ADVENTURE
1. ONDULI RIDGE STAR BEDS, DARAMALAND,( NAMIBIA)
Surrounded by rugged hills and views of the Brandberg, it’ s home to desert-adapted rhino, elephant, and big cats. A king-size bed cooled by its own‘ climate conditioner’( Evening Breeze) is also the perfect place for afternoon siestas and the bed can be rolled out onto your private deck for a night under a billion stars as required. Best for: design lovers & romantics craving wild luxury – sleeping under Namibia’ s stars with utter stillness.
2. KAGGA KAMMA OPEN AIR SUITES, CEDERBERG,( WC)
Nestled in rugged rockscape, Kagga Kamma’ s Open Air Suites float between stone walls and open sky. You’ ll have all the creature comforts, private bathroom, hot tub, en suite, but no roof. The sky here is astonishing; the Milky Way looms like a galaxy ribbon overhead. Best for: couples looking for dramatic contrast; desert, silence, stars.
3. SAMARA KAROO RESERVE STAR BED,( EASTERN CAPE)
If you want a true desert night, Samara delivers. Their Star Bed sits alone on a platform on the Karoo plains, surrounded by nothing but veld and silence. Dinner is starlit and the sunrise comes with coffee brought to your bed. Best for: solitude, wide horizons, deep silence.
4. TSWALU KALAHARI STAR BEDS,( NORTHERN CAPE)
In the Kalahari’ s harsh elegance, Tswalu’ s star sleepouts are raised decks with all the luxuries( outdoor showers, lighting) included, but still, open to the sky. The desert’ s thermal swings sharpen the night, and campfires carry farther in the dry air. Best for: desert lovers, quiet contrasts of temperature and light.
5. LION SANDS TREEHOUSE SLEEPOVERS, SABI SAND / KRUGER,( MP)
Here, you climb into a treehouse where half your walls are mesh and nothing separates you from the soundtrack of a bush night: the calls of owls, rustling of leaves, the distant roar of lions when the wind shifts. Then fall asleep beneath your own private stretch of stars. Best for: Safari lovers who want thrills plus comfort.
6. GARONGA SLEEP-OUT DECK, GREATER MAKALALI,( LIMPOPO)
In Makalali, the sleep-out deck is paired with a comfortable lodge stay. you move to the platform for one night to sleep in a“ roofless” canopy. The dip of the watering hole below often brings nighttime wildlife visits. Best for: balance – you get some structure plus a wild night.
7. JACI’ S NALEDI TREEHOUSE, MADIKWE,( NORTH WEST)
Their Naledi Treehouse is an open-air option. It’ s plush, refined, and perfect for summer skies. Best for: people who want star sleepout with high service levels.
8. CHIAWA CAMP STAR BED, LOWER ZAMBEZI,( ZAMBIA)
Perched above the Zambezi River, Chiawa’ s open-air Star Bed offers a night wrapped in river sounds and starlight. Arrive by boat after a private dinner, settle into a kingsize bed on a raised platform, and wake to sunrise over the water. Best for: wilderness romantics and river-views dreamers.
WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND( BECAUSE“ BED-UNDER-THE-STARS” ISN’ T SIMPLE)
• Weather is king: Even luxury lodges will swap you indoors if it storms or the heat becomes unbearable.
• Pack smart: A light but warm sleeping layer, insect repellent, and earplugs( for surprise wildlife sounds).
• Safety first: All of these options are hosted, guided, or secured. Don’ t head in solo unless it’ s part of a lodge’ s service.
• Book way ahead. These aren’ t common extras, they’ re often the first to be sold out.
• Check access. Some lodges require 4 × 4 or chartered flights to get there. The road is part of the adventure.
Why do it? Because a sky full of stars, deep silence rich with wildlife, the occasional lion’ s roar, and your blanket arranged just so? That’ s a story no city hotel’ s ever told.
SUMMER 2025 / 26 • rovesa. co. za | 81