This South African Glamp-site Asks: What If "Moonrise Kingdom" Were Real?
Inspired by the art direction of Wes Anderson, this playful campsite offers a gleeful escape from the world.
![This South African Glamp-site Asks: What If "Moonrise Kingdom" Were Real?](https://images.dwell.com/photos-6696836461368389632/6958145926388531200-small/the-upholstered-wall-was-crafted-by-casamento-the-daybed-is-from-houtlander-featuring-custom-cushions-by-casamento.jpg?#)
Inspired by the art direction of Wes Anderson, this playful campsite offers a gleeful escape from the world.
![The upholstered wall was crafted by Casamento. The daybed is from Houtlander, featuring custom cushions by Casamento.](https://images.dwell.com/photos-6696836461368389632/6958145926388531200-large/the-upholstered-wall-was-crafted-by-casamento-the-daybed-is-from-houtlander-featuring-custom-cushions-by-casamento.jpg)
You’d be forgiven for assuming Camp Canoe was the work of a Wes Anderson superfan. The cabins marked with embroidered scout badges, the meticulously clashing plaids, the pleasing symmetry of the pegboard kitchens: It’s like a beautiful, Moonrise Kingdom fever dream.
![Camp Canoe is nestled right in the heart of wine country: a true escape from the world.](https://images.dwell.com/photos-6696836461368389632/6958145931224965120-medium/camp-canoe-is-nestled-right-in-the-heart-of-wine-country-a-true-escape-from-the-world.jpg)
Camp Canoe is nestled right in the heart of wine country: a true escape from the world.
Photo by Warren Heath/Bureaux
But camp founder Amy Kropman sheepishly admits that she hasn’t even seen all of the director’s films. "I’m not a die-hard fan necessarily," she laughs. Never mind, though. Andersonphile or not, the result is quirky, quaint, and utterly inviting.
![In the central tent, a MADE light strip by Martin Doller is woven through a Barn and Werf canoe frame to create an on-brand light fixture above a large Boschedal dining table. Woodbender chairs offer ample seating for groups.](https://images.dwell.com/photos-6696836461368389632/6958145929122516992-medium/in-the-central-tent-a-made-light-strip-by-martin-doller-is-woven-through-a-barn-and-werf-canoe-frame-to-create-an-on-brand-light-fixture-above-a-large-boschedal-dining-table-woodbender-chairs-offer-ample-seating-for-groups.jpg)
In the central tent, a Made light strip by Martin Doller is woven through a Barn and Werf canoe frame to create an on-brand light fixture above a large Boschendal dining table. Woodbender chairs offer ample seating for groups.
Photo by Warren Heath/Bureaux
Amy runs the glamping retreat in South Africa’s Cape Winelands with husband Tal, and their boys, Reef and Jax, play underfoot. The Kropmans previously operated a successful boutique hostel in Capetown, but when Covid hit, it offered the family a moment to reassess and figure out their next steps.
"We’re always on the lookout for things people aren’t doing," says Amy. So when the family moved out to a wine estate and found the property had a collection of heavy-duty safari tents set up out back—the remains of a never-completed vacation-rental project—the opportunity was too enticing for the hospitality power couple to resist. They called up acclaimed South African design firm Mr. with one directive: "Go wild."
![Bit by Bit Design created a tile mosaic for the shower stalls, intended to look like the lining of a sleeping bag.](https://images.dwell.com/photos-6696836461368389632/6958145928804421632-medium/bit-by-bit-design-created-a-tile-mosaic-for-the-shower-stalls-intended-to-look-like-the-lining-of-a-sleeping-bag.jpg)
Bit by Bit Design created a tile mosaic for the shower stalls that’s intended to look like the lining of a sleeping bag.
Photo by Warren Heath/Bureaux
See the full story on Dwell.com: This South African Glamp-site Asks: What If "Moonrise Kingdom" Were Real?
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