Beyond Beach Cricket: Y Travel’s Ultimate Global Glamping Guide
Y FACTORS:
Adventure
Nature & Sustainability
Well-Being
As the Australian summer beckons, some of us can't help but feel waves of nostalgia for quintessential childhood summer memories: the family tent pitched on the foreshore, sunburn, fish and chips, lazy games of beach cricket, and banana Paddle Pops melting in the afternoon heat. While these simple pleasures hold a special place in our memories, and the allure of sleeping amongst nature's most spectacular landscapes still beckons, many of us have long since graduated from wrestling with tent poles and enduring sleepless nights on deflating air mattresses. Welcome to the wonderful world of 'glamping', where the joy of waking up amongst the sights and sounds of nature remains, but the only thing you need to 'pitch' is yourself into a dreamy king-sized bed. Join us as we share a curated collection of some of our favourite elevated outdoor accommodation experiences from around the globe. Simply turn up, settle in, and embrace the serenity!
KENYA - ANGAMA SAFARI CAMP
Location - Masai Mara National Reserve
Style - Out of Africa
Located deep within Kenya's ‘Mara Triangle’, Angama Safari Camp offers front-row seats to nature's greatest show, The Great Migration, between July and September. Just four elegant tents dot this exclusive ‘light footprint’ camp, ensuring an intimate encounter with the Mara's wild residents. The camp’s premium (movable) location within the Masai Mara National Park allows for an additional hour of game drives at the beginning and end of each day, when the wildlife is most active. Each morning, awaken to the distant roar of lions and the gentle rustle of canvas as your butler delivers steaming Kenyan coffee to your private deck. The tents blend simple, stylish furnishings with modern luxuries, including ensuite bathrooms and cloud-like beds draped in crisp linens. Dine under the stars on pan-African cuisine prepared by skilled chefs, or enjoy a bush breakfast watching hot air balloons drift across the savannah. Between game drives, unwind in the mess tent with a gin and tonic, swapping stories of the day's wildlife encounters.
MOROCCO - THE WHITE CAMEL
Location - Agafay, between Marrakesh and the Atlas Mountains.
Style - Berber Chic
Just 30 minutes from the bustling souks of Marrakesh, White Camel emerges from the Agafay Desert like an elegant mirage. These pristine canvas tents and lodges, with their clean lines and contemporary Moroccan aesthetic, offer a masterclass in desert minimalism without sacrificing an ounce of comfort. Each morning, the Atlas Mountains paint a dramatic backdrop as you enjoy breakfast on your private terrace, contemplating whether today calls for a dip in the crystalline infinity pool, a traditional hammam treatment, or perhaps both. Adventure seekers can explore the lunar-like landscape by camels, horses, buggies, or quad bikes, while those seeking tranquility might prefer a sunrise yoga session or meditation in the wellness tent. As evening approaches, lanterns flicker to life across the camp and talented chefs serve up modern Moroccan cuisine under a canopy of desert stars.
SRI LANKA - WILD COAST TENTED LODGE
Location - Yala National Park
Style - Cocooned in Nature
Nestled where jungle meets ocean in Sri Lanka's Yala National Park, these cocoon-like suites present a masterclass in sustainable luxury. Shaped like enormous beetles' shells, these climate-controlled havens feature soaring canvas ceilings, freestanding copper bathtubs, and contemporary colonial furnishings. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors frame your private deck, where you might spot elephants wandering past during your morning coffee. The property's award-winning cuisine celebrates Sri Lankan flavours with a contemporary twist, served in the bamboo-clad dining pavilion or under the stars. Between twice-daily game drives tracking leopards and sloth bears, cool off in the free-form pool or indulge in an Ayurvedic treatment. As night falls, the sounds of the jungle create nature's own lullaby – though the king-sized four-poster bed certainly helps too!
THAILAND - FOUR SEASONS TENTED CAMP GOLDEN TRIANGLE
Location - Chiang Rai
Style - Lush Jungle Treehouse
Channelling the spirit of 19th-century exploration with thoroughly 21st-century comforts, these elevated tents weave through the bamboo forests of northern Thailand's Golden Triangle. Each handcrafted dwelling features hardwood floors, alfresco rainfall showers, and vintage-inspired furnishings that would make any explorer proud. Start your day with sunrise yoga overlooking three countries, before joining the camp's rescued elephants for their morning bath. The open-air treatment rooms offer sublime spa experiences, while the Burma Bar serves sunset cocktails with views across the Ruak River. Chef's table dinners feature northern Thai specialities, though the floating breakfast in your private plunge pool might just be the highlight.
AUSTRALIA - SAL SALIS
Location - Ningaloo Reef, WA
Style - Barefoot Bliss
Where the outback meets the ocean, these eco-sensitive safari tents offer front-row seats to one of Australia's most spectacular marine wonderlands, the stunningly beautiful turquoise waters of Ningaloo Reef. Perched in the dunes of Cape Range National Park, each tent channels barefoot luxury with handcrafted jarrah beds, organic linens, and private decks perfect for spotting kangaroos at sunset. The 'no wi-fi, no phone signal' policy quickly becomes a blessing rather than a curse – especially when you're busy snorkelling with whale sharks or watching humpbacks breach from your sundowner spot. The chef works wonders with local ingredients in the communal dining tent, where tales of marine encounters flow as freely as the Margaret River wines. And those composting loos? Trust us, they have the best views of any bathroom in Australia!
CANADA - CLAYOQUOT WILDERNESS LODGE
Location - Vancouver Island, BC
Style - Wilderness Wow-Factor
Accessible only by seaplane or boat transfer from Vancouver, this collection of luxurious white canvas lodgings seamlessly blend with the magnificent Canadian wilderness. The twenty-five prospector-style tents are reimagined with antique furnishings, heated floors, and ensuite bathrooms that would make a five-star hotel blush, downplaying the fact that Clayoquot is one of only two hotels in Canada to be awarded a 3-Key rating in the prestigious Michelin Hotel Guide. Days here are filled with adventures: heli-hiking through ancient forests, horseback riding along deserted beaches, or watching black bears fish for salmon. Return to camp for innovative Pacific Northwest cuisine in the Cookhouse, where local ingredients shine in dishes that would impress any urban foodie. End your evening in the Healing Grounds Spa tent, or by the firepit where staff members share local legends under star-filled skies.
ARGENTINA - PRISTINE CAMPS SALT FLATS
Location - Salinas Grandes, Salta Region
Style - Lunar Landscape
Like something from a sci-fi film, these geodesic domes appear to float above Argentina's vast salt plains. Each climate-controlled sphere offers panoramic views of this otherworldly landscape through floor-to-ceiling windows, with interiors that perfectly balance comfort with environmental consciousness. Wake up to sunrise painting the salt crystals pink, before exploring this lunar landscape by 4x4. The chef's "salt-to-table" dining experience celebrates local ingredients with contemporary flair, served in the transparent dining dome. As night falls, the lack of light pollution delivers a star show that will leave you speechless – especially when viewed from your private outdoor hot tub.
SWITZERLAND - WHITE POD
Location - Les Giettes, Swiss Alps
Style - Mountain Majesty
Nestled in the Swiss Alps, these igloo-like pods prove that eco-consciousness and luxury can coexist beautifully. Each heated pod features contemporary Alpine design, panoramic windows, and private terraces perfect for morning coffee with mountain views. In winter, ski-in-ski-out access to private slopes makes this a powder hound's paradise, while summer brings hiking trails bursting with wildflowers. The restaurant serves refined mountain cuisine using local ingredients, though the real treat might be the breakfast basket delivered to your pod each morning. After dark, the pods glow like lanterns against the snow, creating a magical atmosphere that's pure Swiss bliss.
USA - CAMP SARIKA @ AMANGIRI
Location - Southern Utah, a 2.5 hour drive from Grand Canyon Village.
Style - Sophisticated South-Western Style
In the ochre-hued desert of Southern Utah, Camp Sarika by Aman elevates the art of wilderness living to extraordinary new heights. Just ten canvas-topped pavilions dot this dramatic landscape, each one a masterclass in understated luxury with private plunge pools, spacious terraces, and fire pits perfect for nights spent counting shooting stars. While technically a 'tent', these climate-controlled havens feature living areas, elegant bedrooms and spa-worthy bathrooms that redefine outdoor living. Rise early for desert-view yoga, cool off in your private pool, or venture out to explore the surrounding canyons and petroglyphs with expert guides. As a Camp Sarika guest, you'll enjoy access to all of nearby Amangiri's legendary resort amenities, including its otherworldly spa and striking main pool wrapped around an ancient rock formation. Dining is equally memorable, whether you're enjoying modern desert cuisine in your pavilion or making the short journey to the main resort.