Best safari tent holidays in the UK
Planning an outdoor holiday with the family? Thinking about trying out a camping break for the first time? Here’s a great way to get the camping experience without the need to buy/transport/set up any equipment: stay in a spacious safari tent where everything’s already set up for you.
These large, sturdy structures were originally designed for use on African safaris, with strong wooden poles covered with thick canvas to keep the tropical sun, heat and insects out. That solid construction functions just as well to protect you from the British climate, and it’s also highly adaptable – open up all the doors and windows to embrace the outdoors or close it all up for a more cosy experience on cooler days.
View our list of 5 of the best UK safari tent holidays
Why stay in a safari tent?
The number one reason to choose a safari tent holiday is the sheer sense of convenience: here’s a simple way to get that outdoor lifestyle without having to deal with setting up a tent. Exact details will differ from site to site but in general you can expect to be able to move into a safari tent with very little hassle: the tent will already be set up, and should withstand all weather conditions. Beds are generally provided, along with other things like kitchen kit and a bathroom, so you can simply move in and get relaxed straight away.
Size is also an important factor in a safari tent – these luxury tents usually have plenty of floor space and head height, so you won’t feel cramped at all, even if you end up spending a fair amount of time in the tent.
Who are safari tent holidays suitable for?
That good amount of space makes safari tents particularly great choices for family holidays. Many safari tents have separate bedroom compartments so you can cater for different bedtimes and still have space to relax in comfort whether you stay under cover or open the front up to spend an evening out on the deck by the firepit.
Having lots of essential kit provided is a real bonus too, particularly if you’re travelling with kids – but it doesn’t all have to be about family stays. They’re also really great options for those travelling by public transport, adventurers doing long-distance hikes or bike trips and couples in search of something a bit different for an easy weekend break.
What’s provided in a safari tent and what should I bring?
All of our sites have their own setup and character, so what’s provided will differ from place to place. As a rule, you can generally expect beds to be provided (although you may need to bring bedding) along with some sort of kitchen facility, plus access to bathrooms either in the tent or nearby. Beyond that, it’s up to the individual site – some provide everything from the fairy lights to the corkscrew, while others ask you to provide more of your own gear to keep costs down.
You can find out exactly what’s provided at your site and what you’ll need to bring by clicking on the link for your chosen tent and reading the details provided there – this also has handy info on things like extras you can add, and whether you’re able to bring a dog.
Where can I find safari tents to stay in?
Spacious and sturdy safari tents are growing in popularity so they’re popping up all over the UK – on farms, in woodlands and at traditional campsites that want to offer a different option for guests. The easiest way to find them is to visit Pitchup’s main glamping page and use the filters to narrow down your choices – you can filter by date, area, tent type and various other options (such as looking for places that allow dogs, or have a play area for the kids).
See all of Pitchup’s glamping options
5 of the best UK safari tent glamping sites
Keen to mix up the outdoor life of camping with the comfort and space offered by a safari tent? We’ve picked out five of the best safari tent stays in the UK, all of which have given great reviews by previous Pitchup customers.
Driftaway Camping Woodlands
Woodlands, Forton
Chard, Somerset TA20 4HB 
Why here? A stay at this Somerset site near Chard has something of a wild camping vibe to it – Driftaway Camping Woodlands is a place where you can poke around in the pond for newts and frogs, stroll by the stream and wander through meadows, and then retreat to a comfy tent that’s kitted out with beds, a wood-burning stove and lots of handy bits and pieces including a fridge and a firepit. There’s just enough luxury here to ensure comfortable stays without interfering with that outdoor living experience.
Key facilities: Kitchen facilities, firepit provided, bed linen provided, dogs allowed
One last thing… This is a tiny site with just a couple of glamping units so if you book far enough ahead you might be able to take over the whole place just for your group.
Book Driftaway Camping Woodlands
Wallace Lane Farm
Brocklebank, Caldbeck
Wigton, Cumbria CA7 8DL 
Why here? This Cumbria farm is in a fabulous location for getting out to explore all the lakes and mountains of the Lake District, with good access to a long list of hikes, mountain bike trails, fishing spots and watersports areas. Once you’ve explored thoroughly, you’ll be able to come back to Wallace Lane Farm and relax in a comfortably furnished tent with beds made up, a well-equipped kitchen and a barbecue for prepping your evening meal. And because you may well have got a little dirty while out on your adventures, it’s handy to have laundry access as well as your own private bathroom.
Key facilities: Kitchen facilities, private bathroom, launderette, barbecue provided
One last thing… The views here are wonderful, so you’ll get a real peaceful rural atmosphere – but it’s only a five-minute drive to Caldbeck for a pub, a café and a shop.
Rocombe Valley Retreat
Springfields Farm, Lower Rocombe
Stokeinteignhead, Newton Abbot
Devon TQ12 4QL
Why here? ‘Retreat’ is the key word here – the glamping tents at Rocombe Valley Retreat are surrounded by green views, next to three lakes and a stream in a gorgeous little valley a couple of miles from the Devon coast. It’s a fabulous spot for peaceful stays – the safari tent comes kitted out with cosy beds, a woodburning stove, a kitchen and a firepit, so you should be nicely comfortable and well fed while soaking up the sights and sounds of your lovely little bolthole.
Key facilities: Fishing stream, kitchen facilities, firepit provided
One last thing… There are lots of great beaches and coast walks close by, but if you don’t fancy venturing very far you can still have a very fine day at the coarse fishing lakes by the site followed by a 15-minute stroll to the local pub.
Commonwood Leisure
Buck Road, Holt
Wrexham LL13 9TF 
Why here? Now here’s a place for those of you that like to have easy access to outdoor activities on your break – Commonwood Leisure has a splendid 10 lakes on site, with fishing for everyone from kids through to seasoned experts, and every tent has its own fishing peg to make things even more straightforward. You can enhance your outdoor experience by cooking alfresco meals on your firepit, but there’s also a café on site and the village of Holt is only a few minutes’ drive away.
Key facilities: Café, fishing lakes, bike hire, campers’ kitchen
One last thing… You don’t have to be into fishing to enjoy a stay here – the site also has bike hire and access to walking trails, plus a friendly pack of pygmy goats that are particularly popular with visiting kids.
Laurel Park Campsite
Huntsgate, Gedney Broadgate
Spalding, Lincolnshire PE12 0DJ 
Why here? Pick a stay at Laurel Park Campsite and you’ll be sharing the place with a friendly bunch of donkeys, goats, rabbits and chickens – and you can even get stuck in to farm life by helping out with feeding and walking time. Yes, this is a proper rural Lincolnshire setting, in The Wash Nature Reserve (the country’s biggest nature reserve…) with lots of walking and bike trails to follow in the surrounding area and boat trips nearby to take you out in search of seals and water birds. Snapping up a safari tent means that you’ll be sure of a spacious and comfortable place to stay in between adventures, without having to lose out on any of that fresh air.
Key facilities: Shop, laundry facilities, communal lounge
One last thing… Amenities in the safari tents have been kept on the more minimal side to keep prices down, but there are plenty of communal facilities including a comfy lounge with a pool table, a TV, a piano and a fancy coffee machine.
More glamping ideas around the UK
Sold on the idea of a safari tent? Or perhaps you’d prefer to cosy up in a shepherd’s hut or take the family off for an off-season break in a log cabin? Pitchup’s glamping pages are full of fabulous places to stay for all budgets and holiday styles. Click on the links below to see what options are available around the countries of the UK
Book glamping sites in England
Book glamping sites in Scotland
Book glamping sites in Northern Ireland