{"id":7032,"date":"2018-06-22T11:20:43","date_gmt":"2018-06-22T11:20:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/?p=7032"},"modified":"2026-04-16T14:35:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T14:35:31","slug":"top-10-african-sleep-outs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Sleepouts across Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

Forget air-conditioning, walls and windows \u2013 al-fresco is the way to go when it comes to experiencing Africa\u2019s nocturnal delights. From adventurous treehouse platforms to luxurious decks and bedrolls with nothing but a fluttering mosquito net around you, there\u2019s a variety of ways to spend the night in the bush and we\u2019ve rounded up the very best below\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Little<\/a><\/p>\n

1. Little Kulala<\/h2>\n

Sossusvlei, Namibia<\/em><\/p>\n

In the heart of the infinite Namibian desert you\u2019ll find Sossusvlei<\/a>, a place where light pollution hasn\u2019t yet been invented and the stars sparkle like diamonds. To make the most of the spectacular skies, book into Little Kulala<\/a> for each room has a private rooftop starbed that offers completely undisturbed views of the landscape and what\u2019s above. Spotting scopes are provided, but actually, your own eyes are all you need to view the heavens in their glory.<\/p>\n

If time is of the essence, take a look at our short and sweet Namibia route<\/a> and add Little Kulala<\/a> to your stay in Sossusvlei.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Little<\/figure>
Little Kulala Lodge<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n

\"Tswalu<\/a><\/p>\n

2. Tswalu Motse Lodge<\/h2>\n

Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa<\/em><\/p>\n

Every last detail has been thought of at Tswalu\u2019s<\/a> Malori Sleepout Deck, from the hot water bottles waiting in the king-size bed, to the thoughtfully placed robes and slippers. There\u2019s an even a protective thatched overhang should you get caught out by the weather. We suggest arriving at your private platform in time for sunset drinks and nibbles, before dinner and a magical night in front of the star-spangled desert sky.<\/p>\n

Combine a sleepout in Tswalu<\/a> with Madikwe, Cape Town and the Winelands for a trip to remember in this quirky South Africa route<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Tswalu<\/figure>
Tswalu Motse Lodge<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n

\"Jao<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Jao Camp<\/h2>\n

Okavango Delta, Botswana<\/em><\/p>\n

A mention of Jao<\/a>, located on the border of the Moremi Reserve in the Okavango Delta<\/a>, is normally accompanied by mutterings of brilliant architecture and exquisite interiors – but the real gem is the sleepout deck. With billowing mosquito nets, and polished wood floors, the deck is beautifully simple and views of the beautiful surroundings take centre stage. There\u2019s also the bonus of a sharp-eyed, watchman-cum-butler who is as ready with the champagne as he is to scare away any marauding wildlife. The perfect place to bed down and relish your own private star show.<\/p>\n

Make our \u2018Adventurous Botswana<\/a>\u2019 route even more intrepid by adding a night or two at Jao Camp<\/a> in the Okavango Delta.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Jao<\/figure>
Jao Camp<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n

\"Loisaba<\/a><\/p>\n

4. Loisaba<\/h2>\n

Laikipia, Kenya<\/em><\/p>\n

The original, and, dare we say, the best, Loisaba\u2019s<\/a> \u2018Mukokoteni\u2019 are brilliantly creative beds-on-wheels made from old Landrover axles. The views are so vast you can almost see the curvature of the earth up here and with an occasional nomadic giraffe the only neighbours, you\u2019re free to keep both eyes on the all the astronomic action above. For maximum galaxy-watching time, hike between the two different star beds sites (or even journey by camel or horseback) and stay for two nights in your celestial heaven.<\/p>\n

Enjoy all the highlights of Kenya on this all-encompassing route<\/a> and add the Losaiba Star Beds<\/a> for extra sparkle\u2026<\/p>\n

\n
\"Loisaba<\/figure>
Loisaba Star Beds<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n

\"South<\/a><\/p>\n

5. Return to the Wild<\/h2>\n

South Luangwa, Zambia<\/em><\/p>\n

Forget rose petals and four-poster beds; sleepouts in the sandy Luwi riverbed<\/a> are all about the bush. First up is a wildlife lesson on an intrepid afternoon walk through the acacia woodland with legendary guide Shaddy Nkhoma, followed by sundowners against the endless Zambian sky. When darkness falls, hunker down with your bedroll at the sleep-spot (quite literally in the middle of nowhere) for dinner, campfire tales and a spot of stargazing.<\/p>\n

Design your own walking adventure in Zambia using the \u2018Best of the South Luangwa<\/a>\u2019 route as a template and combining a mix of bush camps and sleep outs.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Return<\/figure>
Return to the Wild<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n
\n
\"General\"General<\/figure>
Design your own trip<\/div>\n Choose a destination, pick your properties and we'll do the rest<\/span>\n
Design a trip<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n

\"Nay<\/a><\/p>\n

6. Nay Palad Bird Nest<\/h2>\n

Laikipia, Kenya<\/i><\/p>\n

Part architectural marvel and part childhood dream Segera\u2019s Bird Nest<\/a> is a three-level, handwoven structure perched high above the Laikipia plains. Arrive at sunset for a lantern-lit picnic and a glass of something cold, then climb through a tangle of branches to your top-deck \u2018bird\u2019s nest\u2019 under the whirling, twirling starts. In the morning, breakfast is delivered straight to your lofty perch.<\/p>\n

A trip to Kenya isn\u2019t complete without a stop in Laikipia and a night sleeping under the stars! Use our Conservation, Cats & Walking Safaris trip<\/a> for some serious inspiration.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Bird<\/figure>
Bird Nest<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n

\"Star<\/a><\/p>\n

7. Star Drift, Chiawa Camp<\/h2>\n

Lower Zambezi, Zambia<\/em><\/p>\n

For a sleepout with a little added flair, Chiawa\u2019s<\/a> Star Drift begins with a private dinner on a boat drifting along the Zambezi at sunset, before you\u2019re dropped at your open-air bedroom on the riverbank. A hot bath and chilled bubbly await, along with a perfectly positioned bed for uninterrupted stargazing. There\u2019s no ceiling here; just uninterrupted views of the inky sky with stars so bright you could reach out and touch them.<\/p>\n

Take a closer look at all Chiawa Camp<\/a>\u00a0has to offer, then add the lodge to any Zambia trip<\/a> for a very special addition.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Chiawa<\/figure>
Chiawa Camp<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n

\"Lion<\/a><\/p>\n

8. Lion Sands<\/h2>\n

Kruger, South Africa<\/em><\/p>\n

Views of the solar system from Lion Sands<\/a>\u2019 three treehouses, The Kingston, Chalkley\u2019s and Tinyeleti are unreal. Built on raised platforms, big beasties can prowl underneath the ingenious rooms whilst glass walls and roof hatches allow you to cuddle down and stargaze from the comfort of your bed. There\u2019s also an open-air shower from which to count the streaking, shooting stars and plenty of outdoor seating areas for a glass of wine under the night skies.<\/p>\n

Add Lion Sands<\/a> to a classic South Africa route (like this one<\/a>) for a little something different\u2026<\/p>\n

\n
\"Lion<\/figure>
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n

\"Ruckomechi<\/a><\/p>\n

9. Ruckomechi<\/h2>\n

Mana Pools, Zimbabwe<\/em><\/p>\n

At the sleepout deck at Ruckomechi<\/a>, you\u2019re a mere lion\u2019s roar from the wildlife of Mana Pools and all the shufflings and rustlings of nearby Parachute Pan. After a picnic dinner on the deck, curl up under the feather duvet and watch the stars whilst keeping an ear out for noisy predators \u2013 there are plenty of them around\u2026<\/p>\n

Sleep under the stars in both Zambia\u2019s South Luangwa and Mana Pools by adding Ruckomechi<\/a> to our \u2018Adventure in Zambia & Zimbabwe<\/a>\u2019 route.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Ruckomechi<\/figure>
Ruckomechi Camp<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n

\"Jacks<\/a><\/p>\n

10. Jack\u2019s Camp<\/h2>\n

Makgadikgadi, Botswana<\/em><\/p>\n

At night, the lunar landscape of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans<\/a> transforms into an otherworldly spectacle in which millions upon millions of stars glitter in the complete blackness. For the best seats in the house, hop on a quad bike from Jack\u2019s Camp<\/a> and spend the night at Kubu Island, complete with G&Ts in crystal glasses, a three-course dinner and a bed draped in the finest Egyptian cotton. You won\u2019t believe that there\u2019s anyone else on earth but you and the stars.<\/p>\n

Spend time with the San Bushmen of the Makgadikgadi on our fabulous Botswana route<\/a>, and add Jack\u2019s Camp<\/a> for the chance to visit Kubu Island.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Jack's<\/figure>
Jack's Camp<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\"Wizard\"Wizard<\/figure>
Not sure where to go?<\/div>\n Answer a few simple questions to get instant trip recommendations<\/span>\n
Start the wizard<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bedrooms under star-spangled skies<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":7038,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[173,176],"tags":[3136,53,9004,3131,3130,72,139,1502,3023,2686,3362,3133,2578,169,1431,3132,1540,3134,87,3121,91,2220,93,136,3128,3363,3135,107],"class_list":["post-7032","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safari","category-top-10s","tag-african-sleepout","tag-botswana","tag-fly-camping-star-beds","tag-jacks-camp","tag-jao-camp","tag-kenya","tag-kruger","tag-laikipia","tag-lake-niassa","tag-lion-sands","tag-little-kulala","tag-loisaba","tag-makgadikgadi","tag-mozambique","tag-namibia","tag-nkwichi","tag-okavango","tag-ruckomechi","tag-safari","tag-sand-rivers-selous","tag-selous","tag-sossusvlei","tag-south-africa","tag-south-luangwa","tag-starbeds","tag-treehouse","tag-tswalu-motse-lodge","tag-zambia"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTop 10 star-gazing sleepouts across Africa - Timbuktu Travel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From adventurous treehouse platforms to luxurious decks and bedrolls, we\u2019ve rounded up the very best sleep-outs under the stars in the bush.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Top 10 star-gazing sleepouts across Africa - Timbuktu Travel\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From adventurous treehouse platforms to luxurious decks and bedrolls, we\u2019ve rounded up the very best sleep-outs under the stars in the bush.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Timbuktu\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/timbuktutravel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-06-22T11:20:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-16T14:35:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2018\/06\/2-star-bed-jao-camp-okavango-delta-botswana-timbuktu-travel.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2880\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Katie Jacholke\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@timbuktu_travel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@timbuktu_travel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Katie Jacholke\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/top-10-african-sleep-outs#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/top-10-african-sleep-outs\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Katie Jacholke\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cd85523c29f813c05c03532d439e22c9\"},\"headline\":\"Top 10 Sleepouts across Africa\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-06-22T11:20:43+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-16T14:35:31+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/top-10-african-sleep-outs\"},\"wordCount\":2149,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/top-10-african-sleep-outs#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/cdn-cgi\\\/image\\\/quality=50,format=auto\\\/https:\\\/\\\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\\\/2018\\\/06\\\/2-star-bed-jao-camp-okavango-delta-botswana-timbuktu-travel.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"African sleepout\",\"Botswana\",\"Fly camping & star beds\",\"Jack's camp\",\"Jao Camp\",\"Kenya\",\"kruger\",\"Laikipia\",\"lake niassa\",\"lion sands\",\"Little Kulala\",\"Loisaba\",\"Makgadikgadi\",\"mozambique\",\"Namibia\",\"Nkwichi\",\"Okavango\",\"Ruckomechi\",\"Safari\",\"Sand Rivers Selous\",\"Selous\",\"Sossusvlei\",\"South Africa\",\"south luangwa\",\"Starbeds\",\"treehouse\",\"Tswalu Motse Lodge\",\"Zambia\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Safari\",\"Top 10s\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/top-10-african-sleep-outs\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/top-10-african-sleep-outs\",\"name\":\"Top 10 star-gazing sleepouts across Africa - Timbuktu Travel\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/top-10-african-sleep-outs#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/top-10-african-sleep-outs#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/cdn-cgi\\\/image\\\/quality=50,format=auto\\\/https:\\\/\\\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\\\/2018\\\/06\\\/2-star-bed-jao-camp-okavango-delta-botswana-timbuktu-travel.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-06-22T11:20:43+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-16T14:35:31+00:00\",\"description\":\"From adventurous treehouse platforms to luxurious decks and bedrolls, we\u2019ve rounded up the very best sleep-outs under the stars in the bush.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/top-10-african-sleep-outs#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/top-10-african-sleep-outs\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/top-10-african-sleep-outs#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/cdn-cgi\\\/image\\\/quality=50,format=auto\\\/https:\\\/\\\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\\\/2018\\\/06\\\/2-star-bed-jao-camp-okavango-delta-botswana-timbuktu-travel.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/cdn-cgi\\\/image\\\/quality=50,format=auto\\\/https:\\\/\\\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\\\/2018\\\/06\\\/2-star-bed-jao-camp-okavango-delta-botswana-timbuktu-travel.jpg\",\"width\":2880,\"height\":1920,\"caption\":\"Jao Camp Okavango botswana top places to sleep out africa starbeds\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/top-10-african-sleep-outs#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Top 10 Sleepouts across Africa\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Timbuktu\",\"description\":\"Stories from Africa\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Timbuktu Travel\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timbuktutravel.imgix.net\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/logo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&ixlib=php-3.3.1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timbuktutravel.imgix.net\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/logo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&ixlib=php-3.3.1\",\"width\":696,\"height\":696,\"caption\":\"Timbuktu Travel\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/timbuktutravel\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/timbuktu_travel\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/timbuktu_travel\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.timbuktutravel.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cd85523c29f813c05c03532d439e22c9\",\"name\":\"Katie Jacholke\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7c2f43fa2b0236ef83c68a906574d378560e72ccccedcfe7ad82d9b5737a60b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7c2f43fa2b0236ef83c68a906574d378560e72ccccedcfe7ad82d9b5737a60b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7c2f43fa2b0236ef83c68a906574d378560e72ccccedcfe7ad82d9b5737a60b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Katie Jacholke\"},\"description\":\"Born and raised in Scotland, Katie went to Zambia in 2011 for a six-month stint as a camp manager in the remote South Luangwa National Park\u2026 and was still there five years later. After moving to Cape Town via seven different countries, she discovered a passion for travel writing and now spends many hours dreaming up Timbuktu\u2019s blog articles, newsletters and marketing content (when she\u2019s not plotting her return to Zambia that is).\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Top 10 star-gazing sleepouts across Africa - Timbuktu Travel","description":"From adventurous treehouse platforms to luxurious decks and bedrolls, we\u2019ve rounded up the very best sleep-outs under the stars in the bush.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Top 10 star-gazing sleepouts across Africa - Timbuktu Travel","og_description":"From adventurous treehouse platforms to luxurious decks and bedrolls, we\u2019ve rounded up the very best sleep-outs under the stars in the bush.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs","og_site_name":"Timbuktu","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/timbuktutravel\/","article_published_time":"2018-06-22T11:20:43+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-04-16T14:35:31+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2880,"height":1920,"url":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2018\/06\/2-star-bed-jao-camp-okavango-delta-botswana-timbuktu-travel.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Katie Jacholke","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@timbuktu_travel","twitter_site":"@timbuktu_travel","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Katie Jacholke","Estimated reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs"},"author":{"name":"Katie Jacholke","@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/cd85523c29f813c05c03532d439e22c9"},"headline":"Top 10 Sleepouts across Africa","datePublished":"2018-06-22T11:20:43+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-16T14:35:31+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs"},"wordCount":2149,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2018\/06\/2-star-bed-jao-camp-okavango-delta-botswana-timbuktu-travel.jpg","keywords":["African sleepout","Botswana","Fly camping & star beds","Jack's camp","Jao Camp","Kenya","kruger","Laikipia","lake niassa","lion sands","Little Kulala","Loisaba","Makgadikgadi","mozambique","Namibia","Nkwichi","Okavango","Ruckomechi","Safari","Sand Rivers Selous","Selous","Sossusvlei","South Africa","south luangwa","Starbeds","treehouse","Tswalu Motse Lodge","Zambia"],"articleSection":["Safari","Top 10s"],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs","url":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs","name":"Top 10 star-gazing sleepouts across Africa - Timbuktu Travel","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2018\/06\/2-star-bed-jao-camp-okavango-delta-botswana-timbuktu-travel.jpg","datePublished":"2018-06-22T11:20:43+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-16T14:35:31+00:00","description":"From adventurous treehouse platforms to luxurious decks and bedrolls, we\u2019ve rounded up the very best sleep-outs under the stars in the bush.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2018\/06\/2-star-bed-jao-camp-okavango-delta-botswana-timbuktu-travel.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2018\/06\/2-star-bed-jao-camp-okavango-delta-botswana-timbuktu-travel.jpg","width":2880,"height":1920,"caption":"Jao Camp Okavango botswana top places to sleep out africa starbeds"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/top-10-african-sleep-outs#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Top 10 Sleepouts across Africa"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/","name":"Timbuktu","description":"Stories from Africa","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Timbuktu Travel","url":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/timbuktutravel.imgix.net\/2025\/08\/logo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&ixlib=php-3.3.1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/timbuktutravel.imgix.net\/2025\/08\/logo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&ixlib=php-3.3.1","width":696,"height":696,"caption":"Timbuktu Travel"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/timbuktutravel\/","https:\/\/x.com\/timbuktu_travel","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/timbuktu_travel"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/cd85523c29f813c05c03532d439e22c9","name":"Katie Jacholke","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7c2f43fa2b0236ef83c68a906574d378560e72ccccedcfe7ad82d9b5737a60b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7c2f43fa2b0236ef83c68a906574d378560e72ccccedcfe7ad82d9b5737a60b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7c2f43fa2b0236ef83c68a906574d378560e72ccccedcfe7ad82d9b5737a60b9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Katie Jacholke"},"description":"Born and raised in Scotland, Katie went to Zambia in 2011 for a six-month stint as a camp manager in the remote South Luangwa National Park\u2026 and was still there five years later. After moving to Cape Town via seven different countries, she discovered a passion for travel writing and now spends many hours dreaming up Timbuktu\u2019s blog articles, newsletters and marketing content (when she\u2019s not plotting her return to Zambia that is)."}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7032","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7032"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7032\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17861,"href":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7032\/revisions\/17861"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7038"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7032"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}