting with stars. On a clear night, the Milky Way stretches above you in all its glory - a sight that words can’t quite capture.

Raised sleeping platforms keep things safe and snug, with comfortable beds dressed in soft cotton sheets, down duvets, and cosy pillows. Etendeka offers a truly personal, back-to-basics wilderness adventure.

9. Ikuka Rock House 

Ruaha National Park - Tanzania

Ikuka's Rock House in Tanzania offers a night under the stars like no other. It's nestled between two giant boulders and overlooking the endless plains. With a bucket shower, a private toilet, and a coolbox stocked with all your favourite drinks, you’ll have everything you need to unwind in complete tranquillity.

A guard keeps watch while your dedicated guide is just a radio call away, leaving you free to soak up the magic of the African night in peace and comfort.

10. Ol Donyo

Chyulu Hills - Kenya

At Ol Donyo in Kenya, the rooftop star-bed is what dreams are made of. Climb the winding stone staircase from your verandah to your very own private perch under the stars. 

All the comforts of your suite are just below, but up here, it’s just you, the Milky Way, and the occasional soundtrack of a lion’s distant roar or a cheeky hyena chuckle.

As dawn breaks, the birds take over as your alarm clock - far better than any app, really. 

11. (Bonus) Rooftop Tent

On Top of Car - Anywhere

We couldn’t resist adding one more... For the real adventurers out there, there is little more exhilarating than exploring the wilds in your own 4x4 with a tent on top!

After a day discovering uncharted territories, stop, pop open your roof-top-tent and get ready for a night out in the wild. To make this even better we recommend throwing in a few nights of luxury here and there too. 

There we have it, our top 10 (well, 11) sleep-outs in Africa! 

There are, of course, many more fantastic options to choose from (the list is way too long to include in this blog!) so if this is something that interests you, we will make it work for you.