Tourism & Travel Interview South Africa

Authentic African experiences with Tented Adventures

Wynand Du Toit saw a gap in the tented safari market and approached Jonathan Cohen with the idea of starting a backpacker tented camp in the Pilanesberg. Together they raised funds and with a lot of hard work, the idea became a reality. "The two-star space needed something unique, we believe that Tented Adventures is just that," says the founding partners.
Images Supplied
Images Supplied

The two were fiercely passionate about creating a unique and deeply authentic African adventure experience. "Not something that would cost guests ‘an untold fortune’, not something that could wash out as ‘just another holiday’, but rather something that would leave an indelible mark in people’s hearts."

We asked Du Toit and Cohen to tell us more.

What sets it apart from any other camping/glamping offering?

We would say our authenticity sets us apart. We offer an experience that becomes its’ own African story. We offer memorable experiences at an affordable price.

We didn’t want international visitors to leave our country without a real African experience, and at the same time, we didn’t want this kind of tented adventure to be out of reach for local travellers either.

Tented Adventures have won multiple awards. What do these awards mean for the company?

It means that Tented Adventures has been noticed and are being taken seriously within the tented safari market. It shows that there is indeed a need for our offering. Growth for Tented Adventures is inevitable.

What kind of traveller is Tented Adventures for?

The adventurous traveller - someone who wants to experience the authenticity of the South African Bush.

Authentic African experiences with Tented Adventures
Authentic African experiences with Tented Adventures
Authentic African experiences with Tented Adventures

Tell us about the camps?

We have two camps currently with a third camp opening in September this year.

Manyane, Pilanesberg is ust a stone’s throw away from Johannesburg and Pretoria, Pilanesberg makes for a great weekend getaway, complete with the Big Five on your doorstep. The Pilanesberg camp is made up of eight safari tents, each equipped with comfortable beds, luxurious linen, camp chairs, electricity, carpeted flooring and large windows with mosquito nets. Tents are made up of two single beds and are equipped with a fan to cool you down in summer and electric blankets to warm you up in winter. The communal bathrooms, a short walk from the campsite, and safari tents are serviced daily. Each tent has a small deck overlooking the communal fire pit – set up in front of the tented lounge and dining area.

The Pretoriuskop Camp allows guests to explore the world-famous Kruger National Park and experience the true heartbeat of Africa. Between game drives, while away the time in your beautifully appointed tented accommodation – eight raised canvas tents complete with hotel-grade twin beds, mosquito nets, fans for summer and electric blankets for winter. Safari tents have private decks off the front where you can spend your time reading a book or just take in the view.

The Panorama Camp (Blyde River Canyon) is coming soon...

About Cari Coetzee

Cari Coetzee is a contributor to Bizcommunity Tourism, Agriculture and Lifestyle.
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