There is nothing more wonderful when on safari somewhere in the African bush than to wash away the heat and dust of a busy day by indulging in a glorious warm shower or luxuriating in a deep bubble bath. And when the weather is warm, the chance to bathe under the light of the stars and some flickering candlelight is an exciting and romantic option.
The importance of the bathroom as part of your chosen safari accommodation cannot be over-emphasised, whether it's luxuriously decorated or designed simply for functionality.
So Wild Zambezi has decided to turn the spotlight on Bush Bathrooms in this Feature Blog. Our travel network partners have come up with this varied range!
INDEX (click to link, or scroll down)
- African Bush Camps (Bumi Hills Safari Lodge - Lake Kariba and Nyamatusi Camp, Mana Pools)
- Changa Safari Camp (Matusadona National Park, Lake Kariba)
- Fothergill Island (Lake Kariba)
- Off 2 Africa (Destination management & travel planning)
- Rhino Safari Camp (Matusadona National Park, Lake Kariba)
- Safaris 4 Africa (Destination management & travel planning)
- Spurwing Island (Lake Kariba
- Stretch Ferreira Safaris (Mana Pools)
- Victoria Falls River Lodge (Zambezi National Park, Victoria Falls)
- Victoria Falls Safari Club (Africa Albida Tourism)
- Wild Horizons - Old Drift Lodge (Zambezi National Park, Victoria Falls)
- Wilderness Safaris - Ruckomechi (Mana Pools)
- Zambezi Cruise & Safaris - Mana Pools Safari Lodge (Mana Pools)
1. African Bush Camps Nyamatusi Camp (Mana Pools) and (Bumi Hills Safari Lodge (Lake Kariba)
For many people, bath-time is an indulgence, even more so, when you’re on an African Safari. We’ve factored this into the unique, detailed design of our camps, to make sure your time spent exploring the majestic African wilderness is just as unparalleled as your leisure time at our camps. For us, a safari is somewhat a spiritual experience. It is those stolen moments in between camp and the bush, where we have time to reflect on our most treasured memories.
You can opt to use the indoor or outdoor bathroom facilities. Although most guests lean towards the outdoor bush bathrooms, depending on the weather. Here, you’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a hot shower, under the wild African sun and indulge in the scenic views, while washing off the bustle of a busy day on safari. Our guests are most impressed with the views, the simple yet intricate architecture of our bush bathrooms and the transcending African Safari experience at all the African Bush Camps properties.
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2. Changa Safari Camp (Matusadona National Park, Lake Kariba)
At Changa we aim to echo Africa’s natural beauty…
Relax and simply appreciate the beauty of the wild surrounds…Changa’s six airy deluxe tents and two spacious family rooms are perfectly placed to take in the spectacular views through the bush and across shimmering Lake Kariba. Families, couples and groups of friends love it here and nothing beats the fun, romance and excitement of a Changa stay.
Our beautiful outdoor baths and showers are particularly popular with our guests. There is nothing quite like sinking into a hot bath for a soak after a day of fishing or game drives (with a glass of bubbles, naturally.)
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3. Fothergill Island (Lake Kariba)
Being able to look up at the boundless glittering night sky, whilst you lie in complete peace amongst warm, soft bubbles, will surely be a highlight of your day on Fothergill Island. Our sizeable outside baths present you with the mesmerising views, sounds and feelings of the Matusadona. Each bath is protected from the wind on either side, which also gives guests their absolute privacy.
Wash off the dust from the day's exciting safari activities in a luxurious bush bath with some flickering candlelight, and rejuvenate yourself in preparation for another day on Lake Kariba. We can’t think of a more relaxing experience closely connected to nature.
Not all rooms have an outside bath, so if this is something you’d specifically like then make sure to mention it to your agent in your booking enquiry.
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4. Off 2 Africa (Destination management & travel planning)
One of the things that might not be the top of your list to tell everyone about when you get back from an epic trip is what the bathroom was like, but man oh man can it make a difference! We have been wowed by a few gorgeous tubs, showers and outdoor spaces that really put the lux in luxurious.
A few of our favourites are Victoria Falls River Lodge where you almost feel you are part of the Zambezi River such is the uninterrupted view, Changa Safari Lodge where even if it rains the outdoor bath is total bliss and Matetsi Victoria Falls whose tub is more like a small swimming pool.
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5. Rhino Safari Camp (Matusadona National Park, Lake Kariba)
Simple comfort in a close-to-nature bushcamp environment is what Rhino Safari Camp does best, nestled into the natural bushveld of the Matusadona National Park on the shores of Lake Kariba. Our partly open-air bathrooms are designed so that guests can enjoy a piping hot shower, lit by the moon and the vast canopy of a startlit night, or in the warmth of the day under a dazzling blue sky. Our uniquely-designed thatch and wood bedroom chalets are set on raised platforms above the ground, with en-suite bathrooms carefully screened for privacy, with natural materials. At Rhino Safari Camp, keeping things natural is as important to us as making our guests comfortable.
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6. Safaris 4 Africa (Destination management & travel planning)
One of our favourite safari bathroom experiences is at Changa Safari Camp where you have the opportunity to savour a private candle-lit “open air” bath, filled with bubbles and glimpses of the shoreline of Lake Kariba. Our guests find this wonderful novel concept one of the highlights of their safari experience, giving time to appreciate the myriad of stars and sounds of the bush, whilst indulging in a glass of wine and taking the time to unwind after a busy safari day. We at Safaris 4 Africa delight in organising safari camps and experiences that offer these unique experiences.
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7. Spurwing Island (Lake Kariba)
The newly refurbished chalets at Spurwing Island now include wonderfully spacious and modern bathrooms tastefully outfitted to satisfy any guests staying at this family-friendly resort on its own island on Lake Kariba. New gas geysers and a separately-installed, reliable water system provide piping hot showers or deep baths at any time of the day or night - just what one needs after a fun day fishing on the lake or enjoying a game drive in the Matusadona National Park.
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8. Stretch Ferreira Safaris (Mana Pools National Park)
Like most traditional safari camps, Stretch Ferreira Safaris' tented camp in Mana Pools is rebuilt every safari season. This gives us the opportunity to redesign and improve on our safari bathroom design every year. Each tent has its own en-suite bathroom extension accessible through a zipped canvas door at the back. Under cover of the tent is a handbasin/vanity, with running water, toiletries and a flush toilet. Beyond this, out in the open, and screened for complete safety and privacy by beautiful natural wood panels, is our beautiful outdoor shower feature, with a river-pebble floor and filtered river-water piped through the camp's traditional wood boilers. Enjoy a piping hot, refreshing open-air shower in natural surroundings under the light of the moon or stars. You can't get more romantic than that!
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9. Victoria Falls River Lodge (Zambezi National Park, Victoria Falls)
The expansive Starbed Suite bathrooms at Victoria Falls River Lodge, offer spectacular views from their beautiful location on Kandahar Island in the middle of the Zambezi River within sight of the spray of the famous Falls themselves. This completely exclusive and private experience can be reached only by boat ride from the mainland.
The spacious open plan suites sit in the forest canopy jutting out over the river, elevated on timber decks with generous glass windows and doors ensuring uninterrupted flow from the luxurious comfort of the indoors to the natural beauty of the outdoors.
The expansive bathrooms – with twin vanities, twin rain showers, private toilet, private freestanding bathtub and a host of other amenities, offer spectacular views of the legendary Zambezi and its natural surrounds. The open-plan design allows guests to enjoy spectacular African sunsets and exceptional wildlife viewing from their luxurious bathtub or twin rain shower.
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10. Victoria Falls Safari Club (Africa Albida Tourism)
Victoria Falls Safari Club is the premium address in the iconic tourist destination of Victoria Falls, offering the ultimate in luxury against a backdrop of African bush, wildlife and sunsets... and its bathrooms live up to expectations!
The Safari Club's 20 rooms, which offer panoramic views over bushveld to the horizon, feature an open-plan design and are elegantly decorated in earthy tones to blend harmoniously with the African surrounds.
The bathrooms boast a large free-standing bath, and separate walk-in rainfall shower, bathrobes, slippers and a selection of luxurious toiletries, offering the perfect indulgence after a busy day of sightseeing.
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11. Wild Horizons Old Drift Lodge (Zambezi National Park, Victoria Falls)
Wild Horizons' Old Drift Lodge is a place of rich history and meditative luxury. Like everything about the lodge, the outdoor claw-footed bath is refined, original and timeless. The deep tub is spacious enough for two and placed on a private patio with the Zambezi River drifting past. The suites are carefully spaced apart for exclusivity and intimacy, so guests can wrap themselves in a fluffy bathrobe after sinking into the aromatic bubbly bliss for uninterrupted mindful relaxation. With a glass of champagne in hand, there is nothing more peaceful than submerging yourself in a hot bubble bath to watch moonlight dance across the ripples of the river. The freestanding bathtub is the epitome of safari luxury, and it shares an expansive balcony with a private plunge pool, sitting area, sun loungers and an outdoor shower.
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12. Wilderness Safaris, Ruckomechi (Mana Pools)
A mere glimpse of the iconic Zambezi River flowing past Wilderness Safaris' Ruckomechi invites exhalation and a sense of calm.
Spend a day boating – to view those flitting jewels, the migratory carmine bee-eaters, hawking insects at their nests in the tall banks, or watch ponderous elephants swim silently across to Zambia, their snorkel-trunks the only sound as they softly breathe. Another option is catch-and-release fishing, or simply quietly observing the myriad wading birds as they stalk their prey in the green floodplains.
After sunset and a delightful sundowner stop, head back to camp for the ultimate safari indulgence – a sudsy soak in Ruckomechi’s legendary outdoor bath.
Follow a candle-lit path to a private corner of the camp. Here a copper bath awaits, brimming with fragrant bubbles. Sink in, lie back, take a sip of your ice-cold tipple, and gaze up at the star-studded African sky. You may even be rewarded with a shooting star.
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13. Zambezi Cruise & Safaris - Mana Pools Safari Lodge (Mana Pools)
Add luxury to your authentic wildlife safari with Mana Pools Safari Lodge and Zambezi Cruise and Safaris. The private bathrooms in each of our 12 thatched chalets, offer more than just convenience, they allow you the pleasure of freshening up without completely divorcing you from the wilderness.
Each spacious bathroom provides privacy (from human eyes), intimacy (with nature) and comfort (as good as it can get in the bush) and boasts a modern, large, freestanding bathtub which allows you to soak in the waters of Mana, just like the majestic elephants do, or an ultra-romantic His and Hers shower! Those in the know will confirm that sharing a shower on the banks of the Zambezi River is truly magical.
All too soon the bath is finished. And, just like the eles, the park's largest and most iconic inhabitants, we use up the last of the day to take in that legendary Zambezi sunset, drink in hand, as we prepare for an evening in Mana Pools.
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