If you’ve ever taken a safari in Africa, you’re likely aware that your accommodations can be far from your standard Boy Scout tent. In fact, safaris can be one of the most luxe travel experiences one can have. When not seeking out wildlife, guests relax in grand tented suites that offer everything from electricity to plumbing to air-conditioning, and they’re often filled with high-end decor. And thanks to Anneke van Waesberghe’s Escape Nomade, you don’t have to head to Africa in order to enjoy the safari aesthetic—the company works with clients to design unique tents that can be installed on one’s property for both private and commercial use. “Our tents can be used as a guesthouse in the garden, a spa in a resort, a very special tented restaurant, a venue for events or weddings, a beach club, a tented swimming pool, or a lobby for an hotel,” says Maria Garcia del Cerro, head of public relations for Escape Nomade. “Our latest creation is a rooftop tent, to take advantage of the space on the roof of a house.”
Founder Anneke van Waesberghe designs the interiors of each client’s tent. Her aesthetic is inspired by vintage safaris, and she works in natural colors and materials to blend with the environment.
One of the most alluring aspects of Escape Nomade’s versatile tents is their eco-friendliness. “The bioclimatic design of the tented villas ensures maximum comfort and uses little energy,” says Garcia del Cerro. “Cool air is harvested from underneath the deck or bed, while hot air escapes via cross-ventilated spaces and the double-roof ventilation system. This integrated cooling system very often makes air conditioning unnecessary.” And, as semi-permanent structures, they have quite a light footprint—once they are taken down and their concrete foundations are removed, the land will appear virtually untouched.
Van Waesbergh wanted to bring luxury travel experiences to regions of the world that lacked them. As such, the Escape Nomade tents can be constructed on many types of terrain, from jungles to beaches. Shown here is Three Bees Villa in Harbour Island, Bahamas.
If you’re not quite ready to purchase one on your own, you’re welcome to experience the tents at Escape Nomade’s headquarters, called the Sanctuary, in Bali, where Van Waesberghe has lived for 18 years. There, visitors can enjoy programs such as high tea, yoga classes, and picnic lunches. Perhaps after an afternoon at the Sanctuary, you’ll be convinced to work with van Waesberghe to design your very own luxurious retreat.
The tents can include electricity and plumbing for the ultimate comfort, as shown at the Sebatu Sanctuary in Bali.
The latest development by Escape Nomade is a rooftop tent, shown here at a private villa in Bali.
