The luxury of less: Finding freedom with Epic’s off-grid camp adventures

Luxury isn’t about thread count and Michelin stars anymore – it’s time and space for making new memories. And Epic’s bespoke off-grid camp experiences help restore that sense of connection – to nature, to others and to ourselves. 

“There’s something innocent, elemental and timeless about camping, whether it’s an untamed wilderness experience or a touch of luxury under canvas,” says Epic Adventurer Michael. “Connecting with nature, dining under an open sky, gathering around the fire, stargazing. These are powerful moments that can nurture your mental wellbeing and stay with you and your family for years.”

At Epic we’ve designed some remarkable camp setups – from the deserts of Morocco to the rainforests of São Tomé, and a wild safari camp in South Africa to a peaceful riverside set-up in Portugal. Let’s spark your imagination…

The art of the temporary

“Some of my most life-changing adventures have involved camping,” explains Michael. “There’s a need for simplification in an increasingly complex world.”

Travellers are looking for something deeper than shiny marble floors or gold taps and Michael feels luxury adventure travel is shifting.

“Many people are no longer chasing accumulation or attention,” he says. “The hedonic treadmill is losing its appeal. The new frontier of premium travel is absence, anonymity, peace and meaning. Collecting moments of stillness, memories and transcendental experiences, rather than material goods.”

Real luxury is the freedom of open skies and the feeling of being the only person for miles. It could simply be the chance to go off-grid and hit pause with loved ones (sans arguments while setting up camp).

Camping can be part of a journey or all of the journey, depending on how off-grid you want to be. We can weave in the best of existing Epic vetted private camps but we often create our own set-ups where clients want more privacy. We can create a personalised journey where the camp is magically set up for you and disappears entirely when you leave, leaving no trace. Think custom, hand-built and styled with a touch of luxury – we still like our fluffy duvets!

One trip could be dining barefoot at the top of a cape, looking over the Atlantic with a beach below on the tropical West African island of São Tomé. On another watch the stars rise over Morocco’s dunes, deep in the Sahara sands. Our camps are for travellers who crave space and time to breathe, think and just be – without worrying about the details.

Read next… Erg Chigaga: Starry nights in Morocco’s lesser-known Sahara Desert

Where we go – Epic’s custom camp destinations

“What sets Epic apart is the ability to surprise and delight with bespoke, authentic, discrete off-grid adventures in private luxurious camps in stunning locations,” says Michael. “If you can imagine it, we can deliver it.”

Morocco

From hiking through the rocky Atlas Mountains to the golden sweep of the Sahara, in Morocco the sky’s the limit – but we tend to draw on a vintage 1920s explorer aesthetic. Think antique trunks, glass lanterns, director chairs and heavy canvas tents inspired by ‘Out of Africa‘. At Epic we have exclusive use of a very special desert site, where we can set up camp amongst oversized celestial-inspired art and architecture.

Read next… From souk to sand: 10-Day luxury Northern Morocco itinerary

South Africa

Sense the wilderness on safari in South Africa – listen to lions calling at dusk, the rustle of wind through the bush. Sleeping under canvas is a classic way to explore the country, and there’s a huge range of options from simple to the most luxurious.

São Tomé & Príncipe

Did you know Epic was the first to create a private camp on São Tomé? This barely touched West African island, where the rainforest meets the Atlantic, is beautiful in its simplicity. Here we can place comfortable bell tents between the jungle and sea, and your days can be dictated by waves and fireside conversations.

Portugal, Madeira & The Azores

In Portugal, try a waterfront camp on the Douro River, where a local wine winemaker can drop off their best vintage to enjoy while watching the sunset. Or camp on one of nine volcanic outposts on the edge of the Atlantic in the Azores, where craggy cliffs drop into the restless surf and thermal spas await.

Read next… Paddle Power: A two-day Douro River kayak journey

Epic’s approach

Every Epic camp begins with a blank canvas – literally. The location shapes the experience, and the experience shapes the design. If you crave pure connection with family in Portugal, we might keep it simple and rustic with a personal chef. While a Sahara plateau with multiple families or a big group of friends might demand handwoven Berber rugs, antique lanterns and space for long dinners under the stars and low-key entertainment, campfire drumming and dancing.

What connects every camp is the customised comfort without complication. We’ll work quietly behind the scenes, ensuring everything just happens so you can relax knowing everything is taken care of. 

Epic can call on musicians and storytellers to share moments around a roaring fire. Or have a private chef transform foraged ingredients into a meal that reflects the land. We can bring in a popcorn van and blankets for an outdoor movie night with the kids, or call on our ex-special forces sergeant for off-grid survival training.

In a world where 41% of Americans say they’re online almost constantly, disconnecting has become a rare luxury. There’s growing evidence that time in nature – and even the simple act of sitting beside a fire – lowers stress and restores calm. A camp can teach you to be truly present again.

So, where would you pitch your dream camp? If you can imagine it, Epic can deliver it – message us at info@epic.travel

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