Our take: Travelers are seeking transformative experiences, and tented camps have emerged as life-changing alternatives to traditional hotels, setting up locations in truly inspiring destinations, including national parks and even an island that overlooks Manhattan. Says Peter Mack, founder and CEO of experiential travel company Collective Retreats: “More and more, people are finding luxury in simplicity and connection.”

Hoanib Valley Camp, Namibia: The remote Kaokoland region of the Skeleton Coast in Namibia is known as one of the world’s last true wilderness areas, with a sparse population of about one person for every mile. It is also the home of Natural Selection’s new Hoanib Valley Camp, surrounded by a landscape of rolling sand dunes, river beds, and wildlife-rich plains. The camp comprises six canvas tents raised on decks designed by Johannesburg-based Cate Simpson. Bedecked in dip-dyed linens, African artwork, and rattan furnishings, the upscale, sophisticated interiors belie their location in the desert while managing to effortlessly blend in.

Hoanib Valley Camp, Namibia

Outpost by Upscape, Chile and Argentina: Imagine cycling through Chilean vineyards or hiking in Patagonia National Park. That’s exactly what Santiago-based experiential travel company Upscape offers its adventurous guests. “The constant presence of wifi and pressures of social media make finding [special] moments—and fully enjoying them—increasingly difficult,” says CEO and founder Brian Pearson. “Travelers want a challenge.” The extremely remote camps offer fly fishing and photography classes, among other activities, and accommodate up to 16 people in private, furnished tents that include specialty guides and a private cook.

Outpost by Upscape, Chile and Argentina

Collective Governors Island, New York: A quick ferry ride from Manhattan, this lush retreat is the perfect antidote to city life. It’s part of Peter Mack’s ethos to bring travelers closer to nature with his high-end campsites in Vail, Montana, Texas, and more. “It’s about an elegant experience that can be a part of the story of your life,” explains Mack of Collective Retreats. The deck-elevated tents are outfitted with 1,500-thread count bedding, en-suite bathrooms, and dramatic chandeliers, while communal areas boast private chefs who prepare meals with ingredients sourced from local farms and vendors.

Collective Governors Island, New York