Take three: African treehouse safaris

By Roshina Jowaheer, Sep 17, 2012
Filed under:
World travel

best treehouse hotels, africa treehouses, treehouse hotels in africa Bush Nights at Beho Beho, Tanzania

Africa is the happening place to experience a proper treehouse holiday. As an exciting alternative to staying to booking into a traditional lodge, you spend your day on safari, have dinner around the campfire and then retire to your treetop bed in the African bush, sleeping peacefully in an ancient tree surrounded by the sounds of nature (with only the occasional adrenalin rush when you hear a dangerous animal passing beneath you...)

But we're not talking basic accommodation here. Think four poster beds, beautiful furnishings, viewing platforms, flushing loos, cocktails on tap...

Take Beho Beho, a new addition in Tanzania's Selous National Park (above). Perched in an ancient Leadwood tree, guests get to gaze at the stars and be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the bush (mosquito nets provided!). Stay five nights, with one night in the Bush Nights' treehouse from £3,573 per person including flights from Heathrow, transfers, four nights' full board and one night's B&B in Dar es Salaam, including safari activities. Contact Expert Africa (020 8232 9777).

treehouse stays, treehouse hotels in africa, africa treehouses Tree House, Zambia

But the treehouse on our absolute must-visit list is at Tongabezi, on the banks of the Zambezi, just upstream from Victoria Falls. Nestled among the branches of a beautiful old riverine Ebony tree, this wooden pad spreads itself out over a pine deck with river views to die for. The Zambezi Safari Company offers a seven-night Zambia & Botswana itinerary featuring three nights from £3,600 per person, including flights from Heathrow, transfers, full board at Tongabezi, two nights' full board at luxury lodges in Botswana's Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta, Zambezi cruises and a Victoria Falls visit.

best treehouse stays, africa treehouse hotels, safari stays africa Chole Mjini, Tanzania

But let's not forget the rather wonderful Chole Mjini in Zanzibar. Africa & Beyond is currently offering a nine-day trip including six nights in one of the luxury treehouses at Chole Mjini Lodge. Think huge double beds, smooth wooden floors dotted with colourful makuti mats wonderful sea views and panoramic viewing decks. Prices start at £1,940 per person, including flights from Heathrow, transfers, full board at Chole Mjini, one night's B&B on Zanzibar and some safari activities.

Want to know where else you can sleep in a tree? See our pick of the best treehouse hotels around the world...

Editor's picks: Treehouse hotels

Ndovu Bonde Sable Valley Treehouses, Kenya
 Situated in the lush Sable Valley in Kenya, amid the surrounding Shimba Hills, the <a href="http://www.go2africa.com/kenya/shimba-hills-national-reserve/safari-game-lodges/ndovu-bonde-treehouse" target="_blank">Ndovu Bonde Sable Valley Treehouses</a> are set in a 40-acre wilderness sanctuary with a balcony so you can view the African night sky. The four-poster bed that can be wheeled for you to gaze at the stars and there's a private Jacuzzi - because who doesn't want to relax in a tub while sipping champagne and admiring the sweeping views of the Shimba Valley?
Living Room Treehouses, Wales
 In mid Wales on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park, you'll find the beautiful <a href="http://www.living-room.co/" target="_blank">Living Room Trehouses</a>. Each of the four treehouses are individually designed and sit high in the tree canopy with futuristic and exciting styles. Inside, you'll find kitchens, spring water showers and bathrooms with Swedish compost toilets. There are woodburning stoves that heat the treehouses and the water in the showers. What we love most is that there is no electricity, so the solar lanterns, tea lights and lamps used create a romantic treehouse experience.
Tree House at Tongabezi Lodge, Zambia
 The secluded <a href="http://www.tongabezi.com/tongabezi_tree_house.php" target="_blank">Tree House at Tongabezi Lodge</a> in Zambia is constructed around the branches of an ebony tree and are spread out over a pine deck offering spectacular views of the Zambezi River. The hideaway lies at the end of a hidden path and contains a king-sized bed swathed in mosquito netting, a freestanding bath with gorgeous views, Anatolian carpets and West African artwork. What's more, part of the treehouse is over the water, giving you the sensation of floating!
Treebones, California
 <a href="http://www.treebonesresort.com/" target="_blank">Treebones</a> on the Big Sur coast in California has gone one step further in giving you the treehouse experience and has a private wood-woven nest perched in a tree on the campsite so you can feel like a bird in a tree! The nest has a wooden ladder for access and a mattress but your will have to bring your own sleeping bag and mattress.
TranquiliTree at Tranquil Resort, India
 Located in the Waynad district of north-east Kerala, the <a href="http://www.enchanting-india.com/EI-hotel/tranquil/waynad.htm" target="_blank">TranquiliTree</a> offers a luxury family-run home-stay experience on a working coffee, cardamom and tea plantation. Resting on three trees and nestled under a Gulmohar tree, the TranquiliTree has a bedroom, bathroom, a shower, TV and DVD player, plus panoramic views of the estate. We love that you can see the branches in the treehouse!
Chateaux dans les Arbres, Dordogne
 If you want a magical treehouse experience, head to the Dordogne in France where there are three castle hotels in the trees surrounded by the rolling Dordogne countryside at <a href="http://www.canopyandstars.co.uk/france/aquitaine/dordogne/chateaux-dans-les-arbres/monbazillac-treehouse" target="_blank">Chateaux dans les Arbres</a>. Monzabillac with its turret tower is perfect for couples, Millandes is great for families with its high bunk beds for kids and hot tub on the terrace, and the self-catering castle Hautefort is ideal for groups and has a proper kitchen. Each of the treehouses have access to the ground-floor swimming pool and there's even a chef on hand if you need one.
Tree house at Tripsdrill Amusement Park, Germany
 In south-west Germany you can spend the night in a treehouse, high up in the forest canopy at the <a href="http://tripsdrill.de/en/" target="_blank">Tripsdrill Amusement Park</a>. Big enough for six people, the treehouses have a TV, fridge, coffee machine, beds and even a terrance with seating and a view of the lush surroundings of gardens and vineyards.
Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa Treehouse Suites, New Forest
 The new <a href="http://www.relaischateaux.com/en/search-book/hotel-restaurant/chewton/" target="_blank">Treehouse Suites at Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa</a> are all about the adults - secluded, luxurious and romantic, while in a natural forest setting. Nestled in a wooded valley in the New Forest National Park, the six treehouses are on stilts to give you the feeling of leaving land and sleeping in a floating suite. Each suite has forest views, locally sourced and natural decor, plus a kitchenette.
Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses, New Zealand
 Located on New Zealand's South Island between Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Range and Mangamaunu Bay, <a href="http://www.uniquestays.co.nz/hapuku-lodge-tree-houses-kaikoura/" target="_blank">Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses</a> gives you the chance to sleep among deer and olives groves in its five luxury treehouses built in the canopy of a native manuka grove. As well as spectacular views of the dramatic mountains and Pacific coastline, the treehouses have large windows bringing the trees right into the rooms and the decor was crafted by local woodworkers.
Ariau Towers, Amazon Rainforest
 If you're going to climb trees anywhere, it may as well be in the world's largest rainforest, right? <a href="http://www.ariautowers.com/" target="_blank">The Ariau</a> takes the principle of the tree top hotel and turns it into a luxury resort, albeit 20 meters above the ground. 268 rooms and private tree houses are connected by a five-mile long wooden catwalk which winds through the canopy of trees, giving guests an awesome view of the Green Inferno.
The Outpost, South Africa
 The ideal tree hotel lets you feel close to nature, and at <a href="http://www.theoutpost.co.za/" target="_blank">The Outpost</a> the aim is to make guests feel as much part of the vast landscape, as the wild animals roaming below. Twelve cabins overlook 50,000 acres of forest and have retractable walls which mean you can bath with the buffalo, looking directly out onto the Luvuhu River below.
The Treehouse, Somerset
 Ideal for families, this elevated, octagonal timber holiday home overlooks a smallholding near Taunton in Somerset. The quirky, octagonal <a href="http://www.treehouseholidays.com/" target="_blank">Treehouse</a> has a real home-from-home feel with its Quaker-style kitchen, wood burning stove and private garden - where you can dip your toes in your own personal hot tub.
Free Spirit Spheres, Vancouver
 Putting a new spin on being away with the fairies, the <a href="http://www.freespiritspheres.com/" target="_blank">Free Spirit Spheres</a> pods hang like oversized pumpkins in the rainforest of Vancouver Island, looking like something out of a children's bedtime story book. One for those with stronger stomachs, the pods gently sway in the breeze, lulling guests to sleep.
Castle Cottage Tree House, West Sussex
 If you're looking for something closer to a fairytale version of treetop living, then the <a href="http://www.castlecottage.info/" target="_blank">Castle Cottage Tree House</a> in the grounds of this Sussex castle is pretty close to the mark. Wrapped around a chestnut tree, branches entwine the master bedroom, and guests can shower under at the stars thanks to the glass roofed en-suite. Perfect for couples, the treehouse comes with it's own outdoor swing seats overlooking the pond.
Jungle Treesort, Costa Rica
 The ridiculously idyllic location of these treehouse cabins in Punta Uva is like something conjured out of a film script; its all hammocks from palm trees and beach volley ball at the <a href="http://www.costaricatreehouse.net/" target="_blank">Jungle Treesort</a>. Your eco cabana overlooks the turquoise ocean, but is completely sheltered and secluded by the Sangrillo tree it is built around.
Hotel Baobab & Spa, Chile
 Located in the high conservation area of Huilo Huilo in Chile, the <a href="http://www.huilohuilo.com/en/accommodation/baobab-hotel-spa" target="_blank">Hotel Baobab</a><a href="http://www.huilohuilo.com/en/accommodation/baobab-hotel-spa" target="_blank"> & Spa</a> is built to resemble the native Bao Bao tree. Housed in its bulbous, tiered structure are 55 plush guest rooms, which are built around a real Bao Bao tree and indoor waterfall.
Out'n'About Treehouse Treesort, Oregon
 More in common with the classic treehouse of your childhood, this rustic B&B in the woodlands of Oregon is one for the outdoorsy types, with horse riding, hiking and rafting all available on-site. The <a href="http://www.treehouses.com/" target="_blank">Out'n'About Treehouse Treesort</a> is ideal for families, where parent and child complexes are connected by an Indian Jones-esque rope bridge.
Treehotel Harads, Sweden
 The village of Harads in Lapland, 60 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle, feels like a vision of the future. An area of woodland is something of an architectural playground - where local designers have been commissioned to create the innovative <a href="http://www.mantiscollection.com/tree-hotel/" target="_blank">Treehotel</a>. Accommodation ranges from a mirrored cube which reflects back the forest view to a human bird's nest and a sci-fi inspired flying saucer.
Tsala Treetop Hotel, South Africa
 Boasting ten luxury suites hidden amongst the fauna and foliage of an ancient forest in South Africa; guests at the <a href="http://www.hunterhotels.com/tsalatreetoplodge/" target="_blank">Tsala Treetop Hotel</a> can dine al fresco on their private deck which juts out over the tree tops or basque in the decadence of their your own private infinity pool.
Bunga Raya, Malaysia
 The laidback boutique hotel <a href="http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/luxury-hotels/bunga-raya" target="_blank">Bunga Raya</a> in Sabah, Borneo has Treehouse villas, which are reached by a jungle walkway high up among the tree tops and boast sea views as well as monkey sightings. Simple yet luxurious, the villas are the epitome of romance, partially covered by trees, with an outdoor Jacuzzi, a private jungle plunge pool and a private balcony.