Ngala Treehouse: A Review
A Luxury Travel Advisor’s Review: A Night Among the Stars at Ngala Treehouse
Imagine drifting off to sleep under a blanket of stars, serenaded by the sounds of the African bush and waking up to the sunrise with wildlife stirring below. I've had the privilege of experiencing some of the world's most unique accommodations and the Ngala Treehouse stands out among them as a unique and unforgettable night in the African bush.
Perched high above the ground, the Ngala Treehouse offers an unparalleled perspective of the African wilderness. It's a private escape where luxury meets nature. The design is exquisite, blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment while providing all the creature comforts one could desire for spending a night in the bush. It’s a truly great example of glamping!
For travelers seeking something truly exceptional, the Ngala Treehouse offers an experience like no other. It's a chance to disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature in a unique way. It's perfect for:
Honeymooners: A romantic and secluded getaway.
Adventure Seekers: An opportunity to experience the wild in a unique setting.
Nature Lovers: A chance to immerse oneself in the beauty of the African bush.
What to Expect
The journey to the Ngala Treehouse is an adventure in itself and is a perfect one night experience during your safari. As dusk approaches, you will be escorted to the treehouse, picked up mid-game drive by private vehicle and driven to the Treehouse. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with a warm welcome. The Treehouse Manager will give you an orientation to the Treehouse (and show you how to contact him via radio in an emergency or if you want to leave early). After he sets you up with snacks, cocktails, and dinner, he will leave you on your own for the rest of the night and you will be alone in the bush. You will enjoy cocktails and snacks on the rooftop at sunset, before digging into a three course dinner that you preordered earlier that day. The evening is then yours to enjoy as you wish. Listen to the sounds of the bush from any of the four levels, enjoy drinks or midnight snacks, or stargaze from the roof. I particularly enjoyed my hot shower that evening, where I heard lions roar, hyenas call to each other, monkeys chatter, and leopards growl, from the open air bathroom. When it’s time for sleep, you’ll have a choice of the rooftop starbed (weather-dependent) or the third floor bed (where you can choose to keep the screened windows open to hear the outside sounds or closed). Spend the night listening to the sounds of the bush. You’ll get to choose what time you want to start the morning - get up early to join your morning game drive or sleep in and enjoy the breakfast snacks while you listen to all the animals wake up.
The Treehouse is an exclusive experience. Only one booking is taken per night, meaning you will have it all to yourself to enjoy.
Planning Your Stay
As a luxury travel advisor that specializes in adventure travel, I can help you plan every detail of your stay in the Ngala Reserve and at the Ngala Treehouse, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience. From arranging transportation to customizing your itinerary, I'm here to make your dream African adventure a reality.
Here are some important details you should know about staying in the Ngala Treehouse:
Staying at the Treehouse will involve a LOT of stairs so it’s not great for the mobility-impaired. Going from the bottom level, where the dinner table is, to the roof involves three flights of stairs (52 stairs in total) and going from the starbed to the toilet involves 2.5 flights of stairs so you will be going up and down stairs a lot during your stay at the Treehouse.
The outlets at the Treehouse are different from the plugs at the Ngala properties (which has universal outlets and USB-C. It has a USB plug (not USB-C) and a regular Type C plug (2 round pins). As such, it’s best to bring an adapter to charge your devices.
You will miss part of your evening game drive to get picked up to be taken to the Treehouse. A vehicle will coordinate with your guide and pick you up wherever you are in the Reserve.
You can choose what time you join your morning game drive. You can choose to sleep in, enjoying the Treehouse a bit longer and missing some of your morning game drive, or you can choose to get up early to meet your morning game drive. You will be driven to meet up with your guide and vehicle, wherever they are in the Reserve.
You must be a guest of Ngala Tented Camp or Ngala Safari Lodge to stay at the Treehouse. It is an additional cost to your room, as your room will be kept for you in case you would like to go back at any point throughout the night.
Your suitcase will not come with you to the Treehouse. You will pack a small overnight bag with only the essentials you need for the evening. There is a shower with hot water and toiletries at the Treehouse.
The Treehouse is open air and does not have air conditioning. The third floor bedroom does have an overhead fan. You will sleep inside a mosquito net.
The lights on the exterior of the Treehouse must be kept on at night, likely to keep away bugs or unwanted visitors. I suggested bringing a blindfold as it is very bright at night.
The Treehouse area is fenced to keep out animals although monkeys still get in by climbing.
There is no Wi-Fi at the Treehouse so expected to be disconnected for the evening.
While the Treehouse has most amenities, it does not provide slippers, so I suggest bringing a pair of slippers, sandals, or casual shoes to walk around in as you will track in dirt/sand into the floor from when you arrive.
Up to 2 children (10 years old or older) are allowed to join you in this experience but using the existing bedding.
Pricing
The Ngala Treehouse experience costs approximately $650 for 1 night in 2024, depending on the time of year and the promotions at the time of booking. Rates are in addition to the nightly room rates at Ngala Tented Camp or Ngala Safari Lodge. Rates include transportation to and from the Treehouse, a stocked bar, a starlit dinner, a selection of midnight and breakfast snacks, and exclusive use of the Treehouse for the evening and morning.
Booking
The Ngala Treehouse is extremely popular, especially among honeymooners. It’s typically booked every single night and there is only one. I strongly recommend booking it far in advance, typically when you book the rest of your safari itinerary. Ready to get started planning your trip to South Africa? Fill out my Trip Design Form to get started or fill out the form below with any questions.