Bush Basics
The sensory delights of an open-air bathroom.
Wildlife is undeniably the main attraction when embarking on a safari - you don't want to miss a thing - even when you're in the bathroom.
Thankfully, the clever people who dream up safari camp designs know a thing or two about how to style a safari bathroom, from a loo with a view, to glorious open-air showers and baths.
Thoughtful and imaginative design helps to elevate the most commonplace ritual to something truly memorable.
From contemporary luxury ensuites with all mod-cons, to charming rustic open-air bush bathrooms, safari Africa has something for everyone.
Image: Big Lagoon Camp, Zambia
Luxury in Londolozi, South Africa
South Africa's safari lodges top the list when it comes to luxury, and bathrooms are no exception.
At Londolozi Granite Suites deep in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park, a freestanding open-air bath tub faces the Sand River where elephant and other wildlife passes by. There's also an outdoor shower, if you prefer to drink in the sights and sounds standing up!
The elegant, minimalist design of the suites incorporates organic materials that echo the surrounding wilderness, creating a fluid extension of the wild wherever you are. Large windows provide wonderful views.
Londolozi offers a number of elegant options, each with outdoor showers overlooking the surrounding bushveld.
Image: Londolozi Private Granite Suite
Simple Pleasures at Mwamba, South Luangwa, Zambia
Situated in a remote and pristine area of the South Luangwa National Park, Mwamba Camp provides guests with exclusive access to some of Zambia's most untouched wilderness areas. Mwamba is a low-impact seasonal camp, which opens just for the dry season (June to October).
Your ensuite bathroom includes an open-air bucket shower, surrounded by dense vegetation and strategically positioned to offer a tranquil, intimate space for guests to enjoy their bathing ritual. Built using locally sourced materials, such as bamboo and thatch, the bathrooms offer a rustic yet elegant ambience that complements the African bush setting.
Camp staff will ask you when you would like hot water provided. Water is pumped from an underground springwater source and heated using slow-burning fallen wood (no trees are cut).
Bucket showers are a special feature of bushcamps, particularly in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Image: Mwamba Camp
Vintage Elegance at Cottar's1920s camp, Masai Mara, Kenya
Cottar's 1920s Camp is situated in the private Olderkesi Conservancy bordering the national reserve. It offers luxurious tented suites with spacious bathrooms featuring vintage fixtures, beautiful clawfoot bathtubs and shower enclosures. Bathrooms even have wallpaper so sometimes you forget you are actually in a tent! Guests can unwind in style and enjoy the atmosphere of a bygone era while surrounded by the natural beauty of the Maasai Mara.
Cottar's offers a whole range of activities and experiences to guests - one of these is the famous traditional canvas bush bath (pictured!) - the ultimate bathing experience.
Image: Cottar's Safaris
Classic Style at Old Mondoro, Lower Zambezi, Zambia
Situated in the secluded reaches of the Lower Zambezi National Park, Old Mondoro offers a truly immersive bush experience. The bathrooms have a natural, understated design with open-air elements and panoramic views. Beautiful bathtubs and outdoor showers look out towards the Zambezi River, with local materials like wood and stone enhancing the organic designs.
Image: Chiawa Safaris Ol Mondoro, Zambia
Going Wild at Zarafa Camp, Linyanti, Botswana
Nestled beside the Zibadianja Lagoon in the private Selinda Reserve, Zarafa Camp's bathrooms are sanctuaries of solitude and peace. They feature copper clawfoot tubs with views of the lagoon, perfect for wildlife spotting, and wonderful outdoor showers surrounded by lush foliage, ensuring privacy. The rich wooden accents and a palette inspired by the surroundings make bathing a truly memorable experience.
Image: Zarafa, Great Plains Conservation
Conclusion
Safari bathrooms are more than just functional spaces thee days; they are carefully crafted havens.
Whether you're indulging in a candlelit bath, or enjoying a rustic bucket shower, getting clean has never been more of an experience.
Image: Kigelia Camp, Ruaha, Tanzania