Sleep Outs

Imagine a place where no phones ring, and the only sounds you hear are birds singing our Sleep-Out Decks are an authentic wilderness experience with none of life’s little luxuries like Wi-Fi, cell phone coverage, fans, swimming pool, electricity, safes, or laundry service.

For a totally unrivalled wilderness experience, guests can walk from Plains Camp @ Rhino Walking Safaris to our Sleep-Out decks that overlook the Xiteveteve waterhole and provide the ultimate in a safari bush experience. These 4-meter-high elevated wooden platforms with tents on the top-level offer guests the unique opportunity to sleep out under the stars! The only place in the Kruger National Park offering this unusual accommodation, you are sure to remember your night under the African sky.

A night to remember

Offered as part of the walking trail experience from Plains Camp or as an additional activity from Rhino Post Safari Lodge (by prior arrangement). Guests depart on foot from Plains Camp to the platforms arriving in the early evening (approximately one hour walk). Guests carry a lightweight rucksack containing a change of clothes. Sundowners are enjoyed on the platforms overlooking the waterhole as your dinner is cooked over an open fire. Guests sleep on individual decks that are connected by ladders and walkways to the bathrooms and main deck.

Sleep-Outs are entirely weather dependent. The feasibility is affected not only by rain on the day, but also in the day or two prior as the decks are built in a very sensitive soil area. The area cannot be serviced after heavy rains without a high level of erosion risk to the access road. As Plains Camp is a small camp, private activities are unfortunately not available.

Everything you need

4 platforms with two mattresses per platform – sleeping bags and duvets are provided
Elevated communal dining area
Accommodates 8 guests per Sleep-Out
2 armed rangers per Sleep-Out
Overlooks the Xiteveteve waterhole
2 bathrooms with hot showers and flushing toilets

Who gets to do the sleep-out activity?

It is important to note that if the first guest to reserve their trail requests the Sleep-Out, then all subsequent reservations will be required to participate. Likewise, if the first guest to reserve their trail makes it clear that they do not want to do a Sleep-Out, then all subsequent reservations for those dates will be unable to book a Sleep-Out from Plains Camp. Unfortunately, children under the age of 8 may not participate in the Sleep-Out activity.

From plains camp

1 hour guided safari walk with armed guides
Minimum age is 12 years
Pre-booking essential. If the first guest to make a reservation at RWS requests a sleepout, all subsequent reservations will be required to participate. Likewise, if the first guest does not want to do a sleepout, then all subsequent reservations for those dates will be unable to do the sleepout activity.

From rhino post safari lodge

1 hour safari game drive to the Sleep-Out decks
Minimum age is 8 years
Pre-booking essential
No surcharge for groups of 4 or more

Configuration

Each sleeping platform accommodates 2 pax in a mosquito net tent on a foam mattress with sleeping bags and duvets.
We have stretcher beds at the Sleep-Out. We place a foam mattress on top of the stretcher bed for extra comfort. They are heavy-duty stretcher beds which can carry up to 200 kg of weight.”
Mattresses can be pushed together and sleeping bags zipped to form a double.
Waterproof cover sheets can be dropped over the tents in the event of rain.

Bathrooms

2 bathrooms on communal deck.
Includes hot showers and flushing toilets

Weather/Temperature Range (ºC)

May – Sep Sunny days with very cold mornings& evenings. Temps: 1ºC – 25ºC

Oct – Apr Days are hot and humid with occasional afternoon and evening thunderstormsTemps: 19ºC – 38ºC

What to Pack

Summer (Sep – Mar)

Comfortable casual, cool clothing, lightweight waterproof jacket, swimwear, hats, sandals or slops.

Winter (Apr – Aug)

Warm sleepwear, warm layers for game drives/safaris.

Year round

Hats, scarves, warm jacket/wind-breaker, comfortable and sturdy walking shoes, cotton socks, long trousers to limit the number of ticks that you might pick up and to protect your legs from grass scratches on walking safaris.

Other

Sunscreen, binoculars, cameras (and chargers), spare batteries, lip balm, contact lens solution, spare glasses, sunglasses, reference books, hair ties.

Seasonal Highlights

Jun – Sep Excellent game viewing

Oct – Jan Many species give birth so best time to view baby animals. Flowering season for trees, shrubs and wildflowers

Feb – Apr Excellent birding with migrant birds in residence

Conditions

Access to the decks is dependent on weather conditions. After heavy rains it may be a few days before they can be reached by a vehicle for servicing. In the event of inclement weather the Sleep-Out activity may be cancelled.

Rates:

A night at the Sleep-Out decks is available from Rhino Post as an optional activity. There is no cost for a group of 4 or more. A surcharge will be levied for 1-3 guests on a private basis. Prior arrangement is required and subject to availability.