What have been the best tented safari camps/lodges you've stayed at?

Any particular country?

I've loved most I've stayed in, to be honest.

Little Mombo is the most luxurious I've stayed in - we don't tend to choose based on the accommodation/ luxury but based on game viewing so for most places we can find a less expensive camp in the area. We've been to LM twice and I loved it both times. The tents themselves are huge and I love their privacy and the views out into the wilderness.

Little Vumbura was our first water camp (we went in 2001) though it seemed to be marketed more as a mixed activity camp in subsequent years and I believe has been completely rebuilt since then anyway. We loved it - intimate camp, wonderful staff, beautiful setting and wonderful water activities.

We loved Jacana, our water camp in 2004, even more. Romantic tents overlooking the waters from the edge of the island, a great public area with dining room on first floor which gave great views. Fabulous staff and wonderful water trips. Loved it. Very intimate.

Damaraland Camp is another favourite. We were put into a honeymoon tent, same as the others but double bed and a little distanced from the rest. Lovely, lovely staff - probably amongst the warmest we've experienced. And loved the landscape here.

Jack's Camp is it's own magical experience. We had some great animal and bird viewing but also enjoyed learning about man's early history, about geology and also walking with the San. And there are all kinds of special extras here too. Magic.

I've been to several other camps too but that's a few to be getting started with.

Sorry, I should have stated which country - South Africa, please.

Ah, well, yes, that would have helped!

We self-drove around national parks in the main and stayed in chalets/ rondavels though we did enjoy the tented camps in Mpila in Imfolozi. These are self-catering.

The only private camp we used was Wilderness Safaris Ndumu which has since closed but was just wonderful.

Ngala

I'll second Ngala, though it's the only tented camp I've stayed. It is small, wonderful luxury tents, and the Timbavati area is a good contrast to the Sabi Sands.

Not as many animals there, but a much more wilderness feel to it. Staff was wonderful.

CW

We loved the tented camps at Mpila at Imfolozi. We had a two-bedroom setup with the kitchen between. You had to lock up the refrigerator and the cupboard whenever they weren't in use to keep the monkeys out of them, but that just added to the "experience" of the place. We loved sitting outside at the "dinner table" playing games at night and looking for the eyes of the hyenas.

Any of the wilderness camps (self-catering)in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - fabulous! Buhala outside of Kruger - great for the night before you go into the park.

Just got back from Ngala Tented Camp after a week at Mala Mala. Ngala is lovely, great food, amazing staff and service, tents are great. We saw more animals at Mala Mala but you never know because our fist game drive at Ngala we saw 5 cheetahs kill an impala...it was unbelievable so you can see some pretty incredible wildlife at Ngala as well. Our photos are at www.jeffreyobrien.com the Cheetah Kill tab was taken at Ngala and there are photos of the tents on the Africa vacation tab...you will not be disapointed. CCAfrica is GREAT.

But if you are indeed looking for the best tented camps, they are probably in Botswana, as Kavey's post suggests. That's what Botswana is known for. I particularly liked Jao (for luxury and water views of the Delta).

Would you consider Botswana, or is it out of the question?