We booked a long weekend in one of the new Burnbake Safari Tents on a bit of a whim. And as impulsive decisions go I have to say it was an inspired one!
Earlier in the year we were staying in a treehouse and we loved it so much we started looking for other quirky ‘back to nature’ options. That’s when we stumbled across Burnbake, and more specifically the brand new luxury Burnbake safari tents.
Burnbake is first and foremost a campsite, clearly popular with families and very well run. Alongside the camping fields, they have 20 odd forest lodges and this year two new luxury safari tents.
I’m all for camping but when you add the word luxury into the mix I’m much more likely to go for it! Power, running water, beds and no hassle of needing to put up our own tent… Yes please!
Our safari tent – Heathland – slept four people. There was a super comfortable double bed in one room and a twin in the other room. The other tent – Agglestone – sleeps six as it has two sets of bunk beds.
Half the tent is the bedrooms and there are wooden partitions between them. The other half is the living space, which was surprisingly spacious, with a sofa, dining table, kitchenette and plenty of room in addition. Everything is of a high quality and great details – chess and other wooden board games, National Trust rugs etc.
The tent itself is excellent. There are window panels nearly all the way round so it is lovely and bright. It’s easy to make it airy as each window has a fly panel so you can have wind blowing through and no flies. And each window has a dark cover too. The addition of power made things very homely and everything is thought of. Electric blankets, fans, heaters, WiFi, as well as the obvious lights/fridge/hob. It’s a simple set up – no hot running water or oven but let’s remember this is camping!
Outside the tent there is plenty of private space. We had a parking space and then a large decked terrace (that stays dry in the rain) with more seating. There’s also a lovely seating area with a fire bowl and adirondack seating. There’s plenty of space around the tent that there’s always a sunny and a shady spot.
Facilities wise, the tent has its own portaloo nearby with a padlock so that others can’t use it. The campsite then has a toilet and shower block, and portaloos and porta-showers dotted about.
Also on site you will find a little shop selling food basics, some local deli bits and wood. And a cafe that serves some hearty food options for breakfast and supper. There’s some great dog walk routes and a little woodland that surrounds the camping too.
The local area is a wonderful place to explore. Studland is a ten minute drive away, Kimmeridge about 30 minutes. We spent blissful afternoon fossil hunting and walking the coastal path, we enjoyed a walk and cycle in the forest that surrounds the campsite and then we spent a beautifully sunny day on Knoll beach. Eating out was also a treat – the Sandy Salt Pig, Clavells in Kimmeridge and of course The Pig on the Beach. Surprisingly for us (as new dog owners) everywhere is incredibly welcoming of dogs, even the beaches in the summer.
Burnbake safari tents make for a wonderful mini-adventure. Our stay was only for two nights but it really was perfect and super relaxing. The tent was comfortable, the campsite family focused and peaceful at night and we didn’t want for anything.
