Camping trends taking over

At the close of 2024, reports say, travel had recovered beyond its status in 2019 during the Covid-19 travel restrictions. Now, travellers – local and international, enthusiastically planning for their 2025 travel destinations and activities.  

One activity that was affected by the pandemic is camping. With the status quo back, experts say that camping will be back more than what is used to be before the plague.  

“Adventure has just begun, and this year I have purposed to indulge in travel and camping since the luxurious hotel accommodation is beyond my budget,” says Stephanie Njoroge, an avid traveller, echoing the voices of many 2025 travellers.  

Stephanie says she is looking forward to expanding her camping in all forms – from glamping to pop-up camping shells that can be mounted on top of your car.  

And Lucy Maruhi, founder and director, of Shelter Tours, says the camping game is about to change in 2025. The AQUABO 2024 Award winner for the top 100 African women tour operators says she has received many inquiries from both local and international tourists on where to go for camping.  

“This year camping is going to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back in the growth of tourism as many travellers will be looking for new experiences and activities outside of the normal hotel accommodation,” says Maruhi. She is also the founder of the Gura Nature trails located along the fastest-flowing river in Africa – the Gura River.  

She says according to data collected by Pitchup.com from over five million bookings from more than 70 countries, camping will grow significantly.

Paul Udoto of KWS says most of the national parks and reserves have campsites where camping enthusiasts can pitch tents or stay in already established camps.  

“From Meru to Embu, Nanyuki, Aberdare, Tsavo to down coast, Kakamega, Homabay, Kisumu and many other KWS parks and reserves, there are fully equipped camping facilities suitable for every traveller’s needs and budget,” says Udoto.  

Maruhi says camping as an industry has expanded like a wild, from glamping to family camps to pop-up camping shells one can mount on top of their car.  

According to camping reservation companies, the game is about to change. A survey by Pitchup.com, based on data collected through more than five million bookings from more than 70 countries, indicates that camping trends will experience change based on demand and preferences in 2025 and beyond.

The focus will be on how campers can find meaningful ways to find balance and deeper connections with their surroundings.  

Another value addition, says the travel expert is the fact that camping now covers a wide range of activities, accommodations, and comfort levels, making it more accessible to people who wouldn’t normally be drawn to the old-school idea of sleeping on the ground in the woods.  

While many travellers associate camping with low and medium budgets, that is not true, says Joyce Marigu, a travel marketer.  

“Camping cuts across all travel markets including high-end travellers, and glamping hotels are nothing new, but a trend growing momentum in traditional luxury hotels, that are adding glamping options,” says Marigu.  

She says this allows travellers to choose one of two ways to travel – they can choose either book a glamping suite that comes with all the luxuries of a five-star hotel, like room service, on-site spas, and multi-course tasting dinner, or have the option of glamping without committing to it for every single night.  

“This year, I have guests who want a taste of both – a luxury hotel room for most of their stay, then a one or two-night stay at a glamping tent,” says the Gura Nature Trails CEO, adding in 2025 travellers will have already seen this at resorts in many of Kenya’s destinations.  

She says demand has seen many luxury and eco-tourism destinations refurbish and upgrade to accommodate glampsite accommodation including tent sites where campers can take advantage of five-star perks.  

At Saruni Base Camp in Naboisho Conservancy, Masaai Mara where former President Obama and his family stayed in 2007, they enjoyed the experienced luxury of tented camps complete with outdoor bathrooms with showers and swing-sunbeds which the guests used while viewing a full nature experience. Since then, the camp has become a popular camping destination.  

Then there is beach camping. Kenya has spectacular white sand and azure blue coastal waters, which attract traditional hotel guests, recently, the shift has moved to include beach camping in destinations like Wasini, Watamu, Kilifi including beach camping at Lake Victoria – Kisumu and Homabay.  

“It is not surprising that self-sufficient beach camping is so popular in coastal destinations, and thanks to an increase in available gear and clothing rentals, plus local guide-finding resources, pitching a tent is going to be one of the next big 2025 camping trends,” says Marigu.  

And hospitality investors have moved a notch higher with creativity. Some like Charanna Farm, in Meru have invested in themed camping – culinary camping where culinary events make campground cooking an elevated experience!  

“There is no denying that dehydrated food and beef jerky aren’t usually the most appealing snacks, but that is changing and 2025 is going to see a culinary focus in the great outdoors as one of the big camping trends,” says Charles Kiruki, Proprietor, Charanna Farm.  

Maruhi says there will be an increase in camping opportunities at sites focused on food, such as campsites at wineries, tea and coffee farms.

“The 2025 camping trends are not about carrying food, tents and sleeping bags because those in the business are providing them amidst other alternatives such as tented camps destinations or both, making the activity more accessible to travellers who do not want to carry those items throughout their trips,” says Marigu.