Not your Grandpa's camping trip

A couple of weekends ago, our nephew Chris and his dad, Mark, hiked and camped a couple of nights on the Appalachian Trail here in North Carolina. Mark has always enjoyed camping, and now that Chris is in the Scouts, he has taken to the trail with zeal. I won't be surprised if he stays with Scouting and eventually earns his Eagle Scout Badge.

Now Kathy and I, we'd as soon spend a night in a tent as eat glass shards with a filet mignon. We much prefer having a sturdy roof over our heads and an easy walk to the spa.

So when this new trend in luxury camping I've been reading about eased its way into popular travel, I was intrigued. Then after reading about the African safaris run by companies like Abercrombie and Kent, I had to think twice about the possibility of sleeping in a tent and having the chance to get up close to animals otherwise only accessible in a zoo. Just take a look at their site to see what they offer.

Looks great, right? Not exactly roughing it, is it? I didn't even put in photos of the animals and scenery. Certainly that will change after Kathy and I experience one of their tours through Zambia, which we will complete in August. We can't wait, and do check back for our future post.

Again, you can check it all out on their site, and if Africa is in your dreams and budget, go for it.

 (Top right is Tanzania, Tarangire National Park, Swala Camp; right is Tanzania, Serengeti, Kusini Camp - tent dining at night; and lower left is East Africa, Mobile Camping. All three photos are courtesy of Abercrombie & Kent Picture Library.)

Closer to home

All that said about the great safari adventure to Africa, when I heard that there's a tent camping adventure a lot closer to home, in Baja California Sur in Mexico, I checked it out, and I have to admit it looks pretty cool.

How's this for a visual pitch: For those who enjoy being lulled to sleep by the sound of crashing waves, awaking to a magnificent sunrise and enjoying the endless wonders of the Sea of Cortes, the island of Espiritu Santo in Baja California Sur is a paradise worth seeking.

The island of Espiritu Santo, from the Spanish Espíritu Santo, "Holy Spirit" is located approximately 20 miles off the coast of La Paz. It is a haven for divers, kayakers and travelers seeking an ecological adventure. Uninhabited by humans, Espiritu Santo is a nature reserve and is home to over 235 species of plants, 271 of fish, 32 of reptiles, 98 of birds and 21 of marine mammals. Declared a Natural Protected Area by the federal government, the island is a valuable conservation area and draws many visitors annually to enjoy and interact with the environment.

As it turns out, camping is one of the best ways to experience Espiritu Santo and capture the essence of Baja Sur. Many tour operators and local vendors offer camping trip itineraries complete with meals and equipment, aimed to make each travelers journey as comfortable and memorable as possible.

So if any of that raises the hairs on the back of your neck in excitement, check out the following outfitters who offer multiple-day camping trips to Espiritu Santo throughout the year:

Baja Camp, a small-tented camp based on the island of Espiritu Santo, is intent on offering visitors a unique vacation experience. Through September 7, 2009, Baja Camp offers 5 spacious tents that can accommodate up to 10 guests at a time (based on double occupancy) complete with beds, sheets, towels, bathrooms and showers. This is not luxury, but it's not far from it.

A large living room tent is also available for use with comfortable chairs, tables for dining and stocked bar. A chef trained in Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine provides a flavorful menu prepared fresh daily. During the day, guests can enjoy the many ecological wonders provided by Espiritu Santo, from snorkeling among an array of colorful fish to kayaking along its fish-filled waters to spotting various fauna and tropical plant life on an exciting hike around the island.

Rates begin at $480 per tent, per night plus tax and include the transfer from Tecolote Beach to the camp as well as 3 meals per day. Additional fees may apply based on additional activities such as scuba diving and sport fishing.

For more information, please visit www.bajacamp.com.

Fun Baja, a La Paz-based tour operator, offers many opportunities to explore the beauty of Baja California Sur.

Grupo Fun Baja features a first-class camping adventure by way of their Safari packages which include all camping gear, meals and drinks and comfortable bathrooms including a fresh water shower and toilet. A professional chef accompanies the group and prepares a different menu each day. Safaris range from 2-days/1-night (Mini Safari) to 4-days/3-nights (Grand Safari).

Kayaks and snorkeling gear are provided for kayaking around the bay and swimming with sea lions. In addition to the popular camping safaris, Fun Baja offers day trips where guests can enjoy a fun-filled day of snorkeling, swimming with sea lions and enjoy being surrounded by paradise.

For a reservation, please call (800)-667-5362
and for more information, visit www.funbaja.com.

Sea & Adventures, Inc, an outdoor adventure company specializing in sea kayaking and whale watching expeditions from La Paz and Loreto, offers a quick getaway entitled "Kayaking Espiritu Santo Island." The journey begins and ends in La Paz and includes accommodations on the island of Espiritu Santo, transportation from La Paz to camp and back, all meals and beverages at camp, and trip equipment. Enjoying a flexible itinerary, travelers will have the chance to explore hidden coves by kayak, swim with sea lions in the Sea of Cortes, relax on white sand beaches, hike on trails throughout the island or enjoy a cold margarita during "happy hour" every night at sunset. Guests can choose from a 3-day trip at $450, a 4-day trip for $575 or a 5-day trip for $700. For available travel dates and more information, please visit www.kayakbaja.com.

Eco-tourists, families, honeymooners, mature travelers, artists and others delight in their discovery of Baja California Sur. Comprising three international airports Baja California Sur is both accessible and exotic. Non-stop flights or convenient connections to Los Cabos are available from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento, California; Houston and Dallas, Texas; Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, New York/ Newark, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. Seasonal service is available from Calgary, Cincinnati, Detroit, Edmonton, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Oakland, Portland, St. Louis and Vancouver. Non-stop flights to La Paz and Loreto are available from Los Angeles. For more information Baja California Sur call (877) MY-BAJA SUR or visit www.mybajasur.com.

If you liked this story, take a look at the Into Africa series.

International Travel Examiner J.S. Fletcher and spouse, Kathy M. Newbern, report on luxury destinations, spas and cruising around the globe. They are award-winning members of the Society of American Travel Writers and operate their personalized romance novel business.