What It’s Like to Sleep in a Treehouse Lodge in Africa?
Spending a night in a treehouse lodge in Africa is an unforgettable experience. Suspended among the treetops, you become part of the wilderness, surrounded by the sounds of the bush. These unique lodges offer a perfect blend of adventure and luxury, allowing you to reconnect with nature while enjoying modern comforts.
Whether you’re watching elephants roam below, listening to distant lion calls, or gazing at the endless star-filled sky, sleeping in a treehouse lodge is unlike any other stay in Africa.
Here’s everything you need to know about what it’s like to sleep in a treehouse lodge in Africa and why it should be on your travel bucket list.
1. Immersed in the Heart of Nature
A Front-Row Seat to Wildlife
Treehouse lodges are built in prime locations, often near water holes or within game reserves, giving you incredible opportunities to observe wildlife without leaving your accommodation. You might wake up to the sight of giraffes browsing nearby or hear the rhythmic calls of a nightjar as you drift off to sleep.
Minimal Human Disturbance
Since these lodges are elevated, they have a smaller environmental footprint. The design minimizes human interference, allowing animals to move freely around the area. Some lodges use eco-friendly materials, ensuring sustainability while blending seamlessly into the surroundings.
Uninterrupted Natural Soundscape
Unlike traditional lodges, treehouses remove you from artificial noise. Instead of air conditioning or city sounds, your night is filled with the rustling of leaves, the distant trumpeting of elephants, and the occasional roar of a lion.
2. Luxury Meets the Wild
Rustic Yet Comfortable Accommodations
While treehouse lodges provide an authentic connection to nature, they don’t compromise on comfort. Many feature plush beds, en-suite bathrooms, and open-air decks where you can relax with a breathtaking view.
Private and Exclusive
Most treehouse lodges offer a secluded experience, ensuring privacy and tranquility. Some are standalone units, while others are part of a larger safari lodge, allowing you to choose between solitude and socializing.
Open-Air Sleeping Under the Stars
Some treehouses are completely open to the elements, with just a mosquito net between you and the vast African sky. This allows for an unforgettable stargazing experience without any light pollution.
3. Wildlife Encounters Like Never Before
Animals Roaming Below You
One of the most thrilling aspects of staying in a treehouse lodge is watching wildlife from above. Depending on the location, you may see elephants, antelopes, or even big cats moving beneath you.
Nighttime Sounds That Come Alive
In the stillness of the night, the sounds of the wild take center stage. Hyenas laugh in the distance, hippos grunt from nearby rivers, and the occasional rustle in the bushes reminds you that you’re truly in the heart of nature.
Safe Yet Exhilarating
Although sleeping in an open-air treehouse might seem risky, these lodges are designed to keep guests safe. They are elevated high enough to prevent wildlife from reaching them, and trained staff ensure that everything runs smoothly.
4. The Ultimate Romantic Getaway
Secluded and Intimate Settings
Treehouse lodges provide an idyllic setting for couples looking for a unique escape. With no crowds, no artificial distractions, and breathtaking scenery, they offer one of the most romantic accommodations in Africa.
Candlelit Dinners and Private Decks
Many lodges offer private dining under the stars, with meals served on your deck or near a cozy firepit. The ambiance is unmatched, making it a perfect setting for a honeymoon or anniversary.
Unparalleled Sunrise and Sunset Views
There’s nothing quite like waking up to the golden hues of an African sunrise or watching the sky turn a fiery red at sunset, all from your private treetop sanctuary.
5. A Photographer’s Dream
Unique Angles and Perspectives
Treehouses offer a different vantage point for capturing stunning wildlife shots. Elevated views provide an incredible perspective, allowing for breathtaking landscape and animal photography.
Astrophotography Opportunities
With minimal light pollution, treehouse lodges are perfect for capturing the night sky. The Milky Way stretches overhead, offering a mesmerizing view that’s a dream for photographers.
Birdwatching from Your Balcony
Since treehouses are built among the branches, you’ll have a front-row seat to some of Africa’s most beautiful birds. From vibrant lilac-breasted rollers to majestic eagles, bird enthusiasts will find plenty to admire.
6. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Travel
Built with Minimal Impact
Many treehouse lodges use reclaimed wood, solar power, and other sustainable materials to minimize their environmental impact. These structures are designed to blend into the landscape rather than disrupt it.
Encouraging Conservation Efforts
By staying in an eco-conscious lodge, you directly contribute to conservation initiatives. Many lodges reinvest a portion of their earnings into local wildlife protection and community development programs.
Water and Energy Conservation
Treehouse lodges often promote responsible tourism by using water-saving techniques, composting toilets, and alternative energy sources to minimize waste and pollution.
7. The Thrill of Being Off-the-Grid
Disconnect to Reconnect
Most treehouse lodges have little to no Wi-Fi or phone signal, allowing you to completely unplug from modern distractions and focus on the present moment.
Reconnecting with Nature
Without digital interruptions, you become more attuned to the rhythms of the wild—whether it’s tracking the path of the moon or noticing the subtle changes in animal behavior at dusk.
A Refreshing Change of Pace
In a world filled with constant noise and technology, sleeping in a treehouse lodge offers a rare opportunity to experience true solitude and peace.
8. Best Treehouse Lodges in Africa
Lion Sands Treehouses (South Africa)
Located in the Sabi Sands, these luxurious treehouses offer open-air sleeping with spectacular wildlife views.
Loisaba Star Beds (Kenya)
Famous for their wheeled-out beds under the stars, these treehouses provide a unique safari experience in the Laikipia wilderness.
Jaci’s Tree Lodge ( South Africa )
Located in the heart of the Madikwe Game Reserve, spanning 80,000 hectares and renowned for its incredible Big 5 safaris, is where you can prepare for a relaxing holiday and safari!
9. What to Pack for a Treehouse Stay
Essentials for Comfort
Light but warm clothing for cool nights
A headlamp or flashlight for navigating in the dark
Binoculars for wildlife spotting
Camera Gear for the Best Shots
Wide-angle lens for landscapes
Zoom lens for capturing distant wildlife
Tripod for astrophotography
Eco-Friendly Products
Biodegradable toiletries
Reusable water bottles
Solar-powered chargers
10. Booking and Planning Your Stay
Best Time to Visit
The dry season (May to October) is ideal for wildlife viewing, while the wet season (November to April) brings lush landscapes and fewer crowds.
Reservation Tips
Treehouse lodges are in high demand, so booking several months in advance is recommended.
Choosing the Right Location
Whether you prefer the savannas of South Africa, the forests of Kenya, or the riverbanks of Zambia, each treehouse lodge offers a unique experience.
Experience Africa from a New Perspective
Sleeping in a treehouse lodge is more than just an overnight stay—it’s a transformative experience that brings you closer to nature in the most extraordinary way. From the thrill of hearing wildlife beneath you to the awe-inspiring sight of an African sunrise, every moment spent in a treehouse lodge is unforgettable.
If you’re looking for a safari adventure that combines luxury, immersion, and sustainability, a treehouse lodge should be at the top of your list. Start planning your trip today and experience Africa like never before!
Who am I? Well, the least you can say is that I am quite crazy about Africa, its nature, its climate, its culture, and more.
As a young woman in my twenties, I had already traveled to several African countries by traveling along in an overlander on my own and mostly camping ( or glamping ) and just fell in love with the diversity of it all.
So much, so that at the age of 26, I went back to university to study biology, which, unfortunately, I couldn’t finish because of health reasons (yes, I got sick from a tropical disease, oh cynicism). But this did not stop my dream of traveling back to Africa several times, and I still do.
My dream was back then to leave Europe and go study animal behavior, especially the elephants (sure, that’s every girl’s dream haha), but I am also very much intrigued by hyenas and other “ugly African animals“.
So, I “kind of” have a little bit of a scientific approach to my articles, when I write about African birds, for example. And most of all: the passion.
But life goes on, you move from one side of the country to the other, you get sick again and top it off with lower back problems, and before you know it, you are over 50 hahaha!
Now, I still travel to Africa, but take it a bit “easier” than the good old camping days, and stay in comfortable, yet affordable accommodations, together with my husband Wouter.
These are some of the countries I have traveled to: Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Tunisia, and a little bit of Lesotho LOL .
While clearly not being African territory, but Spanish, I also visited Gran Canaria and Tenerife, and location-wise, I consider them “African”, because of their climate and nature, sue me :-p
The last trip I took was to South Africa in the year 2023, and it sure got the fevers for Africa back! From the Barberton mountains to the Drakensberg and the Southcoast, one month wasn’t enough at all to see the whole country, so we’ll be back! At ease and with a little bit more luxury than in my younger days haha!
