Our family loves escaping into nature but with no camping gear… glamping is the way to go and recently we stumbled upon the most amazing tented accommodation in Dinokeng. Luxury… Exclusivity… Privacy… A one-of-a-kind bush experience amidst the big 5, only 40 minutes outside of Pretoria (and one hour from O.R. Tambo International Airport).

Leadwood safari tented accommodation in Dinokeng

This private, eco-camp was designed to seamlessly fit into the African bush while accentuating its exquisite natural surroundings. Four luxury bell tents offer all the comforts of home but without any of the usual distractions. It’s a glamping experience perfect for unplugging, resting and immersing oneself in the bushveld!

More about the Bell Tents…

Leadwood Safari Camp must be the most unique tented accommodation in Dinokeng. We’ve certainly not stumbled across another of its kind. We slept in two spacious 5m x 5m bell tents – one for mom and dad, with another set up right next to ours, for the girls.

Both tents were beautiful and included comfortable “real” beds – no inflatable mattresses – hotel-quality linens, additional blankets, lights and carpets. The girls each had their own single bed while we shared a double. An extra special touch was 3 torches for the girls to use during our stay.

* Each tent can accommodate up to two adults and two children under 10 years of age making sharing with mom and dad an option if you prefer.

The tents aren’t powered (a plus for us seeing as we really needed to escape and retreat). A powerpoint can be found in the dining area for charging electronic devices. Making our way to bed at night along the oil-lamp-lit pathways was simply magical. Sleeping under the stars as the rain hushed us into dreamland and waking up to complimentary tea and coffee delivered to our tent every morning was an unforgettable first for everyone!

Onto the bathroom…

Each tent has its own stand-alone fully equipped bathroom with a flushing toilet, shower and locally sourced stone basin. We simply couldn’t get enough of the private outdoor shower. Steaming hot water provided by wooden stocked boilers washes away the adventures of the day as you look up at the starry sky. We were even lucky enough to cross paths with a jackal doing his nighttime stroll next to the fence.

* Bath and swimming towels are also provided.

relax in the communal dining and lapa area

The camp is completely self-catering and the kitchenette is equipped with everything needed to make you feel at home. A fridge/freezer, gas stovetop, cookware and utensils. Pots and pans. A traditional braai area as well as a gas option. You’ll also find a “potjiekos pot” – because even glamping includes “Potjiekos” right?

* The basic – salt, pepper, sugar and milk for tea or coffee are also provided.

We swam in the “plaas dam”, played boardgames in the tented boma and enjoyed meals cooked on an open fire every evening. Firewood was provided daily and John, our personal camp assistant, made sure to light the braai (and eco-geyser) for us, as needed. Cleaning services of bathrooms and communal areas were also included.

SIDE NOTE: Thank you Breazies for our cool matching His & Hers swimsuits and the girl’s super soft (and huge) swimming towels.

Shop this wonderful, local swimwear brand online via www.breazies.com. Ladies one-pieces, dads and lads swim shorts, towels and bucket hats all in the coolest designs and matching!

More to do at Leadwood Safaris Camp

Don’t miss a game drive with Ranger Darryl. His passion for conservation and knowledge of African wildlife is impressive. A 3-hour drive went by too fast and we saw far more wild than ever before when driving on our own.

We spotted…Giraffes, Impalas, birds of every feather, Kudus, Zebras, Wildebeest and MORE! Too many to share in one blogpost.

A highlight however was seeing 5 cheetahs feasting on their kill merely meters away from the car. Putting this experience into words is impossible! We were in awe.

Being a bird-watcher, Mr. Perfect found even more joy spotting a variety of local feathered friends that can only be found in Dinokeng. Our daily game drives doubled up as sundowners and snacks time and everyone looked forward to them.

In fact, they were such a hit, we even squeezed in one last early morning drive on our day of departure – a completely different experience that lead us to a family of rhinos.

How I wish I had my camera ready when seeing them – the photo would have been so much better. Lesson learned, BUT still, you simply can’t beat the memory.

* Games drives are R250 per person (No cost for children under 10 years of age) and can be arranged when you arrive.

More reasons we loved our stay at Leadwood Safari Camp

• Guests have exclusive use of the entire camp seeing as there are no shared bookings. That means NO OTHER GUESTS, except for you and your group. Basically you’re hiring your own safari camp for an exclusive, private getaway.
• Special rates for weekdays and weekends makes this an affordable option, especially for families.
• Leadwood does as much or as little as you like… Hosts, Jonathan and Anna Klynhans, work with clients to plan their dream African Safari, taking over all logistics and administration. You’ll also find a book of recommendations filled with places to visit and dinning experiences to enjoy close-by. If you like planning ahead, let the team assist in making reservations and more.
• All the extra thoughtful touches! Being welcomed by the most delicious, homemade choc-chip cookies. Complimentary tea and coffee delivered to out tents every morning. Ice in the freezer… They have thought of it all as we felt relaxed and taken care of.
• Lastly, the heart of it all… Conservation. From the solar-powered lights, wood-fired water heaters to promoting sustainable firewood practices. Leadwood Safari tries it’s best to not just be kind to the environment it shared with so many wildlife, but also reminds us to do the same.

“It’s our mission to ensure that our unique safari experience perfectly fills the gap between rustic and comfort, allowing our guests to immerse themselves in the true spirit of the African bush.”

There’s just no other luxury tented accommodation in Dinokeng quite like Leadwood Safari Camp and we can’t wait for our next visit. (Maybe this time we’ll do a romantic getaway for two.)

Book your own weekend away to Leadwood Safari Camp online at wwww.leadwoodsafaris.com and don’t forget to schedule a game drive (or three).

For more also be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

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