The Coolest Wilderness Hotels You Can Actually Stay In

This eco-friendly private lodge is located in the heart of the Patagonia Park in the Chacabuco Valley of Chile. The park is home to rich wildlife, including the endangered huemul deer, as well as pumas, armadillos and guanacos, a local species of llama. The Lodge is beautifully furnished with sustainably sourced materials and boasts everything you could need to relax after a day exploring the park. The Lodge even provides trail maps and can organise guides to show you around the park.

Bring down the barriers between yourself and the great outdoors by sleeping in the open-air at the Loisaba Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya. At the Tented Camp, enjoy your own private bedroom with incredible vistas of the waterhole and valley down below, home to many species of wild animals. The stylish lounge area boasts cozy sofas and deck-chairs and is ideal for watching the sunset with a cocktail in the evening. For an extra special experience request to spend a night in on the Starbeds, luxury double beds which are wheeled out on to the deck so you can literally sleep under the stars.

Located on a small island to the north of Madagascar, the Tsara Komba Luxury Beach & Forest Lodge is a four star eco-lodge offering a luxury experience in a breathtaking setting. Voted one of ‘the world’s most unique lodges’ by National Geographic, Tsara Comba offers a handful of exclusive lodges nestled on the hillside overlooking the sea. From here you can easily access the beach for a lazy day of sunbathing or explore the surrounding forrest with its exotic smells of coffee, cacao and vanilla.

Step outside of your comfort zone and wave bye-bye to civilisation when you visit the Kapawi Amazon Lodge in Ecuador. The only way to access this remote lodge is by plane or canoe so you really do find yourself in the middle of nature. The lodge offers rustic but comfortable guest cabins crafted according to traditional design and using local materials. During your stay you will get to know the local wildlife, including the amazing pink dolphins as well as the hundreds of different kinds of mammals, birds and reptiles which live in the rain-forest.

Admire some of Africa’s most impressive wildlife in its natural habitat at the Lion Sands Game Reserve in South Africa. Located in the heart of Kruger National Park, Lion Sands organises daily game tours during which you will likely encounter elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalos, rhinoceroses, leopards and more. The luxury accommodation is stylishly decorated to reflect the natural habitat and you can even opt to spend the night in your own private tree-house to gaze at the stars.

This incredible eco-lodge is a champion of sustainable tourism in Costa Rica, offering luxury accommodation while relying entirely on renewable energy – forget wifi, there’s no electricity at the lodge! The Pacuare Lodge was crafted using sustainably sourced, recycled local materials and constructed by members of the local communities. During your stay you can choose to participate in a range of activities including white water rafting, canyoning, hiking, kayaking and more, safe in the knowledge that you are limiting your impact on the local environment.

If you like the idea of sleeping in wilderness but don’t want to be a million miles away from civilisation then the Bangkok Tree House will be ideal. Located on the doorstep of the Thai capital, the hotel is a cozy eco-lodge which can only be accessed by foot or bike. The ethos here is very much to be at one with nature, so if you’re not a fan of insects and other wildlife then this may not be for you. The Family Nest is our favourite accommodation, offering three rooftop terraces and capable of sleeping four people.

This exclusive resort was once part of the Rabot Estate, one of the oldest cocoa plantations in the area and sits on a volcanic ridge overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Relax in this adults-only resort and soak up the exotic atmosphere of St Lucia from the comfort of your own exclusive suite which boasts an ‘open wall’ overlooking the bay and its own private plunge pool with a swing or waterfall. There’s also a fitness room and hot tub in the public area of the resort as well as a restaurant on-site serving locally inspired contemporary cuisine.

Not in the mood for safaris or rain-forests? Head to Iceland instead and discover the Hotel Húsafell, nestled between a glacier and a lava field in the remote Icelandic countryside. This former farm has been converted into a modern luxury hotel which gives guests privileged access to an out-of-this-world natural environment. The rooms are all located on the ground floor, in minimalist wooden chalets which blend in seamlessly with the habitat. There’s even a geothermal bath naturally heated by hot springs so you can breath in the fresh air from the comfort of an eco-friendly hot-tub, and if you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

Located in central Kenya, Sabuk is an eco-friendly lodge on a private estate offering rustic accommodation and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The rooms are crafted from local materials and the private swimming pools are filled with water from the nearby river. The cozy, communal living area boasts hand-made furniture and overlooks the valley below. While not explicitly a safari hotel, Sabuk is home to some incredible wildlife and there is a wide range of activities which can be organised for guests during the day time, including hiking, animal spotting and camel rides.

This luxury tented camp is located in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve in Botswana and offers sweeping views of the Savuti river down below. The area is famous for being visited by large herds of elephants as they move across the country and there are also opportunities to spot lions and endangered wild dogs. Each of the en-suite tents offer open views of the riverfront while in the communal areas you’ll find facilities for outdoor dining, a star-gazing terrace, a cozy lounge and outdoor pool area.