Galápagos Safari Camp brings the East African tented camp to the Galápagos. Nine canvas safari tents sit on a ridge in the highlands of Santa Cruz, about 400 meters up, looking over the national park toward the Pacific. Packages include all meals, a private English-speaking naturalist on land and shared boat trips to uninhabited islands, so the logistics are handled for you.
It suits couples who love the idea of glamping but still want proper beds, hot showers and good food. Giant tortoises wander the surrounding farmland and evenings are quiet enough to hear the wind in the trees. During the day you snorkel, walk lava trails or visit nearby islands by boat, then return to camp for a tasting menu with produce from the on-site organic farm.
The camp is small and personal, with a pool, a lounge and a lookout. It is not cheap: the published three-night rate works out to roughly $2,800 a night for two. But because guiding, meals and boat trips are built in, it compares fairly with a good small ship, without the seasickness.
Highlights at a glance
- Nine safari tents on a highland ridge
- Private naturalist guide for land excursions
- All meals, with produce from the organic farm
- Shared boat trips and snorkeling included
- Pool and lookout with views to the Pacific
Why Couples Love the Camp
The appeal is the combination of wildness and comfort. Tents look out across forested slopes to the sea and a private guide on land means the two of you can set the pace. If you want to spend an extra hour with the tortoises or skip a walk for the pool, you can.
With only nine tents for couples, the camp feels like a house party with strangers who quickly become friends. Staff are known for warmth and guest reviews mention the food and service again and again. It is a strong choice for couples who want to feel they are somewhere remote while still sleeping well every night.
Tents to Book
Couples will book one of the nine Safari Tents. Each sits on a raised wooden platform with a private terrace facing the view. Inside are a large bed, ceiling fans, adjustable window flaps and an ensuite bathroom with a hot shower. Guests describe them as spacious and tastefully furnished.
The Family Suite is designed for families and groups, so most couples will not need it. When booking, ask which tents have the most open view toward the ocean and the best privacy. Nights in the highlands can be cool and damp and the camp provides extra blankets, but pack a warm layer for evenings on the terrace.
Food, Drink and Downtime
All meals are included. Dinner is a nightly tasting menu built around ingredients from the camp's own organic farm and island fishermen and reviews praise it as a highlight. Lunches are often served on excursions or on board the boat.
Drinks are charged separately, so budget for wine and cocktails. Back at camp there is a pool for afternoons off, a lounge for sundowners and a lookout point where many couples end the day watching the light change over the park. There is no full spa, so if massages are a priority, ask the camp what treatments can be arranged or consider a night at a lodge with a spa.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
A typical Classic Safari mixes land and sea.
- Walk among giant tortoises in the highlands with your private guide.
- Take shared boat trips to uninhabited islands, with a guided snorkel.
- Explore lava tubes and the Los Gemelos craters.
- Kayak or swim at Tortuga Bay, a long white beach near Puerto Ayora.
- Add a dive extension or a night on Isabela Island.
Wetsuits and snorkel gear are included. Sea conditions can make boat days choppy, so pack seasickness remedies. Mosquitoes are present in the wet season, so pack repellent and if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices.
Getting There
Fly from Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE) to Seymour Airport on Baltra (GPS). The camp includes VIP airport services and handles the transfer by bus, the short ferry across the Itabaca Channel and road up into the highlands, around 45 minutes in all.
Flights to the islands leave in the morning, so most couples spend a night on the mainland before and after. The camp can arrange extensions, including a night at the ILALO Sky House in Quito or stays in the Amazon and cloud forest. Entry and visa rules depend on your citizenship and can change at short notice, so check the official government website before you book.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want a land-based Galápagos trip with excellent guiding, yes. Private land excursions, all meals and boat trips are included and the setting is one of the most distinctive on the islands. The price compares reasonably with a quality small ship.
Boat trips are shared and the camp is not on the beach, so couples who want to wake up beside the sea should look at Finch Bay Hotel. Those who want a spa and more polished luxury may prefer Pikaia Lodge. Couples who want to see the most remote islands should choose a longer cruise. Flights, park costs, drinks and tips are extra.
Insider tips
- Request a tent with the clearest ocean view when you book.
- Budget for drinks and tips, which are not included.
- Pack a fleece; highland evenings are cooler than you expect.
- Add the Isabela Island extension for flamingos and a quieter town.
