The Ngala Treehouse, from luxury travel company AndBeyond, is located deep in the South African bush and is entirely powered by the sun. Sam Ballard reports
AndBeyond opened the Ngala Treehouse in South Africa in February to allow guests the chance to “truly disconnect and experience the true romance, adventure and magic of a night in the African bush”, according to the company.
Enclosed by a traditional wooden fence, the tower-like structure (it’s not actually built in a tree) is located on the border of Kruger National Park, and is a 40-minute drive away from the AndBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge and Tented Camp.
Offering a choice of two different sleeping areas, one is in an enclosed weatherproof bedroom with a king-sized bed, while the other takes the form of an elevated sleep-out platform sat beneath a retractable awning on the rooftop, allowing guests the chance to sleep under the stars. It sleeps a maximum of two adults and two children.
Designed by Fox Browne Creative in partnership with architect Jack Alexander, the Ngala Treehouse is also solar powered – allowing guests to charge their devices and have the lights on at night. There is also an outdoor shower.
Located within the AndBeyond Ngala game reserve, the treehouse also has a fully stocked bar with a selection of midnight and breakfast snacks, and a coffee station, while game drives out into the bush allow for the chance to see lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and Cape buffalo. Those feeling brave can also take bush walks in 36,000 acres of wilderness.
In a statement the company said: “Guests can choose to arrive at the treehouse in time to toast the sunset with cocktails or after their late afternoon game drive.
“A tapas-style picnic dinner is set up in the safety of an enclosed boma beneath the stars. Guests are then left in solitude for the night, provided with a radio and mobile phone for use in case of inclement weather or other emergencies.”
Stays at the treehouse are limited to one night, with prices from £435 per night based on two people sharing.
In Globetrender’s Future of Luxury Travel Forecast 2020-2025, one of the key themes highlighted was “Wilderness Hideouts”.
John O’Ceallaigh, co-author of the report, wrote: “Did you catch the news last night? From America’s latest presidential entanglement to Britain’s ongoing Brexit carnival, seemingly constant distressing news, perpetuated by social media, has become part of our reality.
“No wonder, then, that travellers are increasingly searching for true escapism, and it’s looking like glamping will be a key benefactor of that trend. From a value of US$2.07 billion globally in 2018, the glamping market is projected by Verified Market Research to achieve a CAGR of 10.71 per cent from 2019 to 2026, when it will be worth an impressive US$4.6 billion.”
AndBeyond’s Ngala Treehouse seeks to tap into that growing trend within the luxury market – Globetrender can think of few other places where you will get back to nature in quite the same way.
What’s coming next? Trend reports available to download HERE
